The Killing Moon

by Michael Robinson

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  After Dr Beaumont left the prison and was sitting in her car, she thought it appropriate to contact Foster's solicitor directly. Soon, she was put through to Laura Allison's office. "Laura, it's Charlotte Beaumont here, I've just assessed Rob Foster."

  Almost with relief, Laura replied, "Please tell me you can help my client."

  "Well," Charlotte replied, "he's definitely suffering from some form of psychosis and I'm more than happy to let the court know my initial assessment is that Mr Foster is extremely ill."

  Laura replied, "Thank God for that, that's a relief, that means once he's assessed, we can argue at the court for diminished responsibility, as opposed to a murder charge. This might save him twenty years of his life. Are you still at the prison now? I can meet you somewhere or in my office and we can exchange evidence over a coffee?"

  "Yeah, that sounds great. Give me fifteen minutes depending on traffic and I'll meet you at your office."

  Laura was starting to feel quite pleased with herself. The doctor had confirmed what she had believed all along. Her client was suffering from deep psychosis and, on top of this, she had managed to get two character references to present to the court. One was from Harry Woolen, the publican of the pub where Rob drank, and although it was a written reference, painted Rob in an extremely positive light.

  The second reference was from Rob's old infantry unit Company Sergeant Major Duncan French, who insisted he would come to court to give evidence in person. All in all, Laura started to think that the case would more or less swing in Rob's favour. However, a lot of this would be dictated by further evidence and which judge was sitting at the court when it came to trial.

  Twenty minutes later, Dr Beaumont arrived at Allison's office and both professionals discussed the merits of the case for the next hour or so. After a quick lunch break, Laura headed for the court. Soon, Laura Allison was in court and successfully managed to argue for a Section 35 and there was little disagreement from the prosecution. This in itself was a relief to Laura.

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  Within the space of a week, Rob was being shackled and placed in a Group 4 van and moved to a local medium secure psychiatric hospital. Although Rob was in a world of pain, he took great comfort whilst travelling, looking through the windows watching everyday people go about their everyday lives.

  Soon he entered the airlock at the entrance of the hospital and was greeted by three members of staff. The first member of staff was a woman in her late fifties. She looked completely miserable, almost like a bulldog chewing a wasp. The other two were men, however one of them looked like he had eaten too many pork pies. The woman then introduced herself as Janice and that she was the manager of the ward where Rob would be a guest. Rob's shackles were removed as were all of his personal possessions.

  Walking through the corridors Rob was conscious that he was looking for some sort of escape route but nothing sprang to mind immediately. Janice and her two sidekicks, Tweedle Dumb and Tweedle Dee, escorted Rob to his room. She asked Rob to sit on the bed as she asked him several questions and she wrote his answers down on a form. The whole process took about an hour. All the time, Tweedle Dumb and Tweedle Dee were watching Rob's every move. When Janice had finished, she invited Rob to join the other patients on the ward in the TV room. Begrudgingly, Rob accepted the invitation although he just wanted to be alone.

  There were three patients in the TV room as Rob entered. Firstly, Rob noticed a dirty old man nursing a coffee cup coughing and spluttering into its contents and, at the same time, making no effort to cover his mouth. Rob noticed the TV in the corner which was covered in reinforced plastic probably to prevent people kicking off and smashing it in. To the right of the room was a young guy in his early twenties wearing a baseball cap and next to him was a scruffy middle-aged man. He held out his hand to Rob and introduced himself as Eddie. Rob shook his hand and sat down as Eddie made conversation. "So, what you in for then mate?"

  "Not sure really, pal, being silly I guess," was Rob's short reply, giving nothing away.

  Rob then asked, "What's this place like then? Anything like prison?"

  "It's nothing like prison but the only downside is they can keep you forever if they want to. I've been here for six months, the ex-wife said I was harassing her. This here is Smudge. He set fire to a hostel he was staying in." The twenty-year-old looked up from the chair and nodded.

  Rob turned to Eddie and asked, "There's not many people on this ward, where are they all?"

  "Will's down ICU, he kicked off and so they pinned him down and gave him the liquid cosh. He'll be out for a couple of days yet. The rest are out on leave, apart from The Surgeon."

  "The Surgeon?" asked Rob.

  "Yeah, Jimmy, we call him The Surgeon, he's a complete lunatic."

  "Why's that?" Rob questioned.

  "He's a clever guy, in fact he was studying medicine at York University. But he started getting carried away. They caught him doing autopsies on different animals."

  "So, where's he now?" Rob asked.

  "He's down the gym with the nursing staff. Take it from me he's a proper fruit-loop that one. So what consultant do you have then, mate?" asked Eddie.

  "Charlotte Beaumont," Rob replied.

  Eddie smiled. "You're lucky then, mate, she's the best one to have out of all of them."

  At this point Smudge raised his eyebrows and nodded.

  "I must admit," Rob said, "that was the impression I got as well, that she was good at her job."

  "Whatever you do, don't get Dr Beechtree," Eddie continued. "I've got him, he locks people up and throws away the key, that one."

  The conversation carried on for another fifteen minutes or so when the door to the lounge opened, and a different nurse came in and shouted, "Dinner time!"

