Page 38 of The Scene of the Crime
‘Technically, all the elements of an aggravated burglary are present,’ Jessica said. ‘However, the offender’s actions at the scene also suggest alternative theories. As you’ve seen, some parts of the scene appear staged, the upstairs wasn’t searched and the contents of the safe seem to have been the intruder’s main interest. I can’t rule out that he entered the premises with a premeditated intent to kill Mr De Klerk. Judging from the severe injuries he received, the intent to kill was present when he was stabbed.’
Chapman looked at one of the civilian analysts and asked her to compile a list of all known burglars who lived within a mile radius of the crime scene. Of particular interest would be any who had also carried out assaults during a break-in.
‘There’s a couple I’ve nicked before that live on the Kingsmead Estate in Hackney,’ DS Wood said. ‘One of them is a nasty piece of work. He tied an elderly couple up during a break-in, stole their jewellery and tortured them to get their credit card PINs. I heard he was released on parole recently.’
Jessica didn’t say anything but thought the man DS Wood described was an unlikely suspect.
One of the house-to-house officers spoke up. ‘The neighbour, Mr Elton, did say De Klerk likes to brag about his wealth. Could he be involved?’
Chapman laughed. ‘I think we can rule him out as the intruder. He’s in his fifties and must weigh about eighteen stone. I don’t think he’d be capable of scaling the wall. That’s not to say he didn’t get someone else to break in, but it’s unlikely.’
‘It might be worth enquiring in pawn shops and online luxury second-hand watch dealers in case someone tries to pawn or sell the Rolex,’ DC Owens suggested.
Chapman nodded. ‘It’s a gold Daytona, worth about sixty grand. Jessica found a document relating to it in the study. I’ve already circulated the model and serial number on the stolen property index.’
An officer suggested a press release giving details of the crime and mentioning the Rolex might be productive. Chapman shook his head. ‘DCI Anderson doesn’t want to do a press release yet, knowing they’re going to hound Mrs De Klerk, who’s already very distressed as you can imagine.’
DS Wood shook his head in disbelief. ‘They’ll be all over it anyway once they discover who she is!’ The team members looked puzzled, and one asked what he meant. Before Chapman could reply, Wood spoke out. ‘As Kings Council, she goes by her maiden name, Belsham. She’s affectionally known by many of us as “That Bitch Belsham”, as anyone who’s been cross-examined by her will tell you.’
‘Bloody hell, I didn’t realise it was her!’ a DC replied. Many team members looked surprised, and Jessica heard some derogatory comments about Belsham being made.
Chapman raised his voice. ‘It doesn’t matter who she is. Someone tried to kill her husband, and so she is also a victim. The poor woman must be going through mental torment, wondering if he’s going to make it. Her maiden name and profession stay within these four walls. You use her married name when you speak to anyone regarding the investigation. Is that understood?’
There was a chorus of ‘Yes, sir.’
‘Good. We all need to be positive. Jessica and her team are working hard and doing their best to assist us, but we can’t afford to sit back and hope DNA or other forensic tests willsolve the crime. Someone in the criminal fraternity will likely know about this crime and possibly know who committed it. If you have informants, speak to them and see if they’ve heard anything of interest. I’m sure Jessica has plenty to be getting on with, so unless there is anything else you’d like to ask her, you can all carry on with your enquiries.’
‘I just wondered if you’d formed an opinion on the type of personality the intruder might have?’ DS Wood enquired. From his tone and body language, Jessica sensed that Wood, like Chapman, had an unfavourable opinion about that type of behavioural analysis.
‘Sorry, I don’t do that. That type of profiling is often based on assumptions and generalisations about human behaviour, which can mislead detectives and the investigation. I focus on the behaviour and actions of the offender at the crime scene rather than guessing their personality, lifestyle or upbringing. All I can say at present is the offender may have previous convictions for burglary and/or assault . . . and size nine to ten feet.’ She closed her iPad.
Wood grinned and nodded, obviously pleased with her answer.
Chapman stepped forward. ‘Thanks for your input, Jessica. I know I can say on behalf of the team that we’ve learned a lot about the crime scene and the intruder’s actions from your in-depth analysis.’ Everyone in the room nodded in agreement, but Chapman wanted them to show more appreciation and started clapping until the rest joined in. Jessica put a hand up to stop them, feeling acutely embarrassed.
Chapman was about to conclude the meeting when a chuffed-looking DC Andy ‘Binky’ Bingham walked in, carrying a portable hard drive in an exhibits bag and a blue statement folder.
‘Any luck spotting De Klerk’s Range Rover on the CCTV?’ Chapman asked.
‘Does a bear shit in the woods, guv,’ he replied cheerfully, putting the hard drive down on his desk. ‘My eyes are killing me after looking at CCTV all day,’ he commented as he rubbed his face.
‘I reckon it’s something else making you go blind, Binky,’ a detective shouted. They all laughed, and Chapman waited for silence before asking Bingham to tell them what he’d got from the CCTV.
‘De Klerk’s Range Rover was picked up at 2.40 a.m. this morning in Wick Road, Hackney. It was then seen on the A12 East Cross Route, travelling at forty-eight miles per hour and then at fifty-seven.’
A detective gave a sceptical laugh as he interrupted. ‘CCTV cameras don’t record speed, so how can you know that, Binky?’
‘Because it set off two speed cameras, one in a forty zone and the other in a fifty, smart arse. Only the Wick Road camera picked up a shot of the driver.’ He removed an A4 photo from the folder. The room went quiet in anticipation of a major lead. ‘Sadly, the driver is wearing a dark hoodie and has his head down, making it impossible to see his face. He’s also got gloves on, so I can’t tell you his skin colour. As you know, the speed cameras only pick up the rear registration plate.’ There was a look of gloom around the room as DC Bingham continued. ‘However, there is some good news. You can’t get into Wick Road from Victoria Park Road, Homer Road or Brookfield Road, which is one way. This means the suspect had to drive from Homer Road, up Victoria Park Road, right into Danesdale Road, right again into Cassland Road, then across Wick Road and onto the A12.’
‘You’re sounding like the voice on my sat nav,’ a detective commented, causing more laughter.
Bingham continued. ‘I was about to say, before I was once again rudely interrupted, there’s a good chance household CCTVand doorbells in those streets recorded the car, and fingers crossed, the driver’s face.’
‘Good work, Binky. We can start making enquiries at the relevant houses this evening,’ Chapman said.
‘There’s more,’ DC Bingham grinned. ‘There’s no ANPRs on the East Cross route until just after the Green Man roundabout. The Range Rover wasn’t picked up on it, so my guess is, he came off the A12 at the roundabout. Where he went after that is anyone’s guess.’
‘There’s bus stops there. A bus or bus stop camera might have picked up the car,’ DS Wood said.
