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| Cleanup Time - The Nikki Wade Retrial; Bad Girls Judge John Deed crossover fic | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Aug 22 2007, 07:08 AM (13,908 Views) | |
| NLovesH | Oct 13 2007, 12:44 PM Post #121 |
Down the Block
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A relevant comparasion richard "great point |
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| LahbibLover | Oct 13 2007, 03:17 PM Post #122 |
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I said SIT IN THAT CHAIR
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Richard I'm glad you are redoing the trial because this is one of the parts of bad girls that had always bothered me. I'm hoping I get a better outcome this time around. I always thought that Nikki defended Trisha and then had to defend herself as well. Also, so clever and true about if it had been a man defending his woman that he would have been a hero. Love how you have written Nikki and Helen supporting one another as well as all of the women supporting one another. It gives me warm fuzzy's. Another well written and thought out scene. A pleasure to read your writing. cheers, Brenda |
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| FanFicCrazy | Oct 14 2007, 07:00 AM Post #123 |
Down the Block
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There isn't much I have to say, your work stands out on it's own, excellent chapter richard.
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| richard | Oct 14 2007, 10:16 AM Post #124 |
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Thanks ever so much for the feedback. What is interesting about writing this court appeal is that Jo Mills isn't starting from a position of 'imploring' the judges for justice but is going into the attack while at the same time, building up on the arguments that Marian presented. This is also where, in contrast from the start of the fic where in contrast John Deed and Jo Mills viewed Nikki's case sympathetically from afar, they are right in there and all the spread of characters are brought together. More thrills to come. |
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| Emms | Oct 14 2007, 07:13 PM Post #125 |
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I just had the chance to get caught up, Richard. I'll be back later with a bit of fb. I enjoy your writing immensely. |
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I registered at G Wing and all I got was this lousy tshirt. “After my time at Larkhall, I deserve to take it easy for a long, long while. I’ve been there, done it, and worn the bloody T-shirt..."~ Helen in: Unfinished Business by Richard | |
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| richard | Oct 15 2007, 06:49 AM Post #126 |
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This piece opens up the possibility that was never explored in Bad Girls which was something you might have alluded to without knowing it Brenda (Lahbiblover) I was also wondering if I've been posting episodes just that bit quickly and I'd be interested in feedback on this point , both 'on' and 'off the board' and go for, say, posting every 3 days in view of your post, Emms. In this scene, I love Helen's quick wittedness. ....................................................................................................................... Scene Twenty-Eight By contrast, Donald Frobisher rose to his feet in an unaccustomed hurry to refute Jo Mills’ arguments before the appeal court judges could be swayed by such spurious sophistries. His preferred style was languid self-assurance. Sir Ian and Lawrence James couldn’t wait for their man to pull out all the stops and blow away all this spurious bleeding heart liberal stuff. By contrast, the three women in the gallery clutched nervously at the rail running round the balcony. “My Lords, I would urge caution in considering the central line of argument. My learned colleague is turning this hearing into a one sided trial, in absentia, of DC Gossard for alleged rape when he is unable to give evidence for himself. The proper course for an appeal is to consider the death of DC Gossard. The facts are indisputable and haven’t been disputed that he was unlawfully killed at the hands of the woman you see before you, Nicola Wade in ‘a most vicious manner’ as even the original court of appeal put it. I submit that this is more productive than pursuing the ‘might have beens’ or ‘could have beens’ as my learned colleague has sought to do. Indeed, the counsel at the original court of appeal hearing hinted at the actual guilt of the appellant in stating that she ‘reacted, perhaps over reacted.’ I would direct your lordships to the contemporaneous statement made by Ms Nicola Wade at the time of the killing. It shows that there were no ifs or buts about the matter and the wanton disregard for the due process of law. Instead of Ms Wade being regarded as a ‘have a go hero’, I would suggest that she acted as a one woman vigilante, and one that was acting entirely outside the due process of law. There is no place in a civilized society justice for judge, jury and executioner to roam the lands at large. In item 3 in the bundle of evidence, Ms Wade said as follows. ‘I stuck what was left of the broken bottle in his neck. He fell to his knees; he was trying to hold the blood in with his hands. I could tell straightaway he didn't have a chance. There was a hell of a lot of blood. I didn't regret a single drop of it. He tried asking me to help him, stupid bastard. I phoned the police then. While we waited, I told him why I stabbed him. He knew anyway; course he did, but I told him anyway. He tried to rape Trisha, and you lot were never going to do anything about it, were you? He was one of yours, a copper, and I'm glad the bastard's dead.” These words were said in the full knowledge of Ms Wade in the presence of the two examining policemen. No one is seriously suggesting that somehow words were put in her mouth.” Trisha turned white with anger as this pompous man who was trying to rubbish everything that she and Nikki had gone through. “I can’t sit still any longer. I want to tell the bloody court what really went on.” “Sit down Trisha,“ Helen said in a low key but forceful fashion as Trisha made to stand up.” You won’t be doing any good to disrupt the court proceedings.” Although Helen pulled at Trisha’s sleeve, she understood and felt her rage. “The appeal reduces itself to utter absurdity in arguing that there are absolutely no consequences that should be visited upon the wanton killing of a policeman with that most vicious of instruments, a broken bottle. We operate under the public eye, in the spotlight of public opinion. It would create the most dangerous precedent imaginable. I freely admit that I have my own certain reservations about the original judgment, not least that for some reason, Ms Wade was never called upon to give evidence. Perhaps it might be that she had something to hide and that she had boxed herself sufficiently into a corner not to risk her coming under closer scrutiny. The original appeal court exercised a degree of understandable mercy but, to quote a famous phrase, ‘here we stand and we should move no further.’ The final question I want to ask is why on earth a policeman, a heterosexual male should be in the slightest way sexually interested in a lesbian, a woman who he might reasonably not take the slightest notice of. For all we know, the supposed victim might have been wearing dungarees and boots and be utterly unattractive to a normal male.” Donald Frobisher lounged back against the rail, a smug expression on his face as he rounded into his conclusion. Up in the gallery, Trisha gesticulated to herself, keeping quiet under Helen’s watchful eye. John Deed saw what was going on, whispered briefly to Joseph Channing who nodded agreement. “I can see that you want to attract the attention of the court to some vital point. Could you tell us your name and what point you are trying to make,” John called out. “Go for it Trisha,” hissed Helen forcefully. Her decisive nature knew as it knew nothing else that this was their golden opportunity. “I am Trisha Williams. I used to run the club with Nikki Wade. As you can see, it’s obvious why DC Gossard got totally the wrong idea about me.” “Could you please stand up for the benefit of the court?” Trisha Williams, you are amazing, Nikki thought, her body shivering in sudden relief after that dreadful verbal assault on her. This is weird, thought Trisha. I’ve never in my life posed to be looked over by three men, let alone judges. I’m not entering a straight beauty contest for all the tea in China. She saw Nikki’s eyes shining up at her and Sally Anne Howe’s expression, urging her to carry on. She stood up, feeling a total fool but reconciled herself to the necessity of it. After all, Nikki, Helen and Sally Anne were all for it. “You can sit down. I must thank you for your help,” John said graciously.” Please continue, Mr. Frobisher.” “I repeat my earlier point that a three year sentence for manslaughter, operating retrospectively is a right and proper one. I urge your lordships to reject this appeal,” Donald Frobisher concluded curtly, somewhat red faced and spotting out of the corner of his eye Jo Mills and Claire Walker grinning at him. There was a pause in the proceedings while the three judges conferred with each other. Both sides had fired their broadsides and this was the part of the proceedings where Jo Mills was not sure what was going to happen next. The three judges might make a statement that they would retire behind the scenes and emerge to announce their verdict or alternatively, adjourn to deliberate on their own and deliver a written judgment. Jo didn’t even want to consider the possibility of Nikki’s life going on hold for days, maybe weeks and that possibility had given her the occasional sleepless night. She thought that there was a definite third possibility and that was that Nikki would be called as a witness for questioning. She knew John of old and it was perfectly in line with John’s insatiable desire for both knowledge and justice. She discounted the fact that he was a junior partner of the tribunal, as she knew above all how persuasive John was. All two trials had taken place effectively in Nikki’s absence except for that ill-advised statement. She had never broached this possibility to her and made a judgment that this very strong woman would have the presence of mind to rise to the occasion if it came to it. All this would be very likely to be put to the test. “We are of the unanimous conclusion there has been one key witness whose evidence has never been put before any court of law. We are fortunate to have that witness before us, I mean Nicola Wade,” Joseph Channing pronounced. It was as if a current of high voltage of electricity ran through Nikki. The next second, it felt as if the words were unreal, as if she had dreamed them. The next moment, a small bible was offered to her left hand while a white card was offered to her right. Her nerveless fingers just about grasped them without dropping them. “You mean me,” stammered Nikki. She looked beseechingly upwards at the three judges who towered above her, tall though she was. “You are the one person whose testimony has never been heard. It doesn’t seem right to me that your life is dissected and analysed without input from you. Regrettably, Trisha Williams is excluded from being called as a witness as notice has not been served to transform her from a visitor to a witness. You are not in that situation. I must emphasize that we aren’t here to prosecute. We just have that impulse to get at the truth.” John Deed explained softly. Nikki was on the point of hyperventilating when she heard those words that were such a fundamental part of her nature and called out to her very soul. The man’s blue eyes seemed to sparkle and his smile reassured her. She looked over to Jo and Claire whose gaze implored her to take courage, then to Helen’s loving presence and Trisha’s and Sally Anne’s friendship. All at once, her nerves steadied, her mind became calm, analytical, the way she reacted in any crisis. She grasped the book and card more firmly and uttered the required words as her warming up routine for taking the stage. |
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| BETTELA | Oct 15 2007, 07:53 AM Post #127 |
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BETTE
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What can you say, this story just gets better and better as it goes along, another fab chapter look forward to more.
