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| unfinished business; Bad Girls / Judge John Deed trilogy | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jun 22 2008, 10:39 AM (19,808 Views) | |
| richard | Nov 14 2008, 06:27 PM Post #211 |
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Hi Axiegirl21- I love your observations on John and isn’t it interesting to contrast his rigid unfeeling approach with Nikki’s flexible intelligence. I like the way you picked up on his inability to deal with Nikki’s newfound sense of control and likewise the sort of understated writing that I aimed for in the George Alice scene. Full marks for your observation on Di which has seen me reach for my computer and the fruits of which you will see in the extended version of Scene 43 when you come to it. I am finding it a fascinating experience in rewriting scenes in response to your observations, and likewise Emtsue’s and Andlif2laf’s if I can work them in |
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| Andliv2laf | Nov 15 2008, 07:50 AM Post #212 |
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Hey Richard....sorry I have been neglecting you...RL is still kicking my butt!!! I heard from a bird that you had been very busy! I will try to read the updates over the weekend when my brain has recoverd! I am sure I will be pleased with the updates....didn't read the replies...as I haven't time to read the updates...I haven't time to read Emtsue's replies!!! Hope to respond soon!
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| richard | Nov 15 2008, 02:29 PM Post #213 |
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Thanks ever so much for your very kind and thoughtful post, Andlif2laf. I hope you get to feel better as you don't sound well. I'll be delighted as always to read what you and Emtsue have to say about this scene. |
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| JAM | Nov 15 2008, 05:20 PM Post #214 |
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I'm really enjoying your story Richard, as always. I can't wait for the next post!!
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| emtsue | Nov 17 2008, 06:40 AM Post #215 |
G3 Curtain and Duvet!
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Hiya Richard,...Reply to chapter 29...Alittle behind I'm afraid.AS with AL2L,RL has intervened. Selena's thoughts about John Wade not having a clue,couldn't be more true.At the same time I get the sense that he doesn't want to have a clue,because then he would have to take serious look-see into his own psyche and behaviors.Just as with Sir Ian and his gang, he only lets himself see what's on the surface, and makes up the rest as he goes along,so that it fits into his criterior of what the human race should and should not consist of.Although some of these traits were handed down from his parents,oddly enough I feel Nikki had way more influence.She was the one who ended up with the confidence,openness,and strength of character, despite her parents.Even with the bad relationship, somehow she received all their attenton.Now that Nikki's relationship has been re-established with her parents,John once again, is fighting for his position in the family. What a wonderful twist Richard,in having John Wade solicit Jim Fenner as a witness in Karens trial.Was it a calculated move on his part to get to Nikki?I'm inclined to say yes.He needs somehow to convey,what he thinks is his superiority over her.But ,here in lies the problem,Nikki is the supereior one(though I doubt she would ever look at it that way)for she has John Deed &CO. watching her back.It would most certainly give his ego a beating if he was to find out the kind of company Nikki keeps. I've said it before,Jim Fenner is not stupid.He has a lot of street smarts,and he knew exactly how to play John Wade.For all Wade's "magical"touches and insight in knowing how to get people to overcome any insecurities,Fenner went right over his head.He walked out of Larkhall like a peacock strutting his feathers.Jim Fenner had John Wade.... eating out of his hands.That was the easy part,his "fears and paranoia" are another matter entirely.The only way he has been able to step back and not go off the deep end(i.e. going to the tabloids)has been to medicate himself.Jim has never had anyone of importance,(except maybe Stubberfield,and even he would be considered small fry)to back him up in his secluded world.That is why his position/power he held at Larkhall was so essential.The world of Sir Ian/john Wade would suit Fenner to a "T",unfortunately he doesnot fit their extensive "human race" criterior.He would always be used as they see fit. Richard,thank you for taking the discussions of myself,Andliv2laf,and Axiegirl to heart.It's quite an honor.Can't wait for Fenner's reaction to who John Wade is related to. |
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| richard | Nov 17 2008, 09:23 PM Post #216 |
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To JAM, I’m truly grateful for the loyal, kindly way you have followed my fics and I hope this sounds as even handed as it is to my reaction to Emtsue’s wonderful piece of writing. I looked at it first thing in the morning and I’ve been turning over a reply in my mind. To restate your theses, I see my fics as a total dedication to the qualities of strength and sympathy and those marvellous flowing interconnections, which also allows for people to somehow facing up to their greatest fears. (I am most definitely not an admirer of strength on its own) Nikki certainly is a very pure instance of this, who also owes more than a bit to her father. Her warmth of personality contrasts with John Wade’s cold, unfeeling personality. I’ve written the relationship between her and John of her being the favourite for the qualities you spell out so clearly for both brother and sister. What I hadn’t thought of your very interesting thesis of Nikki’s brother deliberately setting out to do Nikki down but that doesn’t mean that it hasn’t happened- as if this has an existence almost