  All the lads in the room were ushered into a straight line along the corridor. All were walked in single file through the various air locks to the dining area. Rob was constantly looking for some sort of exit or escape route but, as before, nothing came to mind.

  Within half an hour after a basic meal everyone was lined up in single file again and frog-marched back to the ward. 'So this is what life is like inside the funny farm', Rob thought to himself. He then went to his room and tried to sleep.

  Chapter Thirty

  "What the hell do you think you're doing telling Amelia you're going to take her on safari?" Charlotte was annoyed with Jonathan and made it clear on the phone from the kitchen.

  "Charlotte, we said we would take her when she was old enough."

  "Things were different then, Jonathan, and it was long before you started shagging Maggie."

  "Don't bring that up again for God's sake, Charlotte."

  "Jonathan, don't you think I know what you're trying to do? You're trying to win over Amelia so I take you back and it's not going to work."

  "If you just listen to me, Charlotte," Jonathan protested "there's plenty of room on the flight, you can come too."

  Charlotte cut him off there. "Jonathan, I have a career and a job, not to mention Amelia has school. We can't just take her out on a whim."

  "Don't be like that, Charlotte, we could both sort this out if we got together and spent some time alone, all of us as a family."

  "Jonathan, I'm filing for a divorce, you'll be getting the papers soon," and without thinking she slammed the phone down on the receiver cutting Jonathan off mid-sentence.

  Within the space of five seconds the phone rang again. Charlotte became more annoyed and picked up the receiver. "Jonathan, stop ringing me, the divorce papers will be in the post!"

  "Charlotte, it's Laura Allison here. Have I called at a bad time?"

  Dr Beaumont bit her lip and cursed herself silently. "I'm sorry," replied Charlotte. "I thought you were the soon-to-be ex-husband." Charlotte began to feel embarrassed.

  "I can call you at your office tomorrow if it's more convenient," replied Laura.

  "No, it's okay, are you
ringing about Rob Foster?"

  "Yes, I was just wondering how he was getting on, and if he was settling in okay."

  Charlotte went back to her professional mode. "Yes he was admitted on Tuesday but unfortunately I've not had a chance to assess him again. I've had a lot of work to attend to as well as a few personal issues."

  "Sounds like you could use a drink," replied Laura.

  "Like you wouldn't believe."

  "Do you want to talk about it now?"

  This caught Dr Beaumont off-guard. She wouldn't normally share her personal life with colleagues or anyone she worked with. After the meeting with Laura Allison in her office, she felt a kind of kindred spirit, especially when it came to the interests of Rob Foster.

  For the next hour or so Charlotte filled in Laura on Jonathan's infidelity, the fact that he'd been sleeping with his PA and God knows how many other women since they were married. And as a scam to try and win Charlotte back Jonathan had told Amelia, their seven-year-old daughter, that he was going to take her to Africa on safari. Laura Allison listened like a good friend would and in doing so felt grateful to be in a happy, loving and stable marriage herself.

  Soon it was getting late and Charlotte realised that she would have to put Amelia to bed and explain to the most precious thing in the world that her daddy might have made a mistake by telling her they were all going on safari.

  Charlotte agreed to call Laura the next day as soon as she'd had a chance to interview Foster again.

  Chapter Thirty-one

  Rob sat in the ward with a mixture of boredom and hopelessness when Dr Charlotte Beaumont appeared at the lounge door. Rob was almost pleased to see Dr Beaumont from the way all the lads on the ward had talked about her, everyone held her in high regard.

  Charlotte smiled. "Rob, can I have a quick word with you? We'll go somewhere quiet where we can discuss a few things."

  Both patient and doctor entered one of the quiet rooms off the ward. Charlotte then went on to explain. "Rob, I know it must be frustrating for you being here but it is my professional opinion that you are suffering from PTSD and I suspect it has been going on for some time. Also, I suspect your drinking and substance abuse has exacerbated any condition you may have. However, I do not think you intended to kill Simon Grant and I will be telling the court as much. Your solicitor and I have agreed the way forward would be a Section 37/41. Do you know what that is?"

  Rob just shook his head.

  "It's a Home Office restriction order," continued Charlotte. "It means you will be here at the hospital for an indefinite period until myself and the staff agree you are able to go back into the community."

  "What, you mean a life-sentence?" asked Rob.

  Charlotte took a deep breath before she replied. "Not exactly, it just means I can keep you here for as long as I need to and you need to realise that you may be here for a few years yet. However, I do not intend for you to be locked up in hospital for the rest of your life. I cannot put a time limit on how long you will need to be in hospital for, Rob. It may be a few years or it may be several. However, I can help you recover from your PTSD and come to terms with the fact you killed someone you didn't mean to."

  Rob could feel a tear welling up in his eye. "Okay, I understand," replied Rob.

  Charlotte then picked up her file and began to ask Rob some questions. "Rob, would you mind telling me if you've had any nightmares recently?"

  On hearing these words Rob burst into tears. Even Charlotte was surprised at how quickly Rob broke down as soon as she mentioned the word nightmares.

