Accusations

Mary, Matthew and Tom had been met at the train by Murray's driver and delivered quickly to the front of an office in the legal district that looked exactly like every other door on the street. It was a Saturday and the streets were quiet. There were no wigged and gowned lawyers going to and from the courthouse or court officers running back and forth from the offices. They were shown to a room dominated by a large wooden desk, four leather chairs and walls covered in volumes and volumes of legal books.

Mr. Murray came bustling in and greeted Lady Mary first.

"How nice to see you Lady Mary, Mr. Crawley," he said. "Mr. Branson I believe I met you at Lady Mary and Mr. Crawley's wedding?"

"Yes, you did."

"You are Lord Grantham's son-in-law are you not?"

"That is correct. I am married to Lady Sybil."

"Everyone, please be seated," Mr. Murray said, while gesturing to the chairs. "What is this about new evidence in the Bates' appeal?"

"Tom Branson here, witnessed John Bates receiving the scuff mark on his face," said Matthew. "As well he witnessed an argument between Mr. Bates and his assailant that may shed more light on the case."

"Well that is a development."

"Yes, as well Lady Mary has some information that makes sense of the argument, Mr. Branson overheard."

"One minute," Mr. Murray said. "I will bring in my stenographer to get this recorded."

He went to the door and called in a young woman from the outer office. Once they were all seated again. Matthew spoke.

"I think it would be best if Mary told you her part first, although it will make more sense once you hear from Mr. Branson."

Mary shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Tom glanced at her seated between him and Matthew. She looked the most uncertain he had ever seen her. He almost felt sorry for her, almost but not quite. He looked at Matthew sitting there not touching his wife and wondered how he could not at least reach out and hold her hand or comfort her in a small way. The aristocratic ways weren't for him, no matter how long he would be surrounded by them.

When Mary had finished telling Mr. Murray about the arrangement between Sir Richard and the late Mrs. Bates, it was time for George Murray to ask her more questions.

"Did you ever see a copy of the agreement?"

"No, Sir Richard told me about it."

"Who else knew about the agreement?"

"Mr. Bates, we had discussed it once."

"Do you know if Mr. Bates profited in any way from the agreement?"

"No, I don't believe so."

"Not even from Vera Bates' estate?"

"I wouldn't know."

"Since you never actually laid eyes on the document or had the opportunity to read it, it is inadmissible in court as hearsay. I can say that any proof of this agreement is actually more damning as it gives additional financial motivation to the crime."

"I thought so too, at first," Matthew said. "Until I heard what Mr. Branson had to say."

By now Mary was starting to visibly wilt in her chair from the strain.

"Perhaps we could take a minute for my wife to get a breath of air, Mr. Murray."

"Yes, yes, quite so," said Mr. Murray. During the short recess George Murray contemplated where he had seen Tom Branson before and not just from Lady Mary and Matthew's wedding. There was something about him that was familiar but he couldn't place him.

Once they all had moved back into the room and retaken their seats it was Tom's turn to recount his story of the previous evening.

"You worked for Lord Grantham as his chauffeur."

"Yes, I did."

"What do you hope to gain by making accusations against Sir Richard?"

"I beg your pardon," Tom's eyes narrowed.

"You must have something to gain. Sir Richard is a wealthy newspaper owner and you are I assume a struggling journalist. Do you hope to make a political statement by besmirching the good name of a man well on his way to a peerage? After all you are Irish and part of this nonsense going on in Ireland, aren't you?"

Matthew and Mary were both stunned by the attack on Tom. Mary's mouth fell open slightly as she looked at her brother-in-law. Matthew's eyes were wide as he looked back and forth between the two other men.

"First of all, Mr. Murray," Tom said. His face was starting to flush and he looked like he was rapidly getting angrier at every word that Murray had uttered. "I am a long way from a struggling journalist. I am syndicated in five countries. I write about politics and parliamentary law, which is a far cry from the tabloid trash that Sir Richard publishes. I have no interest in Sir Richard's "good name" or otherwise. I am interested in the truth, which as Mr. Bates solicitor I should think you would be as well. Whether or not I am Irish has no bearing on this."

Mary had regained her composure enough to be able to speak.

"Mr. Murray, I have known my brother-in-law for over seven years. In all that time, I have never known him to lie. What could he possibly hope to gain?"

"Here is a man who has gone from chauffeur to Lord Grantham's son-in-law. He is obviously ambitious and will take advantage of every opportunity presented. There is a great deal to gain by extorting funds from Sir Richard." George Murray almost snarled. His eldest son was serving as an officer in the British Army in Ireland. As well George Murray had never taken on an Irish client and he never would. He wasn't happy to have one of "them" sitting in his office even as a potential witness. The Irish were completely untrustworthy and nothing would ever change his mind.

"Enough of this," Matthew said, finally regaining his composure. He was getting angry as well. Tom looked like he was about to explode. Mary was holding her composure but Matthew knew her well enough to recognize the anger under the layer of her deceptive exterior. "Mr. Murray, I can see that we are getting no where and benefiting no one. We will take our leave and you can be sure Lord Grantham will hear about this."

With that Matthew stood to leave. He needed to get Tom out of there and Mary looked like she was about to say something. The others followed his lead. Although Tom never took his eyes off George Murray until he went out the door.

"I didn't expect that," said Matthew once they were on the sidewalk in front of the office. "I'm sorry he spoke to you in that manner. Mary are you quite alright?"

Mary was even paler than normal.

"Yes, I will be alright. Tom, I'm ever so sorry he spoke to you like that. I would have never suspected something like that was awaiting us today." It was the first time Mary had ever called her brother-in-law by his first name.

"It isn't your fault," Tom said as he slowly regained himself. "Let's go for tea. The press club where I stay in London isn't too far from here. They allow women in the dining room."

Mary and Matthew only nodded. Mary knew enough not to add further insult by declining his invitation. They hailed a passing cab and Tom gave directions to his club. When they pulled up in front of one of the most prestigious clubs in the city. Mary had the good grace not to gawk as they headed inside.

"The paper keeps rooms here. Its close to parliament and they have the latest wire equipment for submitting stories. The dining room is through here."