Part Forty Seven
On the Thursday morning, Karen dropped Yvonne off at her house first, and then went on to the court where she'd agreed to meet Jo to go through the evidence they would focus on. Pulling in to the still quite empty car park, she could see Jo stood on the steps smoking. Joining Jo and digging for her own cigarettes, Karen greeted her with,
"Have you recovered from yesterday?" Jo blew a smoke ring towards a passing pigeon.
"Yes, I think so. I'll need to be on the ball this morning, because George will have every conceivable knife just waiting to stick in someone's back, me included."
"Things must get quite awkward with her being John's ex," Karen observed. Jo laughed.
"Life is certainly never dull," She replied. Then, seeing the look of half dread and half resignation on Karen's face, Jo followed her gaze to see Jim Fenner emerge from his car. Jo was all too aware of Fenner's systematic examination of both her and Karen as he approached the steps.
"No Atkins with you this morning acting as body guard?" He said as a form of greeting to Karen.
"If she'd known I was likely to be accosted by you, I'm sure she would have been," Replied Karen, knowing when it was simply safer to play Fenner at his own game. Fenner's eyes wandered over Karen's immaculate form in disgust.
"You really have gone the same way as Helen Stewart, haven't you."
"Fenner, I didn't ask for your presence here this morning, so I would really appreciate it if for once in your life you'd leave me alone." Seeming to realise they had an audience, Fenner turned to Jo.
"At least you think I'm useful for something," He said, giving Jo his most winning yet sleazy smile.
"As a witness you may be, Mr. Fenner," Said Jo conversationally. "What you're like as a human being, I couldn't possibly comment." Knowing he'd been publicly snubbed, Fenner walked in through the doors of the court without a backward glance. Karen grinned.
"He's not used to being cut down to size," She said. Jo replied by asking,
"Who's Helen Stewart?"
"She's someone else who had a run in with Fenner."
"A similar run in to you?"
"Something along those lines," Said Karen regretfully. "I don't know how, but he managed to force her out of the service."
"It sounds like it's about time he was forced to leave the prison service," Observed Jo.
"I have thought about your offer," Said Karen, following Jo's train of thought.
"And?"
"If I thought it had any chance of success, I'd tell all to a jury tomorrow. But it's my word against his, no more, no less."
"Convictions have been achieved on such evidence."
"This trial has raked up enough of my private life for the time being."
"Karen, I'm not trying to pressure you," Said Jo gently.
"I know. But I also know that eventually it's what I've got to do. For one thing, I owe it to Helen to put him behind bars." Wondering just what this last statement had meant, Jo glanced at her watch.
"It's time," She said, her mind not entirely leaving the subject of the gradually emerging case against James Fenner.
When Fenner stood for the second time in a week in the witness box, Yvonne's hackles rose. So much had happened between her and Karen in the last week which seemed to have made her instinct to protect ever stronger. Yvonne had been forcefully reminded of how wonderful last night had been, when she sat down next to Cassie in the public gallery. Cassie took one look at her, draped an arm casually round her shoulders and said softly,
"You look like you had a good night last night." Cursing herself for doing it, Yvonne couldn't help blushing.
"You could say that," She replied.
"I'm happy for you," Said Cassie. Yvonne took her hand and briefly squeezed it.
"That means a lot." Then she looked down at Fenner. "Looks as cool as a cucumber that one, doesn't he."
"He might do now," Observed Cassie. "But he won't know what's hit him once those two get their teeth in," She said, gesturing to where Jo and George were stood by the prosecution and defence benches. The overhead projector was still in its place from yesterday, and Cassie thought Jo and George looked like they were getting ready for a dual. But then, she reflected, that's what the trial had been from the beginning. Two opposing councils fighting for their cause and being overseen by the judge from his throne on high.
"Mr. Fenner," Jo began. "I have recalled you to the stand, because the jury has been presented with a number of discrepancies which they need you to clear up for them. In evidence given by Tracy Pilkinton, better known to you as Snowball Merriman, it was asserted to the court that on your introductory visit to her cell, you informed her that Her Majesty's prison Larkhall was a participant in the interlibrary loan scheme with neighboring libraries, Clapham North for example. Do you confirm or deny this?"
"That's a load of rubbish, Love," Fenner said, giving Jo his most innocent smile.
"Mr. Fenner," Intoned Deed. "You will address both prosecution and defense councils respectfully at all times. This may be either by Miss, Ma'am or by their names, Mrs. Mills and Ms Channing. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes sir," Replied Fenner, giving John the minimal deference due to him.
"As you appear to be denying this assertion, Mr. Fenner," Continued Jo. "Could you tell the court exactly what was said in connection with Larkhall's use of the interlibrary loan scheme?"
"She was using that phony American twang, and she said, I believe you have the interlibrary loan scheme here. I told her she'd done her research."
"Do you think she had? done her research, that is." George rose hastily to her feet.
"Objection, My Lord, the witness cannot possibly be aware of such a thing."
"Strong as your point is, Ms Channing, Mrs. Mills has asked the witness whether he thinks this was the case, not whether it actually was. Please continue Mrs. Mills, but please make your questions clearer."
