Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to Nikki And Helen. We hope you enjoy your visit.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
unfinished business; Bad Girls / Judge John Deed trilogy
Topic Started: Jun 22 2008, 10:39 AM (19,805 Views)
Axiegirl21
Member Avatar
Out of Dorm
:clap :clap :clap What an emotional couple of updates Richard, first Karen and then Helen.

Karen strength when questioned by Cantwell seemed to come from deep within her, the way she stood upto him and answered with such force to his accusation that she was confused about killing the pedestrian was great. I believe that even with all the circumstancial evidence against her Karen has to see that there is light at the end of the tunnel, unfortunately it seems that it's going to be a long dark and dare I say dirty one.

Helen in chapter 36 was equally amazing, although she hasn't gone up aainst Cantwell yet her strong emotions showed through when she was speaking of her respect for Karen and her feelings towards Fenner, even getting in the sexual assault he made against her. That most certainly gave Cantwell and the jury something to think about. I really don't think Jouhn Wade will be working for the prosecution much longer do you?

I'm really looking forward to seeing Cantwell questioning Helen. I think he's going to seriously underestimate Helen's strength and think her to be the typically fragile women when presented with whatever evidence Cantwell thinks he has. I'm sure he'll find someway to bring Helen and Nikki's relationship into it and use it to show Helen, and in turn Nikki, cannot be trusted. He'll use the fact that they were having a relationship under the noses of the prison auhorities to try to show that they will lie if it's to their advantage, something we know not to be true but I'm sure that's not what he let the jury hear. Hopefully George and John will be on their guard and help the jury see through his manipulations.

Can't wait to read what happens next.

Happy New Year. :celebrate Keep up the great work.
The past is history.
The future a mystery.
And now is a gift thats why we call the present.



Larkhall Lovelies Rule
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
BETTELA
Member Avatar
BETTE
Thanks for a great start to the New Year with your story and by the way Happy New Year to you. This is so good no other words to describe the writing, but I am definitely patiently waiting the next outcome of the trial, looking forward to the next chapter. But I must tell you this when I am reading this it makes me think that I am actually in the court with them. Great work thanks. :hug :hug :hug :hug :D
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
richard
Member Avatar
Enhanced
What great feedback that has really put a smile on my face for the New Year

To you Axiegirl21, you have really pinpointed the strength that Karen has shown under pressure and Helen’s clear thinking in marshalling everything she knows and expressing it clearly- you won’t be disappointed with the next scene- I dare not say any more.

To you, Bettela, I could not hope for more generous praise than that my fic has made you feel that you are in court and part of the trial.

Next part goes up this weekend
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
emtsue
No Avatar
G3 Curtain and Duvet!
Hiya Richard:
What a long road Karen ,Helen ,and Nikki have travelled to get to where their relationship now stands.Espescially Helen and Karen.From a cordial professional working realationship,nearing friendship, to unwitting enemies,to the most understanding best of friends, with Karen finally realizing what Helen actually went through while at Larkhall,and how similar their lives ended up being there, due to Jim Fenner.

Helen's nervousness serves her well,and always has ,because when she is in this mode she seems to be able to question and answer herself,which in turn helps her to sort out what the true facts are so she doesnot come off looking like a "typical" woman out for revenge. This is how Fenner sees all women and how Cantwell will need to portray her on the stand.

Helen's Strength, absolute resolve, and honesty, when being questioned about her relationship with Fenner,shines through.So much so it takes Judge John Deed aback.It was a facinating scenario being played out between John and Helen, as Judge and Juror.It couldn't have been easy for John to hear Helen's testimony of Fenner's sexual assault against her.If it was possible for John Deed to gain even more respect for helen Stewart,I believe he did so at this time.

Helen's thinking that she will have to be sharp when she is cross-examined by Brian Cantwell is quite right.But if she looks on Cantwell as she would Fenner,as someone with an agenda,she should be able to keep her wits about her.
I am anxious to find out how much research John Wade has actually done on Helen's backround,if any.John Wade seems to have gone on alot of assumptions as opposed to fact.

Once again Richard,your detailing is brilliant,thank you.
Andliv2laf wanted me to mention that whatever I wrote here,goes for her too....LOL.RL intervenes again.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
richard
Member Avatar
Enhanced

Hi Emtsue and Andlif2laf. I find it extraordinarily fascinating to see how my writing is powerfully reflected back at me in your feedback. I find that I write a scene by various approaches, that the ‘internal TV screen runs’ or I cast around for a particular approach which seems to fall out of my mind from I don’t know where or sometimes I use my own uncertainty in the character’s own uncertainty.. Here you have lighted on the very interesting way that Helen becomes the stronger for this process of self examination as you will see that Helen uses this to extraordinary effect when confronted by Cantwell. If she’d waffled in dealing with her ‘unprofessional’ treatment of Nikki as a prisoner, she would have been sunk. Instead, ‘the truth makes her very resoundingly free’ and she comes out fighting. Your feedback has summed up the evolution of Helen and Karen very nicely, gets the nuances spot on and, most interestingly, you have uncannily anticipated the way this next scene develops

I’ve slightly’ broad brushed’ Nikki’s evidence to avoid unnecessary repetition but her contrastingly conversational style marshals her experience of a twenty four hours a day prisoner to deadly effect. She is as cool as a cucumber in her manner.

Hopelessromantic has kindly betaed this piece and the previous one. Enjoy.

......................................................................................................................


Scene Thirty-Seven


Brian Cantwell wasted no time in eliciting from Helen details of her personal circumstances, which she detailed crisply and promptly.

“Ms Stewart,” he asked making the buzzing sound of her title sound like a subtle put down of feminism, “Has it occurred to you that you might have a problem, as a lesbian, in relating to men?”

“That’s laughable,” Helen retorted a wide grin splitting her face in two.” I used to be a straight woman, always getting near the altar, never committing myself to get married. It was only when I met Nikki Wade that I fell in love with a woman for the first time. I am on good terms with men I work with, with friends outside work.”