independently of the writer which is a marvellously interesting concept. I am hugely pleased that John Wade’s soliciting Fenner as a witness and of him being fooled by Fenner is so convincing, that I got it right- your portrayal of Fenner is so, so crystal clear and, yes, in writing for him there is a real danger of making him stupid. When I write my fics, I prepare a ‘scene list’ with a summary of what happens so I it is possible to pull in any ideas that you, Andlif2laf, Axiegirl21 or anyone else throw up. The idea of doing this is rather an enthralling one. Logistics may mean that they might take time to pull in. I’m only too grateful for these ideas and any more you come up with. Your very last point has prompted me to rewrite a scene which lies further along the line. I’m only too pleased to absorb the marvellous feedback you have all been giving me in the writing of the fic, being a firm believer in giving credit where its due - I feel extraordinarily lucky and privileged with such raders. Lastly, I truly hope that you and Andlif2laf get better |
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| richard | Nov 18 2008, 06:08 PM Post #217 |
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This next scene is an eve of trial' scene before the legal fireworks really start in which Joseph Channing meet George and Alice. Enjoy. ...................................................................................................................... Scene Thirty The offices of the LCD started to darken with the growing autumnal weather, but the atmosphere of this meeting was overshadowed more by the latest development on the Regina versus Karen Betts case than anything else. Late evidence was submitted, which just scraped through the deadline and their contents threw all their calculations askew. As ragged clouds gathered outside, ready to dash their contents against the high glass windows, the two men compared notes. “Is this history repeating itself? We’re getting stuck in a repeating nightmare of a surefire case unravelling itself as it comes to trial,” Sir Ian observed gloomily half to himself while Lawrence James sensibly remained in the background.” The worst of it all is that once again it’s that wretched Larkhall prison at the bottom of it all.” “So what’s our game plan? What’s our interest in the trial?” Sir Ian shook his head wearily. For a long time, he had practiced the art of threading his way through the myriad of fast changing events to align his perspective with the greater good. The nation state must be kept secure in such turbulent, uncertain times. Vulgar populist ideas that Deed pursued had to be sidelined, suppressed and even publicly attacked with the help of his reliable friends in the press. The question was so ingrained in his mind,’to whose interest?’ that he never had to consciously bring it the light of day. Today, he must be having a bad day as, for the life of him, he was struggling to work out whether or not is was best for this Karen Betts to be the sacrificial lamb or this Jim Fenner lurking in the background. It lay between one ex wing governor who’s resigned and one currently serving principal officer. He worked on the principle that a ‘one off occurrence could be explained away as an individual failing- a ‘two off event’, less so. Even if this woman were acquitted, the right wing section of the public would think that she’d done something wrong or she wouldn’t have been charged and that the weak-minded judges had once again, let down the brave boys in the police force. The Hampstead intellectuals would fire off letters to the Guardian in protest at whatever. On balance, the interests lay in sticking to the original plan. . The worst scenario was if the trial pointed to any skeletons in the cupboard that would show the prison system as a whole in a bad light. “We go for damage limitation. An anonymous pedestrian had been killed which isn’t earth shaking in itself, only that a prison officer was to blame who had resigned anyway before this blew up. The more this is reported as some individual drunken soap opera, the more it lets us off the hook.” Unknown to them, they held the destiny of two human beings in their frozen fingers yet they felt alienated from their ability to feel emotion as they plotted their political game of chess. The trouble was they felt uncertain that destiny was on their side, as they once had believed. There were too many imponderables, too many loose cannons beyond their control. ********* Joseph Channing called round on his daughter on the apparent off chance. He had come to accept with great difficulty the news that George so sneakily landed on him. At the end of the day, his daughter was his daughter. When he mulled matters over after talking at length to John, he decided to invite the two women over to his baronial house, subconsciously thinking that if they came to his territory, they would bound to be on their best behaviour. When they turned up, he had to admit that Alice was certainly personable, very womanly and diplomatic. Their behaviour was certainly decorous enough though the three of them were a little on edge. After a while, he learned to relax with the two women around him as long as he learnt to block his mind off from thinking what they did in bed together. He finally managed to his ego bask in the attention of two glamorous women. After that shaky start, they managed to sketch out a working relationship and he revisited George’s flat this time with the expectation of finding everything relatively normal. “Daddy, it’s so marvellous to see you again,” George said, her face beaming, helping him out of his overcoat while Alice stood tactfully in the background.” You’ll have your usual drink?” “That couldn’t be better. I must admit that you are learning at last to serve some decent whisky. I heartily approve of Alice’s generous measures as well,” Joseph said, neatly including the dark haired woman who somehow radiated calmness and who graciously thanked him. George sometimes thought that it was this was a major