"Please answer the question, Mr. Fenner," Jo prompted.
"I think," Said Fenner, putting emphasis on his words, "That Snowball Merriman must have done her research beforehand, or she couldn't possibly have been aware of a detail that is pretty irrelevant when you consider everything else an inmate has to get to grips with on entering prison for the first time." Good point, thought Jo, thinking that even Fenner had the odd redeeming feature.
"so, to make it perfectly clear to the jury, it was definitely the defendent you see before you who introduced the subject of the interlibrary loan scheme."
"yes."
"Now, Mr. Fenner, this is not the only assertion that was made about you which requires some clarification. Snowball Merriman also stated that during this primary visit from you, you touched her in an intimate fashion not expected of the conduct of one of Her Majesty's prison officers."
"You what?" Asked Fenner, and Jo suspected this was how he'd greeted every similar accusation in the past.
"Did you run your hand over her breast?" Asked Jo succinctly, realising that niceties were wasted on someone like Fenner.
"No, I didn't," He replied, sounding indignant.
"Did you not also promise her an easier life if she would have sex with you?"
"You've got me all wrong," Said Fenner, unwittingly saying the very words he'd said to Karen so many times.
"Really," Replied Jo sarcastically. "I think that is for the jury to decide. Now, please would you tell the court about how you came in to the knowledge of the affair between Karen Betts and Ritchie Atkins? I want you to think very carefully before you answer this, and make sure that what you say is the exact truth." Jo laid a certain amount of emphasis on her last three words. Dutifully, Fenner spent a moment or two mulling over what he was about to say.
"I was approached by my governor, Neil Grayling," Fenner began. "He told me Karen Betts had a younger man, but I didn't really think anything of it. She was free and single, her private life was her own business. Then, when I was asking Merriman if she'd heard any more about Atkins escape plan, she said she'd heard that a prison officer might be giving Atkins a helping hand."
"And did you believe her?"
"Bent officers are part of the territory, it happens. Merriman then told me that Karen was having an affair with Ritchie Atkins. She didn't put it as nicely as that, but that was the gist of it."
"Again, did you believe her?"
"No, not at first. He's got to be ten years younger than her for a start. But then she said that Karen had been seen talking to Ritchie Atkins outside the prison. I confronted her about it and she didn't deny it."
"Thank you, Mr. Fenner."
As George rose to her feet, Fenner remembered the humiliating way she'd repelled his invitation a week ago. It seemed bitches in suits were always his problem. Helen Stewart, Karen Betts, Jo Mills and George Channing, they were all bitches in suits and all out to get him.
"Mr. Fenner," George's cultured tones dripped ice.
"I only have one question to put to you, what happened to the gun after you removed it from Karen Betts handbag and she placed it in her desk drawer?" Fenner's senses were suddenly on red alert, and he could feel the rigid posture of suddenly attentive watchers. Jo had been about to take a sip of water, but replaced her glass on the prosecution table in the immediate realisation that George had really hit on something here. The time between the gun having been discovered in Karen's handbag and when it was forcefully rammed in to her back had never been explained or accounted for.
"You must answer the question, Mr. Fenner," Prompted Deed, thinking that George was finally showing what she was made of.
"I don't know," Fenner replied.
"Oh, that's funny," Said George in mock wonderment, "Because by my reckoning, only you and Karen Betts were aware of the gun's location inside her desk. Is that not correct?"
"Yes, but..."
"Yes," Said George firmly, interrupting Fenner in mid protest. "So, whilst I am fairly sure that it wasn't Karen Betts who concealed the gun which enabled a prisoner to take her hostage, I am forced to conclude that you were far more aware of the gun's whereabouts than you would like the court to believe."
"You're putting two and two together and getting fifteen," Shouted Fenner.
"I doubt it, considering that I achieved a grade A Maths A-level," Countered George.
"How do you barristers do it?" Asked Fenner. "You pick any random unexplained idea and work it in to a complete fairy tale."
"I assure you I didn't consult the brothers Grim," Replied George, knowing that further antagonism might just make Fenner spill the truth. Jo laughed and John smiled.
"Actually, Mr. Fenner," Said John, "ms Channing does have a point. What explanation do you give for the apparent disappearance of the gun?" Fenner turned to face the Judge's bench.
"I can't offer one, Sir," He replied.
"Really? For a start, who was responsible for the searching of the prison, was it the police or prison staff?"
"Prison officers, My Lord," Said Fenner, finally remembering John's proper title.
"And was the search carried out in a professional manner?"
"I assume so. Let's face it, none of us wanted to end up on the wrong end of a pistol. There's any amount of nutters in that place who'd have used it."
"quite. In that case, one would assume that every effort would have been made to find the gun."
"Sir, perhaps you are not up to date on prison procedure. These are women, and forgive me for being blunt, but female prisoners have more hiding places than their male counterparts." Remembering the numerous times they'd been searched in line with prison procedure, Yvonne, Barbara, Cassie and Roisin felt an inexplicable urge to sink through the floor.
"You're not seriously telling me," Said John incredulously. "That an inmate would internally conceal a gun? I wouldn't have thought it was possible."
