Beyond Innocence (16 page)

Chambers        “I never thought of it like that.”

Miss Yarwood  “You never thought of it like that, Chambers, because it never happened as you have testified. Thompson never confessed to you or anybody else for that matter, and everybody in this court knows it.”

Chambers felt the rivulets of sweat running down his back. He knew he was out of his depth here. This was not going according to plan. Despite what he had been told by the police this was anything but easy and, right now, he wanted to be back within the walls of Walton prison enjoying the comforts of his own cell. Fortunately for him his ordeal had now ended and it was a much relieved old lag who stepped down from the dock and into the custody of a warder.

Chambers’ testimony was then supported by Detective Inspector Taylor who gave evidence of Thompson’s arrest together with confirmation of Thompson’s confession. He also confirmed Chambers had given the evidence entirely voluntarily and that he had made no deals with him with regard to his own case when it came to trial.”

The Judge signalled this was to be the end of the day’s proceedings and the trial was adjourned until the following day.

Michael Mulrooney was waiting for Irene as she came out of the court and she could tell from his expression he had some news for her. Together they made their way to one of the interview rooms set aside for that very purpose. Once inside, Michael told her that the bank details had been faxed to his office. She was not in the least surprised to learn that the murdered girl had very little money in the only account in her name. Indeed it was quite obvious the woman and her associates lived from day-to-day. Banks and saving money played little or no part in their lives. Any money was spent as soon as it was received and it wouldn’t go far if you were part of the drug scene. From the bank statements provided, it was all too obvious there was never sufficient cash on hand to allow for the purchase of that damned watch.

The solicitor then confirmed that he had spoken to the watch makers who vouched for the fact that none of their outlets had reported any sales of the same make within the vicinity around the material time. They also confirmed they had been able to account for the purchases of every item, with the exception of one which had been purchased in a London store off Bond Street, some three weeks after the reported death of Angela Clarkson. Armed with that information, Irene Yarwood resolved to recall Bridget Riley to the stand at the earliest available opportunity.

Although the storm was showing some sign of abating as dawn broke over Liverpool the next day, it was still a thoroughly miserable day which greeted citizens and visitors to the city alike. By the time ten o’clock arrived, Judge Ewing had signalled to the court staff, and officials, that he was ready. Proceedings were brought swiftly to order with Detective Sergeant West called to the stand.

Sir Gordon led him through his evidence, which was broadly the same in content to that given by his superior the day before. After eliciting the fact that Chambers had not been offered any deals in return for his evidence, Sir Gordon resumed his seat after stating that he had no further questions.

Yet again there was little relief for the defence as Irene and her team struggled to make any impact on the Sergeant’s evidence. Day-by-day as each witness was called by the prosecution, it became apparent that the defence were not making any inroads into the prosecution’s case and the strain was beginning to tell upon all concerned. This was no reflection on the team empowered to defend Harry Thompson as it was due entirely to the fact that the evidence presented by the prosecution over the past few days was totally uncorroborated and unsupported. As a result, it proved to be very difficult for the defence team to introduce any challenge.

After another difficult day, Irene and her team, were finally relieved when they heard Sir Gordon Nuttall-Jones advise the court that the prosecution case had been concluded.

In London, Timothy Harris was feeling pleased with himself as he left the offices of Jerome Woolf and Solomon, solicitors acting for him in his forthcoming divorce action. At this meeting it had been decided that no useful purpose was being served by delaying the institution of divorce proceedings any longer. As he was still very much in the public eye, any action, irrespective of whenever it was brought, was bound to attract more than its share of media attention. It was on this basis his solicitors considered it would be better for the case to go ahead. He had it all worked out in his mind. Tonight, he would take Julie, his parliamentary secretary out for dinner, then, after he’d bedded her he would tell her it was all over. He knew he would have to tell her before news of his impending divorce broke the next day and he would have to be rid of her before he told his wife he wanted a divorce.

In Cheshire, Paula Harris was still deeply troubled. She knew her husband’s recent libel case victory was a sham. Although she couldn’t prove anything, she knew, without any shadow of a doubt, that he had lied. As a result, two careers had been lost. The life of another person had ended in tragedy and a second person had simply disappeared. She tried to console herself with the thought that, even if she had given evidence against Timothy, the outcome would still have been the same. Now it was time for her to do something about her life and, starting tomorrow, she would take her first tentative steps to trace her first born son. In addition she would speak to Timothy and tell him that, as far as she was concerned, their marriage was over and she wanted a divorce. The gin bottle was handy, and three large gins later, she found her resolve strengthening. She wasn’t drunk, she wasn’t even merry, she was simply taking charge of her own destiny. She reached for the telephone, talking softly to herself saying, “Sod it and, sod him, the evil little bastard, why should I wait until morning? I’ll ring the little shit right now.” As she cradled the receiver in her ear, she could hear the telephone ringing. Whilst waiting, she went over the words she wanted to say when the time came. At last the connection was made, and, the receiver was lifted from the hook at the other end.

