Tug Of Law (Bernadette Mackenna Cases Book 4)

by D. R. Bailey

  “Yes, it’s settled then.” Imogen smiled. “I could do with an early night anyway.”

  Having agreed on the entertainment for the evening, they turned their attention to polishing off the remains of the tea.

  Chapter Nine

  The evening had progressed well, as intended. After a leisurely dinner at the hotel at the Palm Court restaurant, they had indeed watched a movie and gone to bed. In the morning after another full English breakfast, Bernadette and Imogen once more headed for the offices of the Refugee Assistance Organisation in a taxi to get the affidavit signed. Imogen had emailed it to Damsa the afternoon before so Damsa could print it and give Anh time to read it.

  Both Imogen and Bernadette had dressed down for the day, wearing casual trousers, sandals, a blouse and jacket.

  “Did you talk to D’Arcy then?” said Bernadette, hoping she hadn’t, as the taxi made its way to Docklands.

  “Oh, no I bottled out. Besides I didn’t want to spoil things or upset her at least not while we are here. We just had great sex instead.”

  “Probably a good choice,” Bernadette agreed thankfully.

  “I might tell her at home, if the mood is right, or maybe I’ll let it lie. I feel better for telling you, maybe it’s enough.” Imogen smiled.

  “It could be a wise decision,” Bernadette said diplomatically. She felt D’Arcy was quite fragile and as such might not be able to take such a revelation with equanimity. She was all for honesty but not at the detriment of Imogen’s relationship. Imogen would be better learning to deal with these attractions rather than feeling driven to confess them.

  “And you?” Imogen asked, “Still going to talk to Eve?”

  “Yes, it’s important to me, so I will.” Bernadette wondered why she didn’t take her own advice, but Eve’s obsession seemed to go much deeper and she just felt she had to know.

  “I’ll be on the end of the phone if needed.”

  “Thanks, darling, I’m hoping it won’t blow up into anything.”

  “OK.” Imogen looked doubtful. Eve and Bernadette had had at least a couple of explosive episodes. Eve could be quite volatile in temperament, in spite of all appearances to the contrary.

  “Wish me luck then.”

  Imogen reached over and took Bernadette’s hand, she squeezed it affectionally signifying her unspoken support.

  “What’s next once we get back?” Imogen wondered.

  “We’ll need to prepare for the prehearing conference, and then get all our ducks in a row.”

  “Right.”

  The taxi pulled up at the ROA Offices, and they made their way once more to the reception. Very shortly they found themselves once more in Damsa’s office where Anh was already sitting at the meeting table.

  “Hi, Anh,” said Bernadette, “How are you?”

  “I’m fine, thank you,” said Anh shaking her by the hand, and then doing the same for Imogen.

  They sat down while Damsa ordered tea and coffee. Damsa was wearing a flowery style green summery dress and green flat mules. She looked at ease and Bernadette thought she was exceptionally beautiful. She almost unconsciously sized up women, she realised, and wondered whether this was a good or a bad thing. However, this wasn’t the time to ponder such issues.

  “Anh,” she said, addressing their witness who was looking quite summery herself in a short shift and flipflops. It wasn’t really summer yet, but the weather has somehow been kind in London, and it was quite warm. “You decided to sign the affidavit, Damsa tells us.”

  “Yes.” Anh nodded.

  “I am very glad you have, but can I ask what made you decide?”

  Anh paused for a moment before she spoke, perhaps thinking of how to phrase it. English wasn’t her first language.

  “I thought very hard about this man, who you are representing. I thought for a long time about how this man may go to prison. If he truly is innocent, then this is a punishment he doesn’t deserve. I thought about my own life, and how I have also felt as if I was in prison for so many years. I was afraid and lived in fear for my life, and that I would be forced to marry a man I hated.”

  Anh stopped, looking quite emotional, her eyes were suddenly a little brighter, moist.