Brian Cantwell was visibly unprepared for this retort. John Wade had picked up on Fenner’s venomous denunciations of this witness and his mental picture of the typical caricature lesbian had been passed on to him. He saw that he had miscalculated so he shifted his point of attack.

“Was it proper that you, as a supposedly, rule respecting wing governor of a prison fell in love with a female prisoner while being her jailor?”

“Not at all proper. It is the sole blot on my record and, in my defence, I never used it for personal advantage and neither did Nikki. It isn’t something I did lightly and it took a lot of soul searching to enter into such a relationship.”

“I bet you did. I suppose you fell into each others arms, proclaiming undying love for each other and let your professional obligations go hang,” Brian Cantwell cut back with acid sarcasm.

“No, Mr. Cantwell,” Helen shot back passionately with glowing eyes,” Nikki proved herself the truest and most loyal friend that I’ve ever had in my entire life. While I threatened to stumble and fall as the ‘Old Boys’ network sought to sabotage my attempts to treat prisoners decently, Nikki stopped me from going over the edge. By contrast, my fiancée was full of bland well-meaning nothings. That’s what really makes for true love. For all that, I had an enormous battle between what I saw as my duty and my feelings of love for Nikki.”

“But the fact remains that your attitude to Nikki Wade, a prisoner, was unprofessional or at least, had an unprofessional element about it,” Brian Cantwell retorted, stacking up his logic with deadly precision.

“Yeah,” Helen said slowly,” I can’t deny that last option.”

This took the wind out of the barrister’s sails. He realized that Helen’s transparent honesty was making a strong favourable impression on the jury. She had neatly avoided the trap of being shifty and evasive. Beneath his impassive exterior, John was totally inspired by Helen’s passionate sincerity and he couldn’t help but think that if George felt the same way about Alice, then she had a point. In turn, George was bowled over by Helen’s fierce defence of herself. She cut the air with bold simple word shapes.

“You really didn’t like Mr. Fenner, did you? One could say that there was a personal motive in your criticisms of him.”

“I remember finding out how he fixed the random drugs tests of inmates to target drugs free prisoners and fiddle the figures. That says everything about the man – and the way he justified it by saying other prisons do the same. That was par for the course with Jim Fenner,” came Helen’s derisive reply.

While Brian Cantwell scowled, John Deed was in severe danger of laughing out loud at how Helen’s outrageous honesty so vividly echoed his own experiences. His kinship with both women shone all the brighter at moments like this.

“In which case, how can you explain, as resident psychiatrist, how the defendant is unable to see through such transparent manoeuvrings? In making such scathing remarks against Mr. Fenner, your thesis is undone by the defendant’s supposed character and therefore the credibility of your arguments.”

Helen had to hand it to the man how he came back like lightning after she had so discomforted him. She had to repay him in kind.

“I really wish I knew the answer to your very valid question. Karen is an intelligent woman, one who came up through the ranks, took a part time degree course and yet had that one blind spot for Jim Fenner. It sounds like a contradiction but I would have thought that it’s up to the jury to decide that on their experience of real life that such people do exist.”

“Miss Stewart, grateful as I am for your contribution, I must say that you are in danger of stealing my thunder in giving directions to the jury.” Judge Deeds interjected.

“Oh God, I’m sorry,” Helen started to say; her hand in front of her mouth while John smilingly waved aside her apology. George was grinning broadly at the tables being turned so neatly on John. It was about time it happened to him. Brian Cantwell shook his head in irritation at the way this woman blew a hole through one of his logical masterstrokes. He decided to cut to the chase.

“Let’s come to the night of the crime in question. You have consistently stated that the defendant wasn’t driving her own car. What makes you think that the driver wasn’t the accused? You have given evidence to positively identify the car as belonging to the accused. You have even given evidence that she ran into the back of your car. You are saying that the driver had long fair hair. Other witnesses have positively identified her so why don’t you?”

“I maintain that the driver looked like Karen but, to repeat myself, I’m not prepared to swear that it was Karen behind the wheel,” retorted Helen fiercely, the light of battle in her eyes.”

“Is it the case that you have a history of friendship with the accused and don’t want to incriminate her? It’s all very laudable but the court is here to establish the truth, not pander to sentiment.”

“You’ve tried to say that my hostile testimony against Fenner is personal prejudice as opposed to my relationship with Karen. I am stating that, yes, I started out being friends with Karen but we gradually fell out over her siding with Jim Fenner, yet I’m now being biased in the defendant’s favour. You can’t have it both ways, Mr. Cantwell,” Helen riposted with that final parry, getting through the barrister’s guard.

The man turned red in the face and stopped dead in the tracks. It annoyed him intensely that this verbal rapier thrust had got through his guard and he had no counter to it.

“Have you any questions to ask, Ms Channing?”

“I could not possibly improve on Helen’s observations,” George replied with that satisfied tone in her voice. Her total admiration for the woman prompted that lapse in court etiquette. The smaller woman couldn’t believe it when she was permitted to leave the dock. Everything was going round in her head and her first thought was that she wanted some fresh air outside with Nikki.

********


Blind instinct made Karen, Nikki and Helen adjourn to the pub across the road from the Old Bailey, which was large and capacious. Nikki reached out for her packet of cigarettes and offered it to Karen while Helen brought in the drinks. So long as the jukebox enfolded them with music that wouldn’t jar on their nerves, then no spaces were left open for Helen’s dormant worries at watching Nikki take the stand.
Karen at last had the company that she knew that she craved and Nikki blindly reached for the conviviality to sharpen up her mind to cross swords with the opposing barrister. Sharp as a razor, Helen warned her. She kept it in mind that she worked for the Howard League for Penal Reform and even more so than normal, can look anyone in the eye.


********

With a feeling of unreality, Nikki was sworn in, realizing vaguely that she wasn’t testifying for her own life but someone else’s. George swiftly took her through the preliminary introductions, her personal background until the real questioning started.

“Ms Wade, it would help if you could explain your background as a prisoner at Larkhall. It isn’t common for a jury to hear such evidence, not to say barristers and judges,” George asked in clear tones.

