Hanlon spoke dismissively.
‘What was Maguire’s role?’
‘To make sure the wife and boy came to no harm. It was her and Adam who took them to the farm. Liam stayed with me at the judge’s house. Then Adam brought the Range Rover back. Kelly went off back to Wales, as far as I know.’
‘The judge was told that there were others who would be following him to court and would be watching him.’
Hanlon laughed.
‘I agree I told him that, but it wasn’t true. There was just the four of us. I told him that to keep him on side. Just for effect.’
‘He was also told there would be someone in court to make sure he did as he was told.’
‘Sure, I told him that, but it was just to scare him. There was no way any of us were going anywhere near that courtroom, I can tell you. After the judge left his home, we were off.’
‘Did you see Kelly Maguire again?’
‘Not until May when we pulled the Retford job. She was with us where we were holed up. Just off the Ollerton road.’
‘So you had several opportunities to observe her?’
‘I did.’
‘And you knew her name?’
‘Of course. Not that anyone said anything when we were in the house. I was the only one who spoke. I insisted on that.’
‘Why didn’t you name her at the outset of your evidence?’
The Attorney spat the question out.
‘I was only answering your questions. Isn’t that what I’m here to do?’
Hanlon gave the Attorney a contemptuous look then smiled towards the jury. He was obviously enjoying himself, unlike the Attorney.
‘When you were involved with Maguire later, did she ever acknowledge she had been at Grayling’s home on the sixteenth of March?’
Everdene was on his feet in an instant. ‘My Lord, my learned friend is seeking to adduce hearsay evidence again.’
The Attorney tried his best to look offended.
‘Not so, my Lord. I am not asking the witness to repeat what Maguire said, merely whether she acknowledged her presence on the sixteenth of March. Neither am I necessarily relying on the truth of any such acknowledgement.’
‘In which case it is hardly relevant, is it?’
‘She never did anyway,’ interrupted Hanlon. ‘Not that I ever asked her.’
The judge frowned. ‘Well there’s an answer for you. Shall we move on?’
The Attorney adjusted his gown and leant forward.
‘Who went into the judge’s home?’
‘The four of us. Adam, Liam, Kelly and myself. Haven’t I already told you that?’
‘No-one else?’
‘No. Duffy wanted to come but I told him to get off back to Wales and find himself an alibi.’
‘You didn’t want him there?’
‘I did not. Any more than I did at Retford. The man’s an eejit.’
‘You don’t like him?’
‘I do not. He’s the one who grassed us up. To get himself a shorter sentence. That’s not a likeable thing to do.’
Hanlon scowled and looked away.
‘Why are you giving evidence against Julia Hamilton?’
The Attorney and Cronshaw had agreed the Crown should lead evidence of the arrangement made with Hanlon rather than leaving it to the defence to exploit. Hanlon softened his voice and looked directly at the jury.
‘I’m doing thirty-nine years. I’ll be nearly seventy before I can even apply for parole and I’m not at all well. I’m hoping my sentence will be looked at again if I cooperate, otherwise I’ll probably die in custody.’
‘Hoping?
‘Well your people have said I can apply for parole earlier than would otherwise be the case – but there’s been no guarantee that I’ll get it.’
‘Were you aware that Kelly Maguire had been to the judge’s house near Foxton on the 24th February pretending to be a potential purchaser? The house was on the market at the time.’
‘I was.’
‘Who sent her there?’
‘No idea. It was done before I became involved. I always assumed her father sent her there.’
‘Before the sixteenth of March?’
Hanlon smiled.
‘So it would seem. As I understand it, February does come before March!’
Several jurors grinned. They were enjoying Hanlon’s performance. Even the judge had to suppress a smile.
‘Very droll, Mr Hanlon. But you say you know nothing about it?’
‘Only that it had to be done. I wouldn’t have gone near the place if someone hadn’t had a good look round first.’
‘Tell us about the gun.’
The witness frowned.
‘You mean Duffy’s Purdey? Well, it was a great shame that we had to shorten it, but it was no good for our purposes as it was. Those hulking great barrels? I could have done myself an injury.’
‘No other guns were available?’
‘Not until much later. But we had to move very smartly on the kidnapping. There’d be no point to it after the judge had given his ruling, now would there? She was very clear about that.’
He turned and looked at Julia Hamilton in the dock.
‘Was it loaded?’
‘It was – but with blank cartridges. All the shot was removed. I did that myself. Just to be on the safe side. We never intended anyone to get hurt.’
‘Were any other weapons used?’
‘Adam had an imitation pistol – just to make sure the wife played ball after she’d been taken away.’
‘Where was she taken?’
‘Haven’t I just told you? Orley farm. The plan was to put her in the cellar of one of Doyle’s properties, so it would look like he was involved. Grayling had no intention of getting him get out of prison. That wasn’t the idea at all.’
‘You were party to the plan to blame Doyle?’
‘Of course I was. Wasn’t that the point of it all? I’d tell you all about it if this fella here would stop jumping up and objecting to me telling the truth, and after I swore I would.’
The judge intervened.
