Bates Speaks

John Bates had only met his defense counsel once before on the day he had agreed to have Mr. Lewis represent him. Matthew Crawley had been John's main source of information and had been to the prison in York regularly to keep him apprised of the situation. Today John Bates was to testify in his own defense and Mr. James Lewis had arranged a client-barrister meeting at the courts just before John was to take the stand.

"Mr. Bates, I expect you to be mentally present during questioning. I am not going to refute the prosecution's case. I am going to emphasize it. Do not be afraid of the truth. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes," John replied not meeting Mr. Lewis' steady gaze.

"Mr. Bates please look at me directly when I am speaking to you and continue to do so during your testimony," Mr. Lewis said with a stern voice that left no room for argument.

With that John looked up and looked directly at him.

"Mr. Bates, Lord Grantham's family is here and from what I understand so are most of his household. They have come today to show their support for you and your current wife. Please accept their gesture and take heart in it," James Lewis paused to let the information sink in. "As you are aware Lady Mary Crawley, Mr. Matthew Crawley and Mr. Tom Branson have put considerable time and effort into your defense. Lady Mary Crawley has ascertained a key piece of evidence through personal sacrifice. If you remain silent or refuse to answer any of my questions their efforts will be for nothing."

John nodded his understanding.

"My questions will not be kind, Mr. Bates. They are meant for the sole purpose of proving your innocence. You must answer them truthfully."

"I understand," said John for the first time during the trial looking more confident.

Mr. Lewis had arranged for John Bates to be freshly shaven and have a clean set of prison cloths supplied to him before his testimony. He called the guard and then went to speak with Anna Bates before court began for the day.

"Mrs. Bates, I wanted to take a minute to let you know today I will be employing the type of questioning I warned you about. It is imperative that you remain silent throughout the proceedings and do not show shock or dismay at the line of questioning. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Mr. Lewis. Do what it takes."

"Lord Grantham," James Lewis nodded in recognition before he strode off down the hall with his wig in place and black robes flying about him.

"Pin on your courage Anna," Tom Branson said to her. "He may not have shown it yet, but I think that man is unstoppable at getting to the truth." He had the day free and was attending court, as were Lady Edith, Lady Cora and Sir Anthony. Isobel Crawley, Lady Mary and Matthew Crawley were there with the majority of the household staff who knew and worked with John Bates.

"This is it," said Isobel. "We shall see if all the work, waiting and sacrifice will bare fruit."

"No matter what happens, I want to thank you all for everything you've done," said Anna. Miss O'Brien and Mrs. Hughes came up to speak to Anna before she went in.

"We aren't allowed in the viewing gallery as we were witnesses," said Mrs. Hughes. "We'll be waiting out here for you. Know that our prayers are with you."

Miss O'Brien nodded her agreement.

"Hopefully you will be able to speak to John and tell him yourself soon."

The "bucking up brigade" as Matthew's mother had named the support party made their way into the viewing gallery and took their seats. Once the judge entered and John Bates was brought in the day's proceedings were ready to begin. John was sworn and Mr. Lewis was ready to begin questioning.

"Mr. Bates, did you like your late wife Vera Bates," Mr. Lewis began.

"No, I did not," said John.

"Did you in fact tell Lord Grantham that it would be better if she were the late Mrs. Bates?"

"Yes, I did."

"Did you in call your late wife Vera Bates a "bitch"?" asked Mr. Lewis.

"Yes, I did," replied John.

"Did you ever strike your late wife?"

"No, I did not," said John.

"Did you write to your wife and threaten her?"

"I wrote to her and told her I meant to have it out with her."

"Mr. Bates, during Mrs. Elsie Hughes testimony she referred to Vera Bates saying you had taken the fall for her. Please relate to the court to what this refers?"

"Objection, relevance."

"My Lord, as the conversation has been introduced into evidence by the prosecution, the entire conversation must be held relevant. I am attempting to clarify the points Mrs. Hughes overheard."

"Overruled, the prisoner will answer the question."

"Some years ago I was incarcerated for theft. I confessed to the crime to protect my late wife."

"Why did you do that Mr. Bates?"