reason that tipped her ‘died in the wool’ conservative father in accepting Alice. Then again, he had been the most unlikely participant of a judge’s picket line. The old certainties were breaking down but this turned out to be advantageous and liberating. “You’ve got a case on, George? Am I intruding?” he asked spotting the mass of papers strewn over the dining room table. “It’s no problem, daddy. I’ve been working on it all evening and I’m as prepared as I ever will be. Alice is at a loose end so your company will be very welcome.” Joseph Channing beamed as if he were a cat that had been tickled under its ear. Alice felt relaxed and was an interested observer of the very strong bond between father and daughter. ******* By contrast, John was a worried man that evening. Since George had taken up with Alice, he had not run a trial where George appeared before him. He knew that Nikki and Helen, bless them, had done so well in gently sorting out his confused feelings but he suspected that his emotional adjustment to the new situation was more fragile than he wanted it to be. At the best of time, trials were a testing occasion with mixed emotions. It was like being an actor going out on stage and throwing himself on the mercies of the audience, especially as his brand of acting was liable to upstage other actors at the slightest opportunity. He knew that, despite appearances to the contrary, he conceived of his role of judge as a burden of responsibility rather than a vehicle for his own power. He rode the fast moving crosscurrents of dialogue with confidence only to conjure justice out of the massed array of legal precedents. As he operated in court, his compassion was somehow dispassionate, clothed in the dry legal formulations, which kept emotion at bay, at one dimension removed. What worried him was that his confused feelings for George would throw him out of this ‘judge mode’ of thinking and the sneaking feeling that the LCD had somehow set him up. He laughed to himself at the irony of the situation. So many times, he had managed to elbow his way to taking on cases that the political apparatchiks wanted to keep him away from. The irony was that, this time, he had nobly offered to recuse himself but this time they wouldn’t let him opt out. ‘Hoist by his own petard’ was the phrase that came to his irony loving mind. As he brooded over the matter, he lay back in his armchair and reflected on the diverse friendships that he had gathered along the way, both within and outside the legal profession. Images of intimate moments came into his mind that had nothing to do with sexual intimacy. He recalled Monty’s gruff offer to take a case off his hands when he was enmeshed in yet another political controversy, Jo’s open fear at his political recklessness and likewise George’s exasperation even when she was with Haughton. He pictured Nikki’s open admiration for him and Helen’s obvious concern. He stretched himself back and helped himself to a nightcap. The trouble was that, in certain ways, he was a bit of a loner, an inner directed man so used to depending on his own resources. In a way that it was his strength that had carried him along for so many years yet his newfound popularity ought to let him receive succour. After all, he deserved it. As he drained his glass, he silently blessed his friends wherever they were. Beyond a certain point, he had to trust to fate. ****** Nikki and Helen lay together in bed where Nikki was having a last minute attack of nerves. Helen’s right arm was draped round her lover’s shoulders while her left hand stroked her hair. “Relax, babes. You’re the veteran of standing up in the witness stand at your reappeal. I’m the virgin at standing up in the witness stand.” Helen’s droll way of putting it made the dark haired woman laugh and start to chip away at her nerves. It was a primal feeling that had Nikki locked up in the prison of her feelings. “Surely you must have been on the stand when you were wing governor? ” “The only occasion was giving character evidence at Monica Lindsay’s appeal but it didn’t touch me personally though I meant every word I said. This is different. This time, I have no professional identity to hide behind.” The truth of Helen’s sober words got through to Nikki. Automatically, she put her lover’s welfare before her own and felt a little ashamed of her own self indulgence as she saw it. “So how come you look so calm?” “I’m trusting to fate and my wits. By the way, how does your boss, Paul Williams look on you going on the stand?” “He’s been great,” said Nikki enthusiastically.” He’s backed me all the way on this one. He knows very well that this case may well be in the public eye and my previous history on the front-page news may be resurrected. He told me quite firmly to fight the good fight and let him worry about the fallout. He told me he’s paid the higher salary to sort out this kind of thing.” “So what are you worrying about?” murmured Helen. Her green eyes transfixed Nikki’s brown eyes as she went on to gently kiss her lips, her cheeks and her neck. The table light, bathed them in a dim light, which threw up in contrasts the straight etched contours of the taller woman’s lover. Everything around her told the truth in loving, compassionate sounds and colours. A wave of tenderness rose up in Nikki as she slipped her arms round Helen and she rested her head where she always wanted to be, between Helen’s breasts. It felt somehow symbolic though it escaped her in exactly what way as urges raised deep within her. The rightness of her feelings was least in doubt as they always had been. ****** By contrast, Brian Cantwell was relishing the prospect of the trial. He normally dressed in smart Savile Row shiny suits that made him look like a shark. He was a naturally combative man, who was a cynical ‘hired gun’, equally likely to defend as to prosecute. He had seen that fool Frobisher bumble his way through cases in the past and was glad to take this case on. The knowledge that he was up against George Channing was curiously stimulating. He had always