"You'd be surprised, Sir," Said Fenner, almost getting in to his stride. John gestured to the clerk and asked him to pass the gun from the evidence bench. Jo and George exchanged a grimace as they followed John's train of thought. Keeping the gun in it's transparent evidence bag, John picked it up and held it between his two hands. His gaze flickered between the gun in his hands, and the two well-constructed figures of Jo and George. Realising that he was attempting to work out if the internal concealment of a gun was possible, George commented,
"I've heard of penis extensions, but that's just ridiculous." The laughter that came from the women in the public gallery caused John to look up from his musing and so achieve George's wish of halting his sizing up of her and JO. Jo gave George a conspiratorial wink. Perhaps the only people who were experiencing a certain level of discomfort, were Fenner, who had been publicly humiliated, and Sir Ian Rochester and Lawrence James who were sitting in the public gallery, a couple of rows behind Yvonne and co. Returning the gun to the clerk of the court, John asked,
"Do you have any further questions, Ms Channing?"
"Yes, My Lord," Replied George moving forward. She walked to the overhead projector and switched it on. Giving it a minute or two to warm up, the court were again treated to the display of Jo's circle of conspiracy, or as some might have put it, the satirical wheel of fortune.
"Mr. Fenner," George began. "Would you look at this. Do you see your name at the end of the line pointing to ten o'clock?"
"Yes."
"You were not in court yesterday, so I will explain its significance to you. Mrs. Mills was good enough to illustrate to the court the supposed web of conspiracy which enabled my client to carry out her plan. You can see that Snowball Merriman's name is in the center, surrounded by the names of the people whom she is accused of using to perpetrate her crimes. Yours is one of them. Why do you think that is?"
"Because she managed to reel me in like the other poor bastards."
"Quite," Replied George.
"Mr. Fenner, you must moderate your language whilst in this court room." George picked up Jo's pen of the day before. She extended Fenner's line out of the edge of the circle and drew a little tail, transforming the circle in to an upside down Q.
"You see, Mr. Fenner," Said George conversationally. "I would suggest that your involvement in the supposed guilt of my client began before she entered Larkhall, long before you'd even heard of her in fact." On the end of the tail, George wrote the word corruption. "Mr. Fenner, you have told the court that corrupt officers are part of the territory. Are you one of these corrupt officers?"
"No."
"I beg to differ," Replied George. "As a result of your clear dislike of Yvonne Atkins, who was once a prisoner in your care, you have systematically looked for any excuse to punish her or have her investigated, by underhand methods I might add. You were duped by the late Maxine Purvis in to believing that Yvonne Atkins killed Virginia O'kane. You were also persuaded in to believing that Yvonne Atkins was planning an escape attempt and that Karen Betts was supposedly helping her. That doesn't sound much like a straight down the line prison officer, now does it, Mr. Fenner."
"I've already explained all that," Said Fenner, really rattled by this time.
"Your total prejudice of Yvonne Atkins achieved the direct result of allowing my client access to parts of the prison which as a first time inmate she wouldn't usually have been able to get near. You were so desperate for any information that might give you prior knowledge of any plans Yvonne Atkins might have had, that you totally disregarded every sign that something a little out of the ordinary was going on under your very nose." George had reached the stage of realising that she didn't have a hope in hell of getting either Merriman or Atkins acquitted, but she refused to go down without a fight. After a short silence, she said, "No further questions, My Lord."
When Karen again stood on the stand, Jo gave her an encouraging smile.
"Ms Betts, please could you tell the court about Ms Pilkinton's behaviour just prior to her shooting her co-defendent, Ritchie Atkins?"
"I think she was high on adrenalin. She'd clearly been biding her time to exact revenge on me for sleeping with Ritchie. I think she was almost acting one of the roles she'd played in a film at one time. Ritchie was struggling with her because he didn't want her to shoot me. Whether that was out of any residual feeling he had for me or out of a simple dislike of being caught with a dead body on his hands, I don't know. But he definitely thought she was going too far."
"What did he do?"
"He tried getting the gun away from her. She wanted to kill me, but hurting me was just as much fun to her. Giving me a black eye seemed to give her some sort of temporary satisfaction."
"Did she at any time show signs of giving up her weapon?"
"No. She absolutely refused to let go of it. If she'd let him have the gun, he wouldn't have been shot."
"To make this clear for the jury, are you saying that the shooting of Ritchie Atkins was as a direct result of Ms Pilkinton's sheer determination to hold on to the gun?"
"Yes, without a doubt."
"Thank you. The only other thing I wish you to describe to the court, is Ritchie Atkins behaviour towards you after you had returned from two weeks holiday."
"On my first day back at work, he turned up with a rose."
"He came to the prison?"
"yes, he appeared as I was getting out of my car. I'd previously made it perfectly clear that for me, business and pleasure definitely didn't mix. I was quite short with him when he said he'd missed me. I agreed to maybe meet him that evening. He said he'd call me."
"And did he?"
"He sent me a text message saying come any time."
"And did you do as he'd suggested?" Glancing over to the dock, Karen was utterly thankful to see that it wasn't Di Barker sat with Snowball, but the new officer Selina. At least now she wouldn't have to explain to Di why she'd used her son as an excuse not to stay at the hen party.