With a sudden mental blink, Nikki realized for the first time that she was dealing with the professional Ms Channing, QC rather than George, Alice’s partner, that she was so used to.

“Okay, losing your liberty is where it starts. I know this both personally and professionally. I don’t know if any of you in the jury have been at school where the teacher is trying to put you down, no matter how hard you’re trying because your face doesn’t fit. Prison’s a hundred times worse than that. I hadn’t accepted the guilt of taking out the policeman who would have most certainly raped by then girlfriend if I hadn’t been around. On top of that, all the nasty tabloids assassinated my character. I finally ended up in Larkhall Prison, a version of a corrupt banana republic, one where standing up for basic rights, questioning authority landed me many times being shoved down in a segregation block, trussed up in clothing called ‘strips’ so I could hardly move. Fenner was at the back of directly discriminating against me and favouring another prisoner who was effectively his prostitute. She was just another one of his women on the inside and he went home to his wife and kids. That’s Fenner in a nutshell. I ran up against him as I have this very traditional English belief of not abiding favouritism. Then Helen Stewart came along and treated me justly. She put me onto an Open University degree course, which I completed and got my release on appeal and later complete exoneration. I updated my office skills in an ordinary job and secured a research job with the Howard League for Penal Reform. In a more systematic, research based form I’m doing again what I did as an ordinary prisoner. My work reminds me constantly of injustice. Having been a witness to a senselessly cruel murder really brought it home to me that Fenner thinks he can get away with anything, in the past at Larkhall and now, and, for me, that’s what the present case is all about.”

Nikki’s slow, fluent, well-paced delivery pushed George’s list of questions along by leaps and bounds and she mentally crossed through some as senseless repetition.

To George’s great satisfaction, Nikki then chatted away about her perception of the hit and run murder in a conversational yet lucid style as if her profession was giving evidence in court. She hardly needed any prompting to keep her narration on track. There were really no loose ends, George marvelled as part of her mind detached herself to try and figure out just how Brian Cantwell might try to attack the testimony.

*******

“Seeing as you have been most forthcoming about everyone else’s background, you can’t object if I ask you a few questions about your own background. You don’t mind if one or two of them are personal,” Brian Cantwell asked in smooth tones, which loudly rang danger bells inside Nikki’s head. Instinct told him how much of a trickster this man was.

“Go ahead.”

“Your partner, Helen Stewart has given very touching evidence as to how she fell in love with a woman for the first time in her life. Was being a lesbian a new experience for you as well?”

“No. I came out, that is publicly acknowledged my sexuality when I was thirteen, fourteen, at boarding school. Men have never been my flavour,” Nikki said politely, George made an approving mental note of Nikki’s flexibility in rapidly translating for the benefit of a straight jury.

“So you are an experienced lesbian, aren’t you,” Brian Cantwell said with the air of finding out an important fact.

“Yeah, in the same way that you are an experienced heterosexual, at least I assume you are,” came Nikki’s cool reply to Helen’s very visible delight from the gallery and a snigger from the jury.

“So would it be true to say that you’ve spent all your life around women and that men are strange to you, in how they think, in how you interpret their behaviour?” Brian Cantwell retorted insistently, eager to push his point of view home.

“There have been variations. After I left home, I had to make it as a barmaid, any job that paid the rent so female separatism was a luxury I couldn’t afford. I’ve had male friends, even early on in life. When I was running a lesbian club with Trisha Williams, my then partner, I must admit that my life revolved almost exclusively round lesbians, as friends and lovers. In my time in Larkhall, I was with both straight and gay women and male and female prison officers. I hated Fenner not because I had a weird attitude to men but because he was, well, a bastard. After Helen came on the scene, she revived my faith in human nature… I got to be pretty friendly with Dominic McAllister a decent guy, great prison officer. Since I got my freedom, I have increasingly gained quite a number of male friends. There’s Tony Foster who I worked with in my first job, my present boss Paul Williams who’s a really great guy, very fair with as much real understanding as any woman I’ve ever known. There’s Claire Walker’s husband Peter with who I socialize with a lot. There’s …….”

“Quite,” Brian Cantwell cut in coldly, furious how this woman’s blandly reasonable manner was going down so well. There was a faint smirk on her face and her eyelashes were lowered as she avoided John’s studiously interested gaze. Her brother John Wade looked coldly into the distant horizon while his infuriating sister tied this barrister up in knots. Claire Walker smiled approvingly at this mildly formidable woman whose demeanour was cool, unruffled.

“You sound all very innocent but isn’t the truth is that you are studiously avoiding, that you sought to ensnare a serving member of the prison service for your own ends. For the benefit of the court, it would be interesting how you came to live with your partner, Helen Stewart? It casts doubt on her own professionalism, as she was forced to admit.”

Nikki was momentarily startled at what Helen had said in court but she trusted to her instinct to play a straight bat when in an awkward situation.

“I never expected to fall in love with a woman while being banged up, least of all a prison officer, a screw as they are known. All I did was to follow the instincts of my heart. I have been retrospectively judged to be totally innocent. Excuse me but I don’t see the problem.”

“Aren’t you guilty of favouritism towards Karen?” snapped the man, starting to lose patience.

“Not especially. I was treated fairly by her and she shook my hand and wished me the best when I left Larkhall. I went my way and I never anticipated her coming back into my life.”

“Why can’t you admit that if you recognized the car, then it must have been Karen driving her?” Brian Cantwell suddenly shot at her from out of the blue.

“I had a clearer view of Karen’s car but I couldn’t positively say it was her. What sticks out in my mind are my memories of how careful and correct she was at Larkhall and how the car was being driven in a dangerously out of control fashion. It didn’t add up. You have to understand that prison’s a funny place. You’re locked up twenty hour seven with other prisoners and also with prison officers nearly as much. People in ordinary jobs can hide a side of their personality from each other. That doesn’t work in such a goldfish bowl existence like Larkhall. That’s why Helen and I can be so definite.”

“I have one final question. Did you coach each other in what you were going to say in court? The way your stories fit together so pat, it must be contrived,” Brian Cantwell said in suddenly more spiteful tones as he clutched at straws.

