by RJ Hunter
"Miss Carlington, am I right in believing that you had a romantic attachment with the accused?"
"Yes, I suppose I did," replied Sally, surprised at how confident and loud her voice actually was.
Fraser narrowed his eyes, but continued his full-on stare.
"There's nothing to suppose about it, either you did or you didn't. Please answer the question."
Fraser's aggression intimidated her, but she was determined not to quake under his onslaught as easily as Karen had.
"Yes, I did have a romantic attachment with him, if that's how you want to put it."
"Were you still in this relationship when Mr. Gant was attacked in the assembly hall and was seriously injured?"
"Yes, I was," replied Sally, unsure where this was heading.
"Did you try to help him in any way?"
"No, I couldn't, it all happened so quickly."
"Were you still in this relationship when Mr. Gant came to William Peddlescoombe's house and found you naked, with that same person?"
Sally struggled to get her breath, "Yes, I was - but it wasn't like that. You don't understand."
"Just answer yes, or no to the question, Miss Carlington."
"Yes," said Sally, and like Karen, her voice was barely audible.
"Why do you think my client came to William Peddlescoombe's house that night, bearing in mind he had just been glassed in the face and beaten up?"
"I'm not really sure, to get me, I think. He had made horrible threats to hurt me."
"I'll tell you why Frank Gant went to Peddlescoombe's house that night. It was because he loved you, Miss Carlington, and wanted to make sure you were safe. He also wanted to show how much he loved you, by giving you an expensive necklace. Is that true?"
"I don't know why he came," replied Sally, her voice emotional. "Yes, he did try to give me a necklace."
"Frank didn't come to hurt you that night. He was injured, he was scared, he was confused. But above all, he was worried about the girl he loved. He was also worried about the necklace he had misplaced. He needed help, Miss Carlington, in his hour of need, but you didn't give him any help, did you?"
"I was scared, he was attacking William."
"Attacking William indeed. The man was half dead, and bleeding profusely. Why didn't you help him? Why didn't you at least call an ambulance? Why did you just go off and have casual sex with another man?"
"Stop! Stop!" Cried out Sally, tears streaming down her face. "You don't understand!"
"I understand perfectly, Miss Carlington. You were caught in a compromising situation with William Peddlescoombe, and he, along with his brother chose to attack a defenceless, wounded man. Is that true?"
"No, it's not!" Screamed Sally, losing control. "He had a knife, he was going to kill us all!"
There followed a scuffle and raised voices, as she heard William's voice calling her. Turning around, she saw him. He looked back at her and she could see the pain in his eyes, as he was being restrained.
"Be strong Sally, you can do it. I love you!"
The judge brought the hammer down with frightening force.
"Young man! I'll have you tried for contempt of court if there's another outburst. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, your honour, I'm sorry," shouted back William defiantly. "But how can you allow this type of questioning, you saw what he did to the last girl, now he's doing the same to Sally?"
"I will remind you one last time to be quiet, or you'll be taken to the cells."
William had to sit back down, but managed to look over at Sally once more. She returned his glance, and was heartened by his display of gallantry, but she was shocked by his last three words. Did he really say, he loved her?
"Frank Gant was in no position to kill anyone," continued the lawyer, moving in for the kill. "Miss Carlington, please pay attention, this is a court of law, I'll have you know. I think it more likely you and your partners in crime were trying to kill him, after he had found you out. That's the truth, isn't it?"
"No, it's not the truth, I will not be bullied by you, Mr. Fraser. I think you're the one who needs to pay attention!"
To the dismay of the judge, a couple of cheers went up, along with the sound of someone clapping, as Fraser indicated that he had no more questions. Sally was more than relieved to return to her seat, next to Meredith and Jane. The case had not gone as she had expected, and the vile, cunning Fraser had managed to make her, as he did Karen, look no more than a conniving, cheap slut. It was then, as she was wiping the tears from her eyes, she heard William's name being called out.
"William Bradley Peddlescoombe, please take the stand."
Sally's heart jumped as she saw the familiar, lean figure walk confidently up to take his place. She noticed he looked a lot thinner, and possibly even a little gaunt. But despite his recent self neglect, he still cut a good figure of a man, dressed in his smartest suit.
As William awaited a similar fate, he glanced around, and again, his eyes met Sally's. He had wanted to go to her, to protect her during the horrendous ordeal at the hands of Fraser. He gazed into her eyes, and noticed how her usually, perfectly-applied make-up had been smudged during her one-sided battle with the callous lawyer. She attempted a smile, but thought better of it, but William knew she was there in spirit for him, willing him on to see justice done.
He met Fraser's stare head on, and returned it unflinchingly.
"So, Mr. Peddlescoombe, please tell the court how you came to meet Miss Carlington."
William, speaking confidently, answered the question, describing how he had first met, and first spoke to Sally in the library.
"Did you know Miss Carlington was already in a relationship with Mr. Gant?"
"Yes, I did know."
"So obviously that didn't bother a person like you, who steals other men's women, and come to think of it, steals other men's property too."
"If you're referring to Frank Gant, then I can say categorically that the man is a womaniser, a drunk, a thief, and a charlatan."