  “I have been given a chance for a new life, freedom, I have been lucky. But your man, he may not be so lucky. And I thought…” Anh stopped and brushed a slight tear away. “I thought… what if this man goes to prison because of me… because I did not speak out.”

  Bernadette glanced at Imogen they were both welling up listening to this moving speech.

  “I would spend my life in freedom, but this man would not be free. Every day I knew I would think of it and hate myself for having no courage… and I cannot be that person. I decided… Anh, you must speak up, then you can never say you did not do the right thing. My father taught me I must always do the right thing and to honour my father, I must do this.”

  Bernadette dashed a tear from her own eye, and spontaneously got up from her chair. “Anh, may I please, please, give you a hug?”

  Anh smiled, shyly and stood up. Bernadette was a little taller than Anh, but she held out her arms and embraced her.

  “Thank you,” said Bernadette choked up with emotion, “Thank you for being so brave.”

  “You are very kind,” said Anh looking up at her. The two of them were crying now, as were Imogen and Damsa.

  Not to be left out, Imogen insisted on embracing Anh too and thanking her.

  The refreshments arrived, and it gave them time to compose themselves.

  “Well,” said Damsa, after sipping her coffee, “That wasn’t how my meetings usually go.”

  “No.” Bernadette laughed.

  Anh laughed and drank some of her tea.

  “Have you read the affidavit?” Bernadette asked her at length.

  “Yes.”

  “Is it OK? Are you happy to sign it without any changes?”

  “Yes, it’s fine, I will sign it.”

  It was fortunate that Damsa as well as being a qualified solicitor was also a Notary Public. She was able to witness the affidavit and stamp it.

  “I became a Notary Public because we do have quite a lot of these things,” Damsa told them.

  “It certainly makes it easier,” said Bernadette.

  Anh signed two copies and Damsa put a stamp on it and notarised it after taking an oath from her. She put them into a brown envelope and handed them to Imogen.

  “Thank you, thank you so much, Anh, we’ll ensure the court preserves your anonymity,” said Bernadette.

  Anh nodded and smiled prettily.

  “Can I ask you one more thing?” Bernadette continued. They had come this far, she had to see if Anh would take one more step.

  “I know what you want.” Anh smiled. “And if it will help your man, I will testify.”

  “Wow, thank you, I really mean it, thank you.” Bernadette smiled back at her.

  “We will arrange to set up a video link and that your face won’t be seen. We will maintain anonymity for you,” Imogen told her.

  “Thank you,” said Anh.

  “I am concerned for your safety. Do you think she and her friends will be OK?” Imogen asked Damsa.

  “We are making arrangements to move them somewhere else which is more secure,” said Damsa, “It’s difficult of course, but Anh knows the risks, we’ve discussed them at length.”

  “I know I may not be safe, nor my friends, but soon I will move from them so they will be safer without me. Damsa says she will look after me.”

  “OK, I can’t thank you enough. I wish there was more I could do for you,” said Bernadette.

  “We’ll do our very best,” said Damsa, “Don’t worry.”

  “I will be OK. I believe my destiny brought me here, and Buddha says your destiny will find itself,” Anh said.

  Bernadette finished her coffee, and Imogen nodded she was ready to go.

  “Thank
you again, both of you, for your help. We’ll be in touch with Damsa about the court appearance, it won’t be for a little while in any case.”

  They all stood up. All the women embraced, as if they had become firm friends. Sometimes it only takes the sharing of emotion, Bernadette reflected, to bond with someone.

  In the taxi on the way back to the hotel, Imogen said, “That went well.”

  “Yes, we certainly got more than we expected,” Bernadette agreed.

  “She is very courageous.”

  “It’s a shame we can’t help her more.”

  “What if we could?” said Imogen suddenly.

  “What do you mean?”

  “If she’s a material witness to the case, then maybe the Garda could get her over to Ireland. They could pull some strings. She could settle in Ireland.”

  “Hmm, though wouldn’t she be placing herself in even more danger?” Bernadette wondered.

