The Charlton Affair

by MJ Doherty

  Roman looked over at Phoebe and saw the change in her expression. He could see that she suddenly understood why Charlie could have nothing to do with her. He was surprised to see her smile and then nod. She actually looked relieved.

  Casually he said, “Do you know where the love of my life has gotten himself to?”

  Phoebe replied enigmatically, “He’ll be back soon.”

  Suspicious, Roman wondered what was going on.

  “You’re all business this morning, sweets. Are you going out somewhere?”

  “I’m sick of being the victim. It’s time to start taking action.” Phoebe replied firmly.

  Roman looked at her closely. Seeing the look of determination on her face, he shuddered. Thank God I’m gay, he thought, these women are too much!

  Cautiously, he asked, “What sort of action?”

  “Well, I’ve just been on the phone to my security company. I’ve transferred my patrolling services from Hamilton to here. They’re also on their way over here now to install one of those security camera locks on your front gate.”

  Roman approved of that sort of action. Smiling, he said, “Go girl!”

  He had been worried about what to do if Michael got bail, but clearly Phoebe had already come up with the solution.

  Just as he was about to ask her about what else she had planned, Mark walked into the living room accompanied by something utterly shocking.

  Roman stared, mouth agape, seized by instant anxiety for his lovely home. Unable to speak, he mouthed, “Nooo!”

  Mark smiled at Roman, clearly amused, “Sweetheart, meet Leo,” he said happily, releasing his hold on the collar of a very large, very menacing looking Rottweiler. Leo bounded over to Roman and stuck his hairy muzzle straight into Roman’s crotch, sniffing him in canine greeting.

  Roman squealed in terror, leaping away. Leo bounced after him, thinking it was a game. Barking, he wagged his tail at Roman excitedly. Roman stared at Mark and Phoebe in utter horror. Mark was actually giggling, while Phoebe held her chest to stifle the pain as she, too, shook with laughter.

  “If this…creature…harms one iota of my Italian leather, or anything at all, I’ll kill you both,” Roman hissed.

  Leo, after realizing Roman was not going to play with him, promptly went over to the Italian leather couch and jumped up and made himself at home. He happily drooled all over the armrest.

  Roman’s hands flew up and he stormed off as Mark shouted in outright laughter.

  *****

  Michael sat on his bunk, tensely trying to control his breathing. His cell was small but thankfully not so small that he was in an outright panic. It was difficult being confined. He sometimes felt a little like this in the small planes he had to travel in for work, but they had windows he could stare out of. There were no windows here. He knew that somehow Darren had gotten a doctor to speak to the authorities, so that Michael was placed in the medical wing at the Arthur Gorrie Remand and Reception Center prison at Wacol instead of in with the general prison population. Even in the improved conditions, Michael knew he must get out, and soon. If he had to stay in a place like this for too long, he would kill himself. The confinement was beyond what he could cope with long term.

  Sinking further into despair, he wished he could remember his mother. He was unable to remember almost everything prior to the darkness of hiding in that cramped space and the sounds of the gun going off. All he had was a vague recollection of an older girl who used to hold him. He thought that must be his dead sister. The memory held great sadness, even though he didn’t know why. He had never dwelled on it.

  He found that his thoughts did not go to Marita, which he found strange, given that he had chosen her for his future mate. It was Phoebe he’d been thinking of. He wished she was there to comfort him, but he knew that she would never comfort him again. Not after this. Even though they had no future together as man and wife, she was the only person he truly trusted.

  Alone and frightened, he tried not to hyperventilate.

  *****

  Darren and Amanda waited on the footpath outside Roman’s New Farm home on the gloriously bright Queensland afternoon. The sun glistened through the well-established trees in the quiet street.

  “Tight security,” Amanda commented, as she pressed the buzzer and stared into the camera.

  A voice said, “Yes?”

  “Amanda Jessop and Darren Franks to see Mrs. Rawlins.” Amanda announced into the camera.

