Page 88 of The Scene of the Crime
‘She was wearing a nightdress, but it was hanging off her shoulder to one side and I could see part of her breast. I got an erection and started to masturbate. I wanted to see more of her body and slowly pulled the bed sheet back, but she woke up.’
‘Were you still masturbating then?’ Anderson asked.
‘Yes, I could see the fear in her face and knew she was about to scream. I jumped on her and put my hand over her mouth. I said I wasn’t going to hurt her, but she pulled my hand away, started to scream and I ran off home.’ Palmer bowed his head, twisting the now sodden tissue between his fingers. He muttered something that was almost inaudible but sounded like a wretched apology.
As Palmer recounted the events of that terrifying night, Jessica felt as if she was being transported back in time. Everything he said was exactly as it happened, but she had no idea he had been watching her night after night and masturbating. She suddenly realised that the rest of the team were watching the interview in the main office and she wondered if they would work out that she was the victim. Jessica suspected Diane, who knew she used to be a probation officer, might figure it out but trusted her not to say anything to the others.
‘Were you wearing a balaclava at the time?’ Chapman asked.
‘Yes. I threw it in a bin on the way home.’
‘And you persuaded your mother to lie for you.’
Liam nodded, ‘She was drunk, I told you, so pissed-up she didn’t know what I was doing. But I knew she’d protect me, because I had stuff on her.’ He looked up. ‘I’m ashamed and sorry for what I did, but I wasn’t going to rape her.’
‘I find that hard to believe after the way you stalked your victim and broke into her house.’ Chapman glanced up at the camera, knowing Jessica was watching.
‘Will Liam be charged with a sexual offence?’ Baldwin asked.
‘I hope so, but that will be a decision for the CPS,’ Anderson replied bluntly.
‘Will I go to prison?’ Liam asked, his voice shaking.
‘A judge will decide that, but it’s highly likely. Admitting that crime is to your credit but continuing to lie about your involvement in the De Klerk case isn’t helping you. If found guilty, you could go to prison for attempted murder, which carries a life sentence.’
Liam looked shocked, as if he’d thought by admitting the sexual assault the other crimes would be dismissed. ‘But you got to believe me, it had nothing to do with me. If I knew anythingabout it, I swear before God, I’d tell you.’ He began sobbing again.
Chapman shook his head. ‘You’re lying, Liam. All the evidence we have points to you being involved in the burglary and assault on Mr De Klerk. The calls and messages sent from the burner phone recovered in your toilet cistern suggest you were the person who broke into the house and stabbed him.’
‘It wasn’t me!’ Liam shouted, standing up with his fists on the table.
‘Sit down!’ Chapman commanded. ‘That’s a lie, and you know it.’
‘If you know, Liam, or can think of anyone who might be involved, then I suggest you tell the officers,’ Baldwin said. Liam slumped back in his chair and put his hands over his face.
‘I’m giving you one last chance to tell us the truth, Liam,’ Anderson said, but Liam didn’t answer.
‘I don’t think there’s anything more to be achieved by continuing this interview,’ Baldwin said.
Anderson nodded. ‘I will call the Crown Prosecution Service and seek their advice on which crimes Liam should be charged with. This interview is concluded.’
Liam looked devastated. ‘Wait a minute, please, you have to believe me. I haven’t committed any crimes since the burglary when I got run over. I got a place to live and a job. I’ve worked hard, and I don’t want to lose it all, so please just let me go.’
‘You need to speak with Mr Baldwin, Liam,’ Anderson said as he turned the tape off. He and Chapman left the room.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Jessica could feel her heart racing as she switched off the live link. She sat back in her chair and ran her hands through her hair. Hearing Palmer’s admission had brought back an intense visual recall of everything that had happened that night. It was so vivid, it felt as if she was back in her bedroom and he was once again looking at her through the eye holes of his balaclava and licking his lips before he pounced on her. Jessica doubted Palmer was telling the truth when he said he had no intent to rape her, but although his admission suggested he would plead guilty, there was always a chance he might change his mind, and it would be another harrowing experience giving evidence against him.
Jessica thought about her meetings with him as a probation officer. She wondered if she had missed any signs of him being obsessed with her, but nothing came to mind. He found it hard to engage in conversation, was withdrawn, and disliked talking about his family life. Due to his ADHD, he was hyperactive and impulsive, but as far as she could recall, he was never disruptive or aggressive, unlike some of the young offenders she dealt with. She wondered if Palmer had suffered from limerence, a very intense desire, infatuation, or obsession with a person, that is often uncontrollable, which people with ADHD were often more prone to. She was also aware that teenagers with ADHD mayhave a higher-than-normal sex drive and trouble with impulse control and resisting temptation.
Reflecting on Palmer’s condition made Jessica think of something that she, Anderson and Chapman might have inadvertently failed to consider. She picked up his criminal record file and flicked through his arrest entries. She found exactly what she feared might be there when looking at his arrest for the attempted rape by Chapman.
Jessica hurried through to the main office, where Guy, Diane and Taff were huddled together discussing Palmer’s second interview. Jessica wondered if they were talking about her, but that wasn’t her main concern.
‘Looks like Palmer’s up shit creek without a paddle,’ Taff said with a smile.
‘Guy, I’m not very knowledgeable about police custody procedures, but would an adult with ADHD need an appropriate adult present during an interview?’ Jessica asked.