"Yes, I did."
"And was he pleased to see you?"
"He was surprised, but pleased. Again, I'm not sure now whether the surprise was genuine or not."
"And how was he towards you the next morning?"
"He didn't want me to leave. He tried every trick in the book to make me stay in bed." In the gallery, Yvonne took a breath to say something, but Cassie took her hand and gave it a squeeze. She knew how hard this must be for Yvonne, hearing about the time Karen had spent with Ritchie.
"Just keep remembering who she's with now," murmured Cassie in Yvonne's ear.
"I pointed out to him that I had superiors," Went on Karen, "He didn't think my being late for work mattered. He was also showing signs of not wanting to keep to the level of discretion I wanted. Again, he didn't think it mattered if my colleagues knew I was sleeping with the son of an inmate."
"Do you think he was trying to bring some level of discredit on you with your employer and colleagues?" George stood up.
"Objection, My Lord, the witness cannot possibly know the intentions of the defendent on this matter."
"I'd think by now that I'd have a fairly good idea, wouldn't you?" Countered back Karen.
"I am assuming you're not psychic," Responded George.
"After the way he reeled me in like an adolescent virgin, I'd say it was perfectly obvious what he was up too." Jo was prouder of Karen than she'd ever been of any witness before. She was standing up to George as well as Jo herself usually did. But John had heard quite enough.
"Shut up, both of you," He said, his voice resonating round the court. "Ms Channing, sit down. ms Betts, I will not have witnesses engaging in a verbal brawl with an opposing barrister. Though, I feel it my duty to add that I think you're in the wrong job and that if you should ever decide to join the legal profession, I would be delighted to see you appear before me." Realising she had just been complemented, Karen smiled sheepishly at him. Jo repeated her question.
"It has occurred to me as a possibility," replied Karen. "His turning up at work, trying to persuade me to be late, and then wanting to virtually go public about it do indicate that he wanted to cast doubt on my professional integrity. He was in effect laying the ground for what was to come. I don't know why he initially picked on me. After all, he couldn't possibly have known that I would be on duty for visiting that day and Snowball Merriman wasn't even in the prison. But he soon discovered that I fitted his purpose." This was said with such bitterness that George winced. Then the court went completely silent except for one voice.
"I picked on you because I could tell you were up for a good time," Came the seductive, slightly sleazy tones of Ritchie Atkins. "And you enjoyed every minute of it, didn't you." He said this whilst looking Karen straight in the eye. "You're making out I was the bad one here. but if wanting me to hold you down and fuck the living daylights out of you ain't just a little bit bad, then I don't know what is." Yvonne made a move to rise to her feet and was forcibly held in her seat by Cassie and Barbara who kept their arms tightly round her to stop her from doing something stupid.
"Get him out of here!" Roared John. Karen stood stock still, her hands clenching the rail of the witness box. She felt like she was stood there without a stitch on. Every person in this court, including the most precious woman in her life, could finally see the loathsome, depraved individual she felt she was. Once Ritchie Atkins had been removed, John turned to George.
"any questions, Ms Channing?" George looked at Karen with a contemplative gaze, various pieces of a slowly forming jigsaw falling in to place in her mind.
"No, My Lord," She said, not taking her eyes off Karen until the final piece had slid in to its slot. As the clerk of the court called out, "All rise," George reached behind her for a file buried somewhere deep on the defence bench. She watched Karen walk from the court, and then gestured to Jo who was gathering her papers together. She waved the folder at her. Jo came over to her.
"What's up, George," She said, "It's a bit late for bargaining."
"It's not this case I'm thinking about," Said George opening the file. "When Karen Betts was first on the stand, that imbecile Cantwell brought out a supposed fake rape allegation she'd made against James Fenner."
"I know, your point is?"
"My point is," Said George patiently. "I think someone needs to re-open the case."
"There was nothing fake about that allegation," Said Jo.
"I know," Replied George. "The question is, why wasn't it pursued?"
"A simple matter of a prison governor with too many friends in high places," Said Jo. "But how do you know?"
"Jo, just where have you been living for the last few years?" Asked George in disgust. "The reason why Karen Betts went looking for hard and rough from Ritchie Atkins was, I suspect, because she needed to punish herself for not being strong enough to stop Fenner from doing what he did to her." Jo stared at her, the pieces also slotting in to place.
"Are you an amateur psychologist now, George?" She asked, as a way of covering up her slight amazement.
"We all are to a certain extent," Said George Matter-of-factly. "You know that. I don't usually do criminal work, but I think someone ought to try and persuade her to go ahead with a charge."
"She's already considering an offer I made her last week," Said Jo.
"Well, let's hope she takes you up on it."
"Can I borrow whatever files you've got on Fenner?" Asked Jo.
"Not yet, I don't know what you might pull out of the bag," Said George. "You can have them with pleasure once this shambollic trial's over." Feeling they'd reached an uneasy truce, yet knowing that a real cease fire would take much more co-operation than this, George and Jo left the court room knowing that somehow, a line had been crossed.