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| LahbibLover | Oct 15 2007, 02:20 PM Post #128 |
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I said SIT IN THAT CHAIR
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Ah Richard, another fine scene. Your writing brought tears to my eyes, Nikki might get some justice after all. I just love your writing so I am one of those that thinks the faster you post the scenes the better. brenda |
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| Emms | Oct 15 2007, 02:45 PM Post #129 |
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Oh yes... please post as fast as you'd like!!! I'll just try my best to keep up. *grin*
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I registered at G Wing and all I got was this lousy tshirt. “After my time at Larkhall, I deserve to take it easy for a long, long while. I’ve been there, done it, and worn the bloody T-shirt..."~ Helen in: Unfinished Business by Richard | |
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| richard | Oct 15 2007, 04:57 PM Post #130 |
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That is fantastic feedback which comes of real understanding and appreciation. What seemed a slight disappointment in the original Series 3 was that Nikki had to stand on the sidelines and watch while the battle was fought over her.It was right as it showed how Nikki had mastered the art of self control and the appeal court judges were conventional Thanks to John Deed's liking for the unusual and his influence, I promise you that this will not happen here. ![]() I've just thought this one over and I'll post the next scene tomorrow. I must admit that I'm really pleased with the part. |
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| zena | Oct 15 2007, 07:48 PM Post #131 |
I said SIT IN THAT CHAIR
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You go Nikki. great writing Richard, loverly updates, the bit where Trish got mad was wonderful.
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| Cassandra | Oct 16 2007, 01:49 AM Post #132 |
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Wow, thanks richard! I've spent the last few hours catching up with this brilliant story. There's so much I could say, it's difficult to know just where to start! ![]() Glad to see that you have kept up your high standard of writing throughout ... nicely weaving all the story strands together .... realistic characters ... natural dialogue and behaviour ... nicely capturing the relationship between our favourite two women ... not to mention the exciting courtroom drama ... and all the little touches which add to the realism ... including a strong storyline incorporating all the fragments from the various episode discussions. Good for Nikki .... taking the stand at long last. I'm sure she'll make a credible witness ... but this time without the potential danger of "losing it". And I loved the way Trisha jumped to her defence. I can't quite remember from the original trial why Trisha wasn't believed? Need to go and refresh my memory now .........