‘Mr Everdene, I think you’re the “fella” the witness is referring to. Given that there is seemingly no dispute about the existence of a conspiracy to kidnap Mrs Campion and to blackmail Judge Campion, can there really be any objection to the witness revealing the discussions he had with Grayling in furtherance of that conspiracy? Although the charge is now simply perverting the course of justice, the background is of potential significance.’
Everdene stood up.
‘I agree my Lord. Providing the witness is restricted to matters in furtherance of the conspiracy. But we can’t have casual hearsay remarks outside those parameters.’
The judge looked at the Attorney.
‘Do you agree, Mr Attorney?’
‘My Lord, yes. I will do my best to ensure that we do not stray outside the boundary my friend has indicated. But Mr Hanlon is not the easiest of witnesses to control.’
Hanlon almost chortled with delight. He had every intention of being as difficult as he could, without departing over much from his witness statement.
‘Very well. I think Mr Hanlon understands the position. Proceed.’
‘Bearing in mind my Lord’s indication, Mr Hanlon, please tell us what you understood the object of the kidnapping to be.’
Hanlon sighed.
‘Do you think I could sit down now? I’ve been standing up for some time and I’m feeling a bit tired. I have diabetes you know. And I could do with something to eat. I left the prison at six-thirty this morning and they haven’t offered me so much as a cup of tea since I got here.’
‘Do sit if you wish to,’ said the judge. ‘And if you feel you need a break, please say so. I shall be allowing the
jury a short break before cross-examination takes place.’
He glanced towards the jury then looked at Hanlon.
‘Will you be all right until then?’
‘Yes, sir.’
Hanlon sat down and adjusted the microphone.
‘I shan’t be much longer,’ said the Attorney. ‘Now, you were about to tell us what you understood the purpose of this abduction to be.’
Hanlon leant forward so his voice was picked up by the microphone. He was looking increasingly unwell.
‘Grayling had some grudge against Doyle. I don’t know the details, but he was really pissed off with him. It was nothing to do with me. To put it simply, he went along with her plan, but intended to make sure it fell apart. Duffy was to telephone the police and let them know where the wife and boy were, before the judge made his decision. Grayling was certain that Doyle would get the blame.’
‘Why was it thought that Doyle would get the blame?’
‘Jazus, isn’t it obvious? Because the kidnapping would look like it was for his benefit. And the fact that she was his girlfriend gave it a certain credibility. The police were bound to go for it – and they did. When Doyle was moved to Wakefield, Grayling almost danced a jig.’
‘You were with him then?’
‘I was. We were finalising the Retford job. Me, Grayling and Duffy.’
The Attorney paused.
‘How did he know that Doyle had been moved to Wakefield?’
Hanlon said nothing for a moment, looked at the jury and smiled.
‘Grayling had contacts everywhere, including in the prisons. He was a class act, a professional - unlike Duffy. Third rate is Duffy. He also knew that she – he pointed towards the dock – had been pulled in by the police. He was a bit disappointed when they let her go.’
‘How did he know that?’
‘No idea. But, as I said, he had contacts everywhere.’
The Attorney adjusted his wig and turned over several pages of his notebook.
‘Did you have any contact with the defendant after the kidnapping?’
‘No.’
‘Did Grayling?’
‘Not that I know of.’
The Attorney glanced towards Cronshaw, who shook his head.
‘No further questions.’
The judge made ready to rise. He nodded to his clerk.
‘I take it you’ll be some time, Mr Everdene?’
‘I shall, my Lord. But I shall finish today. Your lordship need have no concerns about that.’
‘Very well. We’ll have our break now, members of the jury. Twenty minutes.’
Chapter Twenty-Six
After the judge rose, the courtroom gradually cleared. The Attorney, relieved but not entirely happy, spoke quietly with Cronshaw.
‘That was more difficult than I expected,’ he confessed. ‘But I think we got all we needed out of him.’
‘Just about,’ replied Cronshaw. ‘And some things we could have done without. The really interesting part is yet to come. I wonder how much mileage Edwin will get out of him?’
The Attorney looked at his watch.
‘It’ll be almost half past twelve by the time we get going again. I do hope we finish him today. It will throw the security arrangements out if we don’t.’
‘Edwin won’t be too long with him. He should finish mid-afternoon always assuming nothing goes wrong. I thought Hanlon was looking a bit peaky when you finished with him. Let’s hope he’s okay.’
The Attorney coughed, nervously, as if he had something to impart to Cronshaw.
‘Monday will be a problem for me if we don’t finish. I have an important meeting in The Hague that I really can’t get out of. Most of the law officers from other European countries will be present and the Solicitor-General is in the middle of a case in the Lords. I really have to be there.’
‘That shouldn’t be a problem. I should be able to manage the rest of the case. Will you be away long?’
‘I shall be travelling over on Sunday and back by Wednesday. We should be on the defence case by then.
‘I will be able contact you if anything arises?’
‘Yes. I’ll leave my details with Edward.’
* * * *
By the time the court reassembled, it was well past 12.30. Everdene rose and smiled at Hanlon.
‘Hopefully, I won’t keep you too long.’
Hanlon nodded his appreciation. He appeared paler than he had earlier in the morning and seemed much less animated. He was sweating and wiped his brow with a handkerchief.