She got the shock of her life when a she heard the voice of a woman as Julie answered the phone. She recovered from the initial shock with tremendous speed. After all, this was surely the opening she was really hoping for yet another adulterous relationship in their often stormy marriage. At the other end of the line, Julie was also in a state of shock as this dramatic turn of events was something she was totally unprepared for. For the moment, all she could think of was what on earth would Timothy say now? She knew full well he would explode especially since he always insisted she kept well away from the phone. However it was too late for that now and she knew that she had better get rid of this silly,
mithering
bitch before he came out of the bathroom. Recovering slightly and, with the thought rushing through her mind that she and Timothy were now an item, she resolved to get rid of this female tart and any other similar jumped up little farts who caught the eye of Timothy Harris. However, she was brought back to reality as she heard the voice of Paula Harris shrieking down the line, “Get my husband on this telephone immediately and get out of our flat you little prostitute!” Paula stopped midstream as she suddenly realised this was not the way. Yet again this was heaven-sent; it was a golden opportunity too good to miss. In a much more composed and calmer state, she apologised to the person on whom she had been venting her rage and anger. Then, totally in control of her emotions, she requested that, as soon as her errant husband was available, he should return her call in order that they might discuss their impending divorce in a calm and civilised manner. Before she replaced the receiver, she then asked Julie, in a manner which clearly indicated to the recipient that it didn’t really matter to her one way or the other, if she would care to reveal her identity. Obviously, it mattered to Julie as she silently replaced the receiver and contemplated her next move.

Timothy came out of the bathroom and Julie could see he was very annoyed. He yelled at her. “How many times have I told you not to answer the telephone in this flat! Just imagine what would happen now if that happened to be my wife! How on earth could I explain your presence here at this time in the early hours of the morning?”

That was as far as he got as Julie angrily retorted, “Well Timothy, I think you’d better sit down because you and I have got something to talk about. That was your wife on the telephone and she wants you to ring her back as soon as possible in order to discuss your divorce in a calm and civilized manner. I suggest you return her call now to see what she has to say for herself. Afterwards perhaps you and I can then discuss our future together. Actually, I think it is all going to turn out fine and, with everything out in the open we can stop all this creeping and pussyfooting around, then get on with our lives together like any other normal happy couple. Let’s face it, Timothy, once this is all over and sorted we can get married just as you promised.”

“This was news that Timothy did not want nor wish to hear. Paula divorcing him was bad news indeed and he feared it would be even worse if she stated adultery in the grounds of her petition, as it would be a fair bet he would end up liable for all the costs. In a high profile case such as theirs, these costs would be quite considerable without taking into account any financial settlement which might be imposed. Then there was Julie standing here beside him. Bloody stupid Julie who had no idea what this was all about. After one last screw tonight she was supposed to get her marching orders. Yet here she was talking marriage now and all because his divorce was on the cards. One way or another he would have to deal with her first before he made that call to his wife. As he turned to face her, she could see his eyes still blazing with fury as he launched himself into a tirade of anger directed solely at her,

“Julie You just don’t understand, do you?” You haven’t got the faintest idea what this is all about. For Christ’s sake once in a while just think about my position in all this. I can’t allow my wife to divorce me because of the effect it will have on my political life and I certainly couldn’t allow your name to be dragged through the courts either. I already had it all set up for my wife to receive details of a divorce petition from my solicitors now. Unless I can persuade my wife to back off it doesn’t look very likely that will happen. If it did and, if it does, there’s a slight chance that it won’t generate as much adverse publicity and after a couple of days, it will all die down. In any event don’t get carried away into thinking that this clears the way for us to get married because it certainly doesn’t. I think the best thing you can do right now is to let me call you a cab and get you off home. After that it would be far better for us not to see each other anymore.” Inwardly he was smiling as he spoke. He could see the impact his words were having on Julie as the meaning sunk in and she realised that this was the brush off.