“Huh?” Nikki said in tones of utter incomprehension.” Whatever Helen said was for real, that’s so like her. I was brought up to tell the truth. That is what true intimacy is all about. We can’t be blamed if we agree with each other.”

Temporarily forgetting herself, Helen started spontaneously clapping at Nikki’s splendid finale until one look from John Deed froze her hands. He had a wry smile on his face and Helen’s experience told her that he, too, had to cover his private sentiments under an official facade. For the second time in court, Karen permitted herself to smile. At least for the moment, things were starting to look up in her life.



Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
BETTELA
Member Avatar
BETTE
Wow what a great chapter, Nikki and Helen's testimony was fab and it was great how they tied the little weasel up while they where on the stand. I look forward to more Richard, as I am waiting to see how it goes for Karen. Thanks so much for the great writing.

BETTELA :hug :hug :hug :hug :D :D :D :D :D
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
richard
Member Avatar
Enhanced
Hi Bettela. I’m sorry I’ve been late replying but trhis is the first night I’ve felt up to replying. I’m glad that you loved Nikki’s and Helen’s testimony and I thought I’d put up the next part which features the contrasting styles of a very nervous Tony on the stand whose evidence is crucial followed by Shirley’s ‘working class, sharp as a razor’ style by contrast. I couldn't resist a little joke about Tony Blair and I finish with a nicely emotional scene buttressed by Nikki's understanding boss. Enjoy.

........................................................................................................................

Scene Thirty-Eight


Before Tony had met Nikki, he would never have conceived of going anywhere near a court much less giving evidence. As long as he could remember, he had felt that he had been on the outside of life, looking in, always observing others and never having the nerve to even conceive of what he really wanted out of life. He had this fear of taking risks and this had explained why he stuck at his job. He couldn’t deceive himself into thinking that it was courage that had kept him in there. He was a loner and felt somehow apart from the human race. No one really knew what went on in his mind, until Nikki came to join his firm.

Nikki had made no bones from the very start that she was a lesbian yet somehow they had been thrown together. He was polite and she was friendly. Somehow it was that they were both outsiders in their different ways. The very way she talked and thought made him edge into becoming that little bit bolder. He couldn’t see how curious it was that he wouldn’t fight to defend himself but he would stick up for her. Tony didn’t know why that should be except that somehow, he gained that extra bit of courage that made that level of defiance possible. What he couldn’t do was to sustain that level of self-confidence and he dropped back to being that self-effacing man he had always been.

Only his habits of punctuality brought him outside the huge, fortress like building and into the foyer. He was dressed in his smart suit and tie knotted almost painfully tightly. The hurly burly around him made his head swim and he put his hand to his ears. It was only when an echoing voice gradually worked its way through his confusion, when concerned faces swam their way through to his consciousness. There in front of him were Nikki’s worried brown eyes. To her right, linking Nikki’s hand was a smaller woman with an elegant brown bob, curvaceous figure and that charming smile and glint in her eyes that was larger than life, than the long remembered photo by Nikki’s workplace.

“I’m sorry for my absent mindedness. You must be Helen. Nikki’s told me a lot about you,” Tony stammered, automatically shaking the woman’s hand. At once, he felt a wave of unaccountable embarrassment come over him as this woman grinned broadly in answer.

“Nikki, you never told me how polite your friend is. Believe me, it’s not very common these days.”
“That’s a compliment, Tony,” put in Nikki, very much concerned at his nervousness as she added softly and gently. ”This is Karen whose life you are about to save.”

At once, Tony became aware of a tall, statuesque woman with blond hair and blue eyes. She came up to him and embraced him with her exotic perfume and overwhelming softness. To his surprise, she seemed impossibly grateful to him as her warm smile started to warm his spirits and made him feel worthwhile.
.
“Tony, I can’t say how incredibly grateful I am that you’re putting yourself out on my account. Believe me, I can’t help but bless my luck that you were there and are kind enough to come forward. Without you and others batting for me, I’m certain to be sent down for ten years. As a one time wing governor, who better placed than me to know, except Helen and Nikki?”

The slight break in Karen’s voice and the haunted look in her eyes moved Tony deeply. After all, he had his freedom. He started to feel less on his own.

“Tony, a bit of advice. You’ll have a chance to get into your swing as George questions you. When you face the other barrister, remember that he didn’t see the car, but you did. You have to stick to your version like glue. Above all else, you’ve got a kindly judge who’ll see fair play.” Nikki elucidated.
.
With that line up of barricades against being overwhelmed by his fears, Tony walked unsteadily through the court as if his presence were predestined.

********

Looking back on it, Tony could never recall the opening preliminaries as they passed in a blur. He looked over at George and never let his eyes leave her face. He needed that lifeline. She clicked on the screen projector, which threw up an image of the map on the wall. Nervously, he explained his background, how he happened to be in the area, what he saw and why he came forward as a witness. Secretly, George was worried about the progress of her cross-examination. It sounded flat, awkward and lacking in detail. Likewise, Brian Cantwell had marked the witness’s timid manner while George gently led him through his evidence. He decided on a direct attack on the witness whose evidence was potentially the most damaging to his case.

“This can be disposed of very quickly. Why have you left it till this late to come forward?”

“Left it late? I don’t understand?” stammered Tony. Somehow, he hadn’t expected the cross-examination to be as fierce and vicious as it was.

“The tabloids have covered the hit and run accident, the Evening Standard has featured it, it has popped up on the six o clock news. So why has it taken till recently to come forward with your mighty convenient story?”

Everything in front of Tony turned blurry except for the sight of this man verbally bearing down on him. His resolution had turned to water and he felt as if he was hyperventilating. His collar and tie was far too tight around his neck as if he was being strangled. Everything that had gone round in his mind was suddenly obliterated. He was unable to see how Karen, George, Claire, Nikki and Helen were silently pleading with him to find the strength to fight back while empathizing with his feelings of helplessness. You can do it if you find the strength within you, they breathed.

