The judge deliberated for a moment and then spoke, ‘While I accept that a reoccurrence of his violence is not likely, you do not imagine that a young single man with access to considerable funds through his friend the earl, recently accused of a heinous crime, would not attempt to abscond?’ The judge looked imperiously at d’Alton over his half-moon spectacles.
‘No, my lord, I don’t.’
‘I wish I shared your optimism,’ the judge said, and the opposing council smirked.
Liam and Hugo shared a look.
‘On balance, I think it’s best that the defendant remain in custody until the trial. Bail denied.’ He banged his gavel.
‘All rise,’ the clerk called, and the attendant crown shuffled to their feet. The judge left the bench and went into his chambers and that was that.
Patrick turned around and caught their eyes for a moment. They tried to smile encouragingly, but his face betrayed everything he was feeling. He was going to jail, he’d spend Christmas there at least, and maybe a lot longer.
They shuffled out, not speaking. Once outside, d’Alton moved to walk away when Hugo ran after him, grabbing his arm and almost spinning him around.
‘What the hell just happened? I thought you were going to get bail for him?’ Liam had never seen his friend so incensed with rage.
D’Alton gazed at his arm where Hugo had grabbed the sleeve. Hugo let him go, and d’Alton spoke as if to a recalcitrant child. ‘Your lordship, I understand you are upset, but the judge was not going to grant bail as I had my secretary explain to your solicitor earlier. I said I would try, and try I did.’ D’Alton was as silky as his gown.
‘Try? Try? You call that trying? I could have done better than that myself,’ Hugo barked. ‘If this is a portent of what is to come, I fear your reputation not only precedes you but also exaggerates your prowess.’
D’Alton was icy. ‘If you do not wish me to represent your friend that is entirely your prerogative. My bill for services to date will be compiled and sent to you. Good day.’
He turned on his heel and walked off.
‘Hugo, go after him,’ Liam pleaded. ‘I know he’s a bit of an eejit but without him, Patrick has no chance. Don’t let him go.’
‘I’m paying that oily bastard to get Patrick out of this and so far all he’s done is swan around like he’s some kind of God, being snobbish and condescending to everyone he meets and has achieved nothing!’ Hugo was raging.
‘I know that, but we also know we are banjaxed without him, it’s as simple as that. We don’t want him deciding he’s not going to do it, then where would Patrick be? He only took the case because you are who you are, it adds to his already gigantic ego to have a peer on his client list, so play him along. Charm him, invite him to Greyrock, whatever it takes.’ Liam was trying to coax him out of his black mood.
‘He’s such an arrogant...’ Hugo began. ‘He only wants to win so that he can be seen to win. He couldn’t care less about poor old Patrick.’
‘I know that, but why does it matter what his motivation is so long as he gets him a lighter sentence? He’s pleaded not guilty. D’Alton advised him to do that, and we’ll hopefully go for manslaughter since it wasn’t premeditated. And maybe, with extenuating circumstances and all that and his previous good character, things might not be so bad. Either way, we need d’Alton a hell of a lot more than he needs us so sickening as it is, and I know this is costing a fortune, we have to keep him with us, okay?’ Liam put his arm round his friend’s shoulder. He knew Hugo to be one of the most generous people he ever met, but he was stubborn as well and if he took a set against something, it was usually permanent.
Hugo sighed. ‘Fine, I’ll apologise.’ He was still seething but followed the barrister and his secretary to the car where they were just about to leave. Crowds surged towards him and journalists were everywhere. The press would love an altercation between the earl and the barrister on the side of the street.
‘May I get in?’
‘Certainly, your Lordship.’
As the chauffeur pulled away in a hail of flashes and microphones, Hugo settled himself into the back seat beside d’Alton. His secretary sat in the front.
‘I shouldn’t have said what I said. I apologise,’ Hugo said, staring right ahead.
‘Apology accepted. It is important to consider the bigger picture, your Lordship,’ d’Alton explained.
‘Hugo, please,’ Hugo said.
‘Very well, Hugo, the thing is, your friend did kill his father, so I’ve got an onerous task ahead of me. I’m not a bookmaker so I won’t give you odds, but I will do my best. I’ll ask you to allow me to do it as I see fit. Otherwise, I’m afraid there’s no point in proceeding.’