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![]() You can't control destiny ... but YOU can control this storyline ... by writing a para! HOTCHPOTCH - A Helen & Nikki Story with a difference (click to enter)
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| richard | Oct 16 2007, 07:00 AM Post #133 |
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Thanks especially Cassandra in catching up with the fic and that the courtroom drama works as I want it to and likewise Zena for your support. This piece is one that I'm really proud of and i hope sustains the courtroom drama. In doing so, just check out the bit of dialogue betweem Nikki and Monica in Series 1 after her break up with Trisha where she says 'you have to butter up the filth (cops) to keep them off your back' and ask yourself the question John did. This really hit me when I wrote this scene. This is Nikki at her finest. I was going to ask for feedback if you want daily postings which I can do as there are 4 more scenes. The other question in my mind is writing a sequel to this fic. Enjoy anyway. ................................................................................................................... Scene Twenty-Nine The judges lost no time into getting into the swing of things as Nikki found out very soon. “Ms Wade, I am reminding you that we intend to ask you a series of questions as to your background as far as it relates to the events of the night in question. We want you to take us through the events of that night. If you find some of the questions painful, please feel free to ask at any time for a break. Is that clear?” Joseph Channing explained in not unfriendly tones. “Yes, my lords,” she murmured, somehow dredging the appropriate mode of address from who knows where. “For a start, can you explain for the benefit of the court exactly what was your profession at the time of the night in question?” Joseph Channing led off crisply. “Trisha Williams and I jointly owned and ran Chix club, a nightclub specifically for lesbians to meet and socialize but otherwise it operates just like any club.” “How did you start up the club?” “I had worked in clubs and bars most of my life and knew the trade from the bottom up. Trisha had worked in a bank and knew business. When we got together as a normal couple, we conceived the plan to set up a club. We both scrimped and saved, set it up with the help of a bank loan and had been running the club successfully for a number of years.” “What was your function in the running of the club and what was Ms Williams’?” Monty Everard asked. Secretly, he was impressed by this account of hard work and enterprise. It appealed to his natural conservatism. “I hired and fired barwomen, ordered stock and generally kept order. We both got involved in organizing party nights. Trisha’s speciality was in bookkeeping and accounts.” “Are you and Trisha still partners?” John asked quietly. “It would be easy to say that we are but we’re not. Trisha and I split up two years into my sentence. To put it in her words ‘how could we have a relationship if we just stopped living?’ She was dead right. When I got out and settled down with my new partner, she bought out my interest in the club and I’m doing a not so wonderful nine to five job to fit in with my new partner.” Tears came into Trisha’s eyes. This was typical Nik. “Prior to the night in question, had you encountered DC Gossard and if so, what were your impressions of him?” Joseph Channing enquired in businesslike tones. “For some unknown reason, the police came round regularly to inspect the club. Most of them were all right but I have to admit I took an instant dislike to DC Gossard.” “What was that dislike based upon?” Nikki had got nicely into her stride and her answers were coming out smoothly and fluently as the questions were clarifying her thoughts. She thought carefully about this question and the irresistible thought came into her mind that Fenner and Gossard were the same people. However, her sense of self-discipline asserted itself. How could such impressionistic statements, however true, be real or mean anything to these judges? Seen from outside, Larkhall seemed like a lunatic asylum. Eventually judicious words formed themselves in her now rapid and alert mind. “I freely admit that my experience of men is limited but I like to think that I’m fair minded. In my life, I’ve come across some regular guys who are, well, friends, including a present workmate of mine. All I can say is that he was arrogant and pushy by any standard and there was something creepy about him. It felt that he had some ulterior reason for being around.” Helen was impressed by Nikki’s adroit way of fighting her way out of a corner. She noted with satisfaction that no further questions were asked about her attitude to men. “Had you been in any way antagonistic towards him before the night in question?” Monty enquired. “Definitely not. For a start, it wasn’t worth the hassle, as word would have got round to the other policemen that came round who were all right. They would have all turned against us. We just wanted a quiet life and we didn’t want our licence threatened either.” “Can you explain to us, Ms Wade, exactly why there should be such a regular police presence to your club as has been described?” John asked in his quietest, most innocent tones. Nikki’s face was a picture. Her mouth opened but no word emerged. With all the time she had had to think and brood, that question had never crossed her mind. Her mind was furiously working until ideas clicked into place. “You’ve really got me on this one. I’ve never before asked myself that question. You might wonder why that’s so All I can say is that when Trisha and I started off the club, we considered that the formation of a lesbian club as something underground, although legal by all the laws of the land. We felt that we were always subject to the society size version of the sort of family disapproval that all of us grew up with.” A double light bulb had illuminated John Deed’s mind, firstly the highly significant fact that Nikki Wade was no conspiracy