thought of her as someone equally ruthless as him and who had made a lot of money over the years in lucrative civil cases. He knew that he had a fight on his hands and was prepared for it. His solicitor, John Wade, seemed efficient enough and had done a thorough job of researching the case. All in all, it looked to be a good fight and a large cheque at the end of it. ********* Finally Karen lay in her modest flat, amongst the row of terraced houses. She’d been able to compose herself and somehow keeping focused on what she must do, one day at a time. The final night was at hand and somehow, she’d endured night after night of trying to get to sleep when all the horrors of her situation crowded in on her. Her bed was hard and unforgiving and it didn’t let her get into a comfortable position. Try as she might, she couldn’t settle off to sleep and it worried her that tomorrow, her wits had to be as sharp as never before. Finally, she filled up the bath as hot as she could stand. She would have preferred her shower at the flat she used to live in but this would have to do. She immersed herself in it and laid back, full length and looked up at the humble, bare light bulb. A huge feeling of gratitude flowed up inside her as the white abstract light shone down on her while plain water started to soothe her nerves. She lay there for a long way before finally emerging. Drying herself down briefly with a large white towel, she stumbled into bed and drifted off to sleep. |
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| Andliv2laf | Nov 20 2008, 01:22 PM Post #218 |
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Ok Richard, this is my reply for chapter 28. In case you want to know...it made me smile as they always do!!! "He had cynically expected his sister to kick up an almighty argument and be cast as the villain of the peace. He had always found her stroppy and difficult to deal with. This deft diplomatic touch was unsettlingly novel and it disarmed him without him able to do a thing about it." Richard I love this...I have a borther much like this....and like Nikki I finally learned this valuabe lesson! Ok, so in this update we have learned that Greorge was unhappy with her life for sometime...just wasn't sure what she was unhappy or unsatisfied about....and now she knows. Thankfully now Nkki knows that Kris is the one who wound Fenner up and not her loyal friend Yvonne...assuring her that her judgment of character was sill correct. You have shown us that the relationship between Nikki and her parents has been patched and that they in fact have accepted Helen....brother John on the other hand is not receptive at all....I would almost consider him evil! I can't wait to see where the dear evil brother fits into all this...don't think he is just going to reamin on the fringes....a little too strong of a charcter to just leave him on the fringes. And lasty....we have seen the great Nikki Wade, step back consider her actions...think them through and act accordingly....all while being ever so lightly encouraged by the love of her life! Great chapter Richard...and now I am on with 29 at least...oh, I got confused...I saw Emtsue's reply and thought it was another chapter....for such a shy and quiet person...she seems to have a lot to say??? Sorry my resposes are not so detailed...but I do what I can!!! |
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| Andliv2laf | Nov 20 2008, 03:36 PM Post #219 |
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Hiya Richard...one more chapter down...this will be the last until later, as REAL LIFE is very busy now! But, I will always try to make time for you! So, John and Fenner....more irony...yes? Well, as I see you have dedicated this chapter to us, and I can see why....good ol' Fenner....keep taking those tranquilizers and having a drink or two...oh, and please keep Di around....and be afraid of Nikki and Helen...be very afraid....oh, and Fenner...you should be very paranoid....it's not the meds and the alcohol...this is very real! Sorry, got a little carried away! So, Fenner is doing a lttle thinking as he should....just hope he convinces himself he is in better shape than he really is...always helps the girls! And good ol' brother John....just wait until he finds out what wonderful new friends his sister has made....then when he finds out what an ass his client really is....I can't wait to see the end of this one Richard!!! Really I can't! So...I am smiling once more and will finish chapter 30 by the end of the weekend...I hope...the weekend looks slow for now! Thanks for the dedication Richard...it was very sweet and thoughtful....you are one of the few writers who strokes his readers...it makes us feel very important...it's very nice! Thanks for entertaining us at such a level, and giving us credit for understanding your writing and thought processes! As one of your three greatest fans....I leave with a heartfelt Thank You!!! |
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| Andliv2laf | Nov 22 2008, 01:46 PM Post #220 |
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Richard, it's me again...looks like I may get caught up today! And my post may be without interrumtion...what about that?? Ok, Chapter 30. Well, this is a very contemplative chapter for everyone it seems...well, except Fenner...I'm sure you didn't leave him out of this by accident...if it's one thing I know about you Richard, you don't do much be accident! Ok, so as always....you made me smile. As I read the portion about George, Alice and Daddy....I couldn't help it...the two charmed the pants off him as I knew they would. Now, John's concern and restlessness surprised me a bit...but after reading it, I had to admit that deep down I knew that he must be feeling that way. I think this will be easier than he anticipates because the entire group will be present...and it seems together they have one more tremendously curious support group....and I think it will shock most everyone involved. So, for Cantwell...I hate that he has this unjustified bit of confidence....the bigger the head the harder the fall....so I'll just sit and wait for the thud!! Oh, and don't forget Nikki and Helen. I love the way you write them as a couple, you make them equals in a way only Nikki and Helen can be. Kind of a yin/yang thing, very impressive! Well, that's all for now Richard...not one of my greatest replies but it is a reply! Thanks again for your writing...and I shall try to keep up in the future! ![]() Oh, Richard...sorry I refered to the scenes as chapters....noted for future! |