  The buzzer sounded and Darren pushed open the gate, holding it for Amanda before following her into the gorgeous property. They made their way to the front door on the impeccably presented verandah. Amanda looked around. Everything is so perfect, she thought, almost too perfect, except for those claw marks on the verandah. I wonder if Roman has a dog? Doesn’t seem the type.

  Roman greeted them with a frown.

  “Hi Roman, this is Darren Franks,” Amanda said, aware that he was not happy to have them visiting.

  Roman shook hands with them both. He was polite but clearly disapproving. He escorted them to where Phoebe was waiting by the pool.

  Roman introduced them in slightly chilly tones, “Amanda, Darren, this is Phoebe Rawlins. Phoebe, Amanda is Charlie’s PA and Darren is Michael’s solicitor.”

  Phoebe’s face lit up at the mention of Charlie’s name and she smiled warmly at Amanda. Roman rolled his eyes. Amanda took in their reactions and suddenly felt triumphant. Oh my God, I was right about Phoebe and Charlie!

  Smiling, she turned to Roman.

  After deciding to be blunt, she flatly announced, “Look, I know this is uncomfortable and I know you’re protective of Mrs. Rawlins, but you need to understand that we do not, under any circumstances, want Mrs. Rawlins to be endangered. This is about getting to the bottom of things, not about supporting Michael at all costs.”

  Roman looked at her and opened his mouth to speak, but Darren spoke first, “If Michael gets out on Monday, he will be subject to strict conditions, almost like house arrest. He will not be able to contact Phoebe. He will not be able to leave Brisbane. He will have to report to police regularly and will even consent to a tracking device if the authorities insist.”

  Amanda noted that Roman looked a little more at ease, while Phoebe looked eager to get going. Roman maintained his position standing close to Phoebe with his arms crossed over his chest.

  Darren said to Phoebe, “We have some questions for you to start with, if that’s OK?”

  Phoebe nodded.

  “OK, if you could tell us about the burglary incident, just a brief description of what happened and everything you remember about your attacker?”

  Amanda took careful notes as Phoebe detailed the attack. Amanda noticed that she spoke with determination, clearly making herself go through something she would much rather forget.

  “Thanks, we don’t need to go into the car crash.”

  Phoebe and Roman both looked relieved.

  “Now, could you tell me why don’t think your husband is guilty,” Darren asked her earnestly.

  Phoebe replied, “Well, for starters, it just doesn’t fit with what I know about his nature. He’s not a cruel man. I suppose, next, is that as far as computers go, he’s not hacker material. He’s good with spreadsheets and he can use Outlook and Word, but that’s about it. Every time there’s been a problem with programs or viruses our computers have gone straight off to the computer shop to be sorted out.”

  Darren nodded while Amanda took notes.

  Phoebe continued, “I’m absolutely certain he’s not the man who attacked me. That man was much bigger than Michael. And as for cars, he’s about as good with cars as he is with computers. It just doesn’t add up.”

  Darren replied, “I’m sure the prosecution will have a theory that Michael has been paying someone to do these things. What do you say to that?”

  “Again, it’s not in his nature and also, I can’t believe he’d even think of this sort of thing given that he’s not mechanically
or technologically minded.”

  “What do you say to the theory that, given he’s hidden his real identity from you, you actually don’t know his true nature? And that your marriage was a lie?”

  Amanda saw that Phoebe was giving the question serious thought. Roman was also thinking too. Judging by his expression, the question expressed his thoughts about Michael.

  Phoebe said, “I don’t think hiding his identity meant he didn’t let me know his true nature. He’s a very private person. It makes sense that that he kept his past a secret. You don’t have to know everything about a person to understand what they are fundamentally like.”

  Darren continued to probe, “And his affair?”

  Phoebe looked down. Amanda leaned slightly forward, wondering what this interesting woman would say.

  Phoebe eventually replied in a dignified manner, “I’m not really surprised about it. It doesn’t actually change anything for me in terms of what support I can give him. I’d rather not discuss why.”

  Darren frowned, “I’m so sorry to have to ask this, but are you saying it doesn’t bother you that your husband is having an affair?”

