Chapter 9: Danielle's testimony
…
Danielle walked up the steps and behind the safety screen, breathing deeply. Just the thought that Michael was watching gave her the strength to complete the short walk. She found herself hoping he got a damn good look at Adam's face… She took a steadying breath. This was it.
"All rise for the Judge!" The Bailiff yelled. The court did so as one.
"Good morning," Spinner's voice said, also through speakers. Goodwin had told her she would hear everything through them due to how thick her safety screens were. They were designed so people couldn't see their offender, but she felt so much better having them and Goodwin had agreed instantly. He was at the Prosecution table which was just below her. If she needed him, there was a button on the table in front of her which would flash a light and get his attention.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the Jury," Spinner said. "Prosecution, defence. We have an alleged victim here to testify this morning and for reasons which will soon become clear, she has requested extra security. Counsellor Roland, if you even try to step over something I judge as a line, I will stop proceedings immediately. Same for your Client. Are we clear?"
"Objection!" Roland snapped. "My Client and I had the right to be prewired about this."
"Overruled, Counsellor. This name was on the witness list, and the prosecutor has every right to call her or any witness upon that list with no advance warning to the defence. You don't need any more time to prepare than you've had already. You and Mr. Dawson should be fine. That's final." At this she had to cover her mouth to stop a laugh. She couldn't help it. Joanne took her hand and squeezed it. She wanted to cry when she didn't release it afterwards. Goodwin had also told her that Adam didn't even know Joanne was there, or that it was being streamed back to Smith's Grove. Spinner had told Roland, but he'd elected not to tell his client.
"Propriety, Counsellor," Spinner snapped. "Are we clear?"
"Yes Your Honour," Roland said, trying his utmost not to sound bitter, but failing. She had been told the safety screens had microphones built in to them controlled by a sound engineer at the back, so they were only on when necessary.
Then, the prosecutor, Goodwin, spoke. "Please state your name for the court?" This was it. She took a deep breath. "Danielle Hayward," she said clearly and determinedly. "Danielle Hayward."
…
Adam felt as if something ice cold had clutched at his heart. Now he knew exactly why Spinner hadn't seen fit to pre-warn him and Roland - the fucking bitch. This could be very, very bad. Roland was glaring at the screens, looking just as frustrated. "Your Honour," he started but Spinner cut him off. "Silence Counsellor!"
"Danielle, please tell us why you're here?" Goodwin asked.
"I'm here," she was surprised her voice only shook a little. "To testify against the man in the dock in front of you, Mr. Adam Dawson, for charges of Domestic Violence against me spanning a total of two years, leading to my attempted suicide." She felt Joanne turn her head camera slightly then and was pretty sure she knew why. She was somehow showing them Adam's face. Take a good look Michael, she thought savagely.
"Thank you." Goodwin replied. "This is very brave of you. So far as you know, we've proceeded without you while you recovered. I'm truly sorry for everything that happened to you., I'd like to ask you now to tell the court your account?" Goodwin had warned her he'd ask this, but she still felt her heart rate increase.
She wasn't expecting to feel how she would once she'd started. As when she'd told the doctors what seemed like a lifetime ago, and Michael of course, she felt as if poison was slowly but surely leaving her. For the next thirty minutes, she talked freely. Roland wasn't allowed to interrupt at this point. She told them of Adam's control, her having to call him Sir in private and she knew why not in public, in case someone overheard. She spoke of his numerous rapes, his anger if she talked to any other men, how she'd been talking to her male tutor the day she'd reached the end of her endurance. All through this, Joanne didn't release her hand once. That was also a bigger help than she could ever tell her.
"It's Alan," her Lawyer said when she was done. "Can I please ask you to tell us about your internet access - specifically, were you free to use it in Mr. Dawson's house as you pleased?"
She actually laughed. "You're joking aren't you? Hell no! I couldn't access sites which involved money, domestic violence help etc." She didn't know this of course, but she'd just quoted Charlotte word for word.
"So in particular, I'd like to ask you about the day you needed a new white cane." For the first time she felt herself shiver. Joanne squeezed her hand. "Do you need a moment?" Goodwin asked. She took a deep breath. He's not going to win, she thought. Fuck no! Not again!
"No Counsellor," she said finally. "What would you like to know?"
"Were you the one who bought it?"