Hugo felt like he was in the principal’s office for some misdemeanour, but something made him trust this man.
‘Very well. I understand this is your area. I was, am, very worried about him, and I just want…’ Hugo tried to explain.
‘I know. Now where can we drop you?’
Hugo indicated that anywhere was fine, and he found himself almost ejected onto the street. This was certainly not a case of he who pays the piper calls the tune. D’Alton was definitely calling all the tunes.
Liam and Helen stood outside the courthouse in the bitter cold.
‘You must be perished. Can I get you a drink to warm you up? Liam asked kindly.
‘No, no thanks, I’m fine. Poor Patrick, he looked so upset being led away like that, like he was some kind of criminal.’ A tremor shook her voice.
‘I know, it’s horrible to see him like that, but we’re doing all we can,’ Liam reassured her.
‘I wish there was something else I could do, to make it a little easier…’
Suddenly Liam had an idea. ‘Well, if you want to help, you could maybe take the girls for an afternoon? My mam is doing a wonderful job with them, but she could do with a break, and sure they like you very much. Maybe you could take them into town for tea and a bun or something?’
‘Do you think your mother would mind?’ Her eyes lit up at the prospect of helping in a practical way. ‘I could take them into Cash’s to see Santie Claus.’
Liam smiled at her enthusiasm for the first time that day. ‘I’m sure my mam would be thrilled, and sure Connie and Anna are mad about you. And they’ve never been to see the big man, I’m sure of that. Mrs Lynch, God rest her, would have loved to be able to do something like that for them. Why don’t we go up to my house now and arrange it, there’s no more point in waiting around here, I suppose. Do you think they’ve taken him up to Cork Prison?’
‘I suppose so. I wonder if we can visit,’ Helen said.
‘Well, we can get Mr O’Kelly to check on that. For now, let’s just hope Hugo could get the words out to apologise. If he doesn’t, we are in even deeper trouble.’
They began the walk together back up the hill to Liam’s house, chatting about the case. They passed Hugo’s car, his pride and joy, an amazing light blue sports car.
Liam pointed it out to Helen.
‘My mother nearly had a stroke when she saw it. Poor Mam’s been saying novenas since that he won’t be killed in it.’ Liam grinned.
‘He’s certainly a very...em…larger than life character,’ Helen said diplomatically.
‘Ah, he’s normal really, for an earl. Actually, he’s the only earl I know so maybe they’re all like normal people. But honestly, he’s great, and God knows where we’d be without him,’ Liam added.
‘Yes, Patrick often spoke about you both. Ye really are best friends, aren’t ye? I’m sure he appreciates everything ye are doing for him, but then, that’s what you do, isn’t it?’
As they walked, they chatted easily, and Liam remembered Patrick saying that he thought she would be a good match for him ages ago if he wasn’t hell-bent on being a priest. Liam could see what he meant, she was funny and kind and not kind-of-scary the way the ones that are all done up with makeup of
ten are. He sometimes wondered what it would be like to have a girlfriend, but always found himself dismissing the idea. He didn’t miss that part of life, he really didn’t, he had his friendship with the lads and his relationship with his mother and, to a lesser extent, his siblings, and it was enough for him. That part of being a priest didn’t unduly worry him; it was his somewhat hazy attitudes to God’s law that were the most troubling part. His best friends were both in contravention of the law of the church, yet he would defend each of them to the last. What did that say about his future as a priest?
Liam heard voices in the kitchen as he opened the door. Father Aquinas was in the kitchen, his hat and coat hanging on the banister, and he and Mam were chatting about the events of the morning.
‘Ah, Liam, how are you?’ He stood up and put out his large hand to shake. ‘That was a tough old morning for you all.’ He noticed Helen standing behind Liam. ‘Hello.’ He smiled.
‘Hello, Father, this is Helen Dunne, a friend of Patrick’s.’
‘Sure, we’ve met before, at the time of the funeral, how are you, Helen?’
‘Fine, thank you, Father.’ She smiled.
‘Mam, Helen wants to take the girls out for the afternoon, give you a break. She’s going to take them into town to see Santie.’
