Mightier Than the Sword (The Clifton Chronicles 5)

“Good morning, Major Fisher,” said Trelford, but received no response. “Would you be kind enough to state your name and occupation for the court records?”

“My name is Major Alexander Fisher, and I am the Member of Parliament for Bristol Docklands,” he said, looking directly at Giles.

“At the time of Barrington Shipping’s annual general meeting that is the subject of this libel, were you a director of the company?”

“I was.”

“And was it Mrs. Clifton who invited you to sit on the board?”

“No, it was not.”

“So who was it who asked you to represent them as a director?”

“Lady Virginia Fenwick.”

“And why, may I ask? Were you friends, or was it simply a professional relationship?”

“I would like to think both,” said Fisher, glancing down at Lady Virginia, who nodded and smiled.

“And what particular expertise did you have to offer Lady Virginia?”

“I was a stockbroker by profession before I became an MP.”

“I see,” said Trelford. “So you were able to offer advice to Lady Virginia on her share portfolio, and because of your wise counsel, she invited you to represent her on the board of Barrington’s.”

“I couldn’t have put it better myself, Mr. Trelford,” said Fisher, a smug smile appearing on his face.

“But are you sure that was the only reason Lady Virginia selected you, major?”

“Yes, I am sure,” barked Fisher, the smile disappearing.

“I’m just a little puzzled, major, how a stockbroker based in Bristol becomes a professional advisor to a lady living in London, who must have access to any number of leading stockbrokers in the City. So perhaps I should ask how you first met.”

“Lady Virginia supported me when I first stood for Parliament as the Conservative candidate for Bristol Docklands.”

“And who was the Labour candidate at that election?”

“Sir Giles Barrington.”

“Lady Virginia’s ex-husband and Mrs. Clifton’s brother?”

“Yes.”

“So now we know why Lady Virginia chose you as her representative on the board.”

“What are you suggesting?” snapped Fisher.

“Quite simply, that if you had stood for Parliament in any other constituency, you would never have come across Lady Virginia.” Mr. Trelford looked at the jury while he waited for Fisher’s reply, because he was confident none would be forthcoming. “Now that we have established your relationship with the plaintiff, let us consider the value and importance of your professional advice. You will recall, major, that I earlier asked you if you advised Lady Virginia on her share portfolio, and you confirmed that you did.”

“That is correct.”

“Then perhaps you can tell the jury which shares, other than Barrington Shipping, you advised her ladyship on?” Again, Mr. Trelford waited patiently, before he spoke again. “I suspect the answer is none, and that her only interest in you was as an insider, to let her know what was going on at Barrington’s, so both of you could take advantage of any information to which you were privy as a board member.”

“That is an outrageous suggestion,” said Fisher, looking up at the judge. But she remained impassive.

“If that is the case, major, could you deny that on three separate occasions you advised Lady Virginia to sell her shares in Barrington’s—I have the dates, the times, and the amounts in front of me—and on each occasion, just a couple of days later the company announced some bad news.”

“That is what advisors are for, Mr. Trelford.”