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| richard | Nov 23 2008, 11:54 AM Post #221 |
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‘Shy and quiet?? You have really let loose your creativity on this one, Andlif2laf, and I can’t believe that this storyline came so close to home for you. When I think about it, I think I can see where a bit of my experiences come in. It’s all about cold, unfeeling people who just don’t get it. I get really turned on by new ways of writing, for instance, to view Nikki’s brother’s visit to Larkhall purely through his eyes rather than the normal ‘third person’ narration which I normally use. What’s also fascinating is without thinking is the move away from the writer / reader scenario where the writer ‘knows’ everything, that there is only one storyline while readers speculate about what may happen. I’ve been very fortunate with you, and Emtsue and Axiegirl21 who have lively imaginations who can also really analyse well and it is interesting to see the bar being raised bit at a time in the discussions. When I see great ideas bounced back at me, I don’t think twice about running with them if I can work them in- in other words. I’m truly grateful. You’ve got the feel of the two scenes very nicely, including your neat summary as to how neatly how Nikki is able to think through situations, with a little nudge from Helen. What shaped up to be the most traumatic potential reenactment of family history turned out so totally different as she had the strength to turn aside. You’ve raised very interesting questions as to how far and in what way to develop this intense rivalry between Nikki and her brother, which I have made a careful note of. Finally, I have to make a confession about Scene 30 that I left Fenner out by sheer accident but it is a very fortunate one. It further highlights Helen’s and Nikki’s involvement in the case, both legally and emotionally, something that runs through the defence team. The other side comes over as coldly bureaucratic by contrast and Fenner detaches himself by his absence in this scene- I think that’s what I might have been unconsciously getting at. I’m really glad that the George Alice Joseph scene came up to expectations and that you liked the Helen Nikki scene so much. I wrote the John scene as an expression of his fears that personal stuff will ‘leak’ into the formality of the court proceedings. |
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| JAM | Nov 23 2008, 01:47 PM Post #222 |
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Don't tease Richard!! I was all set for the next scene! Oh well; I will try to be patient, art cannot be hurried.
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| richard | Nov 24 2008, 06:16 PM Post #223 |
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Hi JAM- thanks for that one. In writing this next scene, I borrowed dialogue lines from Bad Girls series 5 which briefly featured Karen in the dock and also the first witness. I couldn’t resist George getting behind the witness’s venomous self righteousness and uncovered her jealousy with unfortunate consequences for John, the sort of thing he most dreaded. ..................................................................................................................... Scene Thirty-One On a chill October morning, the empty courtroom had that cold echoing bareness about it first thing. The ceiling seemed to tower up into the sky, even overlooking and diminishing the height of the visitor’s gallery. Everything looked clean and polished but there was no human feeling about it, Coope thought as she entered the chamber. While she went about her appointed business, barristers, solicitors, witnesses and court staff made their way across London and started to fill up the Old Bailey. John Deed entered the court and made his way to his chambers, his face tight drawn, Coope glancing anxiously at him. Finally Karen arrived, dressed in a stylish blue coat, her face made up and every hair on her head neatly in place. She was consciously using this as a prop to her uncertain self-confidence, highly conscious that her life was at stake. She threaded her way along the corridors and the usher showed her to her appointed place in the dock where she stood up straight and looked ahead of her. She wondered to herself just how the day would end and how she would leave this building, on a day which would decide her future. George entered the courtroom walking in a stately fashion, accompanied by Claire while Brian Cantwell, flanked by John Wade strolled casually into their allotted place. Finally John Deed, immaculately attired in his red robes, starched white collar and ceremonial wig came into view up on high, looking every inch the judge. Inwardly, his nerves were drum tight as he negotiated his way towards his throne and George caught his eye. She allowed herself slightly more than a professional smile as she sensed how tense he was. Only Sir Ian was in the visitor’s gallery and the presence of this solitary stranger made Karen feel unsupported. She knew that none of the witnesses for Karen’s defence were permitted into the courtroom until they had given evidence but she allowed herself a split second flash of resentment that her old work colleagues could have put in an appearance but didn’t. The two thuds on the floor announced the start of trial and the jury were duly sworn in. The court usher spoke in his dry tone of voice while Karen gripped the rail firmly. This was it. “Ms Karen Betts, you are charged with causing