Nothing Ventured Read online

  ‘Did he give you a description of the man?’

  ‘May I refer to the notes I made at the time?’ asked Clarkson, turning to the judges.

  Lord Justice Arnott nodded and Clarkson opened a small black pocketbook and turned several pages before he continued. ‘The cabbie said he was around five eight, dark hair, and could have done with losing a couple of stone. He also said that he’d put money on him being Greek or Turkish.’

  ‘What made him think that?’ asked Sir Julian.

  ‘The cabbie did his national service in Cyprus at the time of the uprising, and was fairly confident he recognized the accent.’

  ‘Did you report this conversation to DI Stern?’

  ‘I did, and he wasn’t best pleased. But he said he’d visit the Admiral Nelson and check the story out.’

  ‘And did he discover who the mystery man was?’

  ‘Yes, he did. But he told me that the man had a cast-iron alibi. He’d been in the Admiral Nelson at the time of the murder, which the landlord confirmed, as did several other customers who’d also been in the pub at that time. In any case, Stern reminded me, we had a signed confession, so what more did I want?’

  ‘So you didn’t follow up that line of inquiry?’

  ‘No, I didn’t. After all, DI Stern was the senior officer on the case, and I was just a rookie constable not long out of probation, so there wasn’t a lot I could do.’

  ‘And there’s no paperwork to prove that DI Stern visited the Admiral Nelson pub, or interviewed the so-called mystery man.’

  ‘DI Stern didn’t care much for paperwork. Said he believed in nailing criminals not filing them.’

  ‘I understand you weren’t called to give evidence at Mr Rainsford’s trial?’

  ‘No, sir, I was not. And when Rainsford was convicted, I assumed DI Stern must have been right all along. That was until I read about Rainsford’s appeal in the Daily Mail, and began to wish I’d interviewed Mr Fortounis at the time, and not left—’

  ‘Vasilis Fortounis?’ said Arthur, leaping up from his chair in the dock.

  ‘Yes, I’m pretty sure that was his name,’ said Clarkson.

  ‘His daughter was Gary Kirkland’s secretary,’ shouted Arthur.

  ‘Sir Julian, restrain your client before I do,’ said Lord Justice Arnott firmly.

  Arthur sat back down, but began waving frantically in Sir Julian’s direction.

  ‘I think this might be an appropriate time for a recess, Sir Julian, as it is clear that your client wishes to consult you. Shall we reconvene in an hour?’

  THE CROWN V. FAULKNER

  ‘Members of the jury,’ said Mr Justice Nourse, ‘you have heard the arguments presented by both learned counsel, and it is now my responsibility to sum up this case dispassionately and without prejudice. It will be up to you, and you alone, to decide if Mr Faulkner is guilty or not guilty on the three counts brought against him on behalf of the Crown.

  ‘Let us consider each one in turn. Firstly, did Mr Faulkner steal a painting by Rembrandt from the Fitzmolean Museum? Do you feel that the Crown produced sufficient evidence to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt? If not, you must find for the defendant. And secondly, if Mr Faulkner was not directly involved in the theft, was he nevertheless a party to it? You must make your decision based solely on the facts presented in this courtroom.’

  Faulkner allowed himself a brief smile, while Booth Watson sat back in his place, arms folded, aware that the judge hadn’t yet reached the least convincing piece of his client’s evidence.

  ‘Then there is the charge that Mr Faulkner knowingly purchased the stolen painting, as claimed by his wife. Although Mr Faulkner produced a copy of the Rembrandt, you must ask yourselves how long the original had been in his possession.

  ‘Are you inclined to believe Mr Faulkner’s testimony that he visited Naples, and attempted to make a deal with the Camorra to purchase the painting for one hundred thousand dollars, with the sole purpose of returning it to the Fitzmolean? And do you think it likely that the Camorra initially turned his offer down, but turned up with the picture some time later at Mr Faulkner’s home in Monte Carlo, and demanded the hundred thousand dollars? This, despite the fact that Mr Faulkner told us that in his experience,’ the judge glanced down at his notes, ‘the Camorra rarely stray beyond their own territory.

  ‘And did you find it credible that one of these men, who never spoke to him when he was in Naples, threatened to cut the throats of the six Syndics, and then Mr Faulkner’s throat, if he didn’t pay up? Or do you consider that might be one embellishment too many? Only you can decide who to believe – Mr or Mrs Faulkner – because they can’t both be telling the truth. However, you must also ask yourselves if Mrs Faulkner’s evidence can be relied on, as she admitted quite openly that she was attempting to remove all of her husband’s artworks from their homes in Monte Carlo and Limpton Hall, while he was in Australia, and I have no doubt she would have sailed on to New York to carry out the same exercise, had her husband not intervened. And finally, members of the jury, you must take into consideration the fact that the defendant has no previous criminal record.

  ‘Members of the jury,’ he concluded, looking directly at the five men and seven women, ‘once you have considered all the evidence you must be sure of guilt beyond reasonable doubt before you can convict. If you are not sure, you must acquit. So please take your time. If, during your deliberations, you should require assistance on any matter concerning the law, do not hesitate to return to this courtroom, and I will do my best to answer your questions. The bailiff will now accompany you to the jury room, where you can begin your deliberations. Please take your time considering all the evidence before you reach your verdict.’

  THE CROWN V. RAINSFORD

  ‘Sir Julian.’

  ‘My Lords. I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to consult with my client, and would request that the court recall Mr Stern, and also subpoena Mr Vasilis Fortounis, as the defence would like an opportunity to question both of them under oath.’

  ‘I will grant your request, Sir Julian, and suggest that we adjourn until tomorrow morning, by which time I hope the bailiff will have been able to locate both of these gentlemen.’

  ‘Thank you, m’lud,’ said Sir Julian, trying to sound convinced.

  All three judges rose from their places, bowed and left the court.

  ‘I can’t wait for tomorrow,’ said Beth.

  ‘Don’t get your hopes up,’ said Grace, as she gathered her files. ‘Stern and Fortounis will be well aware of what happened in court this afternoon, and I don’t suppose either of them is currently heading in the direction of the Strand.’

  THE CROWN V. FAULKNER

  ‘You wish to seek my advice?’ said Mr Justice Nourse after the jury had filed back in and resumed their places.

  ‘Yes, Your Honour,’ said the foreman of the jury, a distinguished-looking gentleman wearing a charcoal-grey double-breasted suit and a Cavalry tie. ‘We’ve been able to reach a verdict on the first and second counts, but are divided on the third, that of receiving stolen goods.’

  ‘Do you think it would be possible for you to deliver a majority verdict upon which at least ten of you are agreed?’

  ‘I think so, Your Honour, if we were allowed a little more time.’

  ‘In that case we will take an early recess, and reconvene at ten o’clock tomorrow morning, to allow members of the jury time to sleep on it.’

  Everyone in the court rose and bowed. Mr Justice Nourse returned the compliment before leaving his domain.

  ‘Don’t you sometimes wish you could skip twenty-four hours and find out what’s going to happen?’ said William.

  ‘You won’t when you’ve reached my age,’ replied Hawksby.

  33

  THE CROWN V. RAINSFORD

  ‘SIR JULIAN, YOU may call your next witness.’

  ‘I am unable to do so, m’lud. Although subpoenas were issued yesterday as you directed, the court’s ba