Mrs Tobin smiled at her son. He knew her so well and was so considerate always.
‘That would be lovely for them, and sure they’re mad about you, Helen. I’ll call them now. They’ll be thrilled since the alternative was sitting here with me for the afternoon. You wouldn’t put a milk bottle out in this weather!’
She went off to call them and get them ready, and Helen accompanied her. Squeals of delight came from upstairs; the news had obviously been delivered. It was nice to do little things to cheer them up after everything.
‘Well, how did it go?’ Father Aquinas asked.
‘Bail was refused, so he’ll be in jail for Christmas at least. Your man d’Alton is a bit of an eejit, to be honest, the carry-on of him. But apparently, he’s the best. That’s what we’ve been told anyway, so…’ Liam poured himself some tea.
‘That seems to be the case all right. One of the brothers above is interested in the law. Now, how are you all bearing up?’
‘Ah all right, at least it’s the Christmas holidays. I don’t know if I’d have been let out of the seminary to go to my best friend’s trial who is accused of murdering his father. It’s not a conversation I’d like to have with the dean, put it that way.’ Liam smiled ruefully.
‘I could see that all right. There’s a few above that feel the same,’ he said, casting a glance in the direction of the monastery. Liam smiled inwardly at the relationship that had developed between him and his old teacher over the years, friends and confidantes.
‘Most of the brothers, though, are praying for Patrick. He is such a grand lad, and he’s had so much to put up with. I’ll tell you what, he’d be lost without your mother.’
Liam nodded. ‘Mam’s been just brilliant. She loves those girls like they were her own and they feel safe with her. The detective said that he was going to speak to the social worker about what’s to happen with them while the case is going on at least. Do you think you’d have any influence? They need to stay here with my mam.’
‘Of course, that’s where they should stay. I’ll get onto them this afternoon. I deal with the children’s services from time to time, for school-related matters. I’m sure we’ll be able to organise that.’
‘Thanks, Father.’ Liam smiled gratefully. ‘Please God, it will only be short term.’
The priest didn’t share his smile. ‘I don’t want to seem pessimistic, Liam, but I think you and your mother should prepare for it being more than that. Father Kevin, the legal mind above, said he’ll have to serve some jail time even if the charge is reduced. The fact of the matter is, rightly or wrongly, he did kill him.’
The words hung heavily in the air between them.
The girls burst into the room, looking adorable in matching red coats and hats.
‘Well, aren’t ye the picture!’ Liam smiled.
‘Hugo bought them some lovely things, he’s a great boy so he is, always was. He’ll make a great daddy himself someday, please God,’ Mrs Tobin said with a wistful smile.
‘We’re going to see Santie.’ Little Anna’s eyes shone with excitement.
‘Ye’re not! I can’t believe it!’ Liam gasped. ‘Can I come, too? And sit on his lap, and ask him for new rosary beads?’ The little girls giggled.
‘No, you can’t,’ Connie chuckled. It was good to see them so happy. ‘You’re too big. Santie only comes to children.’
‘And anyway, he’s too bold,’ Mrs Tobin joked.
Anna, who took everything literally, was dismayed. ‘Liam isn’t bold, and Patrick isn’t bold, the only bold one is Daddy. And Santie wouldn’t bring him anything anyway because he’s the boldest person ever.’ Tears filled her eyes.
Helen went over and gathered her up in her arms.
‘He was bold, and now he can’t hurt you anymore. But you and Connie are the very best girls in the whole of Cork.’
‘Ireland,’ Connie interrupted.
‘Of course! Silly me! The very best girls in the whole of Ireland, and I bet Santie will have something lovely for ye, but we better hurry in case he has to get back in his sleigh to go home to the North Pole!’
Instantly, the excitement was restored, and Liam and his mother exchanged a look. If only this hadn’t happened. Patrick needed someone and those girls needed a mother. Helen was the obvious choice. But now, everything was up in the air.
Father Aquinas put his hand in his pocket and produced two shiny half crowns. The girls’ eyes glittered.
‘Now, this is for a sticky bun after ye see the big important man in the red suit, and maybe ye could get a cup of tea for poor Helen as well after?’