death by dangerous driving of one Gerald Baker. How do you plead?” “Not guilty,” she uttered in as firm a voice as she could gather up. Right now, she gathered her native strength and confidence into herself. How she would hold up was another question altogether. “Mr. Cantwell, perhaps you care to open for the prosecution,” John intoned. Brian Cantwell eased himself to his feet and his eyes flitted to members of the jury, to John Deed and finally back to George who studiously ignored him. The grin on his face unsettled Karen. He seemed hard and implacable. She mentally flinched, anticipating that her character would be systematically rubbished. “The case before you is one that makes any right minded person wonder how and why a human life could be so casually and causelessly taken away yet leaves no doubt that the defendant standing before you in the dock took the life of one, Gerald Baker whose only mistake was in standing in the way of the car that took his life. I shall call on three eye-witnesses to testify that they positively identified the defendant behind the wheel of the car as she drove headlong at the deceased and saw her just before she hared off down the road to avoid being detained for the consequences. I shall also call one James Fenner who works at the same prison where the accused used to work. I shall also call DI Sullivan to give evidence of his questioning of the defendant who made the extraordinary claim that she stayed in her flat all evening and that somehow, her car was spirited away past a modern security system to a flat complex, as if a prisoner could simply walk out of the prison that she used to be in charge of.” Brian Cantwell’s pointed display of sarcasm was designed to milk the most of the situation and Karen felt acutely embarrassed at what the jury was thinking of her. He paused to let the jury give full weight to his final conclusion. “The crown contests that she is a cowardly liar, desperate to escape the consequences of her actions and that this is an open and shut case where the truth will be made obvious to you all.” George was busy scribbling down notes and was surprised that Brian Cantwell kept his opening address so short and sharp. Either he was being over confident or else he was saving up a surprise for when it could be best deployed. Either way, she wasn’t taking any chances. She hoped that Karen wouldn’t feel totally abandoned. She couldn’t help noticing that no one from Larkhall was there in Karen’s hour of need. From what she had heard from Nikki, some prisoners would have been there if they had half a chance. George allowed herself the luxury of a brief moment of anger at the prison officers who could have given support but didn’t before the first witness dragged her back to the matter in hand. She got to her feet, glancing sideways at Karen and delivered her counterargument. Her final plea to the jury to listen with open ears was heartfelt. Their capacity for understanding would be central for her case. “The case before you is far from the open and shut case that I am sure that my learned colleague would have you believe. You have before you a woman who has spent her life in one form of public service or another yet the prosecution would have you believe that she departed so unaccountably from her normal habits. I will seek to argue how grotesquely improbable it is that my client drove under the influence of alcohol straight at Gerald Baker and then abandon the scene. I intend to call as witness, Karen Betts to explain the extraordinarily convoluted battle for power at Larkhall Prison, which is crucial in understanding what happened and why. The once certain fact is that the car belonging to the defendant was taken out on the roads. The question is, was she the driver? Helen Stewart and Nikki Wade will give character evidence and will describe how they tailed her car for a considerable period of time. Shirley Cheetham a private investigator will give evidence on the investigator that the police failed to pick up, so eager they were to notch up another success to their record. CCTV evidence will put in the frame the one man who was in open conflict with my client the morning before the tragic event took place. I shall call Tony Foster who had the advantage of watching the car when it was stationary after it was removed from my client’s flat. The crux of the matter is this. Was this some random, meaningless killing or was there some logic behind the sequence of events? The further question begs to be asked, to whose advantage interest was this killing? You, the jury will find that the whole event was a callous, contrived, premeditated murder but one which the defendant is utterly innocent of. Above all else, I ask you, the jury, to listen with open ears, take nothing for granted, to make no assumptions.” ******* She looked intently at the first prosecution witness as she took her place in the witness stand. She had that rigid certainty of manner about her, especially when Brian Cantwell led her through the preliminary introductions. “Can you explain for the benefit of the jury just how and why you happened to be on the scene when that terrible event happened.” “There’s really nothing to it. I run an outside burger stall on the main street near where it happened. I get to meet a lot of people in the neighbourhood. I was walking along the street and got to talking to some mates of mine. It was a warm evening and I enjoyed the company. It’s a friendly area and you don’t have to watch out for muggers and teenage hooligans.” “Where were you standing in relation to the main road?” “We were in a sort of semi circle and I was facing outwards. I had a good view of the road.” “When were you first aware of the car in question?” “It was a quiet night so you could see and hear everything. All at once, I heard this engine revving up and tyres screeching. It was making an almighty racket. I said to my neighbour it must be one of those teenage joy riders when it came straight at us.” “At what point did you start to get worried?” “She had a wide open