theorist and secondly, her very clear explanation of the context she operated in. He was definitely enjoying this trial and savoured the double satisfaction in reaching out for the answers and having the chance of achieving justice, the purest and most disinterested love of his life. “Did any policewomen call round?” “Now you come to mention it, absolutely none. That’s another good question that I can’t find an answer for. In retrospect, it would have been both sensible and obvious.” “Was there any cause for the police to take professional notice of your club, public drunken behaviour or drug taking for instance?” put in Joseph Channing. He relaxed comfortably in his throne, highly impressed how his questions, Monty’s and John’s were meshing perfectly together. “Not by comparison with any straight club. The women who came to my club were only too glad to find a place where their sexuality would be accepted. They had hardly anywhere else to go. There was the very occasional rowdy young kid that got pushy and I acted as bouncer to remove them myself. That was really foolish of them as there really weren’t then many lesbian clubs around.” “Have you ever used physical force and if so, how much, both in your job and in your private life?” Monty asked. “I’ve only used physical force to frog march trouble makers out of the club. Verbally, I can be pretty forceful and quick with words. That’s what my nearest and dearest have said, sometimes in reproach. In my private life, I could get jealous of my partners and get argumentative but never violent. I hope I’m getting better as I’m maturing and getting older.” For the first time, there was a faint smile on Nikki’s lips. John could see the touches of self-deprecating sense of humour and liked it very much indeed. “Let’s turn to the night in question. I understand that you went to the club to take your partner home. Did you have any reason to think there was anything untoward before you entered the door?” “None whatsoever or she wouldn’t have been left on her own. We were open six nights a week. We couldn’t both be there night after night or we’d have burned ourselves out.” “So what happened when you got there?” John enquired after Monty’s turn. “I could hear Trisha calling out for help. I rushed into the bar and I could see DC Gossard and Trisha. He had her pressed up against the bar and his hands were all over her. He was saying ‘Come on, rug muncher, and have the real thing for a change.’” “What do you mean,’ rug muncher’?” Joseph Channing was old fashioned and couldn’t understand modern slang. An expression of incomprehension spread across his face. Nikki coloured. She was stuck for words to put it politely for the purposes of the court. “It is a little indelicate to explain. It is a rather crude and insulting reference to a form of lesbian lovemaking, an expression that no woman that I have ever known has ever used.” “So it was deliberately insulting and demeaning?” John Deed put in, noting Nikki’s natural politeness. “Exactly so, yeah. You have got it right,” Nikki nodded eagerly at his ready understanding. “So what happened next?” “As far as I can remember, I shouted out ‘What in hell are you doing with my girlfriend’ and he sneered back ‘What does it look like?’ I told her to get off her and he ignored me. It was then that I reached for a bottle and smashed it over his head. He just laughed at me. It was then that I stuck the broken bottle in his neck….” Nikki was shaking inside with a total kaleidoscope of emotion as she relived that moment. She came close to breaking down at this point and the women in the gallery really felt for her. All three judges were instantly sorry for her while Sally Anne Howe impulsively reached out to hold Trisha’s hand, as she was visibly upset, both for herself and the others. “Do you want to take a break in the questions? I can see that you are obviously distressed,” John said in his gentlest tones. Nikki smiled up at him intensely grateful for such consideration. Helen sighed with a huge feeling of relief. She was very worried for her and wished so much that she could fold her in her arms. She waited for her breathing and emotions to come back under control before nodding that she was ready to continue. “Ms Wade, can you clarify just why you went to the defence of your partner with a broken bottle?” Monty Everard asked, his question sounding harsh by contrast. “Because I was in a club, much like any pub or wine bar that you might go to. I assure you that there is literally nothing to hand besides bottles. A bottle on its own is a pretty flimsy weapon .If I’d been in a kitchen of a restaurant, I might have picked up a rolling pin, hit him on the head and knocked him unconscious and that would be an end of the matter, except for possibly pressing charges against Gossard for attempted rape.” Nikki answered, in a tone of strained patience. “In asking the next question, I would remind you that you are under oath. I want you to think very carefully about it before you answer. If you had such a hypothetical rolling pin in your hand, would you have hit him with enough force to knock him out or would you have struck him hard enough to kill him?” Joseph Channing asked with as much of a kindly tone of voice as his bluff personality could conjure up. Nikki’s face went white as her fate was suspended on the answer she must give. Her tongue wet her dry lips and she swallowed before speaking in a firm and deliberate tone of voice. “This is a very hard question to answer but my main concern was for Trisha’s safety, not to extract vengeance. I just wanted him out of the place with the minimum fuss and get us home after a late night.” “What reason have we to believe you on this point?” probed Monty just to test the water. “I know I can’t prove a single word of what I’m saying. Only Trisha was there to back me up. All I can say is that I give you my word on this.” Nikki’s dignified response drew an audible response of approval round the court except for Sir Ian and Lawrence James who maintained a stony silence. In the pause as they mentally summed up the progress to