Jo had just the amount of self-control to scrawl phrases that her agile mind seized out of Brian Cantwell's opening address so that she could turn the tables on him. Her biro scrawled agitated, jagged shapes in the notepaper that she could just about read.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury."Jo commenced in a slightly husky tone.
She jumped to her feet only seconds after Brian Cantwell had sat down with a self-satisfied smile on his face. As she started, she was conscious that the tensions of her emotions had the door forced half open to the world of Jo Mills, the barrister making her forensic opening gambit.
"This case will turn to a large degree on what medical evidence will determine what is or what is not possible but it will also turn on the evidence from Barbara Mills and you, the jury, will have the opportunity to judge for yourself if she was capable of taking her husband's life in the circumstances described. It has been said that Henry Mills was a vicar, a loving husband, and a pillar of the local community. The point is that Barbara Mills, his loving wife is also a pillar of the community as you very well know." Jo forcefully remonstrated in a shaking voice, turning to glare at Brian Cantwell.
"Mrs. Mills, you know very well that your task is to address the court in general and not personalize the trial on the prosecuting council however emotive the issue is." John's clear voice promptly cut across Jo's address.
"Emotive. I'll show you what is emotive." Hissed Jo under her breath, turning her glare ninety degrees at John's stony, expressionless face. Tension whipped like electricity around the court and connected with far more of those in the court than was normal in court proceedings. Only Greg and Amanda Hunt were unmoved and scoffed under their breath while opposite extremes in sympathies such as Roisin on the one hand and Sir Ian on the other were conflicted while John and Monty felt uncomfortable being caught in the middle.
"Take it easy, Jo. You'll do Barbara no good if you don't back off." Whispered George.
"Excuse me. My Lords, while I drink a glass of water." Jo uttered words in choked tones. Her throat was dry and this gave her breathing space.
"Take your time, Jo." John replied in easy tones while Monty looked on with respect at John's strict impartiality and what it cost emotionally to maintain it.
" I apologise, My Lords. To continue, I shall ask Dr Kay Scarpetta, chief medical examiner for the State of Virginia to give detailed testimony to show that Barbara could not have been the one to give her husband the final injection. I shall call Tom Campbell-Gore, cardio thoracic consultant, who will testify that death by natural causes still remains a possible explanation. Professor Khan, consultant anesthetist, will testify as to Henry Mills pain relief management during the course of his illness. This cuts to the core of the trial as the prosecution's case is that this prescribed diamorphine was the cause of Henry Mill's death and that an overdose was not only administered by his wife but done so deliberately. In this context, I shall call Dr Thomas Waugh, psychiatrist attached to HMP Larkhall who will give evidence as to psychological makeup, which is, after all, a critical feature of this case. Finally, I shall ask the wing governor of Larkhall, Nikki Wade, to testify as to the defendant's abundant good character.
In general, I shall attempt to show that Barbara Mills's character means that she would not have taken the life of her husband Henry Mills and medical evidence that she could not have taken his life either. In so doing, I am not excluding the possibility that the seriously ill man simply died of natural causes. Either explanation will serve to exonerate my client. I am also highly conscious that the jury will be faced by a large volume of medical evidence as the trial proceeds but it will be demonstrated that matters will be simplified, not complicated, as superficially attractive explanations of events can be eliminated. Finally, you will find that all the witnesses that I shall call will present the entire picture, of the case and of Barbara Mills herself and not what merely appears to be the most significant aspects of it."
Jo's last subtle jibe at Brian Cantwell's expense rounded out with a flourish her very low-key address and she resumed her place. It crossed her mind that she had made no public reference to George in her opening address but, if for no other reason, she was long accustomed to working solo. She realized that they would both be feeling their way and would have to trust to fortune. George was impressed by Jo's very rapid resumption of her grip on the proceedings and her workmanlike opening address. Now that she was not in the opposing bench, she could study Jo's manner and delivery in a more leisurely fashion.
"This seems to be a convenient time in the proceedings to adjourn for lunch. Court is closed till this afternoon." John intoned crisply and briefly and there was a rustling sound as people who had been in fixed positions were able to stretch their legs.
After taking case to ignore Barbara's stepchildren, Roisin's and Yvonne's feet took themselves automatically towards the pub that it only seemed yesterday that they went to during Lauren's trial. Jo and George left by the door to retire to a convenient chamber while Sir Ian and Lawrence James slid off like silent black shadows.
It was left to John and Monty to leave the chamber last and close the door behind them and head towards the temporary serenity of the chambers.
"I say, John. We are going to have a lot of each other's company during this trial and it promises to be rather testing. I was wondering if either you or I want the privacy of our own rooms in contemplation, we should feel free to say so. Otherwise, you are welcome to the hospitality of my chambers or yours if you prefer"
"An excellent idea, Monty. Your chambers would be extremely welcoming"
They paced silently to Monty's chambers and Monty asked John the question that had been nagging at him throughout the trial.
"Have Ian and Lawrence James just chanced to sit in on this hearing of all ones to choose or do they come here often"
John laughed heartily. He needed that.
"A surprisingly high proportion of my trials are favoured by their public concern for my welfare, whether welcome or not. They even go so far as to tell me what verdict I should arrive at"
"Good Lord, I didn't really appreciate this. That is an intolerable intrusion"
"I suspect that they will keep their distance while you are on the bench with me. I can live with that. The real problem is the trial itself. I have the feeling that we shall need both of us to see the case through to a satisfactory conclusion."
Monty knew straightaway why John spoke of the trial in such a detached emotionless fashion. He needed this in order to cope. The room fell quiet in reflective silence as both of them contemplated nervously what the next two weeks had in store for them.