road to drive on. If she’d only slowed down and driven normally, she could have cleared us easily. I could see her swerve over, straight for us. That’s when I jumped out of the way.” “Were any of you standing on the pavement? Could it be said that any of you could have contributed to the accident?” “A group of us were standing, say a couple of feet, no more off the pavement at the most. Some were on the pavement. Poor Gerald was a bit slow on his feet and slow in his thinking. I knew him well.” “I refer to exhibit F1 in the bundle of evidence which clearly shows a perfectly wide road. Mrs Welles, can you examine the photograph and testify that this is how the road looked on the day in question,” Brian Cantwell said in smooth persuasive tones, turning to the jury to give that final twist in his argument to lock it in with their thought processes. “Yeah. That shows it just right. I was standing right in the middle of the photo.” “How sure are you that it was the defendant driving the car and how much do you blame her for the accident?” “Totally. She never stopped, she made no attempt to stop. She just drove on. You couldn’t miss all that blond hair. It was her in the dock. I was walking home from my sister’s and saw her driving all over the place. She made no attempt to avoid him.” Mrs Welles gave off that venomous sense of triumphant self righteousness that made Karen’s spirits sink into her own boots and caused a slight flicker of a smile on the corner of George’s lips. She knew very well that such dogmatic people could easily be their worst enemies. George hesitated slightly before starting in with her cross-examination and Mrs Welles glared back in a suspicious manner. She was determined not let her put one over her with clever lawyer tricks. “Let’s start with the facts, Mrs Welles.The accident took place Friday August 19th 2001. Did you see the paper with the defendant’s photograph?” “Course I did. I got the Saturday’s copy of the Sun. It was the talk of the neighbourhood.” “Turning to your statement to the police, item FW1 in the bundle of evidence of evidence. I noticed that it is dated Monday August 22nd 2001. Had you contacted the police before then?” “Course I hadn’t. I’ve got a business to run. I hadn’t time to spend hours at the police station. I’d have lost business.” “Mrs Welles, don’t you think it possible that you had a split second glance at the driver, saw the newspaper and imagined the driver was the woman in the photograph?” The woman started to bristle at the insinuation that her subconscious was playing tricks with her subconscious. In her life, white was white and black was black. “I can see what you’re getting at but you’re wrong, Mrs clever clever lawyer. I saw what I saw. That woman was definitely Karen Betts. I don’t make no mistakes.” “Let’s come to the night in question. Can you describe for the benefit of the court the visibility of the night in question?” ‘It was dark, not surprising as it was nighttime,” the other woman said huffily, determined to score the first point. “And what about the street lighting?” came the smiling reply. “Well, what about it?” “Was the street well lit, badly lit or somewhere in between,” George drawled with elaborate patience. “About average.” “Was there a street light near you that might have illuminated the scene and, in particular the driver in the car?” “How should I know? I don’t check out where the nearest lamppost is.” “But it’s not on the photograph which my learned counsel referred the court to, look at item F1 again. You did supposedly identify the driver who was sat in the furthest away seat from where you were standing even though, by your own evidence, the driver only hesitated for a second before driving away.” “There was enough light for me to see the driver. It was her, I tell you. I could see her as clear as daylight with that long blond hair of hers.” “Something tells me that you’re jealous of her. You must admit that the defendant is a good looking woman.” Instantly, the atmosphere froze as Mrs Welles turned red in the face. Her jealousies were made plain to see. John was transfixed by the look on George’s face, which instantly told him how George could find another woman attractive. It brought back all the traumas he had gone through in one blinding flash. It forced him against his inclinations to see George in a different light than he had been used to. “I must protest at the personal attack made on my witness. It is entirely improper,” Brian Cantwell protested. “I direct the jury to disregard that last remark,” John said in hoarse wooden tones. Instead of the withering glance that George expected from him, she saw him gazing blankly in her general direction. Instantly, she understood and while she felt sorry for him, she got herself nonchalantly out of the tense situation, hardly skipping a beat. “We’ll let the jury decide on that one. No more questions.” When John asked Brian Cantwell if he had any more questions to ask of his client, he immediately jumped up and got her to protest that she had seen what she’d seen, that she couldn’t possibly have got it wrong and she wouldn’t hear of any suggestions to the contrary. George wasn’t entirely displeased at the way this heavy-handed testimony was laid on with a trowel. The rest of the morning crawled onwards when the two other witnesses gave similar evidence. George extracted from them the admission that they had stood further away from the accident than Mrs Welles and as time went on during her cross examination, their sense of their own certainty and conviction in their version of events faded. The atmosphere started to hang heavy on the courtroom that not everything was as it seemed. In the meantime, Karen stood straight in the dock and her mind frantically sought to discern just how the trial was going. To her, this was like something out of a Kafka novel and she couldn’t wait to check with George as to how her prospects stood to date. |
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| emtsue | Nov 25 2008, 09:30 AM Post #224 |
G3 Curtain and Duvet!