On the Thursday morning, Karen dropped Yvonne off at her house first, and then went on to the court where she'd agreed to meet Jo to go through the evidence they would focus on. Pulling in to the still quite empty car park, she could see Jo stood on the steps smoking. Joining Jo and digging for her own cigarettes, Karen greeted her with,
"Have you recovered from yesterday?" Jo blew a smoke ring towards a passing pigeon.
"Yes, I think so. I'll need to be on the ball this morning, because George will have every conceivable knife just waiting to stick in someone's back, me included."
"Things must get quite awkward with her being John's ex," Karen observed. Jo laughed.
"Life is certainly never dull," She replied. Then, seeing the look of half dread and half resignation on Karen's face, Jo followed her gaze to see Jim Fenner emerge from his car. Jo was all too aware of Fenner's systematic examination of both her and Karen as he approached the steps.
"No Atkins with you this morning acting as body guard?" He said as a form of greeting to Karen.
"If she'd known I was likely to be accosted by you, I'm sure she would have been," Replied Karen, knowing when it was simply safer to play Fenner at his own game. Fenner's eyes wandered over Karen's immaculate form in disgust.
"You really have gone the same way as Helen Stewart, haven't you."
"Fenner, I didn't ask for your presence here this morning, so I would really appreciate it if for once in your life you'd leave me alone." Seeming to realise they had an audience, Fenner turned to Jo.
"At least you think I'm useful for something," He said, giving Jo his most winning yet sleazy smile.
"As a witness you may be, Mr. Fenner," Said Jo conversationally. "What you're like as a human being, I couldn't possibly comment." Knowing he'd been publicly snubbed, Fenner walked in through the doors of the court without a backward glance. Karen grinned.
"He's not used to being cut down to size," She said. Jo replied by asking,
"Who's Helen Stewart?"
"She's someone else who had a run in with Fenner."
"A similar run in to you?"
"Something along those lines," Said Karen regretfully. "I don't know how, but he managed to force her out of the service."
"It sounds like it's about time he was forced to leave the prison service," Observed Jo.
"I have thought about your offer," Said Karen, following Jo's train of thought.
"And?"
"If I thought it had any chance of success, I'd tell all to a jury tomorrow. But it's my word against his, no more, no less."
"Convictions have been achieved on such evidence."
"This trial has raked up enough of my private life for the time being."
"Karen, I'm not trying to pressure you," Said Jo gently.
"I know. But I also know that eventually it's what I've got to do. For one thing, I owe it to Helen to put him behind bars." Wondering just what this last statement had meant, Jo glanced at her watch.
"It's time," She said, her mind not entirely leaving the subject of the gradually emerging case against James Fenner.
When Fenner stood for the second time in a week in the witness box, Yvonne's hackles rose. So much had happened between her and Karen in the last week which seemed to have made her instinct to protect ever stronger. Yvonne had been forcefully reminded of how wonderful last night had been, when she sat down next to Cassie in the public gallery. Cassie took one look at her, draped an arm casually round her shoulders and said softly,
"You look like you had a good night last night." Cursing herself for doing it, Yvonne couldn't help blushing.
"You could say that," She replied.
"I'm happy for you," Said Cassie. Yvonne took her hand and briefly squeezed it.
"That means a lot." Then she looked down at Fenner. "Looks as cool as a cucumber that one, doesn't he."
"He might do now," Observed Cassie. "But he won't know what's hit him once those two get their teeth in," She said, gesturing to where Jo and George were stood by the prosecution and defence benches. The overhead projector was still in its place from yesterday, and Cassie thought Jo and George looked like they were getting ready for a dual. But then, she reflected, that's what the trial had been from the beginning. Two opposing councils fighting for their cause and being overseen by the judge from his throne on high.
"Mr. Fenner," Jo began. "I have recalled you to the stand, because the jury has been presented with a number of discrepancies which they need you to clear up for them. In evidence given by Tracy Pilkinton, better known to you as Snowball Merriman, it was asserted to the court that on your introductory visit to her cell, you informed her that Her Majesty's prison Larkhall was a participant in the interlibrary loan scheme with neighboring libraries, Clapham North for example. Do you confirm or deny this?"
"That's a load of rubbish, Love," Fenner said, giving Jo his most innocent smile.
"Mr. Fenner," Intoned Deed. "You will address both prosecution and defense councils respectfully at all times. This may be either by Miss, Ma'am or by their names, Mrs. Mills and Ms Channing. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes sir," Replied Fenner, giving John the minimal deference due to him.
"As you appear to be denying this assertion, Mr. Fenner," Continued Jo. "Could you tell the court exactly what was said in connection with Larkhall's use of the interlibrary loan scheme?"
"She was using that phony American twang, and she said, I believe you have the interlibrary loan scheme here. I told her she'd done her research."
"Do you think she had? done her research, that is." George rose hastily to her feet.
"Objection, My Lord, the witness cannot possibly be aware of such a thing."
"Strong as your point is, Ms Channing, Mrs. Mills has asked the witness whether he thinks this was the case, not whether it actually was. Please continue Mrs. Mills, but please make your questions clearer."
