Nothing Ventured

‘Your Honour,’ said Hayes, ‘that is also in the court bundle. Perhaps you and the jury would care to examine the exhibits.’

The judge nodded, and the jury took their time studying the books, as well as the pages of Churchill signatures, before they were handed back to the clerk of the court.

‘What did you do next, Detective Constable Warwick?’

‘I arrested Mr Amhurst, and escorted him to Dagenham police station, where he was later charged with three counts of fraud, deception and forgery.’

‘Thank you, Detective Constable Warwick. I have no more questions for this witness, Your Honour,’ said Hayes, before sitting down.

William was relieved that the ordeal was over. Not as bad as he’d feared. He was about to leave the witness box when Hayes leapt back up and said, ‘Please remain there, Detective Constable, as I suspect my learned friend may have a question or two for you.’

‘I most certainly do,’ said defence counsel, as she rose from her place at the other end of the bench. William stared at her in disbelief.

‘Before I begin my cross-examination, Your Honour, I should point out to the court that this witness is my brother.’

The judge l

eant forward and took a closer look first at Grace, and then at William, but made no comment.

‘I can assure Your Honour that neither my instructing solicitor nor my client is at all concerned about this unusual situation. But it is of course possible that my learned friend, or indeed the witness himself, may be. In which case I will withdraw and allow my junior to conduct the cross-examination.’

Mr Hayes was quickly on his feet. ‘I believe that would be the simplest solution, Your Honour.’

‘Possibly,’ said the judge. ‘But I’m more interested to hear Detective Constable Warwick’s opinion.’

William recalled his father’s words: Grace only takes on hopeless cases, and never wins. ‘Bring her on,’ he muttered, staring defiantly at his sister.

‘I beg your pardon?’ said the judge.

‘I’m quite happy for my sister to conduct the cross-examination, Your Honour.’

‘Then you may proceed, Ms Warwick.’

Grace bowed, straightened her gown and turned to the witness. She gave him a warm smile, which he didn’t return.

‘Constable Warwick, may I begin by saying how much I enjoyed your colourful description of how you chased my client halfway across London and then failed to arrest him, but returned the following morning to make a second attempt. It all sounded rather like an episode from the Keystone Cops, which may make the jury wonder just how long you have been a detective.’ William hesitated. ‘Don’t be shy, constable. Are we talking about weeks, months or years?’

‘Three months,’ said William.

‘And was this your first arrest as a detective constable?’

‘Yes,’ admitted William reluctantly.

‘Would you speak up, constable. I’m not sure the jury heard your reply.’

‘Yes, it was,’ said William, as he gripped the sides of the witness box.

‘Now, I’m curious to understand, constable, why, having pursued my client from Chelsea to Dagenham, you didn’t arrest him long before he reached the safety of his home?’

‘I needed to obtain a warrant before I could search his house.’

‘Curiouser and curiouser,’ said Grace. ‘Because surely you could have arrested Mr Amhurst the moment he’d stepped off the train at Dagenham East, taken him to the local police station, and obtained a Section 18 authority from the senior officer on duty, and then searched his home that same day.’

William knew she was right, but couldn’t admit he’d made such a basic mistake, so he remained silent.

‘Can I presume, constable, that you have read section eighteen of the 1984 Police and Criminal Evidence Act, which grants you the power to search a suspect’s address following an arrest?’

Several times, William wanted to tell her, but still said nothing.