Stalker (13 page)

‘Probably the other court room, Tiger Lily’ suggested Jamie with a smile, as the light glinted off his glasses. He’d started calling her Tiger now. She didn’t really mind. Jamie-the-Brainy was what she called him sometimes.

Sammy was probably waiting around out here. The magistrate hadn’t started inside yet. Turning, Lily checked the seats. All those people waiting , except two, were male. She could feel eyes watching her.

That MUST have been Sammy in the short, black skirt, silk top and black heels. Someone ‘borrowed’ out of a yuppie clothes catalogue, in unfamiliar clothes. Long hair, heavy eye-make- up behind fashionable frames and an aggressive stance. She leaned towards Lily, but was pulled back by the other woman.

‘This way please. Don’t talk here, Ms Taylor.’ said the woman lawyer, with a bulging briefcase and a time-is-money manner standing alongside.

‘You weren’t worth the trouble,’ hissed Sammy, looking straight at Lily.

‘And anyway, I was just researching for my Tiger Lily computer stalking game,’ Sammy said over her shoulder as her lawyer dragged her away.

Lily took a deep breath. ‘AND the other reasons.’

‘Just an excuse,’ said Jamie. ‘I bet she just thought of Tiger Lily because she’d overheard me calling you that!’

‘Where? When? ’ asked Lily.

Jamie shrugged. ‘She’s been around us a lot.’

The next half hour was a blur for Lily. It was as if she was watching herself in court, as well as being there. Sounds were magnified. A red shirt stood out amongst the dark suits. Wet, slicked back hair on those young drink drivers wanting to look ‘respectable’. Lots of highly polished wood, pew like seats and a nervous hum from those waiting for the magistrate to arrive. Out front were spaces for the court officials. Lily wondered if Sammy’s parents were here, in court, but no-one seemed to be with her except the lawyer.

All stood at the magistrate walked in.

The first case was a graffiti artist. That was quick. Sammy was second. Names were announced. Seated next to Jamie, Lily could just see the magistrate’s head above the bench. Papers were handed to him. He checked his screen.

After listening to the evidence, and explaining what was meant by stalking, the magistrate asked Sammy Taylor lots of questions.

‘Why did you follow Lily Noelle?’

This was the question Lily had been asking for ages.

Standing in the box, Sammy looked straight at the magistrate. Her heavily made-up eyes were confident.

‘I was working out how long it would take for Lily to realise how well my campaign was organised, and how easily her life could be changed. But now I’ve decided to stop.’

Lily didn’t believe Sammy. From his tone, neither did the magistrate

who speed -read- the papers, checked his screen and then looked up over his glasses.

‘Did you have any thought about the problems you might have created for Lily? Why did you consider you had the right to change her life?’

Sammy shrugged.

The magistrate seemed to be trying to give Sammy a chance to put her view. But she didn’t say anything more.

Lily felt her heart sinking. Was the magistrate going to be on Sammy’s side. But the summing up at the end, reassured her. ‘There is no evidence of a relationship with Lily Noelle the young university student who has volunteered to present a late night radio program on a public station.’

He went on to legal technicalities.’ Lily watched Sammy’s face. She didn’t seem to be taking it in.

Sammy Taylor, you have been brought before the court on a charge of stalking. There is proof that you have telephoned the victim, sent e-mail, followed, loitered outside the victim’s home and the victim’s workplace and tampered with her vehicle. You have interfered with the victim’s property. But there are other, criminal offences, such as breaking and entering which must be addressed.’

Lily watched the magistrate watching Sammy’s non response, as he talked.

Finally the magistrate said, ‘You are convicted of the charge of stalking and will receive a community based work order.’

Lily let out a sigh. It was over. Or was it?

Sammy Taylor a 24 year old ex-university student was today charged with stalking Lily Noelle, Radio 3BC’s weekend evening presenter.

Her parents Lee and Wen Taylor, the well-known husband and wife entrepreneurs, are owner-developers of Robotics Inc and a number of other e-industries.

The community order required 100 hours of community work over 12 months at the Animal Rescue Centre.

She said, ‘Nobody understands a mind like mine. Animals are more understanding than people.’

Sammy Taylor a 24 year old ex-university student was today charged with stalking Lily Noelle, Radio 3BC’s weekend evening presenter.

Her parents Lee and Wen Taylor, the well-known husband and wife entrepreneurs, are owner-developers of Robotics Inc and a number of other e-industries.

The community order required 100 hours of community work over 12 months at the Animal Rescue Centre.

She said, ‘Nobody understands a mind like mine. Animals are more understanding than people.’

Sammy Taylor , campaigner for the ‘Animals Against Cruelty’ ,

has been charged with electronically altering the research records maintained within the Serum Laboratories ,where experimental animals

are kept.

‘I know how the animals feel and they want me to use my skills on their behalf,’ said the 25 year old electronics heiress. Two years ago, Ms Taylor was charged with stalking and given a 100 hour community order

by the court.

Sammy Taylor , campaigner for the ‘Animals Against Cruelty’ ,

has been charged with electronically altering the research records maintained within the Serum Laboratories ,where experimental animals

are kept.

‘I know how the animals feel and they want me to use my skills on their behalf,’ said the 25 year old electronics heiress. Two years ago, Ms Taylor was charged with stalking and given a 100 hour community order

by the court.

Jamie showed Lily the news clipping.

‘You’ve been replaced by an animal. She’s obsessed with animals now.

Probably following them.’

‘Animals don’t talkback!’ said Lily. ‘So you can project anything onto them, and claim you know what they think.’ #