"Please answer the question, Mr. Fenner," Jo prompted.
"I think," Said Fenner, putting emphasis on his words, "That Snowball Merriman must have done her research beforehand, or she couldn't possibly have been aware of a detail that is pretty irrelevant when you consider everything else an inmate has to get to grips with on entering prison for the first time." Good point, thought Jo, thinking that even Fenner had the odd redeeming feature.
"so, to make it perfectly clear to the jury, it was definitely the defendent you see before you who introduced the subject of the interlibrary loan scheme."
"yes."
"Now, Mr. Fenner, this is not the only assertion that was made about you which requires some clarification. Snowball Merriman also stated that during this primary visit from you, you touched her in an intimate fashion not expected of the conduct of one of Her Majesty's prison officers."
"You what?" Asked Fenner, and Jo suspected this was how he'd greeted every similar accusation in the past.
"Did you run your hand over her breast?" Asked Jo succinctly, realising that niceties were wasted on someone like Fenner.
"No, I didn't," He replied, sounding indignant.
"Did you not also promise her an easier life if she would have sex with you?"
"You've got me all wrong," Said Fenner, unwittingly saying the very words he'd said to Karen so many times.
"Really," Replied Jo sarcastically. "I think that is for the jury to decide. Now, please would you tell the court about how you came in to the knowledge of the affair between Karen Betts and Ritchie Atkins? I want you to think very carefully before you answer this, and make sure that what you say is the exact truth." Jo laid a certain amount of emphasis on her last three words. Dutifully, Fenner spent a moment or two mulling over what he was about to say.
"I was approached by my governor, Neil Grayling," Fenner began. "He told me Karen Betts had a younger man, but I didn't really think anything of it. She was free and single, her private life was her own business. Then, when I was asking Merriman if she'd heard any more about Atkins escape plan, she said she'd heard that a prison officer might be giving Atkins a helping hand."
"And did you believe her?"
"Bent officers are part of the territory, it happens. Merriman then told me that Karen was having an affair with Ritchie Atkins. She didn't put it as nicely as that, but that was the gist of it."
"Again, did you believe her?"
"No, not at first. He's got to be ten years younger than her for a start. But then she said that Karen had been seen talking to Ritchie Atkins outside the prison. I confronted her about it and she didn't deny it."
"Thank you, Mr. Fenner."
As George rose to her feet, Fenner remembered the humiliating way she'd repelled his invitation a week ago. It seemed bitches in suits were always his problem. Helen Stewart, Karen Betts, Jo Mills and George Channing, they were all bitches in suits and all out to get him.
"Mr. Fenner," George's cultured tones dripped ice.
"I only have one question to put to you, what happened to the gun after you removed it from Karen Betts handbag and she placed it in her desk drawer?" Fenner's senses were suddenly on red alert, and he could feel the rigid posture of suddenly attentive watchers. Jo had been about to take a sip of water, but replaced her glass on the prosecution table in the immediate realisation that George had really hit on something here. The time between the gun having been discovered in Karen's handbag and when it was forcefully rammed in to her back had never been explained or accounted for.
"You must answer the question, Mr. Fenner," Prompted Deed, thinking that George was finally showing what she was made of.
"I don't know," Fenner replied.
"Oh, that's funny," Said George in mock wonderment, "Because by my reckoning, only you and Karen Betts were aware of the gun's location inside her desk. Is that not correct?"
"Yes, but..."
"Yes," Said George firmly, interrupting Fenner in mid protest. "So, whilst I am fairly sure that it wasn't Karen Betts who concealed the gun which enabled a prisoner to take her hostage, I am forced to conclude that you were far more aware of the gun's whereabouts than you would like the court to believe."
"You're putting two and two together and getting fifteen," Shouted Fenner.
"I doubt it, considering that I achieved a grade A Maths A-level," Countered George.
"How do you barristers do it?" Asked Fenner. "You pick any random unexplained idea and work it in to a complete fairy tale."
"I assure you I didn't consult the brothers Grim," Replied George, knowing that further antagonism might just make Fenner spill the truth. Jo laughed and John smiled.
"Actually, Mr. Fenner," Said John, "ms Channing does have a point. What explanation do you give for the apparent disappearance of the gun?" Fenner turned to face the Judge's bench.
"I can't offer one, Sir," He replied.
"Really? For a start, who was responsible for the searching of the prison, was it the police or prison staff?"
"Prison officers, My Lord," Said Fenner, finally remembering John's proper title.
"And was the search carried out in a professional manner?"
"I assume so. Let's face it, none of us wanted to end up on the wrong end of a pistol. There's any amount of nutters in that place who'd have used it."
"quite. In that case, one would assume that every effort would have been made to find the gun."
"Sir, perhaps you are not up to date on prison procedure. These are women, and forgive me for being blunt, but female prisoners have more hiding places than their male counterparts." Remembering the numerous times they'd been searched in line with prison procedure, Yvonne, Barbara, Cassie and Roisin felt an inexplicable urge to sink through the floor.
"You're not seriously telling me," Said John incredulously. "That an inmate would internally conceal a gun? I wouldn't have thought it was possible."
