Pride

Part 34

Jackson hadn't had chance to digest Morgan's last comment before he was tossing something else at him.

"Seeing Christopher Davies injured on the floor you suddenly realised you and Cain Dingle could be in serious trouble?"

"No. He'd attacked me, Cain came to my defence."

"Aaron was certainly in a lot of trouble."

"No! Chris had assaulted him!"

"He'd been in a fistfight with Mr Davies, he readily admits to hitting him. He knew he was facing prison for breaking the terms of his noncustodial sentence."

"He was defending himself; he had every right to do that."

"You called in the police after fabricating a story designed to save Aaron from a certain prison term and you and Cain Dingle from probable custodial sentences.

"No. I asked Cain to call the police because I wanted Davies locked up before he hurt anyone else."

"When Aaron arrived at the hospital you told him he had to speak to the police and you told him exactly what he had to say."

"No! I didn't see him until after he'd spoken to the police."

"His uncle, Cain Dingle told him he had to speak to the police?

"He told Aaron I'd wanted the police involved and he encouraged him to speak to them too, but the decision was Aaron's."

"Where did you spend that night Mr Walsh?"

"At Paddy's. He insisted I stay at his, the doctor wouldn't discharge me unless I was staying with another adult."

"Where was Aaron?"

"Paddy wanted him home."

"You were in separate rooms?"

"Of course we were in separate rooms."

"But you still had opportunity to talk to each other?"

"Yes."

"When did you give your statement to the police Mr Walsh?"

"The next morning, they came to the house."

"And Aaron?"

"The same time only he went to the police station."

"That gave you all evening and all night if necessary, ample time in fact for you to work on the finer details regarding your fictional story of assault and attempted rape!"

"It's not a story! It's the truth."

Morgan had thanked him and then sat himself down, the cross examination was now over but Jackson couldn't take his eyes off the defence counsel. He couldn't work out how they'd got to that point. How suddenly Chris was the innocent party, and he and Aaron had become...well he wasn't sure what they'd become! Morgan had used the word scamming which would make them scammers! But what he'd been implying was something much more sordid. They'd had an idea of the direction Chris' defence would go with their efforts to get him off but he for one hadn't realised just how low they'd stoop. How did they sleep at night?

Smith was on his feet and talking to him now so he quickly turned his gaze and his attention to him.

"You're very protective of Aaron."

"Yes," He didn't mind admitting to it either. Suddenly realising he owed them an apology Jackson's eyes moved between the Judge and the jury, "Sorry. I shouldn't have shouted, before I mean."

"Why are you so protective of him?"

It seemed a ridiculous question to ask because the answer was an obvious one in Jackson's eyes but he was more than happy to share it with the world, "Because I love him."

"So you wouldn't like to see him or think of him with another man?"

"No I wouldn't!" Jackson spat instantly aggrieved. Of course he fucking well wouldn't!

"Thank you Mr Walsh that will be all."

What? What was that all about? Smith had got him all fired up then dropped him like a hotcake! The older man was now addressing the Judge, asking if he had any questions. Jackson found himself holding his breath, hoping to God the bearded wrinkly didn't. The way he felt right now he might just bite his head off too! Thankfully it seemed the Judge's mind was on other matters, like his stomach, as he'd just announced the session would break for lunch. Well he planned on making it a wet one. His mouth was so dry he could justifiably murder a pint!

Everyone was standing now as the Judge left the court. Jackson suddenly felt a little lost as the once still and hushed room came to life around him, a sea of unknown faces making their way through various doors. He desperately wanted out too and hurriedly stepped out of the witness box, relieved his time there was over.

David Smith was soon shepherding him over to Aaron and then steering the two of them over to a side room. As he did so he was instructing them not to sit with or speak to the other witnesses during the break.

Once inside the witness' room, Smith's full attention turned to Jackson.

"You're another one liking to put me in an early grave!"

"Sorry." He knew he'd made a right balls of things.

Smith was holding up his hand to silence him, "No. You did very well all things considered and that last little outburst of yours certainly helped our cause."

"It did?"

Smith smiled at the look of disbelief on Jackson's face, "I want you both to forget about all of this for the next hour, but make sure you're back on time."

As the door closed behind David Smith, Aaron and Jackson found themselves alone. Unconsciously their eyes feasted on each other before their arms eagerly reached out to encircle the other to give comfort. Finally their lips provided some much needed reassurance, first with words and then with a leisurely kiss. But the tender moment was soon to be broken.

The door opened and as they pulled apart David Smith strode into the room, a frown furrowing his brow.

"Is something wrong?" Jackson asked certain they were about to be told something they wouldn't like.

"Lee's walked out; he's refusing to give evidence."

TBC