"Please confine yourself to the questions, Mr. Peddlescoombe. I will not have my client slandered in this manner."
"No, it didn't bother me that Sally was seeing Gant. I wanted to get her away from him. I'd seen him hurt too many other girls in the past."
"Indeed." Replied Fraser, eyeing William like a hawk. "Well, a fine job you made of it. Bedding her, the night my client intended to profess his love for Miss Carlington, and you speak of womanising!"
William hung his head in shame, as Sally buried her face in her hands.
"It wasn't like that."
"Wasn't it? Now tell the court if you are still in a relationship with Miss Carlington."
William looked over at Sally, unsure what to say.
"No, we aren't in a relationship any longer."
"Why is that? Mr. Peddlescoombe."
William looked down, choosing not to answer the question.
"May I remind you that you're on oath. Answer the question please."
"I saw her kissing my brother." Snapped William, immediately regretting what he'd said.
Sally was mortified, and wished the ground would open up, and swallow her alive.
"Kissing your brother? What a den of iniquity we've stumbled across here - and you have the nerve to criticize my client?"
At that point the judge intervened, "Mr. Fraser, I don't think this line of questioning is particularly relevant. Please pursue an alternative avenue."
Fraser, was momentarily humbled, but quickly followed a different line of questioning.
"So, back to this necklace. Am I right in assuming that you stole it?"
"I didn't steal it!" Replied William, shifting uncomfortably. "It fell to the ground in the hall, I just automatically scooped it up, when I was getting Sally out of harm's way."
"Very convenient. Now please tell the court what your income is." Asked Fraser, now tasting blood.
"It's just my student grant, that's all. But why?"
"Yes, I do."
"If, I were to suggest that you purposely stole my client's necklace, with a view to selling it, would that be correct?"
"No, it wouldn't, how dare you suggest such a thing." Shouted, William, losing his temper.
"I think we've hit a raw nerve. I put it to you, William Peddlescoombe, that, because you couldn't compete with Mr. Gant on a financial scale, you stole and proposed to sell the necklace in order to woo my client's girlfriend. Can you confirm that please."
As much as he tried, William knew he couldn't get the better of Fraser, and sensed he would go the same way as Karen and Sally.
"Let me tell you, and the court something, Mr. Fraser." Continued William, taking a deep breath and trying desperately to remain calm. "Sally is a student, like me. She is the most genuine, caring, considerate and loving person you could ever wish to meet. Sally doesn't have a malicious bone in her body. Now you come along, and twist things around making it look like Frank Gant is the real victim, and Karen, Sally and myself are manipulative, criminals out to make a quick buck. Well, you are wrong, and if the jury are honest, true people, they will see through you, and realise what you are trying to do."
"Very nicely put, Mr. Peddlescoombe. Now, back to the matter in hand. Where is the necklace you stole from my client?"
"I don't know. I threw it out into the snow."
Fraser took a step back, and roaring with laughter, he turned to the jury.
"He threw it out into the snow! He threw a valuable Cartier necklace out into the snow! I think Mr. Peddlescoombe is trying to take us for fools, ladies and gentlemen!"
William knew Frank had won, and cursed himself for letting Fraser beat him so easily. Frank also knew he was on course for victory, by smirking and making gestures to his few supporters and family in the gallery. He also began smiling at a pretty juror, which didn't go down well with the judge and caused him to voice his disapproval.
All that was left now was the robbery at the sub post office, and even Frank doubted if the veteran lawyer could really get him off that. All Frank and Ken had to do was answer questions exactly the way Fraser had instructed them, and they would walk out of the court free men.
Fraser opened the defence by cleverly claiming the robbery was merely a student prank, carried out by two bored young men, towards the end of term. He pointed out that no-one had been hurt in the, so-called robbery and most of the money had been recovered. To Frank's relief there was no mention of Mrs. Davies' death following the splashing incident in the car. Besides, as she had died from natural causes, and away from the scene of the robbery, it would have been difficult to lay the blame on him and Ken.
As the case drew to a close, Frank, again began smiling at, and flirting with the female juror.
"Mr. Gant, may I remind you that this is a court of law, and not a speakeasy where one picks up women. Any more transgressions and you will be dealt with accordingly. Is that clear?"
Frank, guffawed, and loosening his tie, sat back grinning in his chair. Ken meanwhile, sat like a frightened rabbit, and feared the worse.
"Sit up! Don't ruin it now, you imbecile!" Hissed Fraser, seeing all his hard work about to be wasted, as the judge again scrutinised Frank with disdain.
When the jury returned with their verdict, the whole court waited with bated breath.
"We the jury, find the defendant, Francis Arthur Gant, not guilty of the charge of rape. Further more, we find the defendant not guilty of attempted murder."
Frank leapt out of his seat as he punched the air, and looked up to his parents triumphantly. However, Fraser had to scold him again for jumping the gun, and now wondered if the jury's verdict had a sting in its tail.
"With regard to the charge of robbery, we the jury, find the defendant guilty as charged."
There was a hushed silence, only broken by the sound of Frank swearing profusely.