  Charlotte and Rob talked for a good hour and a half and Rob disclosed everything he knew. The fact that he had killed eleven people and before Simon Grant the last person he had killed must have been a fourteen-year-old insurgent. Despite the fact Charlotte had run over the allocated time, she continued to talk to Rob about his demons. She went on to explain to her patient, with the impact of everything he had been through, it was little wonder that his mind had succumbed to psychosis. At the same time, Rob could not remember the last time he had cried. But he was secure in himself to know that he felt no shame in crying in front of this angel who had been sent to help him.

  After an hour and a half, doctor and patient finished up their session and Dr Beaumont added that she was going to try Rob on some medication. It would be this medication that would help relieve any hallucinations he might have been having. Also, it would help him sleep and generally remain calm. Had it have been any other doctor, Rob would have protested immediately but there were some things he just knew, and the fact was this doctor was definitely trying to help him. On top of this in the next few days, Rob would be going to trial where the rest of his life would be determined by the facts given by this consultant.

  Chapter Thirty-two

  The day of the trial began and although Rob had been escorted to the court first thing in the morning, he was kept in a holding cell along with two nurses and his solicitor until early afternoon.

  'All rise', was issued round the court as Judge Fletcher took his seat. For the next hour or so the prosecution and the defence argued the pros and cons of the case. The public gallery was full, not only with the press but also members of Simon Grant's family as well as Ricky, Rob's father and Sue, Rob's estranged mother-in-law.

  It soon became apparent to the court that Rob had no history of substance abuse and although Rob's father Ricky was drunk most of the time, he knew exactly where the source of the spice had come from and also how it had got into Rob's system on the night in question. All the time Ricky struggled to keep his mouth shut. The defence then called for Company Sergeant Major Duncan French to take the witness stand. Rob looked up from the dock to see this man, who was once a father figure to him, give evidence.

  Duncan French was in full military uniform including several medals that were pinned to his chest. The clerk then added, "Please state your name for the court."

  In a big booming voice, the CSM replied, "Company Sergeant Major Duncan French, Fourth Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment."

  The defence then began. "Please state to the court how you know the defendant."

  "He's one of my lads," replied the CSM defiantly.

  "CSM French, please can you be more specific?" added the defence.

  "I've known Foster since he was fresh out of basic training and he's one of the most solid, dedicated and loyal members of my regiment."

  The defence then continued, "Please can you give an example of when you've seen his character shine?"

  "Aye, I can," the CSM replied. "In Basra he saved two of his colleagues by taking out a sniper. In doing so he put himself in a near-death situation. This is just one example. I can give you at least five others where he has done something similar. Like I said he is one of my lads and I'm extremely proud of him."

  On hearing this in the public gallery, Ricky felt a lump in his throat. However, now it was time for the prosecution's cross-examination of the witness.

  "Not including the victim, Simon Grant, how many people has Rob Foster killed, CSM?"

  Duncan French was annoyed at the question. "My man has defended himself, defended his country and I don't think it is relevant to these proceedings what Rob Foster has done in the name of democracy."

  "That may be true," the prosecution continued, "but he has killed before, hasn't he?"

  The CSM then slammed his fist into the side of the witness stand. "Do you want to know what annoys me more than anything? The fact that in this country we teach Foster and lads like Foster to kill in the name of freedom, or in the name of democracy. They lay down their lives and come back from war zones scarred for life, disabled, with serious mental health conditions and nobody in the country in which they are fighting for gives a flying shit."

  Judge Fletcher then picked up. "CSM French, please mind your language in my courtroom. We are not in a barracks."

  "I apologise to the court, Your Honour, but the fact is this is happening to too many of my men. Far too man
y of my men have taken their own lives or ended up in prison because there is nothing in place in this country to look after their needs, and I for one am ashamed of that."

  After Duncan French had given his evidence, then Dr Beaumont was called to the witness stand. Dr Beaumont then gave her name and title to the court and explained that her patient was suffering from deep psychosis on the night in question. Also, she added that he had suffered terribly from PTSD for several months since leaving the army. Dr Beaumont also added in her statement that Foster had shown nothing but absolute remorse for the events that had taken place.

  All the way through the cross-examination from the prosecution and the defence, Judge Fletcher was seen taking notes.

  Lastly, the defence read out a statement from Harry Woollen, the pub landlord from the Admiral pub where Rob drank.

  Time was against the court and Judge Fletcher adjourned for sentencing to the next day.

  Chapter Thirty-three

  The rain lashed down in Hull almost as if the heavens were crying at the sorry state of affairs beholding Rob Foster.

  Judge Fletcher read a statement out to the court.

  'It is the opinion of this court that Rob Foster acted out this grievous crime without the full knowledge of what he was doing. And it is my opinion that had medical help intervened earlier, there would not be a grieving family here today or a man with serious mental health issues in this dock. Therefore, I have no choice but to pass a Section 37/41 Home Office restriction order against Rob Foster. It is also my opinion that Foster should remain hospitalised in a medium-secure hospital, and not a maximum-secure hospital, given the excellent references provided by the military and the publican Harry Woollen. Foster has shown great insight into his actions as well as remorse'.