‘You say that Julia Hamilton was at Grayling’s home on the sixteenth of March?’
‘I do.’
‘And you also implied that she travelled there on a motorcycle with Duffy’s daughter, Kelly Maguire?’
‘That’s right. She must have.’
‘You had never seen either of them before?’
‘I had not.’
‘And you never saw Julia Hamilton again?’
‘Not until I came in here this morning.’
‘I suggest you are wrong on both counts?’
‘Do you now? I don’t think so.’
‘I shall be calling Kelly Maguire to give evidence later in this trial.’
‘Will you now?’
‘On the sixteenth of March nineteen-ninety-nine she was in hospital in Swansea, having her appendix removed. She was in hospital for nearly three days. From Monday the fifteenth until Wednesday the seventeenth.’
Both the Attorney and Cronshaw turned and looked at each other. Neither said anything. A low murmur went round the courtroom. The usher called for silence.
‘Not her. I saw her at Grayling’s home on the sixteenth. Either that or she has a twin sister.’
‘I don’t believe she has. Do you remember her mentioning at any stage when you were committing offences with her that she had lately been in hospital?
‘No I do not. She seemed fit as a flea to me.’
‘The plan to implicate Doyle in the kidnapping plot had been worked out and organised well before the sixteenth of March had it not?’
‘Not so far as I was concerned. I knew nothing about it before the fifteenth.’
‘Why did you come over from Ireland when you did? The Retford offence was not until May.’
‘I came to see Grayling about a number of matters. He’d told me he was dying. There were things to discuss.’
‘You came over on a false passport?’
‘What if I did? You don’t actually need a passport to travel from Ireland to the UK. I only had it with me to avoid your security people taking too much interest. But I was never stopped.’
‘And you came over to discuss the kidnapping?’
‘No. It was mentioned when I got here, but that was not the reason I came.’
‘You had no knowledge of any telephone call made to Grayling on the twelfth of March from the village of Thrussington.’
‘Not until I was told about it, no.’
‘Who told you about it?’
‘Grayling mentioned it in passing. It was no big deal.’
‘We now know his telephone was being monitored at the time by the police?’
‘Do you now?’
Hanlon took out his handkerchief and wiped his brow again.
‘It’s getting awfully warm in here.’
He looked at the judge and then at the jury and sighed deeply. Everdene ignored him.
‘Grayling had no idea his phone was under surveillance?’
Hanlon looked up and laughed.
‘Is that what you think? That Grayling didn’t know the police were listening in? Away with yourself! Of course he knew the phone was being bugged.’
‘I beg your pardon, Mr Hanlon. Are you telling us he knew his calls were b
eing recorded?’
‘Of course he did. Grayling was not a fool, you know. He’d known they were monitoring his phone for months. I do wish you people would stop treating him and me like a couple of eejits.’
There was a distinct buzz around the courtroom. Several jurors looked at each other. The usher again called for silence.
‘You don’t mention any of this in your witness statement.’
‘I was never asked.’
‘So, when the call was made from the phone box in Thrussington, Grayling knew full well it was probably being recorded?’
‘I can think of no reason why he shouldn’t.’
‘Was Duffy aware of this?’
‘Duffy? Of course not! It was nothing to do with him. He was told what he needed to know, and nothing else.’
‘Did you ever contact Grayling by phone?’
‘I certainly did not. Far too risky.’
‘How did you keep in touch?’
Hanlon smiled.
‘It might seem to you a bit old fashioned but we always contacted each other through the post. Believe it or not, with postcards. I sent him postcards from Dublin and he sent me postcards with views of Hastings. I built up quite a collection. He got his nurse to post them for him. He sent them to an accommodation address I used in Dublin. Not that they wouldn’t seem quite innocent, of course, to the casual reader, I mean.’
Hanlon coughed and wiped his brow.
‘Do you think I could have a drink of water, sir. I’m feeling very dry.’
The judge nodded. An usher handed him a plastic beaker of water. He drank it all down in seconds. He was now sweating profusely.
‘You are alright are you, Mr Hanlon?’ asked the judge. ‘It’s nearly lunch time. I know that regular meals are important for those suffering from diabetes. We shan’t continue for much longer.’
‘Thank you, sir. Actually, I don’t feel at all well’
Hanlon dropped the beaker and slumped forward in his seat.
‘We’d better adjourn,’ said the judge. ‘Two-fifteen, members of the jury.’
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Hanlon was assisted down to the cells. A police surgeon was called and an authorised first-aider rushed to help. It was quickly ascertained that Hanlon had no insulin with him. He was not trusted with a personal supply and at Whitemoor was given individual doses to self-administer twice a day. By the time the doctor arrived he was unconscious and lying, seemingly comatose, in an unlocked cell. Inspector Bullock, who had attended court that morning, gave detailed instructions to the armed police officers. Two officers stood immediately by the entrance to the cells and others formed a cordon around the bay on the outside of the court building where the prison vans entered and left. The gallery was cleared and members of the public asked to vacate the building. The doors of Court One were locked.
A Private and Convenient Place Page 24