“I think the witness needs a glass of water. Could one of the ushers assist him?” John’s melodious voice intervened. It cut through the welter of confusion going on in his head and the usher, dressed in her black gown, came up to him and smiled kindly on him. She felt so sorry for the man being bullied by one of those high and mighty barristers, poor man. Nervously, he sipped at the glass of water with one hand while the other firmly grasped the rail. It was the one secure object he could cling to. Gradually, his mind started to clear.

“Are you feeling better, Tony?” George asked in gentle tones. Please God, let him recover, she prayed silently to herself.

“Once again, I must ask the witness why he didn’t come forward earlier on. A lack of a satisfactory reason inevitably casts doubt on his credibility and tends to the suspicion that he has been ‘parachuted in’ at the last minute,” Brian Cantwell sneered.

It was a fatal mistake. Tony Foster was angered by the suggestion of dishonesty.

“If you’re accusing me of lying, I deny it, sir. I live an isolated life and don’t watch the news or read the papers. I read books and listen to music a lot of the time. I honestly didn’t know there was anything to come forward about till I bumped into Nikki by chance. We got talking and this case came up in conversation and it sparked my memory.”

This simple answer caused Brian Cantwell to momentarily recoil. He shifted his point of attack.

“Isn’t it strange, for you to be friends with a lesbian?”

“Nikki has always been the best friend I could ever have. I didn’t know there was anything wrong with it.”

“Aren’t you saying this as you have a hopeless infatuation for this ‘friend’ of yours. Let’s face it, you hardly come over as a man of the world?” sneered Brian Cantwell.

“It never occurred to me to be in love with Nikki. She always had a photo on her desk of Helen. She was always talking about her.”

“Isn’t it totally laughable to common sense to hear this cock and bull yarn about this man putting on a wig?”

“It isn’t anything I see every day. In any case, how did I know the car’s registration number and make? Let’s face it, it isn’t a very common experience,” Tony pursued in a more confident, even tone of voice, having stopped his voice from trembling. He saw that he was starting to rebuff this bully.

“And you say you were wandering around in the back streets of London trying to find somewhere to eat and, quite by chance, you saw this parked car and this man putting on this wig. Don’t you think this was a fantastic coincidence?”

“That’s what happened. After all, there was this iceberg just floating around where the Titanic was steaming and it sank the ship. These things happen,” Tony flared up indignantly, hands gripping the rail tightly.


The court was stunned into silence. Tony was beginning to worry if he had gone too far. However there were no reproving words, certainly not from his opponent.

“Do you have any questions, Ms Channing?” John enquired at last.

“None at all,” George said, sounding and looking as pleased as punch. “I think my client’s last remark has put it in a nutshell.”

***********

Tony stumbled out of court and asked the usher the way to the visitor’s gallery. A huge feeling of relief and self-satisfaction was welling up in him. He felt as if he walked taller as he strode up the staircase. He passed by the solitary man who looked as if he were built of stone and was warmed by the beaming smiles from Helen and Nikki.

“Tony, you were terrific. You sit next to me,” Nikki said quietly but in heartfelt tones.

As he slid past, first Helen and then Nikki, the murmuring in the courtroom during this intermission fell silent as Shirley Cheetham made her way into the witness stand. This felt like the circles in the local cinema, Tony thought, as he stared down at Karen, standing still in the dock, and all the other players in this act. Right behind them, the human statue that was Sir Ian was making furious mental calculations as to how the case was going.


George readied herself for her last session of questioning. After her closing address, it would be in the lap of the Gods. She was feeling emotionally drained and the quiet consideration of Alice had helped her immeasurably. She really wondered how she had managed before she came into her life.

“Miss Cheetham, can you explain for the benefit of the jury what your profession is.”

“I’m a private investigator, not one of those sleaseballs you may have heard of that wears a pair of binoculars in messy divorce cases,” Shirley explained in a rapid, confident manner, taking in all the main players in this trial. “I worked in the police force for five years, couldn’t stick the closed in minds that couldn’t see their backside from their elbow and struck out on my own. I learned my trade and took professional qualifications in forensic science so here I am.”

“For the benefit of the jury, can you take us through your investigations and what you have discovered?”

“I’m hired to do a job. That doesn’t mean I don’t look all ways and that I’m told what conclusion to find. I’ve got an inquisitive mind and I don’t go with the obvious. In Karen Betts’ situation, I talked to her at length and started from the possibility that she’s telling the truth. It means that if she didn’t drive the car, somebody stole it. Karen said that she was in all evening except when she took a shower. It doesn’t take rocket science to figure out that if she’d had the lousy day she described to me and I’m sure she described in court, she’d have a long hot soak. Stands to reason, doesn’t it. ………,”

Shirley’s lazily paced tone of voice suddenly caused the jury to sit up bolt upright in their seats. Amongst the mass of evidence, they vividly recalled that abiding memory of Karen’s spectacular bustup with Fenner.

“The really interesting point is that if her flat was broken into, that person knew her and her habits and chanced his arm breaking in. It didn’t take a professional burglar, only an average guy, reasonably dexterous, nothing special. I looked for signs of a break in and found it. The evidence shows that the front door was forced- item RB1 in the bundle which I can positively say was done the day of the accident,” Shirley inferred. “I also drove along the route taken by the driver at the kind of speeds indicated and I can tell you that the driver must have been a total nutter, especially the sharp right hand turn and sharp right hand turn onto the main drag. Then again, the road where the murder took place, call it by its right name was wide by any standards. Someone would have to have worked really hard to avoid cruising past and slow down for the next sharp right hand turn but, instead, knock over a pedestrian. I suppose the local plods have given evidence on that point, have they?”

The look of baffled anger on Brian Cantwell’s face told Shirley with great satisfaction that the police had indeed overlooked that one.

“One really strange point was when I checked out the car, was the position of the car seat. By my judgment, Karen over there couldn’t possibly have moved the car seat like that. It would take a well built bloke, about five eleven.”

“Why did you say man? It could have been a woman,” Brian Cantwell said acidly.