date, the women in the gallery were delighted at the way that Nikki kept up the answers even in the worst of circumstances while Jo and Claire sat back in admiration. They had underestimated her resourcefulness but were highly conscious that awkward questions lay ahead. “Why did you stick the broken bottle in his neck?” “Out of sheer rage and frustration. Nothing else I had tried had worked. I just saw red. There was no one else around and everything was out of my control. I really don’t do things like that as a rule.” “So what happened next?” “We were both totally shocked. He fell to his knees and kept asking us for help. We didn’t know what the hell to do. The first aid kit wasn’t up to major operations. I’m used to putting a plaster on a cut finger but what do you do with major stab wounds in a neck? We were just frozen until some instinct told me to phone 999 for the police. We waited for them to come. As soon as they came, I was led away in handcuffs and bundled in the back of a police car with Trisha and forbidden to speak to each other. We were shut up in different cells and left to stew. It seemed like ages till I got out of that poky cell and was interrogated by two policemen doing the nice guy, nasty guy routine.” “Wait a moment, did you ask for legal representation and what was the response?” John interposed. “I asked for it and was repeatedly refused with a few choice words of abuse.” “About your sexuality?” “Exactly so.” “ So what happened next?” “I was taken back to the cell, reexamined again and again. The same questions were asked over and over again. “Did you say anything about the attempted rape?” John continued, as both Monty and Joseph Channing let him carry on the questions for a bit. “I did but they shouted at me, saying that they didn’t believe a word I said. I know from talking to Trisha that the same happened to her.” “One final question, Nicola Wade. Can you account for the difference between your version of events and what you said in the police statement? Can the usher help Ms Wade with the bundle of evidence? Please take your time with your reply,” Joseph Channing stepped in. He had let go Nikki’s straying into giving second hand evidence on the other woman’s state of mind. This was the final make or break on the case. Nikki blinked and the movie that had been running in her mind’s eye came to a stop. Somehow, her eyes focussed on the scrawling writing written by the policeman and her own even signature. With one last dying effort of will, her very tired mind somehow conjured up the words she needed. “I’ve been reliving the experiences as we’ve been talking and I can see that the statement has described the external facts superficially correctly except that, no I didn’t tell him why I stabbed him. For a start, it was bloody obvious and for another, I wasn’t in the frame of mind to say much at all. I was emotionally devastated and I’m sure Trisha felt the same. I think that I transferred the rage that built up within me at the police who didn’t believe a word I said and were putting me through the third degree, perhaps because they were mates of DC Gossard……” Oh, fantastic, Nikki, breathed Jo to herself in total jubilation, you ought to have been a barrister, you have that presence of mind and unshakeable will and you’re looping the final argument back to my submission. Donald Frobisher thought gloomily that the final nails were driven home in the coffin where his case was dead and buried. “….it was as if I’d dropped headlong into some police conspiracy and all I’d wanted to do that night was to pick up my partner from work.” John echoed Jo’s mental applause at the final words. If she did but know it, he could tell so many stories about government conspiracies. The silence died away. Nikki felt that she’d been in the witness stand for hours. Her legs were aching and her mouth was dry with the talking. The duration of the questions was a faint echo of the police interrogation all those years ago but this time, there was so much kindness and understanding. It helped erase the deep-seated feeling of injustice that was still buried in her from long ago. Tears edged her eyes. She tried to wipe them away with a tissue. “The time is two o clock and the session has lasted beyond the traditional one o clock lunchtime for which we crave your indulgence. I know that this has borne heaviest on the court recorder. However, it has seemed to us that the line of questioning has served the case admirably and will shorten the proceedings. If you all stay within the vicinity of the court buildings, we will call you back in an hour’s time. It is highly likely that we shall arrive with an outcome,” Joseph Channing pronounced firmly and confidently. “Thank you, Nikki Wade,” John said softly. He wished he could have said more than that. The usher helped Nikki walk on legs of jelly out of the stand and out of the back door. She collapsed into Helen’s arms. Trisha and Sally Anne Howe stood by, a mixture of concern and total admiration on their faces. She had vindicated them all. |
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| BETTELA | Oct 16 2007, 08:05 AM Post #134 |
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BETTE
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Wow Nikki was brilliant on the stand, loved also the bits about government conspiriacy theories, Another fab chapter Richard, this story has been brilliant, looking forward to how the next chapter continues. :rolleyes:
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| Emms | Oct 16 2007, 09:55 AM Post #135 |
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G2 landing
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Yeah, I agree. Nikki was brilliant. Great chapter, Richard. |
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I registered at G Wing and all I got was this lousy tshirt. “After my time at Larkhall, I deserve to take it easy for a long, long while. I’ve been there, done it, and worn the bloody T-shirt..."~ Helen in: Unfinished Business by Richard | |
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8:47 AM Jul 11