Thank you for all your comments and reviews. This story is a bit different than my others as it has way less research except trying to pry little pieces out of the show. If you haven't read my other stories, this one does reference them so would make more sense if you get a chance. Chronological order story wise is Becoming T. Branson, Generations, Journeys, Who Killed Vera Bates? Journeys also references Truth in Anger. Please remember I am making this up as I go based on the first two series of DA.
Office Space
By Tuesday Matthew had arranged office space at his Ripon office for them to use and a visit to the prison had been arranged. Anna was invited along to visit her husband. Tom drove Matthew's car while Matthew rode in the passenger seat and the women occupied the back.
"We will keep the meeting with John short to allow you as much time with him as possible, Anna," Matthew had said. "But Tom and I do need to discuss some particulars of the case with him. I don't see any point in telling John about the issues with Mr. Murray. It would just worry him."
"I have to go up to London tomorrow night for work," Tom said. "I will probably be gone a fortnight. Mary will be a great help if she can get started at putting any documents you have into chronological order and start posting things on the board. I could go over how to get started tomorrow morning with her."
"We have to ensure due diligence is performed with receipt of any evidence. That includes documents," said Matthew. "I will go over how tomorrow with both of you. I will book some time specifically so we can get started. I have the original court transcripts as well as a few other documents."
"I'm sure the system I use for journalism is completely different than legal work. I have some ideas about how we can get ahold of other documents we might need, but we need to talk to John first. He might have an idea how we can find them easier."
"I'm just worried Mary might try and do something on her own. She's a little head strong you know."
"Must be a trait of the Crawley women."
Both men started to laugh.
"What is so funny?" immediately came from the back seat.
John Bates was surprised to see both Matthew Crawley and Tom Branson sitting across from him when he was shown into the visitor's room. Tom looked quite different than when John had last seen him. He was better dressed and seemed much more confident in the presence of one of the Crawleys.
"John, its good to see you. I wish it were under better circumstances," said Tom. John looked beaten to Tom, like a hollow shell of his former self. John had always been reserved but underneath there was always a twinkle in his eye and friendliness about him. All of that was gone now.
"Circumstances could be much better. It is good to see you. What are you doing here?" asked John.
"Tom has volunteered to give testimony as to Sir Richard Carlisle striking you and giving you the mark on your face," Matthew said. "As well he is willing to help piece together more information and evidence in the case. Lady Mary has also volunteer to help. We need your permission for them to work on the case though."
"I have no objection if you think it will help. At this point I have little hope."
"The story behind what happened to your wife seems to be missing pieces of information," Tom said. "You might not even realize if you know something that may be relevant. Another way of looking at things might shed some light."
"Do you remember Sir Richard striking you when Tom dropped you at the train to London?"
"Yes. I didn't mention it before as it would have lead straight back to Lady Mary."
"The entire affair is out in the open now and Lady Mary has told Tom and myself about the agreement between Sir Richard and the late Mrs. Bates."
"Do you know where any papers or affects of hers would be kept?" Tom asked.
"As far as I know the London police have it all in evidence."
Tom nodded as he took notes.
"Do you remember ever seeing a written copy of the agreement between Sir Richard and Vera?"
"No, but by then we were barely on speaking terms."
"I will come back next week. Try to remember even the slightest detail of Vera's relationship with Sir Richard, or anything else that will help us get a better picture of what happened to her. If something is overlooked, we'll try our best to find it," said Matthew. "Anna is here. We will take our leave now."
The following day Tom and Mary arrived at Matthew's office mid-morning. They had a small office they could use, where no one would disturb their work. Matthew first instructed them on how to catalogue the incoming documents. He had put together the court transcripts and copies of Bates' original statement to the police.
Tom showed them how to start the time line and went over the importance of keeping the notes large enough to be read from a distance.
"No matter how small or insignificant an item seems, write it down and stick it up with the appropriate section. Even if a question comes to you that you can't answer, write it down."
"I've sent a subpoena for copies of the documents being held in London and a list of all items they are holding. I should have them in a few days," said Matthew.
"Good, I won't be here. Would you have any problem going through the letters and documents Lady Mary?"
"No, I have no issue with it. I want to help."
"I just hope the copy of that contract is there. I have an idea of how to get a copy, but I hope it doesn't come to that."
Matthew returned to his regular duties while Mary and Tom got down to working on the existing papers and information they had. It started to become obvious to both of them very quickly that the testimony given by Miss O'Brien and Mrs. Hughes only told small parts of what the women had overheard.
"I will need to interview both of them," said Tom.
"Is there anyway I can assist with that," Mary asked.
"I think it would be a good idea if you were present. It will give you an idea of the type of questions that I ask and how they are prepared. Remember I am just a reporter so I look at this from a much different angle than Matthew does."
"If I didn't say it before, thank you for doing this."
"It might do no good, you know. I'll have wasted your time and everyone else's."
"Its better than doing nothing. Now show me how you prepare your questions."
Later that day, Tom and Mary headed back to Downton to interview the two women. Mary took careful note of they way Tom asked the questions and then noted any additional questions that occurred to him while the women were speaking.
"Please try to be as open as possible," Mary told the women. "Don't try to spare mine or anyone's feelings. We are just trying to get to the truth."
When they were done with the two interviews, Tom advised Mary that he would type his notes so she could incorporate them into their existing timeline.
"While I'm gone for work perhaps you could go over your father's statements. I think any questions would go better coming from you."
"I quite agree," said Mary. "He may be more relaxed with me asking about these things, but I doubt in the end it will make much difference."
"We won't know unless we ask."
"True," said Mary. "This was becoming a huge box of worms," she thought. "But it is better than doing nothing. No wonder Edith and Sybil wanted to do things that made you feel useful."