“Did I say man? Must have slipped out. Then again, you don’t see many women that size. Take a good look around you,” Shirley said smiling inwardly. “There’s another point. No one’s found the car keys on Karen. True, she could have thrown them away. However, it’s equally possible the guy in the CCTV camera has clung onto them. Check out item labelled JF1 who been positively identified as James Fenner, Principal Officer on G Wing, Larkhall Prison. He might still have them.”

George was astounded by the way that Shirley had rattled through her evidence in record time, every word as clear as a bell. No more questions were needed. She was interested to see how Shirley would face up to Brian Cantwell or was it the other way round.


“Ms Cheetham, can you explain just how you were engaged by your client in the first place.”

“Easy. Nikki Wade visited Larkhall in her official capacity and got talking to my aunt, Yvonne Atkins. Ms Wade put me onto Karen.”

“You mean the wife of the notorious East End gangland Godfather, notorious for supplying cocaine across half of London,” Brian Cantwell replied in a theatrically shocked tone of voice.

“Yeah, that side of my family is as bent as they come, I agree but do you choose your family, I ask you? Yvonne and my mother are sisters but were driven apart when Yvonne married the worst man she could find. Thank God he’s out of the way and we can get to be more like family. She knows I’m straight and wouldn’t do anything illegal.”

“High, incorruptible moral standards, eh? Would it be true to say that you have exploited the frailties of the junior members of the police force to worm your way into police car compounds. Doesn’t this taint the nature of your evidence?”

“You mean, did I slip them a fat bribe? The answer is definitely not. I treated then like a human being, not like a doormat. You try acting like a human being. It gets respect, yeah.”

“Let’s turn to the photograph in question. That man could be anyone from Jim Fenner to Tony Blair”

“Now there’s a thought,” murmured John, as he smiled impishly. A general titter rippled round the courtroom.

“It’s no laughing matter, my lord,” Brian Cantwell protested virtuously.” I hardly think that the Prime Minister would be so foolish or venal to do anything corrupt. I put it to you that this man was not seen on CCTV coming out of the car in question.”

“Neither was Karen Betts,” flashed back Shirley, “You work out what really happened for yourself.”

“No further questions, my lord,” the barrister said in muted tones. This last encounter had been fast and furious. He has no more shots in his locker to fire.

“This is for the jury to decide tomorrow after I hear closing arguments,” John pronounced in clear tones. A shiver ran up Karen’s spine as the moment of decision was approaching. The daily cut and thrust of cross-examination had sustained her in some kind of limbo land. Now that had passed.

The sudden release of emotions and mutual and generous congratulation between Nikki, Helen, Tony and Karen was indescribable. George and Claire looked on, thrilled at the way the case had been made. There was no guarantees of a happy ending but they had given as much as could be expected. It was in this outpouring of emotional release that a thought suddenly struck Nikki. What about the next day? She surely couldn’t break off and go back to work. Nervously, she reached for her mobile and phoned Paul Williams to tactfully explain her dilemma. He laughed aside such worries.

“I know very well that once you get immersed in the trial, wild horses wouldn’t drag you and Helen away. I’ve already fixed up that your work is covered. Just relax. I know you, Nikki. You’ll work like a slave when you get back. The only thing is, just watch out or you’ll be some kind of trial junkie. Eccentric but very possible.”

Nikki came off the phone with a foolish yet pleased grin on her face, silently blessing the man’s understanding nature. She handed the mobile over to Helen with a meaning look. It was obvious what the smaller woman had to do.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
hopelessromantic
Member Avatar
Have the lab run a CBC with differential an a chem pro plus stat
Hey Richard I thought I'd prasie your very well written trial of Karen Betts. Your knack for writing court scenes is exceptional.Thankyou for the rescript.


HR
>>>>>> BGEnhanced <<<<<<

One cannot expect Congeniality when one does not exhibit Courtesy, Politenes and Impartiality.

Courtesies of a small and trivial character are the ones which strike deepest in the grateful and appreciating heart... Henry Clay
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
BETTELA
Member Avatar
BETTE
Lost for words at yet another fabulous chapter, sure as hell looking forward to the next. Thanks Richard for the great writing. :hug :hug :hug :D :D :D :D :hug
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
JAM
Member Avatar
Out of Dorm
Tony did alright in the end. I loved Shirley's testimony, very entertaining as well as pertinant. Thank you Richard!! :D
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
richard
Member Avatar
Enhanced
Thanks ever so much for the feedback.

To you, HR, besides your conscientious work in betaing this fic, I very much appreciate how you are able to get the feeling of court drama which probably has more of a history than perhaps I know.
To you, Bettela, I’m thankful for the way you have followed the feel of this fic.
To you, JAM. I enjoyed writing Shirley as it has that fast moving ‘gag’ writing which is a lesser appreciated Shed writing quality (care of Yvonne which I think I based this on) Tony was crucial in the case and the fact that he held his nerve is important.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
kchardbody
No Avatar
G2 landing
I decided to give to read a man's story. I am very shocked at how impressive of a writer you are. Very detailed and easy to read.
I am looking forward to read more.
I really enjoyed all the testimony.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
richard
Member Avatar
Enhanced
Hi kchardbody. I'm really glad for your kind comments and that you are enjoying this fic. I'm sure you have found thayt this fic has a wide range of characters while being true to my Nikki and Helen roots. This fic has a fully extended trial and is the fourth in a crossover series. I have written N and H fanfic for quite a while now which has enabled me to polish my style. I'm glad to say that there's more to come.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
richard
Member Avatar
Enhanced
In writing this scene, I was conscious of trying to build it up to the right pitch and not lose the momentum that had been built up. It does a broad brush of everyone and the drama focuses in on the closing speeches, John’s directions to the jury, Helen’s characteristic underlining of Karen’s reaction and the establishment reaction. I hope you enjoy it as the full implications await the following scene.

..................................................................................................................

Scene Thirty Nine

It was the morning of Thursday October 27th and Karen was tired-out when the shrill tones of her alarm clock woke her up. It had seemed like an eternity that she’d been getting up, putting on her makeup and best appearance and heading off down to the Old Bailey, seeing from afar the high domed roof, the grim grey stonework and the gilt symbol of justice on the top.

