Page 163 of The Scene of the Crime
‘It could have been before we arrived at the hospital and while Johan was having a head scan.’
‘Remember, Michelle was alone in the room when we got there,’ Anderson said.
‘OK, but we need to tread carefully here. I mean, it could be possible for someone else at the hospital to have put the potassium in the drip bag.’
Jessica knew she had to make them concentrate and keep their focus on Michelle.
‘Think about the timing. Michelle knew from the evidence at the previous trial exactly how long it would take for the potassium to become lethal. She knew the time we were expected to arrive at the hospital to interview her and Johan. If you remember, the window in his private room overlooked the car park, so she could see when we arrived. John having the scan gave her the window she needed.’
‘Where did she get it, then?’ Anderson asked.
‘There were his and hers cabinets in the en suite to the master bedroom, which I searched and then recorded the contents on video. I noticed a large plastic container of 275 milligram potassium tablets and other vitamins in Johan’s cabinet. I looked inside all the containers in case any contained illegal substances. As I recall, the potassium bottle was virtually full.’ Before continuing, she showed them the pictures that Guy had sent her on her phone. ‘Michelle could have dissolved a quantity of powder from the capsules in hot water and created a highly potent potassium liquid, which she then put in the drip bag.’
‘If she did, she will probably have got rid of the container and empty tablets by now,’ he remarked.
‘The video and pictures I took prove that potassium tablets were in Johan’s cabinet. If she got rid of them, she’d have difficulty explaining why, especially after Dr Giorgini’s postmortem results. I don’t think anyone else was involved in Johan’s death. Michelle had the motive and the access to the potassium.’
Anderson stood up and clapped his hands. ‘We need to interview Michelle De Klerk and search her house.’
‘Are you going to arrest her?’ Jessica asked.
‘Not yet. I want to recover the drip bag and have it tested for fingerprints first. If Michelle’s aren’t on it or there’s no sign it was tampered with, it will be hard to prove she did it. I’ll call Commander Williams and update her. Mike, I’d like you to get the search warrant and organise a small arrest and search team and transport.’ Chapman nodded. He was still uncertain about Michelle’s guilt but didn’t argue. It was almost like an afterthought when Anderson glanced towards Jessica, who was standing in front of his desk. ‘Good work, and I’d like you to accompany us. We’ll regroup as soon as we are all good to go. I’ll call Doctor Babu now.’ Anderson picked up his phone.
Jessica called Diane and asked her to go with Taff to the hospital, seize the drip bag and search Johan’s room. She then had a ham sandwich and an orange juice in the canteen and then went and sat in the incident room, trying to slow her heart rate.
‘I’ve got the warrants, and the arrest team and transport are good to go,’ Chapman said.
Jessica smiled. ‘I’m looking forward to this.’
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Chapman drove Jessica, Anderson and DC Owens to the De Klerks’ house, accompanied by two other detectives in an unmarked vehicle, who had been instructed to remain outside and enter the house only when their assistance was requested. As Chapman parked, they were surprised to see a CCTV security company van and a man by the front door fitting a video doorbell. They also noticed a CCTV camera attached to the house’s front.
‘Bit late for all that now. If they’d done it before, Johan may still be alive and this investigation would never have happened,’ Chapman remarked. Anderson knocked on the door, and a handsome, blond, suntanned man answered, introducing himself as Johan’s brother, Duante. Anderson introduced Chapman and Jessica and told him they were sorry for his loss. Duante explained that he had arrived that morning and his father was due the following day. He ushered them into the drawing room.
‘The whole family is devastated, as you can imagine. What happened to Johan was . . . I don’t have the words. We are planning to have a small funeral in England and then fly Johan’s body back to South Africa. Michelle is resting right now. She’s exhausted and, of course, worried for the baby, but she’s been checked over by her obstetrician and all is well. Can I get you anything – tea or coffee?’ Jessica watched him closely, feeling hewas giving them too much information. Duante gave a deep sigh. ‘Michelle’s expecting a boy. Poor Johan would have been over the moon; he so much wanted to have a son. It’s all just so sad.’
‘Could you please inform Mrs De Klerk we’d like to speak to her?’ Anderson asked.
‘May I ask what it’s about?’ Duante asked.
‘I’d rather tell her in person,’ Anderson replied.
‘OK, I will go and tell her you are here then. Are you sure I can’t offer you something to drink?’ Anderson refused for all of them. They stood awkwardly in the living room where Johan and Wheeler had fought before he was beaten and stabbed. Chapman walked around the room and then stood by the fireplace, looking at the array of silver-framed photographs. Although he had seen the photographs when he first came to the house on the Monday morning, he hadn’t taken much notice of them before.
In the photographs Johan was as blond as his brother but much taller and more athletic-looking, with broad shoulders and a slim waist. He smiled broadly with gleaming white teeth. The few pictures of Johan and Michelle together looked like wedding pictures, and Chapman thought she appeared somewhat domineering, often unsmiling.
Chapman turned as Michelle walked in. She wore a dark maroon velvet floor-length dressing gown over silk pyjamas. Resting or not, she was perfectly made-up, her hair loose with a satin headband. ‘I was wondering when you’d contact me. I am waiting to know when my husband’s body can be released so we can arrange his funeral. My brother-in-law, Duante, is taking care of the arrangements, while I consider what action to take against you regarding the unwarranted harassment my husband was subjected to, so I . . .’
‘I’ll speak to the coroner and ask him to call you,’ Anderson said. ‘But I’m afraid there may be a second postmortem.’
‘A second postmortem? Why is that necessary?’
‘We have evidence that implicates you in the death of your husband,’ Anderson said quietly.
‘What are you talking about? What evidence? This is preposterous,’ she said firmly but calmly.
‘Mrs De Klerk, this is not a social visit. We’d like to interview you at the station . . .’
