“So what happened with Shawna?”
“Now that was a difficult situation. There was fault on both sides, absolutely. But Callum was emotionally distraught, simply as a result of the rollercoaster ride he was on. Eventually we saw light at the end of the tunnel. She was happy with his apology and the photos being deleted, but she needed something more concrete, a financial commitment that Callum stood by his words. So since Callum’s father was not currently in a situation to provide that, and he didn’t want his ex-wife to know anything about it in case she started demanding more alimony, I helped out on a confidential basis.”
“So you’re saying you paid her to make her go away. That is what you are saying?” Kerry clarified.
He spread his hands, a vestige of an innocent smile trembling on his face.
“Well, sure. I guess that’s what I’m saying.”
May felt momentarily conflicted. Jessop was admitting to his reasons very openly. Would he be doing that if he had murdered the young women? Was he, in fact, being truthful?
Kerry clearly didn’t think they had the whole truth yet. She raised her eyebrows challengingly, and Jessop continued.
“I also did it out of the goodness of my own heart. I could see she was in a difficult situation, that she needed some comfort, and I wanted to help her out. I think all of us saw that the relationship was over. And it was better for the team that she was gone. I didn’t want the distraction.”
“I see,” Kerry said.
“It’s all about the big picture strategy. For my team, that is. We are like a family. We all pull together for the greater good. I don’t interfere where I don’t have to, you see. I can tell you now, honestly, those were the only two problematic relationships Callum had. It’s just a very unlucky coincidence that both of these women have been involved in—in this other business, with whoever is doing this.”
Kerry gave a tiny shake of her head. May could see that Kerry was totally unimpressed with this story. That she thought Jessop was a liar and a money-hungry user who had no conscience whatsoever.
The problem was that May didn’t entirely share her views. May thought that deep down, Jessop might be telling the truth. Weird though they were, she could see that this was how things in a small town worked. You wanted something, you used the personal touch to get it.
“Well, we’ll leave you here for a while,” Kerry said, checking her phone. “I see my partner has given me a progress report on the search he’s doing. We need to get up to speed on that. I’m sure he has interesting information to share with us.”
She stared intensely at Jessop, who went pale. Clearly, he was worried about the search.
He looked a lot like a deer trapped in headlights. He knew he was in deep trouble and he was unable to figure out a way out of this mess.
May couldn’t wait to hear the details, and if Adams had given some actual information in that quick text update. Hopefully if he had, it would provide a stronger framework to take this case forward.
“We’ll leave you here to think things through,” Kerry said. “But we’ll be back for a proper chat later. I’m sure by then, you’ll be ready to tell us more.”
She stood up and stalked out, with May behind her.
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
Owen walked into Jessop’s house, following Adams, who was making sure to take the lead in the important job of searching the suspect’s home premises. Owen was easygoing enough not to mind. He just hoped there was something to be found, because if they could find evidence that firmly linked Jessop to these crimes, then this traumatizing case would be wrapped up.
He didn’t mind if Adams found it first. As long as it was found.
As someone who had made a career move relatively late in life, joining the police at the age of twenty-nine, he was used to being the junior and Adams was undoubtedly the senior.
But Owen resolved to search as thoroughly as he could. And not just for Adams. He didn’t want to let May down.
Adams pushed open the door, after unlocking it with the key that Jessop had signed over to them before he’d been taken into the interview room.
“Fancy house,” he commented.
Owen agreed. “Yeah, he is definitely not struggling for money.”
The two-story home was located in a magnificent hilltop stand in a secure gated estate about two miles from Jessop’s office.
The architectural style was rather plain and modern, but the setting and position were stunning. He had a fantastic view, which was probably why he’d chosen this place to live.
Inside, Owen saw the furniture was ostentatious and looked brand new. It looked like it had been carefully chosen to make a statement, rather than to be comfortable. The chandeliers were so gaudy, Owen had to blink in the light.
In the living room, there were pictures of Jessop with various famous people, including top sports people. There were awards, footballs, and trophies in cabinets along the walls.