The judge ordered the accused to stand, and looked at him as he would a piece of dogs mess on his shoe.
"I sentence you, Francis Gant, with the power vested in me, to three years imprisonment, to be served at her majesty's pleasure." Then turning to the guards, he ordered; "That will be all, take the prisoner down."
As Frank was led away, he snarled at William, "You, her and that cretin of a brother of yours will pay for this." Frank then began making pig noises at Sally, "I'll come, and huff and puff, and blow your house down, with you three little piggy's inside."
Frank's cold eyes, and disturbing threats sent a dark shiver down Sally's spine, and she hurried out of the court house as quickly as she could. A part of her had died that day, and she wondered if she could ever have faith in William, or the justice system ever again.
Meanwhile, William sat back in his chair, drained of energy, both physically and emotionally, and watched the court empty. What a fool he'd been. Now, he'd blown his chances for good, and humiliated Sally in public. He stood up and glanced over to where she had been sitting, but all that remained was an empty seat, and her black and amber university scarf.
It was about a week after Frank's court case, and William was desperately trying to get his life back on track. The case had badly affected him emotionally, and had caused him immense grief, to have witnessed the appalling suffering of both, Karen and Sally at the hands of the unscrupulous, Duncan Fraser.
It was a fine sunny day in early April, and William had been to see the Mr. Meredith. He had promised to buckle down and get back to work, what with his finals coming up shortly. Meredith had been very sympathetic towards William, having watched the whole court scene unfold himself.
"Have you seen Sally since the case?" Asked Meredith, concerned.
"No, I haven't. I've been very low and haven't been on campus much."
"Well, I'm sure you'll see her, now you're about to get back into the thick of things, and attend lectures again. You're a good student, it'd be a catastrophe if you threw it all away now. Sally's a truly remarkable girl. You'll not find many like her around."
William thought about what the Dean had just said, and gazed out of the window. He focussed on a group of rugby players belonging to the university team, practicing taking conversion kicks.
"Big game on Saturday, do you think they can do it?"
"Changing the subject are we, William?" Grinned Meredith. "Yes, the team have a good chance this year. It's been a while since we last got to the final, and anything can happen in a one-off game."
Turning back to the Dean, William looked serious.
"I've wrecked my chances with Sally. I told the court she kissed my brother. I can't expect her to forgive me for that."
"Yes, I know you did, William. I was there when you said it. You can't put the clock back. But maybe, you should go and see her, and apologise."
"Do you really think that would work?"
"I've no idea, but it's better than doing nothing. You do want her back, don't you?"
"Yes, I do - more than anything I've ever wanted in my life." He replied, reaching into his pocket, to take comfort from the feel of Sally's scarf.
"Well, what are you waiting for - go and find her!"
The fine weather was set to last well into the month, and William was heartened to inhale the wonderful smell of freshly-mown grass as he made his way past the rugby pitch. As he neared the main campus area, he again checked his schedule, and re-confirmed that Sally's lecture, on the Emperor Tiberius was due to end in the next few minutes.
He waited patiently outside, as the students began to emerge, his heart jumping whenever he saw a blonde, female student. There was no sign of her, so he decided to venture inside.
"Hello, sorry to disturb you, but I'm looking for Sally Carlington. I thought she may have been here?"
Miss Thornton, put down her notes, and stood up from her desk.
"No, I haven't seen Sa
lly today. Is anything wrong?"
"No, it's okay, thank-you," he replied, walking out with an air of urgency. He immediately checked the library, knowing she would often spend time there, but again, no-one had seen her. As a last resort, he decided to try Lloyd-Evans Hall. He felt uncomfortable going into an all-female hall of residence, but it was daytime, so he wouldn't have any trouble gaining access.
Fortunately, it was quiet in the building, as most of the students were attending classes or just enjoying being out in the sunshine. As he reached her room, he heard banging noises and wondered what was going on. He knocked and anxiously waited for her to appear. Sally opened the door almost immediately. She had her long, blonde hair tied in a loose ponytail, and wore a clingy, pink, V-neck sweater, with equally clingy black slacks. Her dark eye make-up was the icing on the cake, and made her look incredibly erotic. He may have been mistaken, but he could have sworn, she briefly smiled, before quickly reverting back to a more solemn facade.
"Oh, I thought you were Lizzie," she said, looking rather surprised.
He was about to act smart and make comparisons about Lizzie and himself, but thought better of it.
"No, sorry, I'm afraid not. I was looking around campus for you." He replied, somewhat awkwardly.
"Well, I've been in here, packing."
"Packing? Why, are you changing rooms?"
"No, William, I'm leaving. I can't bear the humiliation of staying anymore. I'm going back home."
"Sally, please. What about your degree? What about us?"
She looked even more surprised.
"My degree is the last thing on my mind. I'll do hairdressing or become a waitress, anything to get me out of here." She then hesitated, "What do you mean, us? You certainly made your position clear about that in the courtroom."
William heard voices coming along the corridor and asked to be let in.
"I've brought your scarf back," he uttered, glancing around at the assortment of boxes and suitcases. "You left it in the courtroom."