"You'd be surprised, Sir," Said Fenner, almost getting in to his stride. John gestured to the clerk and asked him to pass the gun from the evidence bench. Jo and George exchanged a grimace as they followed John's train of thought. Keeping the gun in it's transparent evidence bag, John picked it up and held it between his two hands. His gaze flickered between the gun in his hands, and the two well-constructed figures of Jo and George. Realising that he was attempting to work out if the internal concealment of a gun was possible, George commented,
"I've heard of penis extensions, but that's just ridiculous." The laughter that came from the women in the public gallery caused John to look up from his musing and so achieve George's wish of halting his sizing up of her and JO. Jo gave George a conspiratorial wink. Perhaps the only people who were experiencing a certain level of discomfort, were Fenner, who had been publicly humiliated, and Sir Ian Rochester and Lawrence James who were sitting in the public gallery, a couple of rows behind Yvonne and co. Returning the gun to the clerk of the court, John asked,
"Do you have any further questions, Ms Channing?"
"Yes, My Lord," Replied George moving forward. She walked to the overhead projector and switched it on. Giving it a minute or two to warm up, the court were again treated to the display of Jo's circle of conspiracy, or as some might have put it, the satirical wheel of fortune.
"Mr. Fenner," George began. "Would you look at this. Do you see your name at the end of the line pointing to ten o'clock?"
"Yes."
"You were not in court yesterday, so I will explain its significance to you. Mrs. Mills was good enough to illustrate to the court the supposed web of conspiracy which enabled my client to carry out her plan. You can see that Snowball Merriman's name is in the center, surrounded by the names of the people whom she is accused of using to perpetrate her crimes. Yours is one of them. Why do you think that is?"
"Because she managed to reel me in like the other poor bastards."
"Quite," Replied George.
"Mr. Fenner, you must moderate your language whilst in this court room." George picked up Jo's pen of the day before. She extended Fenner's line out of the edge of the circle and drew a little tail, transforming the circle in to an upside down Q.
"You see, Mr. Fenner," Said George conversationally. "I would suggest that your involvement in the supposed guilt of my client began before she entered Larkhall, long before you'd even heard of her in fact." On the end of the tail, George wrote the word corruption. "Mr. Fenner, you have told the court that corrupt officers are part of the territory. Are you one of these corrupt officers?"
"No."
"I beg to differ," Replied George. "As a result of your clear dislike of Yvonne Atkins, who was once a prisoner in your care, you have systematically looked for any excuse to punish her or have her investigated, by underhand methods I might add. You were duped by the late Maxine Purvis in to believing that Yvonne Atkins killed Virginia O'kane. You were also persuaded in to believing that Yvonne Atkins was planning an escape attempt and that Karen Betts was supposedly helping her. That doesn't sound much like a straight down the line prison officer, now does it, Mr. Fenner."
"I've already explained all that," Said Fenner, really rattled by this time.
"Your total prejudice of Yvonne Atkins achieved the direct result of allowing my client access to parts of the prison which as a first time inmate she wouldn't usually have been able to get near. You were so desperate for any information that might give you prior knowledge of any plans Yvonne Atkins might have had, that you totally disregarded every sign that something a little out of the ordinary was going on under your very nose." George had reached the stage of realising that she didn't have a hope in hell of getting either Merriman or Atkins acquitted, but she refused to go down without a fight. After a short silence, she said, "No further questions, My Lord."
When Karen again stood on the stand, Jo gave her an encouraging smile.
"Ms Betts, please could you tell the court about Ms Pilkinton's behaviour just prior to her shooting her co-defendent, Ritchie Atkins?"
"I think she was high on adrenalin. She'd clearly been biding her time to exact revenge on me for sleeping with Ritchie. I think she was almost acting one of the roles she'd played in a film at one time. Ritchie was struggling with her because he didn't want her to shoot me. Whether that was out of any residual feeling he had for me or out of a simple dislike of being caught with a dead body on his hands, I don't know. But he definitely thought she was going too far."
"What did he do?"
"He tried getting the gun away from her. She wanted to kill me, but hurting me was just as much fun to her. Giving me a black eye seemed to give her some sort of temporary satisfaction."
"Did she at any time show signs of giving up her weapon?"
"No. She absolutely refused to let go of it. If she'd let him have the gun, he wouldn't have been shot."
"To make this clear for the jury, are you saying that the shooting of Ritchie Atkins was as a direct result of Ms Pilkinton's sheer determination to hold on to the gun?"
"Yes, without a doubt."
"Thank you. The only other thing I wish you to describe to the court, is Ritchie Atkins behaviour towards you after you had returned from two weeks holiday."
"On my first day back at work, he turned up with a rose."
"He came to the prison?"
"yes, he appeared as I was getting out of my car. I'd previously made it perfectly clear that for me, business and pleasure definitely didn't mix. I was quite short with him when he said he'd missed me. I agreed to maybe meet him that evening. He said he'd call me."
"And did he?"
"He sent me a text message saying come any time."
"And did you do as he'd suggested?" Glancing over to the dock, Karen was utterly thankful to see that it wasn't Di Barker sat with Snowball, but the new officer Selina. At least now she wouldn't have to explain to Di why she'd used her son as an excuse not to stay at the hen party.