‘Ah, Father, there’s no need...’ Mrs Tobin began.
‘Not at all, sure they deserve a little treat,’ he said with a smile.
Liam, Father Aquinas, and Mrs Tobin watched in admiration as Helen took their hands and the happy trio skipped down the hill.
Chapter 23
‘Helen has been wonderful, she takes the girls whenever she can, spoils them rotten, of course, and they just are stone mad about her.’
Liam and Hugo were sitting on the hard bench across from Patrick. In the weeks after the refusal of bail, they tried to keep everything as normal as possible for Connie and Anna. Santa had brought them more presents than all their other Christmases combined, and they made lovely cards for Patrick, which he was allowed to have in his cell as a special dispensation from the governor. They asked when he was coming home all the time, but Liam’s mam told them that Patrick had to help the guards. They trusted her completely so they were happy with that.
‘It would be great if we had a date for the trial, wouldn’t it? It’s been weeks and nothing doing.’ Hugo was trying to stay positive but frustration was creeping into his voice.
‘I don’t know...do I want it to happen tomorrow, or not for twenty years, you know?’ Patrick said. ‘It’s horrible in here, but things are better if you’re on remand rather than a convicted prisoner, with visits and all that. And the warders are all right, they all know my story and so they treat me well enough. But there’s just a cell with four walls, and I’m only allowed one book. I’m dragging it out, trying not to read too much because you’re only allowed one visit to the library a week. Having Anna and Connie’s Christmas cards up is great, though. I can see their little drawings, and it makes me feel a bit less lonely. Ye’ve all been so good. Father Aquinas called yesterday, and Helen came in last week. At first, it was a bit awkward, you know, I don’t know her that well. She was around since Mam’s funeral and a few times since, but I was all over the place then. She’s nice. We had a good chat, well, considering where we were, she told me all about how Connie and Anna were getting on wit
h your mam, Liam. Honest to God, I don’t know what I’d do only for ye. I’ll never be able to repay ye for everything ye’ve done for me, especially you, Hugo. A fella in here told me how much your man d’Alton is costing...’
Liam looked at Hugo. He knew what was coming.
‘I said it to Liam and now I’m telling you. Stop. I don’t want thanks. In fact, it rather offends me. We are like brothers us three, closer than most brothers I know, in actual fact, and that makes us family in my book. We’ll do everything we can, and I don’t want to hear another word of thanks, is that clear?’
Hugo looked so stern, the other two grinned.
‘Jays, Hugo, you looked so scary then you’d nearly fit in around here!’ Patrick teased.
‘A huge prison full of men, God I’d hate that,’ he quipped with a wink, and the three of them descended into helpless laughter.
The months dragged on and D.I McMullan kept them updated in as much as there was anything to say. They all visited Patrick as often as they could. The girls went back to school, and life took on a kind of normality. They missed their brother terribly, but everyone decided it was better not to take them to see him. The sight of the prison would only frighten them. Hugo was busy with Greyrock; Tom Courtney had taken a bad fall and was in a wheelchair. The doctor told Hugo that there was no real progress, he wasn’t healing as well as had been hoped so the full burden of the estate fell on Hugo. He considered hiring a new farm manager, but he didn’t want to dishearten Tom and, anyway, it would take so long for someone to become familiar with the whole place. Maybe Tom would be back on his feet by the time the new person was competent enough to be left alone. Hugo missed Martha. Before she left, and before the night when it happened, he still found it hard to even think about it. They often met in the corridors of the house and had a chat. She knew he found running the estate overwhelming and though she had no solutions, it was nice to have a friend. Hugo knew how much Tom did before his accident, but the reality of the added workload was exhausting. He got back to Cork as often as he could get away, and he’d had a few letters from d’Alton’s secretary detailing any little developments. Mr O’Kelly explained that the prosecution seemed to be confident of a murder charge being successful as witnesses were coming out of the woodwork. Hugo was alarmed to hear that. Patrick had said nobody could have seen him, but the solicitor assured him that these were extremely unreliable witnesses, alcoholics and petty criminals, so d’Alton would reduce them to dust.
Jean Grainger Box Set: So Much Owed, Shadow of a Century, Under Heaven's Shining Stars Page 100