Chapter 3: The Turbulence

Special Courts

Shepherd’s Bush, Greater London

William McGregor was one of the greatest names in criminal law in England. His law firm Malcolm Associates based out of Edinburgh had become one of the largest law firms west of Bosporus. He himself was an advocate in many major courts in Britain, Europe and America.

The rumor had it, that the Scotland Yard paid him a huge sum for taking up the Dawson case. Both the Scotland Yard and Malcolm Associates declined this. However, the media kept getting regular ‘inputs from confidential sources’ that some people placed at high levels in the Scotland Yard, mentored by people in the government, were wielding both influence, and the people’s money for this case. Even though the denial game continued, it was clear to all that what initially seemed to be an ‘open and shut’ case had kept on lingering unduly and had lately begun complicating.

The latest complication was the petition that Deborah be allowed to visit Portugal as the ‘God’ commanded this by scribbling words ‘clues are in Fatima’ on her back during the episode of ‘stigmata’.

“Milord! The video could be edited.” McGregor said.

“Kiddish.” A voice came from the jury. “It was sent real time.”

“William, what do you want to prove? Has the standard of legal practice has declined so much that a lawyer of your standing gives us these senseless statements?” One of the judges said furiously.

“I’m sorry milord!” McGregor said, rather ashamed.

“Anything else you want to say or ask, William?” The judge asked.

“Sir! My only point is, that I want to confirm that this was a stigma. I have the doctor’s reports of her normal mental status immediately after the episode and a testimony that her wounds miraculously healed on application of the holy water, however, I want to confirm that it is a word of the God. Ms. Dawson is a catholic. I want the Catholic Church to confirm that this was an episode of stigmata. How can we otherwise rely on what is just a supposition and give the verdict.” McGregor came out, rather triumphantly.

The jury nodded in affirmation. McGregor had started doing his job well.

“Further, milords! The ‘message’ does not in any way make it compulsive for Ms. Dawson to travel to Portugal. It just says that the clues are Fatima. Why does the defense want Ms. Dawson to leave the country?” McGregor added.

The jury nodded once again in affirmation.

“Does the defense have anything to say?” The judge asked.

Thomas got up.

“Milords! The persecution should note that the bench itself represents the Anglican Church.”

“Objection Milord!” McGregor jumped up at once” Offensive, coercive.”

“Sustained.” The judge said. “Mr. Thomas, please make relevant statements.”

“Sir! I want to plead that the certificate of the Anglican Church be accepted for this.” Thomas said.

“…so that the defense may influence the decision of the church?” 

McGregor jumped up again.

“Please stop Mr. William; you would be given enough time to speak.” The judge said.  

McGregor apologized and sat down.

“Defense.” One of the judges said. “You may proceed.”

“Milord! I also want to state that the clues in the message were for Ms. Dawson, so she is the one who is expected to find them in Portugal.” Thomas submitted. “That’s all I want to say Milord’s!”

“Does the persecution have anything to say?” The judge asked.

McGregor stood up and said, “Milord I just want my concern about the possibility of the defense influencing the Anglican Church in its decision be kept in record.”

He sat down.

The judges discussed for a while and then pronounced.

“The petition was to allow Ms. Dawson to travel to Portugal as the message directs her to travel. However there is no such direction in the message. If the defense wants to plead on some other grounds they can put up another petition. The persecution can also put up a petition of request of certificate from the Catholic Church. 

The present petition stands rejected.”