"Yes, I did."
"And was he pleased to see you?"
"He was surprised, but pleased. Again, I'm not sure now whether the surprise was genuine or not."
"And how was he towards you the next morning?"
"He didn't want me to leave. He tried every trick in the book to make me stay in bed." In the gallery, Yvonne took a breath to say something, but Cassie took her hand and gave it a squeeze. She knew how hard this must be for Yvonne, hearing about the time Karen had spent with Ritchie.
"Just keep remembering who she's with now," murmured Cassie in Yvonne's ear.
"I pointed out to him that I had superiors," Went on Karen, "He didn't think my being late for work mattered. He was also showing signs of not wanting to keep to the level of discretion I wanted. Again, he didn't think it mattered if my colleagues knew I was sleeping with the son of an inmate."
"Do you think he was trying to bring some level of discredit on you with your employer and colleagues?" George stood up.
"Objection, My Lord, the witness cannot possibly know the intentions of the defendent on this matter."
"I'd think by now that I'd have a fairly good idea, wouldn't you?" Countered back Karen.
"I am assuming you're not psychic," Responded George.
"After the way he reeled me in like an adolescent virgin, I'd say it was perfectly obvious what he was up too." Jo was prouder of Karen than she'd ever been of any witness before. She was standing up to George as well as Jo herself usually did. But John had heard quite enough.
"Shut up, both of you," He said, his voice resonating round the court. "Ms Channing, sit down. ms Betts, I will not have witnesses engaging in a verbal brawl with an opposing barrister. Though, I feel it my duty to add that I think you're in the wrong job and that if you should ever decide to join the legal profession, I would be delighted to see you appear before me." Realising she had just been complemented, Karen smiled sheepishly at him. Jo repeated her question.
"It has occurred to me as a possibility," replied Karen. "His turning up at work, trying to persuade me to be late, and then wanting to virtually go public about it do indicate that he wanted to cast doubt on my professional integrity. He was in effect laying the ground for what was to come. I don't know why he initially picked on me. After all, he couldn't possibly have known that I would be on duty for visiting that day and Snowball Merriman wasn't even in the prison. But he soon discovered that I fitted his purpose." This was said with such bitterness that George winced. Then the court went completely silent except for one voice.
"I picked on you because I could tell you were up for a good time," Came the seductive, slightly sleazy tones of Ritchie Atkins. "And you enjoyed every minute of it, didn't you." He said this whilst looking Karen straight in the eye. "You're making out I was the bad one here. but if wanting me to hold you down and fuck the living daylights out of you ain't just a little bit bad, then I don't know what is." Yvonne made a move to rise to her feet and was forcibly held in her seat by Cassie and Barbara who kept their arms tightly round her to stop her from doing something stupid.
"Get him out of here!" Roared John. Karen stood stock still, her hands clenching the rail of the witness box. She felt like she was stood there without a stitch on. Every person in this court, including the most precious woman in her life, could finally see the loathsome, depraved individual she felt she was. Once Ritchie Atkins had been removed, John turned to George.
"any questions, Ms Channing?" George looked at Karen with a contemplative gaze, various pieces of a slowly forming jigsaw falling in to place in her mind.
"No, My Lord," She said, not taking her eyes off Karen until the final piece had slid in to its slot. As the clerk of the court called out, "All rise," George reached behind her for a file buried somewhere deep on the defence bench. She watched Karen walk from the court, and then gestured to Jo who was gathering her papers together. She waved the folder at her. Jo came over to her.
"What's up, George," She said, "It's a bit late for bargaining."
"It's not this case I'm thinking about," Said George opening the file. "When Karen Betts was first on the stand, that imbecile Cantwell brought out a supposed fake rape allegation she'd made against James Fenner."
"I know, your point is?"
"My point is," Said George patiently. "I think someone needs to re-open the case."
"There was nothing fake about that allegation," Said Jo.
"I know," Replied George. "The question is, why wasn't it pursued?"
"A simple matter of a prison governor with too many friends in high places," Said Jo. "But how do you know?"
"Jo, just where have you been living for the last few years?" Asked George in disgust. "The reason why Karen Betts went looking for hard and rough from Ritchie Atkins was, I suspect, because she needed to punish herself for not being strong enough to stop Fenner from doing what he did to her." Jo stared at her, the pieces also slotting in to place.
"Are you an amateur psychologist now, George?" She asked, as a way of covering up her slight amazement.
"We all are to a certain extent," Said George Matter-of-factly. "You know that. I don't usually do criminal work, but I think someone ought to try and persuade her to go ahead with a charge."
"She's already considering an offer I made her last week," Said Jo.
"Well, let's hope she takes you up on it."
"Can I borrow whatever files you've got on Fenner?" Asked Jo.
"Not yet, I don't know what you might pull out of the bag," Said George. "You can have them with pleasure once this shambollic trial's over." Feeling they'd reached an uneasy truce, yet knowing that a real cease fire would take much more co-operation than this, George and Jo left the court room knowing that somehow, a line had been crossed.