"Yes Sir. I had to sign in on my seriously restricted account. I put the order through and Mr. Dawson approved it. Any transaction I'd make he had to approve or deny and I couldn't buy anything unless I had a reason for doing so and he wanted me to have it. If he didn't, I couldn't buy it. I didn't even have my own money, as he stole my card from me when I moved in with him and I never got it back. But there was always another price I had to pay for buying things, even things I needed. I only had to buy a new cane because Mr. Dawson purposely bent mine, making it unusable. This time, the price was three nights of sex straight. I couldn't refuse or he'd take my cane from me, leaving me stranded." She could almost feel Joanne's anger. But her guard was too professional to show it, she just held her hand tightly, holding it against her stab vest. She wanted to hug her. When this was over, she would.
"He bent it on purpose you say? Why was this?"
"Because I was late home one night and his dinner wasn't on the table when he got in. He taunted me, asking if I'd got lost as a blind person should." She swallowed, desperately trying to fight back the memories, the panic. Michael, she thought. Michael. That calmed her immediately. Joanne squeezed her hand again, as if sensing her thoughts. She squeezed back tightly. "He said the only way I'd get a new one would be if I let him "fuck me" she winced. "Every night for the next three nights. He made me bleed several times."
"So can I ask, do you have your cane's measurements written down anywhere?"
She was surprised. "Huh? No. I was told them once and I just remember them. They're not going to change. Only way that would happen is if I grow taller."
"So just to be clear. You don't have them in writing anywhere. Not on your account, nowhere?"
"No," she shook her head. "Nowhere Sir."
"Consultation!" The horribly familiar voice snapping out that one word made her shiver again. It was the first word she'd heard him say. What did it mean?
"Denied Dawson," Spinner snapped. "You may do so when the witness's testimony is done. Counsellor Goodwin, please continue."
"Ok," Goodwin's voice was just as gentle as it had been. Absolutely no hint of his emotions. But she got the sense she'd somehow just cornered Adam with that last question. Perfect! "Have you ever told Mr. Dawson your cane's measurements?"
"No?" she was genuinely taken aback. "I never needed to."
"Oh? Why was this?"
"Because I was always the one who had to buy it, paying for it with sex. Mr. Dawson would've seen the measurements on the paperwork anyway. It's not something sighted people usually ask for anyway as we normally buy our own canes."
"Would Mr. Dawson ever have signed on for you to buy it on your behalf?"
She actually laughed. "No way! Absolutely no way! If he'd done that, he wouldn't have been able to make me pay for it in other ways! No Counsellor, absolutely not."
"Thank you. We've also seen an Email sent to you which Mr. Dawson claims you sent to him. Come home now, I want my dinner and a fuck, unless you've got lost somewhere, which I hope you have."
"I didn't send that Sir," she said quietly. "He did. If I was out on my own, I had to leave my phone at home. He didn't let me take it anywhere. I couldn't send that Email and wouldn't have sent anything like that anyway. He sent it to my inbox so people thought I had my phone on me, but I didn't. If he wanted to communicate, I had a very restricted iPad, same as my account on the computer was. I could receive Emails from him only, any other address was blocked and I couldn't do anything else. When I got that Email, I was running errands for him. But I was a bit slower than he liked so…" She looked down at the ground. Joanne now put an arm around her, squeezing her close.
"Errands?" Goodwin asked. "What kind of errands?"
"Just basic stuff," she said. "Shopping, whatever. I then had to do housework. Mr. Dawson never did any of it, saying it was a woman's place. I just had to wait on him hand and foot. When we were out in public he was kind, gentle and patient, but making out to people I was ill. Like because I'm blind I'm also stupid. But when we were in private…" She took another deep breath and again felt herself shiver.
"Break," Spinner said. "Twenty minutes."
"Wait," Joanne breathed. "I'll guide you out when he's gone." She nodded numbly. Had she put her piece across well enough?
…
"You've got him cornered," Goodwin said when they were in private in the consultation room. "That's why he asked for consultation. I asked him why he bought it from your account and he said he didn't know your measurements. Now you've just told the court you never wrote them down. You've exposed another lie! Well done."
"He doesn't know them," she repeated, feeling close to tears again. "He's only trying to protect himself…"
Goodwin handed her some tissues. "It's ok," he soothed. "I know. But we'll get him, I promise you."
…
"Why didn't they fucking warn us?" Adam snapped at Roland as soon as they were in private. "That bitch could get me sent down for a very long time! I'm not saying I did all this, she's insane, remember? Deluded! That's why she's in a fucking nut house! What the hell are they playing at anyway, letting her out to testify? How can they trust the words of an insane bitch? But what if the jury believes her?"
"That's what I'm here for," Roland reminded him curtly. "But the measurement question is bad, Adam. I can't lie to you there. If you lied, it could be a serious problem, because the jury can use that to question your credibility regarding the entirety of your testimony. Listen. I need to think about our next move. You can either stay here or I can get a guard to take you back to your cell."