  “I’m not saying that. I’m saying I’m not surprised it happened. It bothers me that he was unable to be honest with me about it. But I understand now why that might have been difficult for him.”

  “I see. And I take it you have your own reasons as to why that actual affair is not the betrayal it would be for other women?”

  Amanda watched as Phoebe blushed deeply, but managed to maintain her composure.

  She replied firmly, “I really don’t want to discuss that. I will assist you, but that is something I won’t go into.”

  Amanda watched Roman’s face carefully while Darren was questioning Phoebe about her motives. She saw that he was struggling to hide a small smile, confirming her suspicions about what was going on between Charlie and Phoebe. No wonder Charlie didn’t want to deal with Phoebe directly.

  Darren thanked her and Roman for their time as he stood up. Amanda asked Phoebe if she would like a lift to court on Monday. Before she could answer, Roman said he would be taking her. Amanda packed up her notes and rose also. Roman walked them out.

  In the car, Darren said, “She’s hiding something. I know it.”

  Amanda replied blandly, “I’m sure it’s nothing harmful.”

  “How do we know?” Darren complained, as he drove them out of New Farm and back over to Charlie’s place in Highgate Hill.

  He added, “These people are their own worst enemies. First he keeps his past a secret and now she’s up to something, too.”

  Changing the subject, Amanda asked, “Did you manage to find out anything about that registration information I gave you?”

  “Yes, the BMW is a hire car, from one of the airport franchises.”

  Amanda sighed dejectedly. Her search for whoever had come into the Biggenden property had just come to a dead end. There was no way to get into a hire company’s database. No legal way, at least.

  *****

  Charlie stood, one hand gripping the lectern as she clearly and confidently made her client’s case for bail, “You Honor, I’d like to have Mrs. Phoebe Rawlins, the accused’s wife, called.”

  “Objection, Your Honor!” Counsel for the Crown stood up.

  “Yes Mr. Clarke?”

  “She’s a prosecution witness for the trial, Your Honor,” Counsel for the Crown said.

  “Let’s just hear what she has to say. Don’t worry Mr. Clarke, you’ll get your chance,” His Honor ruled. “Bailiff, please?” Justice Donaldson nodded toward the bailiff, indicating for her to go and get the witness from where she was waiting outside the court.

  Phoebe was escorted to the witness stand. Her eyes glanced over at her husband sitting in the dock being guarded by a police officer and she gave him a small encouraging smile. Then she focused her attention on Charlie. The expression on her face was carefully neutral, hiding the maelstrom of feelings creating havoc inside her.

  Phoebe elected to take an oath on the Bible. Once she was sworn in, Charlie began to gently lead her through her evidence. Doing her utmost to remain professional, Charlie tried to act as if Phoebe were just another witness. Ignoring the ache she felt and desperately trying to keep the longing from her eyes, she took Phoebe slowly through all the background information about where and when she had married Michael and the details of where they had lived and their lives together.

  A small lock of stray auburn hair fell across Phoebe’s face as she answered. It reminded Charlie of the last time she had seen a lock of Phoebe’s hair come loose. Charlie swallowed and stopped to take a sip of water from her glass on the bar table. Charlie watched, torn, as Phoebe absently tucked the stay lock behind her ear. Allowing herself to drink in the sight of Phoebe for a moment, she paused briefly before resuming her questioning.

  Phoebe responded fully and directly to Charlie’s questions. Charlie could see she was doing her best to show that she too could be professional. After getting Phoebe to describe her attacker, a man clearly not her husband, Charlie offered her a moment to compose herself.

  “No thank you, Ms. Moss. I can continue,” Phoebe replied with steady resolve, dabbing her eyes with a tissue.

  Charlie saw His Honor nodding appreciatively, clearly impressed with the character of the witness. Michael sat stony faced in the dock throughout the examination.

  “Mrs. Rawlins, I’m going to have to ask you some difficult questions now.” Charlie said with compassionate respect.

  Phoebe nodded.

