CHAPTER 25

"INDULGE ME."

Once this second shock had worn off, Fitzhugh was playing to the gallery again. "In the face of this new evidence, Doctor, do you still maintain that Cardinal Wythe perpetrated this alleged conspiracy? The man in that recording is obviously an imposter."

The Doctor cleared his throat, throwing a quick sideways glance in Jason's direction. "It's obvious now that my conclusions were in error," he replied apologetically. A sudden thought struck him and he turned to Wythe, asking, "Cardinal, was anyone with you when you fell?"

"My lord, I see no reason for the Cardinal to be subjected to any more wild accusations?" Fitzhugh objected.

"Indulge me," the Doctor replied in an almost taunting tone of voice. "I read the medical report. It stated that when medical help arrived, you were very close to death."

Wondering exactly where this was leading, Eustis asked, "Cardinal?"

Wythe looked from one to the other. "Yes, as it happens there was someone with me. One of the cadets from the Academy was pestering me about some nonsense." He waved a hand in the air. "I wasn't paying that much attention to him. I was late for a High Council meeting, and the boy wouldn't take no for an answer." He paused, adding reflectively, "I should probably be grateful he was there. After I lost my balance and fell, he's the one who called for help."

"What was his name?" the Doctor wanted to know.

"His name?"

"Yes, it wasn't in the report."

Wythe scowled. "I never learned his name. Nor did I ever see him again." He looked over at Eustis, adding, "I always thought that odd, considering what a nuisance he'd made of himself."

"Really?" the Doctor replied mildly. "That's very interesting."

"Doctor, what are you suggesting?" Wythe asked, only to answer in the next sentence. "That that nice young man pushed me down the stairs?"

"Well, you have to admit, it's an amazing coincidence that at the time this apparent imposter contacted Prince Jason, you were recuperating in intensive care. You were hardly likely to turn up before events had run their course."

"My lord!" Fitzhugh cried in exasperation.

Eustis held up a hand for silence. "Despite your feelings in the matter, Lord Fitzhugh, the Doctor's theory is a valid one." He turned to the Doctor, adding, "Which he still must prove."

The Doctor inclined his head, acknowledging this fact and the challenge it suggested.

"Have you anything more to ask Cardinal Wythe, Doctor?"

"No, my lord."

"You are excused, Cardinal."

The Cardinal slowly got to his feet, having to lean heavily on his walking stick as he did so. Jason watched him pass, wanting desperately to apologize for his abominable behavior. Instead, he sighed heavily and turned back, settling into his seat. The Doctor had already turned things on their head, and they had only just started.

"Proceed, Doctor," Eustis said calmly.

"I should like to play this recording in its entirety," the Doctor announced, adding startlingly, "As the first portion of Prince Jason's testimony."

"You're calling the accused as a witness in his own defense?" the prosecutor asked delightedly. It looked to Jason as though he were about to start smacking his lips.

"I am," the Doctor replied firmly.

"The accused will rise and be sworn in," Eustis instructed, throwing a quelling look in the direction of the gallery.

The Prince got to his feet and took the oath. He was about to return to his seat when Eustis said, "The accused may be seated."

This was the last straw. He'd kept his tongue long enough. Jason gave an annoyed sigh and drew himself to his full height, a fire igniting in his eyes. Seeing this, the Doctor groaned inwardly but did not attempt to intervene. He wouldn't have been able to stop him anyway.

"My lord Inquisitor. My name is Jason Nigel Peregrine Alexander Krystovan," the Alterran aristocrat declared regally. "His Most Royal Highness Crown Prince of Tel-Shye; Ambassador to the Imperial Court of Alterrous, Prince of Tel-Orvan, Duke of Krystos, Duke of Starbridge, Marquis of Krystovan, Earl of Altrose, Barron of Tara, Lord of Keetahra, Heir to the Royal House of Krystovan, and Healer. I will answer to any and all of these titles, but I will not answer to the title Accused."

The Inquisitor was complete thrown by this unexpected rebuke. It was also the most he had ever heard the Prince say at one time. "It wasn't the intention of this court of offend, your royal highness," he replied politely.

A small smile of satisfaction came to Jason's face and he inclined his head, accepting the apology before returning to his seat. He returned the Doctor's look of consternation with a stern look of his own. It was a small victory, but under the circumstances, he'd take what he could get.

Eustis cleared his throat nervously. "You may proceed, Doctor."

oOo