Testimony Continues

Mr. Lewis again met with John Bates before they went into court the next day. He warned John to remain calm during cross-examination.

"Do not let them anger you no matter what. I doubt that we will get that far today," said James Lewis. "You must mentally prepare yourself. My questions will be difficult but theirs will be much worse."

"I understand," said John.

The Crawley household had again turned out to support John minus Tom Branson who had work to attend to.

"Mr. Bates did you purchase rat poison containing arsenic at the request of Vera Bates?" asked Mr. Lewis as he began the day's questioning.

"Yes, I did."

"How much did you purchase?"

"One packet."

"What did you do with the poison?"

"I gave it to Vera," said John.

"Did you ever see the packet again?"

"No, I assumed she had used it to poison the rats in the cellar."

"Mr. Bates, why did you leave Vera Bates and take a position at a public house in York?"

"I found out that Vera had been unfaithful to me," John said. He almost winced when he glanced at Lady Cora and saw the look of horror on her face at the nature of the questions. John knew if there was any chance for him he had to answer every question to the best of his ability. There was no more sparing people's sensibilities. It had almost gotten him hanged the last time around.

"Do you know the identity of the man?"

"Yes, his name is Frank Wilson," said John.

"How did you find out about the affair?"

"I found some letters in Vera's things. When I confronted her, she admitted the entire thing."

"After you returned to working for Lord Grantham, did you have any contact with Vera Bates other than the last time you saw her?"

"No, the only contact I had was through my lawyer."

"Mr. Bates did you travel to London to see your late wife?"

"Yes, I did."

"During that trip did you receive the scuff on your face referred to during Miss Sarah O'Brien's testimony?"

"Yes, I did."

"How did you receive the mark?"

"I had a disagreement of sorts at the station with Sir Richard Carlisle. He struck me and I fell to the ground."

Mr. Lewis consulted a list on his desk.

"Let the record show defense exhibit A the entry of an affidavit from Mr. Tom Branson, witness to the altercation," Mr. Lewis then looked back to John Bates.

"Mr. Bates, please tell the court what the disagreement was about."

"Mr. Richard Carlisle paid my wife Vera for her story concerning," John paused at this point. Although the story of Lady Mary and Mr. Pamuk was public knowledge he still didn't feel right about discussing it. "Lady Mary and a diplomat who had stayed at Downton Abbey. In the contract she was not allowed to sell the story to another paper. I told Sir Richard at the train station that morning that I believed Vera would go to another paper with the story."

"Let the record show defense exhibit B the entry of a copy of the contract between Vera Bates and Sir Richard Carlisle," Mr. Lewis then looked back to John Bates.

"How did you know about the contract, Mr. Bates?"

"I had discussed it with Sir Richard and with Lady Mary."

"Did you know how much Sir Richard paid Vera Bates for her story?"

"No and I still don't."

"Why did you not tell your employer about the altercation?"

"At the time Sir Richard was engaged to Lady Mary. I didn't want to cause problems for Lady Mary and her father was not aware of the situation."

"When you arrived in London, did you go to see Vera Bates?"

"Yes, I did."

"Did you argue?" asked Mr. Lewis.

"Yes."

"What was the argument about?"

"I wanted a divorce from Vera. I had given her everything I had and she was still blocking the divorce. I wanted nothing more to do with her and she did not want to accept that."

"Was she in good health when you left the premises."

"Yes, she was."

"By your own admission, you were involved in two arguments in one day. Is this your normal habit?"

"No it is not."

"When was the last argument you can remember before that day?"

"The day I left Vera when I found out she had been unfaithful."

"Mr. Bates did you attempt to poison your wife, Vera Bates?"

"No."

"Mr. Bates, did you kill your late wife?"

"No, I did not."

"Your witness."

The court went into a brief recess while the prosecution prepared for the cross-examination. Lady Cora and Matthew approached Miss O'Brien where she was seated in the hall.

"Mr. Lewis just explained away your testimony Miss O'Brien," said Lady Cora. "It was really quite exciting but I must admit embarrassing at the same time."

"Oh thank goodness," said Miss O'Brien. "I have been so worried after the last trial and all. I swear, I will never say an unkind word about anyone ever again."

"That is a tall order to keep," said Lady Grantham. "I know you will do your best though."

Lady Mary came over to join the group.

"Mr. Lewis is rather exciting, wouldn't you say. I never knew barristers could be so direct."

Matthew looked at her with narrowed eyes.

"It seems Mr. James Lewis is collecting a fan club among the Crawley women," Matthew said with a tinge of jealousy.

"He is from one of the best families in London," said Lady Cora. "Its a wonder none of you met him during the season when you were single."

"Too busy being the perfect barrister," Matthew snapped. "If you will excuse me."

Matthew walked off while Lady Cora drew Mary to the side.

"What's wrong with Matthew?" she asked.

"His career isn't advancing, it doesn't look like he will ever make partner. Mr. Lewis is younger than Matthew and already a full partner with a huge reputation," said Mary. "Matthew just doesn't seem to have the drive of someone like James Lewis or even Sybil's husband for that matter."

"Don't mention this to your father," said Lady Cora. "He adores Matthew."

"Maybe this trial will be just the thing to shake my husband up," said Lady Mary. In that instant she had the same conniving look as her grandmother the Dowager Countess.

The end of the recess was announced and everyone went back in to resume their seats.

"Mr. Bates," counsel for the prosecution began. "Do you expect us to believe the word of a man who was convicted and sentenced for theft who claims he did not kill his wife?"

"I do. It is the truth."

"Yet you admit to buying the poison?"

"I admit to buying some rat poison. Whether it was used to kill Vera, I cannot say."

"Why are you casting aspersions on the character of Sir Richard Carlisle?"

"I am only telling what happened."

"Why didn't you strike him back?"

"I lost my balance and fell. I walk with the aid of a stick."

"Mr. Bates were you not angry when you went to see Vera Bates. The woman who had ruined all your hopes and dreams with the current Mrs. Bates?"

"I was angry, yes."

"Angry enough to kill?"

"No, not that angry."

"Mr. Bates did you not take your wedding vows seriously? You did vow for better or for worse did you not?"

"I did take them seriously. The situation with Vera had become intolerable."

"How did the arsenic get into the teapot?"

"Objection, calls for conjecture."

"Sustained, counsel will rephrase the question."

"Mr. Bates did you place the arsenic in the teapot."

"No, I did not."

"Mr. Bates you have just testified the situation with Vera was intolerable. Did you take action to end the relationship beyond a divorce?"

"No, I did not."

"Mr. Bates you would have us believe you were lying when you admitted to the crime of theft?"

"Yes, I was."

"And yet you would have us believe now, that you are not lying?"

"I am telling the truth."

"No further questions, Your Lordship."