The trial was starting its fourth day the intensity of standing in the dock, all eyes upon her was starting to tell on her. The sheer immensity of the details thrashed out and argued over threatened to overwhelm her. What sustained her was the kind hearted support given to her so once again, she hauled herself up to get ready. It was the least she could do, she considered as she checked herself in the mirror, straightened her coat and automatic habit took her out of her humble front door into the grey skies and chilly winds outside.

Many people converged on the building, a determined George with Alice’s softly spoken best wishes nestling fondly in her ear, Brian Cantwell, determined to roll the dice one more time, Nikki and Helen, their hopes grappling with their fears, a more confident Tony Foster, Shirley Cheetham, glancing over her next job before unusually setting off for court as this case had grabbed her imagination.

John was in silent contemplation having weighed and measured everything till the small hours of the previous night while Sir Ian remained in the foyer in solitary isolation, weighing up the political odds. Finally, for inmates at Larkhall, the clang of prison cells announced another day’s unlock time as normal and Fenner was in a particularly black mood.

Brian Cantwell stood up and spoke with an outward confidence bordering on arrogance, masking the cold knowledge that his case, at best hung in the balance. Of course, he hadn’t let on to Sir Ian who had periodically pestered him throughout the trial just how the trial was going.

“As I consider the prosecution, I marvel at the assembly of unsubstantiated allegations which, first and foremost is this unsubstantiated file that the accused supposedly sent to area management about the supposed misdemeanours of one James Fenner of Her Majesty’s Prison, Larkhall. If indeed such a file had been compiled then I ask, where is it? My learned counsel has been silent about any attempts to retrieve this file. If it had been exhibited as evidence, then indeed there might be a case. So much rests on this file and, in its absence, then it adds the weight that the accused’s final hours before setting off in the car were very different than the story of diligently slaving over a file. I ask the jury to consider the facts. In the car, was found the coat of the accused and a bottle of whisky. Three witnesses who were at the scene of the crime positively and independently identified her. In contrast, we have the evidence of Ms Stewart and Ms Wade who have been compelled to admit that the driver looked like the accused but wouldn’t draw the obvious conclusion that it was the accused. We have this cock and bull yarn of the car belonging to the accused being driven by a man who put on a woman’s wig and that he may be” he added with heavy emphasis,” James Fenner a witness for the prosecution who strangely enough, didn’t keep a low profile but chose to put his head above the parapet and give evidence in a court of law with all that it entails. We have the very amusing, music hall turn of the very aptly named Ms Shirley Cheetham and her dubious brand of forensics in her attempts to pull the wool over the jury. Finally, we have the defendant who has resigned from her job. It may be that she drove recklessly in a fit of temporary madness but clear evidence puts her in the frame as the cowardly murderer of Gerald Baker whose life was so cruelly taken away. Once again, I ask the jury, consider the facts.”

George had rapidly scribbled notes while Brian Cantwell was speaking and smiled to herself that this was exactly as she had foreseen. It let her unroll her own game plan and, except for John’s directions, she would be in the satisfying and usual position of having the last word. In contrast to her opponent’s harsh abrasiveness, she adopted a softer, more persuasive approach.


“My learned counsel has very plausibly forced together a series of occurrences into a shape, which have no rhyme or reason. I am imploring the jury to consider the real issues involved, the personalities involved, primarily the defendant. The nursing, nurturing strain in her is so marked, not only in terms of her own background but in looking after prisoner’s welfare that were in her care, not to say bringing up her only son as well as being a working mother. Even James Fenner says, and I quote ‘she got too involved in the prisoner’s problems.’

Helen Stewart’s testimony is remarkable in how much she agreed with my client that she and the defendant were forced apart by the machinations of one James Fenner yet, despite the frankly admitted antagonisms, both she and her partner Nikki Wade have given generous character evidence and likewise agreed with my client in having an unfortunate choice in men. In real life, this happens. My learned council has made great play of the lack of substantiation of the file that was worked on yet in conversations, the normality is that they are not tape-recorded for posterity like the Nixon tapes at the Watergate scandal. Finally, I ask that Ms Cheetham’s extraordinary lucid evidence and expertise be taken into account and especially, that she has an enquiring mind that isn’t rigid and hidebound.

Finally, and most important, I submit that Mr. Fenner is an extremely plausible man with a fine line in acting skills until you, the jury have seen him is exposed for who he really is. His movements on the night in question should be recalled, that he ‘wanted some fresh air so he had a wander round on his own to clear his head’. He ‘couldn’t say where he went to’ until he managed to overlook my client’s car. It is more likely that he was the driver of the car and put on a wig to incriminate my client. Even he admits that of the very morning of the crime, he had a row with my client. For all these reasons, I urge you to consider the interrelationships and find my client not guilty as charged.”

This was it, John Deed murmured to himself as all eyes were upon him. He had to maintain that rock solid sense of control that had been tested by the way personal relationships had intruded into the purity of his justice. He had walked the tightrope and now he had his chance to offer his guidance. The tension built up to a crescendo. Finally, he spoke.

“You the jury have an extraordinary difficult task to perform as you will need to negotiate your way through such a conflict of evidence. In doing so, you have to decide how much weight you put on certain evidence and be absolutely clear just why you consider that some witness evidence outweighs others. You need to also consider what is credible which is not the same as what is usual. The vast majority of people lead lives, which do not come the way of a court of law. This it is not to say that lives are uneventful, only that they do not land up in a court of law. You have to also weigh up the credibility of witnesses, not only in terms of honesty but also accuracy.

I would remind you that you have two simple alternatives... one is that the defendant, Karen Betts was the driver that night. If you consider she was the driver, then you must find her guilty as charged. You can consider that she was not the driver, in which case she is innocent. If you choose the latter course, then you are only permitting a fresh enquiry to be made. You are not putting anyone else in the dock, as he or she would need to be tried afresh. Finally, if you consider the defendant guilty, it must be beyond all reasonable doubt. If you have significant doubts as to her guilt, you must find her innocent.