If for one moment, Timothy Harris thought Julie was just going to walk out of the door and out of his life he was very much mistaken. In addition, he had seriously underestimated her character and her strength of resolve, as she hit back at him immediately, “What on earth are you saying? What the bloody hell do you mean? Do you seriously think all you need to say is that it’s all over between us and I ‘m supposed to get my bleedin’ things and walk through the shagging door. Well, let me tell you, Timothy sodding Harris, how frigging wrong you are. First of all, let me tell you once I go through that bleeding door I’ll be going straight to the press and I’ll soon show you how adverse publicity will affect your political career. By the time I’ve had my say, you won’t have a sodding career worth mentioning, let alone a job in shagging politics. Apart from anything else, your wife will have her adultery petition handed to her on a bleeding plate and I can assure you in no uncertain manner that it won’t be my name that will be dragged through the courts, it will be yours. Believe you me, the press will have a bloody field day, especially when they get to know all the sordid details including how you did your best to dump me, knowing only too well that you had got me pregnant. You dirty little piece of useless frigging shite.”

Timothy wasn’t smiling now. He was trying his best not to panic whilst trying desperately hard to find the right words to say. He had anticipated some kind of reaction but nothing akin to what he had just heard and that last bit, Julie pregnant, Jesus, he knew he would have to handle this situation with extreme care. He knew only too well if she did walk through the door without her thinking the situation had been resolved then, politically, he was as good as dead.

At the moment, she was rushing through the flat like a tornado. Collecting things and shoving items into her bag whilst he followed her from room to room shouting “Julie Julie.” Although she heard him it didn’t matter for she was determined to get out of the flat as soon and as quickly as possible. In the end he gave up and he positioned himself by the front door in order to stop her from leaving.

A few moments later she came charging through the lounge heading straight for the front door shouting, “Get out of my bloody way, Timothy, I’m leaving. You can have it your way. I realise you are dead right. It is all over now, get out of the way you bastard and let me go.”

Timothy stood his ground by the door and, as he opened his mouth to speak, his tone was much softer. There was no trace of anger in his voice. “You are not going anywhere, Julie, not now, not anytime. Obviously, I’d no idea you were pregnant and that changes everything. The first thing you must do is to get yourself to bed and, starting tomorrow and over the next few days, we will sort everything out. I love you Julie and I mean it. I couldn’t leave you now and I’m deeply sorry for any pain or hurt I’ve caused you. I know it’s a poor excuse but I’ve been under a lot of strain these past few months and I’m afraid it’s beginning to show. So please let’s put this silly quarrel behind us now and sort it out later. Just get yourself to bed and, although it’s late, I’ll phone home to see what I can sort out there.”

Slowly, she allowed her things to slide to the floor then she turned around, and made her way to the bedroom. As she made her way into the bedroom, it was just as well she couldn’t see the look on Timothy’s face.

He watched her disappear from view and immediately he felt relieved that he’d bought himself some time. How much time he had bought, he could hardly begin to contemplate as, still deep in thought, he began to dial his own home number. As the telephone rang, his mind was plagued with the nagging thought that somehow Julie had to go and, if necessary, the child would have to go with her. The stupid cow, fancy allowing herself to get pregnant!

He heard the sleepy voice of his wife on the other end of the line and he found himself apologising for ringing at whatever unearthly hour was showing on the clock. “I’m just returning your call but, before we go any further, let me put your mind at rest regarding the lady you spoke to earlier. Her name is Julie and, she’s my secretary. We’ve been out for a working meal, and because I have had a number of drinks at various functions throughout the day, she offered to drive me home. That’s all there is to it. No hidden romance so please don’t go jumping to conclusions. Now about this civilised divorce, I’ll go along with that especially since I have already taken steps to start proceedings myself. I know I should have told you earlier so much so, you might even receive some correspondence from a firm of solicitors tomorrow or the day after. Look now listen and please don’t get your knickers in a twist. We both know it’s all over so, what I’m saying is this. See what the papers say when they arrive and, if you are prepared to go through with it uncontested, then I will pay all the costs. Yes, yes, yours as well, plus any reasonable settlement that we can both agree to. If we do it like this, we can save quite a lot of money on the legal side and, at the end of the day, we both get what we want which is our freedom. Now stop fussing. Let’s not start arguing, sleep on it first and think about it. Then we’ll talk some more but, remember, if we can’t agree on this we’re both going to lose out considerably in a financial way.” He didn’t give her any more time to object or to say anything as he quickly replaced the receiver.

Paula Harris was a little surprised to find the connection broken so abruptly. She felt she had more than adequate grounds for filing for divorce herself which would, if handled properly, result in little or no cost to her but, on reflection provided he kept his word, what the hell did it matter? Right now all that mattered as far as she was concerned was to get the whole thing out of the way. Then she could get on with her own life and take some positive steps to trace her first-born son. The very thought of this, coupled with the excitement it brought within her, ensured a very restless night.

Timothy Harris retired to bed. His mind was no longer preoccupied with the thought of one last screw with Julie, instead, his mind was concentrated on a single thought of how to rid himself of this stupid female and her unborn child.