"Fuck no!" Adam snarled. "I'm staying right here! That bitch won't win, will she Roland?"
This time, the lawyer didn't answer immediately. He was starting to think that actually his client was as much of a liar as the prior attorney, Barlow, had said before he'd gotten himself dismissed from representing Adam. He just hoped it wasn't confirmed to him, or he'd have to do the same. He was seriously tempted as it was. Money be damned, he wasn't sure he'd be able to see this through. He was almost certain that he was defending a guilty man.
…
As soon as they stepped out into the fresh air, Charlotte ran over to them and pulled Danielle into a tight hug. Then she glanced at her camera. "Fuck you're brave D," she held her tightly. "I respect you so much."
"You went through it too C," she said. "It's for both of us." Her friend softly kissed her cheek, still holding her close. "Hi Joanne," she said finally, shaking the guard's hand. "Is that camera live right now?" Charlotte asked, she nodded. Charlotte lent forward. "
Hi Dr Loomis, Dr Stark, Mr. Myers. Thanks so much for allowing D to do this. She's damn brave, that's for sure."
There was a soft beep and Dr Stark's voice came out of a small speaker on the front of the camera. "Hello there Charlotte, this is Dr Stark. We agree, this is very brave. She's doing fantastic, as are you, I may add."
"Thank you," Charlotte blushed and hugged her friend tightly again. "Tell me about it!" She waved with one hand. "I can see your doctors and Mr. Myers on the camera," she said.
"Can I make one small request?" Danielle asked, turning to Joanne who squeezed her arm immediately. "Can you ask the Counsellor if I could speak to him, but I want to leave this turned on," she gestured at her camera and I'd ask if you and Charlotte could be with me?" Charlotte looked close to tears as she hugged her friend again. Joanne disappeared briefly but within minutes she was back. "Of course," she said. "Come on." The three of them entered the Consultation room where Goodwin was waiting. "Doctors, Sir," he smiled respectfully at the camera. "Hi Charlotte, how are you?"
"Good, thanks Counsellor," Charlotte smiled at the lawyer.
"Now I've told you both its Allan," Goodwin said. "When we're not in court its Alan."
"Thanks," both girls said in unison. Joanne and Goodwin were at one side of the table, the two women at the other. "How can I help you? Are you ok?"
"Yes, thanks Alan. Did the Judge sense I was getting distressed or something? Is that why she called a break?"
"No," Goodwin said. "I did. I knew you'd struggle with that question. You have your cane there I see; do you mind if I have a quick look at it?" She looked surprised but passed it to him. Goodwin scanned it carefully. "Are you looking for measurements?" Charlotte asked. "You won't find them Alan. They don't write them on the canes. Which is good for us, right?"
"Very," Goodwin said with satisfaction. "Can I just ask, what are your cane's measurements?"
"14 inches," she confirmed.
"Thanks, Goodwin nodded. "Sorry, I apologise I got distracted. How can I help you?"
"I'm just a bit worried about the claim I'm sure the defence will be using. I'm in a mental hospital, I'm considered insane. I know I wasn't bought there for that reason; I was taken there for help and they," she waved at the lens then Joanne. "Have been absolutely amazing, I can't thank the four of you enough and you two on the outside!" she gestured at Charlotte and Goodwin. "But he'll try to use it against me, won't he?"
"Yes," Goodwin said. "But we have reports from your doctors stating you weren't bought there due to being insane from day one. You were brought there for top help and care. If you were insane, you wouldn't have been placed with some of the most dangerous people in this world."
Like Michael Myers, she thought. A serial killer is watching this right now… Charlotte squeezed her arm and she knew she was thinking the same thing. She smiled at her friend.
"Plus Dan," Charlotte teased. "You've also met a caring man there, have you not?"
"Shut up!" She was mortified Myers was watching and had just heard that.
"Yeah," Joanne joined in. "More than one kind of care has been received, right?"
"You're red as a tomato," Charlotte teased. Goodwin Charlotte saw was smiling at them across the table. They were distracting Danielle from where she was and that was just fine with him. "Oh yes?" The prosecutor said. She grew if possible even redder. "I'll get you back for this," she breathed to Charlotte, who burst out laughing.
"It's ok," Goodwin said softly. "I know who he is." He raised a hand to the camera. "Hello Mr. Myers."
"You had to say that when he could hear it, didn't you?"
"Oh absolutely!" Charlotte hugged her again. "If I didn't, you wouldn't. I know you!" Charlotte, Joanne and Goodwin all chuckled then.
"If you guys could stop teasing me for just a moment about my…"
"Love life," Charlotte chimed in. She blushed again. "I seriously do have a question… Do you need me to expand on what I was about to say when I said 'in private…'? Just before you stopped the proceedings, Alan."
