“Not that easy when you’re in the middle of a murder investigation. Lamont wasn’t available, so I was left in charge.”
“I know. Jackie filled me in on the gory details.” Only the details she wanted you to hear, thought William. “How did Adrian’s girlfriend react?” she asked.
William didn’t reply.
“Is this one of those occasions when I shouldn’t ask any more questions?” said Beth.
“Yes,” said William quietly. “Not least because I’m not sure I made the right decision.”
19
“Do you wish to cross-examine this witness, Mr. Booth Watson?”
“Yes, m’lud, but I won’t be taking up too much of the court’s time.”
He remained standing while Superintendent Lamont made his way back to the witness box.
“Superintendent, I’m sure I don’t have to remind you that you’re still under oath.” Lamont didn’t respond, but stood glowering at his adversary like a boxer waiting for the bell so the first round could begin.
“For the record, superintendent, can I assume that’s a yes?”
Lamont reluctantly nodded. First round to Booth Watson.
“During your evidence yesterday afternoon, in answer to my learned friend, you repeated ad nauseam that if my client did not conceal the drugs found in the statue at his house, then who did?”
“And I will be happy to repeat it again, Mr. Booth Watson, if you feel it might speed up proceedings.”
No doubt who’d won the second round, thought William.
“I don’t think that will be necessary, superintendent. However, what I would like to know is how many police officers invaded Mr. Faulkner’s home in the middle of the night?”
“I couldn’t be sure of the exact number.”
“Despite the fact that you were in charge of the operation?”
“Fifteen, possibly twenty.”
“In fact, the number was twenty-three, if you include all the officers from the drugs squad, the laboratory analysts, the drivers, and even a photographer, not to mention a couple of sniffer dogs. One might have been forgiven, superintendent, for thin
king my client had stolen the Crown Jewels.”
Lamont didn’t respond, but the jury weren’t in any doubt who had won the third round.
“Is it possible that one of those officers could have concealed the drugs in the statue without your knowledge?”
“Impossible,” said Lamont, fighting back.
“By that, do you mean you can personally vouch for every last one of them, even the ones you didn’t realize were there?”
“Of course I can’t,” snapped Lamont. “However, I can assure the court they were all, without exception, first-class professionals, carrying out the job they were trained to do.”
“Would you describe Detective Superintendent Jeremy Meadows as a first-class professional, who carried out the job he was trained to do?”
Lamont hesitated, clearly caught off guard, as another of Booth Watson’s punches landed, this one below the belt.
“Take your time, superintendent, and please don’t be offended if I remind you that you are still under oath.”
Sir Julian rose to his feet. “M’lud,” he said acidly, “I’m struggling to grasp the relevance of these questions, and where they are leading.”