  “True, but it could be a path to citizenship.”

  “We can talk to Olivia. They won’t be interested unless it can add something to their investigation.”

  “It can add the fact she was put on in Ireland. She might recognise the place they were boarded, and they want to nail those people in the yard.”

  “OK, we can at least try. Even if it’s possible, Anh may not want to come.”

  “That’s a different thing.”

  “Look at you, calling up Olivia,” Bernadette said in a teasing voice.

  “Stop it!” Imogen said with mock severity.

  “I actually really like her. In any case, even if you had been interested, and not had D’Arcy, she probably wouldn’t have been up for your games.”

  “You’re right, that’s kind of a big deal too I suppose. Finding the right person is hard.”

  “Then be glad you have,” Bernadette said admonishing her lightly.

  “I am.”

  “You better not be getting cold feet,” said Bernadette a bit more seriously.

  “Or?” Imogen’s eyes were dancing.

  “Don’t even say it!”

  Imogen contented herself with smacking the palm of one hand lightly with the other while a smile lurked around her lips.

  “You are incorrigible, do you know that?”

  “Yes, I do, that’s why you love me so much,” Imogen laughed.

  “What are you like?” Bernadette shook her head and sighed.

  “I’m the best ever junior counsel you’ve ever had, admit it.”

  “You are more than that and you know it. You’re the best friend I ever had and I’m grateful for that,” Bernadette said in a rush of emotion.

  “Thank you, I’ll stop teasing you… for now.”

  Imogen smiled and they held hands enjoying their mutual companionship.

  ✽✽✽

  At the hotel, Eve had packed their cases and D’Arcy announced that the limo was going to collect them after lunch. She looked a little sad, but Imogen embraced her and kissed her softly telling her how much she had enjoyed the last few days. This was roundly endorsed by Bernadette and Eve.

  The flight back from Biggin Hill was uneventful, and they were soon being dropped off at home.

  “Thanks so much, darling, for everything,” said Bernadette giving D’Arcy a big hug.

  “You have to come soon, to stay, I insist,” said D’Arcy who was a little teary eyed.

  “We will, we promise,” said Eve, “I will teach you some more of those tricks.”

  “Yes, you have to, don’t forget.”

  “We won’t.”

  They said goodbye to Imogen and gratefully closed the door.

  “I’m glad to be home, darling,” said Eve.

  “So am I.”

  “There’s no place like it.”

  “Home is where you are,” said Eve kissing Bernadette soundly.

  They passed a pleasant evening enjoying each other’s company, and in the morning after breakfast, Bernadette decided it was time to broach the tricky subject.

  They were sitting together in the living room.

  “Shall we go for a walk on the beach?” Eve said pondering their plans for the weekend.

  “I’d love that, but there’s something I wanted to ask you first,” said Bernadette taking her courage in her hands.

  “I knew it. I’ve known it for days.”

  “Oh fuck! How do you manage it?”

  “Because I am a witch, and I can read your thoughts,” Eve laughed.

  “It’s nothing bad, I promise you.” Bernadette smiled.

  “Go on, you’ve been chewing it over, whatever it is, so now you can ask me.”

  “If I ask you this question, can you tell me honestly? And please try not to get mad at me?” Bernadette asked her gently.

  “I’m not that bad, am I?” Eve said still smiling.

  “No, not that bad.” Bernadette laughed trying to lighten her own mood as much as anything. She was approaching this with a great deal of trepidation.

  “Go, on just ask me.”

  Bernadette took a deep breath.

  “OK. Is there something you are not telling me about your past? About your sister? Because I feel as if there is.”

  There was a very long pause. While Eve said nothing at all and looked at Bernadette. Finally, Eve reached out her hands and took hold of her fiancée’s.

  “Yes, there is,” she said quietly.

  “Why didn’t you tell me? Don’t you feel I deserve to know?” Bernadette was trying not to make this sound like an accusation.

  “You do, but…” Eve’s voice became almost a whisper, “I’m ashamed.”