"I don't, but you may," Alan said. Counsellor Roland will cross examine you." She felt herself shiver. "It's ok," Goodwin said immediately. "Neither I nor the Judge will let him ask anything he shouldn't, or distress you in any way. I promise."
"I'll introduce him to Michael if he does," Charlotte said. "God help me I mean it. As for Adam…" There was silence for a moment.
"Well said," Danielle said finally.
"Trust me, I'm being serious. You couldn't be safer. You're cared about by a serial killer. No one will dare come near you not even our bastard of an ex. Trust me. When he knows and boy am I tempted to tell him, he'll be running for the fucking hills as fast as he can!"
"Agreed," Joanne said.
"I certainly wouldn't want to be on the wrong side of Michael Myers," Goodwin nodded.
"Adam's a coward D," Charlotte said. "As we all know. Look at him up there right now! He's only concerned about protecting himself! Little worm! As for you, with Michael watching you'll be perfectly safe when Roland cross examines you, will you not?"
…
"Why break now?" Adam snapped at Roland. "What the fuck are they trying to gain from that insane bitch?"
Roland sighed. "Adam. This could be good for us, because it gives me time to prepare to cross-examine Danielle."
"I'll fucking cross-examine her if I get the chance," Adam growled. "With a machete."
"Adam," Roland warned. "Do not make threats or I'll have to report them."
"For fuck sake," Adam rolled his eyes. "She's a fucking bitch. She deserves it. She's a woman, Counsellor."
"Whom it is currently against the law to threaten despite your wishes," Roland said evenly. "Let's concentrate on you Mr. Dawson, shall we?" Roland was seriously starting to dislike Adam Dawson intensely and had never sympathised with a fellow lawyer more than he did for Barlow. Now he totally understood why his colleague had walked out. This guy was evil. No two ways about it. He hated women and made no secret of it, treating them abhorrently. Roland had a wife and daughter which made this even more difficult. If this man ever got near them… He shivered inwardly. No way. No fucking way! Roland may have to defend him, but it was getting harder and harder to do so as the trial went on.
"So what, when you cross-examine the bitch?" Adam's voice jolted Roland back to the courtroom. "What then?"
"We will talk about what comes up," Roland said. "Then discuss our next move. But I have to tell you…"
"Don't you fucking dare say it looks bad for me again," Adam snarled. "I know that Counsellor. It's your fucking job to change that!"
I don't think I want to, Roland thought but he just nodded. He was starting to think it would be impossible. The evidence against his client was too persuasive, too consistent and he thought privately, too true.
…
Before long the buzzer sounded and they all re-entered the courtroom. Joanne, Charlotte and Goodwin entered last with Danielle once Adam was secured in the dock once more. Goodwin had been right. It was time for Roland to cross-examine her. She felt sick. This was Adam's defence lawyer, who was trying to get him out of hot water. Roland stepped up to the safety screens and when he spoke she was totally taken aback at how gentle his voice was. Did he have his own doubts about Adam's story?
"First of all, I want to ask you questions regarding the cane. Are you absolutely certain you never wrote the measurements down? Perhaps on your account? Are you certain that Mr. Dawson would not have been able to sign in as you to get them?"
"Positive," she said without hesitation. "I never wrote them down. No one knows them except me and the charity for the blind who worked with me. I haven't even told Charlotte."
"Would Mr. Dawson have ever spoken to the charity to ask them for your measurements?"
"They don't tend to keep them on record, I was only told when actually buying it so it's very unlikely."
"This is the National Institute for the Blind, yes?"
"Yes Sir."
"Ok. Thank you. I'd now like to ask you about your internet access. You say it was strictly monitored by Mr. Dawson and you couldn't buy anything unless you had a reason for and he agreed that you could have said purchase. Correct?"
"Again, yes Sir."
"So it was never the other way around? You never were the one in control of it as opposed to Mr. Dawson?"
She felt ice grab her stomach. So this was what the fucking liar had said! That she was the abusive one, that she was going crazy! Her attempted suicide probably helped him no end! She took a deep breath, trying to control her anger, despair and yes for the first time in her life pure unadulterated hatred. That lying fucker! Once again Joanne took her hand tightly in hers.
"No Sir," she said through gritted teeth. "Not to mention Mr. Dawson's account had visual authentication so I couldn't get into it. So how could I have done it? He's going to say I ordered him to sign in isn't he? Counsellors, look at the size of him compared to me! He's a former football player and fitness coach! I wouldn't stand a Goddamn chance! He could overpower me with one hit, as he very often reminded me with graphic demonstrations!"
