Nothing Ventured (Detective William Warwick 1)

‘Because my solicitor, like you, didn’t believe I was innocent.’

‘But you can’t deny, Mr Rainsford, that you lost your temper when you learnt your daughter had been sexually harassed by Mr Kirkland, and you became even more angry when you discovered that he had been embezzling money from the company to pay for his different women. So why should the jury believe that there were three pages in your statement and not two, and that the murder was committed by a mystery man who appeared out of nowhere and then conveniently disappeared into thin air, never to be seen again?’

‘Because it’s the truth, Sir Julian,’ said Rainsford. He put his elbows on the table and placed his head in his hands. ‘But of course I can understand why you don’t believe me.’

A long silence followed, while the other three waited for Sir Julian to pick up his Gladstone bag and disappear, also never to be seen again.

‘But I do believe you, Arthur,’ he said quietly. ‘I am now in no doubt that you did not murder your partner.’

Arthur looked up in disbelief to see the distinguished QC smiling at him.

‘What finally convinced you, Father?’ asked William, ignoring his sister’s gimlet eye.

‘Three things, completely unconnected, which, had the jury been made aware of at the time, might well have caused them to reach a different verdict.’ Sir Julian couldn’t resist pacing up and down before he delivered his closing statement. ‘In all my years at the Bar, I have never known a murderer who wouldn’t have settled for a plea of guilty to manslaughter and a reduced sentence.’

‘And the second reason?’ asked Grace.

‘The length of time before Arthur is eligible for parole.’

‘Twelve years,’ said William.

‘Precisely. Because Mr Justice Melrose is known in the trade as “Life Means Life” Melrose. I checked his record last night, and he’s presided over twenty-four murder trials during his time on the Crown Court bench when the defendant was found guilty. Arthur is the only one he gave a minimum term of twelve years. Why would “Life Means Life” Melrose break the habit of a lifetime? Could it be that he also wasn’t convinced Arthur was guilty?’

‘And the third thing?’ asked Grace.

‘We have William to thank for that.’

Once again, Sir Julian couldn’t resist a brief perambulation around the room before sharing his thoughts. He pulled at the lapels of a gown he wasn’t wearing before he spoke.

‘You told me, William, that when you first mentioned Arthur’s name to SO Rose, his immediate response was, “If he’s a murderer, I’m Jack the Ripper.” In my experience, a senior prison officer would never admit, even in private, that any prisoner just might be innocent.’

‘So does that mean you’ll take the case, Father?’ asked Grace.

‘We already have, my dear. And with it, we take on the considerable task of uncovering fresh evidence to convince the DPP that they should order a retrial. Because if they don’t, our personal opinions are irrelevant.’

‘Not quite, Sir Julian,’ said Arthur, ‘because I’m delighted that my future son-in-law knows I’m innocent.’

26

THE PHONE BEGAN to ring.

‘Who would even consider calling us on Christmas Day?’ demanded Sir Julian. ‘And just as I’m about to carve the turkey.’

‘Mea culpa,’ said William, ‘I’m afraid I might have told the office where I’d be.’

‘Then you’d better go and answer it while the rest of us enjoy our Christmas lunch. Beth, would you prefer a leg or breast?’

William quickly left for his father’s study and picked up the ringing phone. ‘William Warwick.’

‘Christina Faulkner. Happy Christmas, William.’

‘Happy Christmas, Christina. Where are you calling from?’

‘Monte Carlo.’

‘Unwrapping presents, no doubt.’

‘No, wrapping them up, actually, which is why I called. I need you to come and join me as soon as possible so I can give you your present, which I’m looking at now.’