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Hiya richard,heres the reply to chapter 30. Poor Sir Ian & Co. ,thrown for a loop,and they have to deal with Larkhall once again.Tsk,Tsk,Tsk. Not only that ,Who will they toss into the lions den...Karen ,or Fenner,or both.What to do,what to do.So many decisions,and all in the name of making the justice system and police look like they have been dumped on un justly. Sir Ian and the Brethern have such little respect for the publics intelligence,that they believe they are the chosen ones who must think for them.In my opinion,their biggest mistake was not accepting Jon Deed's recusal.Oh well,live and learn...not! How is it possible that Joseph Channings biggest problem with George and alice's relationship, is that he consciously has to block out images of their sex life.Is that what parents actually think about?!On the other hand I appreciate the fact that he has put his love for his daughter and her happiness first.Alice seems to have won Joseph over.I dare say he might consider her shy being that she discretetly stays just off to the side,most likely making Joseph feel as though it is his acceptance of their relationship that has her so humble.But in truth,it is Alice's quiet ,intellegent observance of how George and her father relate to each other,that has given her the key to unlock Joseph's somewhat prudish demeanor.George and Alice make a good team,for together they have figured out how to handle dear father without him even realizing. John Deed has been given a gift....the gift of vulnerabilty,not something he ever thought was a part of his being,but has now had to accept.His worry over George appearing before him shows this.It also shows what he has gained in being honest with himself about Alice and George,and about his own past relationship with his ex wife.Although he might not believe it at this moment,he has gained much wisdom,which will serve him well in future.It amusses me that John pats himself on the back for getting throough life the way he has,but he is no longer so egotistical ,that he cannot give credit, where credit is due...to his friends. "This is different.This time,Ihave no professional identity to hide behind" No truer words from Helen have been spoken.She not only sums up her emotions concerning this trial,but also her relationship to Nikki when they were at Larkhall.It was this professionalism that she hid behind when trying to deal with her growing feelings for NIkki.Helen was no llonger hiding she had given to her hearts desire.Maybe this was the symbolism Nikki was feeling when she layed her head between helen's breasts,for there underneath lies her heart. Brian Cantwell thinks he knows how George's mind works,end result being check in hand.But he has not dealt with the real George Channing,the George Channing with a sense of duty and conscience. Karen has endured so much because of Fenner,that she was brought close to the edge.With help from her friends and her own natural self determination she was able to pull herself out of the abyss and get done ,what she needed to get done.Now it is time for Karen to show her real strength and fight for the confident and strong woman that she is. Well Richard the trial is finally upon us,I can only imagine how hard you have worked to pull this all together,cheers. |
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| Andliv2laf | Nov 25 2008, 01:25 PM Post #225 |
G2 landing
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Richard, I decided to make time for you now as I will take the holiday to catch up on all the other stories I have missed....and truthfully, I wanted to reply before my great, long winded friend Emtsue! Ok, so this is what I thought was the most important point for me...but, as you know, I always see things differently than everyone else! "John was transfixed by the look on George’s face, which instantly told him how George could find another woman attractive. It brought back all the traumas he had gone through in one blinding flash. It forced him against his inclinations to see George in a different light than he had been used to. " So, the personal issues surface rather quickly...nothing too traumatic as of yet....maybe a little sadness on both parts. I again have the feeling that the dynamic duo will again play an important part in smoothing this over and saving the day! So, I'll patiently wait to see how this shapes up! And George....what can you say....she has found her place in life, both personally and professionally and it shows. Her confidence is evident and I fear the the bretheren are going to be quite concerned by George's performance and John judging the trial...they thought this would be something difficult for him and may cause his actions fo be made questionable...but as usual...they are wrong! So, our little group that has formed to right the world, is still strong. As long as they continue to act together, I don't think they can be stopped...ummm, Richard....where is Fenner???? I mean, I am beginning to wonder if he fled the country...if he didn't he should have!! As always...very entertaining, and a wee bit thought provoking...now I must get busy on other things...thanks for the little break...see ya soon!! |
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In writing this next scene, I borrowed dialogue lines from Bad Girls series 5 which briefly featured Karen in the dock and also the first witness. I couldn’t resist George getting behind the witness’s venomous self righteousness and uncovered her jealousy with unfortunate consequences for John, the sort of thing he most dreaded.

8:47 AM Jul 11