Take your time and do not feel that you must reach a conclusion today. If you choose, you can return tomorrow to arrive at a conclusion.”

Immediately the tension was released as the jury shuffled out to deliberate and players in the drama could move from their allotted spaces and stream out of the courtroom. George was one of the first out and silently mouthed to Claire and Karen to grab their attention.

“We’ll catch up with our friends in the visitor’s gallery and adjourn to the pub across the road. Agreed?”

The other two women silently deferred to George’s natural bossiness and the crowd streamed across the large black and white chequered tile patterning, out of the doors and into the fresh air. Tony felt a little bewildered, not being used to this amount of company but was swept along by the good feelings as they dived inside the large interior of the pub. It wasn’t every day that he was in the company of a crowd of attractive women but they all looked kindly on him. This felt strange but welcome.

“My round,” George pronounced. “What’s everyone having?”

George’s forefinger pointed to everyone in turn to ensure that no one was left out and Karen volunteered to help carry the trayful of drinks. Tony was highly conscious of the background sounds of people chattering away, that feeling of conviviality but rather than making him feel self-conscious, he felt part of the crowd. For some reason, everyone was treating him kindly. Nikki he knew but Helen and Claire were being most attentive. Presently, Karen carried the tray and Helen marched ahead and commandeered a table.


While Shirley recounted some stories of her colourful and varied life, George held forth, being extraordinary witty and vivacious, and Tony was happy to sit back and listen. Nikki watched George with a great deal of interest as she talked about everything except the trial.

“She’s trying to distract everyone, including herself. Waiting for the verdict can be the most stressful part of the trial,” Claire whispered in Helen’s ear, who nodded understandingly. She had it down to a fine art and there was no sensation of time passing.
Just when George was telling one of her droller stories of her adolescence, the bleeper in her mobile sounded. She snatched it up feverishly and all eyes were upon her.

“Time to return and remember everyone, have faith,” she pronounced with more confidence than she felt.

Karen’s stomach had tied itself in a reef knot, as she felt sick. This was the moment of truth and immediately, her bedsit had a very welcome homelike feeling in retrospect. She dared not think of the prison cells she had once locked and unlocked so thoughtlessly. Nikki slipped one arm in hers while Helen took command of the other. She was carried into the foyer on this wave of support and somehow, her feet carried her into the dock.


“Have you reached a verdict on which you have all agreed?” the court usher asked of the jury foreman who stood expressionless, giving no indication of her thoughts. She and the other male and female members of the jury looked fairly ordinary members of the public.
Seconds of time seemed to hang like heavy weights upon everyone in court. At this moment, the jury held sway.

“Yes we have.”

“And how do you find the defendant on the charge of causing death by dangerous driving?”

“Not guilty,” she said in a deliberate, perfectly articulated manner.

A charge of electricity ran through Karen. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing after all these months of waiting and worrying. In the gallery, Helen let rip a yell of triumph, which was more discreetly followed by the others. There were tears in Nikki’s eyes and her large heart went out to Karen. Brian Cantwell looked on, expressionless while a rush of unashamed emotion poured through George’s nervous system that she’d helped deliver Karen from the awful fate that had threatened to swallow her up. It was all their triumph and hers was only a part of it.

“Thank you, thank you for believing me,” Karen whispered at last in John’s direction while her legs turned to jelly. He seemed to her the personal deliverer from all her misfortunes.

“Don’t thank me, Karen, thank the jury. And it now remains for me to say that you are free to go your way, unhindered.”

“Of course, of course,” Karen said in the direction of the twelve men and women who now were allowed smiles of congratulation. She looked round at her in bewilderment. Surely it meant that she could walk out this dock, didn’t it?


********

Sir Ian was the first to leap out of the back seat of the gallery and get on the phone to Lawrence James in a quiet room away from the sounds of rejoicing.

“Ms Betts was found not guilty. That’s right, I said not guilty. We are, of course, going to get flayed alive by the do gooder liberals for being vindictive and by the hang and flog them brigade for being ineffective. Open and shut case is it, Lawrence? “ He added sarcastically, conveniently ignoring his own advice to Sir Alan Peasemarsh.

“The worst of it all is that for once, Deed behaved himself and there was no conflict between him and George as we had hoped. He comes out smelling of roses while we end up with egg on our faces. You know what we have got to do now. We can’t afford to look weak and ineffective so we have to retrieve the situation. I suggest that this James Fenner is brought in for questioning and, no, keep Deed off the case when it gets to court. We need one sacrificial lamb to keep the mob happy. If I have anything to do with the matter, this man will serve a stretch for a very long time, preferably on bread and water and breaking rocks in Dartmoor.”

“Surely prisons aren’t run that way these days. Prisoners are supposed to have television in their cells and three square meals a day,” protested the literal minded Sir Ian.
“Of course their not, I can but dream, can’t I,” snapped Sir Ian viciously.




Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Axiegirl21
Member Avatar
Out of Dorm
:lol: Oh my goodness Richard two wonderful updates, first Tony in the dock, he seems to have developed a backbone since running into Nikki, he handled himeself wonderfully and stood up to Cantwell knowing what he was saying was the truth. Then Shirley Cheetham and they way she turned back Cantwell's cross examinations onto him, she cut him down at every turn.
The not guilty verdict in chapter 39 was never a forgone conclusion though, knowing how you are for your plot twist I half expected Karen to be found guilty and then an appeal to be launched, still I'm glad the jury made the right decision.
Now I have Fenners bad luck to look forward to, hope your going to write his interview scene for us :cop2 I do like to see the man sweat :prisonbars Can't wait to see Fenner's reaction to the verdict, will Karen go back to Larkhall now or will she have had enough? A question I'm sure you'l answer for us soon, thanks for the great updates :clap
The past is history.
The future a mystery.
And now is a gift thats why we call the present.



Larkhall Lovelies Rule
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ZetaBoards - Free Forum Hosting
Join the millions that use us for their forum communities. Create your own forum today.
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · R / 18 rated On Going Stories · Next Topic »
Add Reply