  Charlie began to question Phoebe about how she felt about her husband and his affair and the revelations about his past, carefully hiding her own extremely personal interest in Phoebe’s answers.

  Phoebe managed to remain composed throughout her answers. She welled up with tears but did not actually break down. She became more distressed when speaking about Michael’s childhood.

  Close to the end of Charlie’s questions, Justice Donaldson interrupted, foreshadowing the line that the Crown would take, “Mrs. Rawlins, I find it hard to believe that in the face of all of this, you remain so supportive of your husband.”

  Phoebe replied with quiet and convincing dignity, “Your Honor, my marriage is over. I have no desire for it to continue. But I cannot believe my husband is the person who is trying to kill me.”

  “But you believe someone is try to kill you, yes? You don’t discount the police reports?”

  “I believe someone is trying to kill me. But that person is not Michael. He doesn’t belong in prison while we wait for the police to get to bottom of it.” Phoebe replied firmly.

  “But who else would have any reason to do so? In your opinion?”

  Phoebe faltered, “I don’t know, Your Honor. That’s another thing that doesn’t make any sense.”

  “And why is it you have no desire for your marriage to continue?” His Honor probed.

  Phoebe blushed.

  Before she could reply, Justice Donaldson added, “Is it because of his affair? I must say you seem remarkably relaxed about that.”

  “Your Honor, my husband and I have been growing apart for some time.” Phoebe conceded.

  Charlie leaned forward.

  His Honor nodded, then asked, “On both sides of the equation?”

  Phoebe hesitated before replying softly, “Yes, Your Honor.” She did not look at Charlie.

  Charlie struggled to maintain her composure, swallowing as her heart raced at Phoebe’s admission. She hoped the reason Phoebe felt she had grown apart from her husband had something to do with her.

  Charlie, too, avoided looking at Phoebe. Instead, she noticed Michael looking at Phoebe, his expression startled.

  Charlie reasserted herself, asking a question before His Honor decided to probe any further, “Mrs. Rawlins, if I could just take you back to something you said earlier, about your husband and computers. Can you please elaborate for the court on what you meant when you said Mr. Rawlins is not
‘computer-minded’?”

  After Charlie had established that Phoebe wished to act as surety for Michael, her questions were over. It was now up to the Crown to cross-examine Phoebe.

  Charlie paid careful attention to Counsel for the Crown’s questions, on alert for anything she should make an objection to. However, Clarke behaved like a gentlemen and didn’t press Phoebe too vigorously. Charlie knew he had seen the good impression Phoebe had made on Justice Donaldson. He didn’t want to ruin his chances by attacking her harshly. If it backfired, which it well might, he would be left with egg on his face.

  Charlie breathed a sigh of relief once Phoebe was finished being cross-examined. She had no need to re-examine Phoebe as nothing new had arisen. Phoebe was dismissed to wait outside the courtroom.

  Charlie waited, taking notes while Clarke made his submissions about the strength of the Crown case, the gravity of the offending, the propensity for Michael to be a flight risk and the unreliability of the alibi evidence from the accused’s mistress. Clarke also expressed grave concern for the safety of Mrs. Rawlins.

  When it was Charlie’s turn she wove the relevant case law in with her submissions on the facts, creating a compelling case for bail. She relied heavily on the alibi evidence and the evidence Phoebe offered about Michael’s technical skills to refute the strength of the Crown case. Charlie noted the absence of anything to indicate that Michael had been paying anyone for any services and concluded that the Crown case was weak, relying only on a flimsy set of circumstantial evidence. She emphasized the alibi.

  “Your Honor, Mr. Rawlins can offer a solution for every concern the Crown has raised before this honorable court.” Charlie expounded in resonant tones. “In the absence of unacceptable risk, Your Honor, it is my submission that bail ought to be granted.”

  His Honor nodded at Charlie to continue.

  “Mr. Rawlins is entirely willing to surrender his passport, submit to daily reporting, a curfew and any other restrictions this honorable court deems necessary. He will also agree not to contact his wife directly or indirectly.”