  “Why? You should never be ashamed. Certainly not to me,” Bernadette said squeezing her hands.

  “I just feel that way.”

  “OK, so are you going to tell me now?”

  Eve let go of her hands, got up and went over to where her art desk was. She now had a cabinet to keep all her drawings in too, with wide drawers. She opened a drawer took something out, handed it to Bernadette and sat down again.

  “What’s this?” said Bernadette examining it, although it was perfectly clear what it was.

  “It’s a scene.”

  The picture was quite graphic in some ways. It depicted a rough looking table and a girl, perhaps sixteen or seventeen bending over it naked. There were stripes running across her buttocks. Beside her, another girl stood over her holding a cane. She recognised the girl or thought she did.

  “A made-up scene or a real scene?”

  Eve dropped her head. “It’s real.”

  “Is that your sister?”

  “Yes.”

  “Did she do this to you?”

  “Yes.”

  Bernadette was flabbergasted and also immediately angry with her sister all over again.

  “Really?”

  “Yes.”

  “God!”

  “Are you angry?”

  “No, I’m upset, for you. Tell me what happened.”

  Eve wouldn’t look her in the face and shook her head.

  “Go on, please, just tell me, darling.”

  “It’s hard.”

  “Well, you have to now. I only know half the story.”

  “Yes, but you have to turn your back to me, I can’t bring myself to tell it otherwise,” said Eve seriously.

  Bernadette realised this must have been somehow incredibly traumatic for Eve. She did as she was bid and turned so was sitting cross legged facing away from her.

  “Now can you tell me?” Bernadette said softly.

  Eve began to recount the incident from her youth in halting tones.

  “I was just turned seventeen, just starting to experiment with girls. I had a friend, her name was Fiona, she was pretty, so sexy, I fancied her, even maybe loved her. I found out she felt the same and we started to fool around, kissing and stuff after school and then one day, things went a bit further. It was summer, my
parents were out. I thought it was just me and Fiona. We went into the garden, stripped naked, there were plenty of secluded spots. We began to get down to it when my sister caught us.”

  Eve paused. Bernadette did not dare turn around and could not see if she was crying. She waited until Eve continued.

  “My sister was very angry. I’ve never seen her so angry. She told Fiona to get out and that she was the devil or something like that. Then she told me she was going to tell our parents. She said I was a dreadful sinner and they needed to know. I was scared of what they would think. I begged her not to, I pleaded with her.”

  Eve choked on a sob. It took all Bernadette’s strength of will not to turn around and hold her in her arms.

  “So, she suddenly had this cruel smile, and that’s when I knew what a bitch she really was. She said she would not tell after all but then I would have to accept a punishment from her. I asked her what she meant by punishment, and she said it didn’t matter, but unless I agreed she would tell my parents. If I took my punishment, then she would keep my secret. I had no idea what she was going to do, but I was desperate, so I agreed. You have to understand I was so scared of what they might think of me, so stupid of me.”

  Eve stopped again, and Bernadette could swear she was silently crying.

  “Can I turn around now?” Bernadette said tentatively.

  “No! Not yet,” Eve said her voice cracking.

  “OK, it’s OK, I’m not turning round, I love you so much, just tell me it all.”

  After a few moments of silence, Eve continued.

  “She told me to go to the greenhouse and wait. I asked to put my clothes on, and she said no. It was a big greenhouse, my father liked to grow plants. It was so tall too. We had a walled garden and the greenhouse was long and attached to the wall. Inside it, there was a table, a wooden table where he potted his plants. I waited in there naked, not knowing what was coming. Eventually, my sister came back, she was carrying her bible. She went to the corner where my father kept his garden canes and spent a long time before she pulled one out. A long thin one, like a metre long. I said, ‘what are doing?’ She replied, ‘I’m going to punish you, you deserve a whipping and I’m going to give it to you. I’m going to do what our parents won’t do and what you sorely need.’”