"Desist with this line of questioning Counsellor," Judge Spinner said. "Move on please."
"This is the visual authentication she speaks of," Goodwin said.
"Thank you. Plus," she continued to the court. "It's no secret he hates women. He doesn't exactly hide it. We're only sex toys to him, as you've doubtless heard. Not just from me, but also Charlotte."
"Your friend," he said, trying to swallow down bile at his own words. "She didn't believe you when you told her, did she?" She heard Charlotte stifle a sob. Her heart broke for her friend. "How do we know that you didn't make all this up, and then convince her to testify for you? Did you order her to do so too?"
"Objection!" Goodwin snapped, just as Judge Spinner snapped, "Stop, Counsellor!"
"Oh, of course I did," she said unable to stop herself. She was angry now. She knew Roland was struggling with what he'd just said but it wasn't for him, it was for Adam. "That's why I put a rope around my neck and Nigel had to break in and cut me down, was it?" She heard a soft whistle then and affection swelled in her heart, so much so that she couldn't speak for a moment. Nigel always whistled so she was sure it was him. "That's why Nigel had to break the door in with a sledge hammer to get me out, because Adam locked the door while the woman he supposedly 'loved with all his heart' was attempting to kill herself? Then I ordered Charlotte to testify against the man that made me try to commit suicide just to get away from? I'm not a criminal Counsellor and I know how serious perverting the course of justice is!"
"I told you," Adam's voice said. She clamped down on the rising panic. Fuck this man could scare her just with his voice now. "I panicked when I saw that she was in there. The key was in my pocket I forgot it was there."
"Silence, Dawson!" Judge Spinner snapped. "You have already testified. If you speak out of turn again, you will be in contempt of court, removed from this courtroom and thrown back behind bars! Are we clear?"
"Yes, Your Honour," Adam said and Danielle could tell he was furious. Furious and scared. Good!
"We have Nigel Manning's testimony Mr. Dawson, stating that you locked the door seconds after seeing Danielle hanging in there, which is why he had to break it down. He saw you lock the door! I'd like to show you these pictures, Exhibit H. They are of the locked garage door and Mr. Manning using his sledge hammer to get in." She felt Joanne turn her camera again, streaming the pictures back to Smith's Grove.
Joanne saw Adam look to Roland, but his lawyer said nothing. "So you thought you'd cut the door down with a Machete, did you?" Goodwin asked. "Mr. Manning has also testified he saw you going towards the garage with it. You had it to finish the job if the rope failed. Didn't you?"
She shivered outwardly this time. She hadn't been told that. "He… He was going to kill me anyway?" Her voice was just above a whisper. "I wasn't told that."
Joanne squeezed her arm. "You ok?"
"I…" she took a deep breath.
"I'm calling a break!" Judge Spinner snapped. "Dawson, you stay there! You do not need to consult at this time!"
…
She was led out and wasn't surprised to feel her legs shaking. They walked right outside and into the fresh air. Once they were there, Roland appeared, pulling Joanne to one side.
"First please tell her I'm sorry, I had to ask that question and I hate myself for it. Second, my client just threatened her to me while in private. Said he'd cross-examine her with a machete if he gets the chance."
"Jesus," Joanne looked horrified and pulled out her radio, relaying this back to Smith's Grove, realising too late that Michael would have also heard the transmission. Well good. She thought savagely. If I get the chance I'll help you get to and kill him Michael! God help me I mean it! She knew her thoughts were unprofessional, but she couldn't help it. She liked and respected Danielle a lot and this man was as evil as she had always said.
"That was unexpected," Danielle said to Goodwin. "What happened?" Goodwin looked at Joanne, who shook her head. "I can't tell you that I'm afraid," he said. "But I'm sure your doctors will."
"He threatened me didn't he?" she said, sounding resigned but not afraid. "My life today. Please just tell me?" To her, their silence said it all.
"I'm so sorry," Goodwin said, handing her a cup of strong tea. "Do you want to stop now?"
"Fuck no!" she snarled. "If that's true it only makes me even more determined to see this bastard brought down! I'm glad I know! I wasn't told that before about the machete and Adam's real intentions."
They entered the courtroom minutes later and the Judge was brief and to the point. "Mr. Dawson, I have just been told about something, and we both know what I'm talking about. Ladies and gentlemen of the Jury, I would ask you to go into my Chambers in a moment please. I need to fill you in on this. Guards, take Dawson back down. He's still remanded. Thank you so much and I acknowledge your bravery today. Jury I will make contact with you shortly to ask if you have a verdict. Thank you!" She hit the bench with her gavel. They were dismissed.