"Vera had in fact committed the theft. At that time I loved her and blamed myself for her thievery. I had been a soldier and been away for a long time. I thought she was acting out from loneliness."

At this point there was a loud rumble of voices throughout the courtroom. The judged called for silence.

"Objection, move to strike, calls for conjecture on the state of mind of the victim."

"My Lord, Mr. Bates has only stated what he thought and is not attempting to ascertain the state of mind of the victim."

"Overruled. Counsel will continue with the questioning."

"Why did you not return to living with Mrs. Vera Bates when you were release from prison?"

"I had quit drinking while in prison. I saw things differently and didn't want to associate with a woman who would let an innocent person pay for her actions. As well I have an old war wound that causes me to limp. I had difficulty finding employment. Vera stated she was not interested in living with a man who could not support her."

"Other than your injury, Mr. Bates, do you suffer from any other medical complaints?"

"No, I do not."

"After the conversation overheard by Mrs. Hughes, you returned to your first wife. Why?"

"She had uncovered a scandal that involved my employer's house. She threatened that if I did not return to her she would take her story to the tabloid papers."

"You returned to her to protect your employer's reputation?"

"Yes."

"Would it be fair to say Mr. Bates that you would not take any action that would harm the reputation of Lord Grantham or his household?"

"I would not. I respect Lord Grantham and owe him my loyalty."

"When you returned to Vera Bates to live as husband and wife, did you engage in intimate relations?"

At Mr. Lewis' question there was a loud gasp in the courtroom. The judge again had to call for silence and issued Mr. Lewis a warning about theatrics.

"My Lord, I must be allowed to continue with this line of questioning. The nature of Mr. Bates relationship with his late wife is in question. My questions pertain to the nature of said relationship."

"Proceed, Mr. Lewis, I remind you to avoid theatrics."

"Mr. Bates did you engage in intimate relations with Vera Bates when you returned to her?"

"No, I did not."

"And when was the last time in your recollection that you did?"

"Before my incarceration for theft."

"Were you faithful to your first wife?"

"Yes I was."

At this point the judge recessed the court until the following day. Lord and Lady Grantham and the immediate family took their limousine back to the house. Lady Rosamund's chauffer and car had also been pressed into service for the day. The others took the electric streetcar for the return trip. Cold foods had been prepared the day before and the staff that was left back at the house had a buffet style tea laid out in the dining room. Everyone was exhausted from the day's events and wandered off throughout the house.

When Sybil returned home from nursing college that day, she went in search of her husband. She found him on the floor of their bedroom playing with their children. She went over and picked up the youngest, while their eldest now a year and a half old continued to jump on his father.

"How was court?" she asked.

"Interesting, although Mr. Lewis asked John Bates some very personal questions. I thought your mother was going to faint."

"I'll have a word with her later," said Sybil.

"I'll be glad when this is all done and things get back to normal around here. Luckily your father is paying for the food at the moment. The heat is taking as much as we normally spend in a month on everything else."

"How are you holding up with such a house full?" Sybil asked him. Tom had been so unhappy when they stayed at Downton Abbey that she was concerned all her family in one place would be wearing on him again. She was finding it hard herself insisting on her own rules for how the house was run.

"Not bad and I can always work at the Press Club when it gets too much. My mother sent a letter. Its on the dresser. She wants to know when we will come for a visit. You seem to be getting along better with her." Tom was now tickling the boy on the floor who was rolling about in a fit of giggles.

"She just wants what's best for her family," Sybil said. "I can see that now that I am a mother. I think she understands me a bit better now too. Although I am sure the rest of your family will be the same as when we left."

"I was thinking we could visit when your course ends next spring. I could make it a working trip to meet with my editors. You won't have to shop or go to work while we are there so it will make things easier on you. Maggie could come along to help with the children during the travel."

"I'm sure she would like to see her family," Sybil said. "It sounds like a fine idea to go for a visit to Ireland. Right now I am feeling tired and I should talk to my mother. I am ready to have things quiet again as well."

Sybil headed off to find her mother and comfort her after what must have been a long day. She just hoped this entire court ordeal would be over soon but it would be nice to have a house full for Christmas.