2
“He was my uncle! I don’t know
what you are talking about?” She protested sitting on the chair in the glass
chamber.
“You mean to say that you weren’t
there?” The officer asked.
“Of course, I wasn’t.”
“Then where were you?”
“At my home. I was sleeping at
the time you are talking about.”
“Yes, that’s what most of the
people do at that hour.”
“True.”
“Yes, True. That’s why most of
the criminals use the night to work.”
“Why are you telling me all
this?” She was irritated.
“Its just a matter of fact. Just
discussing about some obvious correlations.”
“That isn’t what you are trained
for, are you? Discussing correlations.”
“Hah! Witty Ms. Dawson. I see that you are quite alert and free from
stress. Not a very usual thing to see when someone is sitting on this seat.
Well, there are always exceptions, but then another strange correlation is that
most of those exceptions are seasoned criminals.”
Deborah didn’t speak anything in
return.
“What about the cameras madam?”
“What about them?” Deborah asked.
“They tell us that you never came
home.”
“They tell you that my car didn’t
come home.”
“Oh. I’m sorry. Yes, that’s what
it means.” The officer said.
“Because I came back with my
friend. My car broke down. Its still at the services.”
“Ok…”
“So was it your first time with
your uncle?” He suddenly changed the topic.
“You are offending me officer.”
She cried.
“Ok. I’ll re phrase. Did you ever
have any sexual relation with your uncle?”
Outside the glass box, the jury
observed and heard the proceedings. The heart rate increased, so did the blood
pressure. The Pulse oxymeter showed high values.
“No.” She answered.
The doctor of the court was
watching the proceedings closely. He turned towards the jury and announced -
“She might be lying. She might
have got offended as well. This can’t be confirmatory. Regarding the earlier
part – she told the absolute truth.”
“Thanks Ms. Dawson. You can hire
a lawyer to defend yourself. If you won’t, the court would hire one for you.”
The officer said. “For now, you are put on house arrest. The court will let you
know the next date for hearing and the site.”
He turned away and left the glass
chamber. The jury dispersed the court.
Lambeth Palace
“Father, this news moves me. There is something in my heart
that compels me to go to Harrow – to her
place.” He said, keeping the newspaper on the table and picking up the cup of
tea.
Thomas was a young induct in the church. His study in law
found an outlet in making official papers for the Archbishop of Canterbury. He
was the assistant to the archbishop. However, he was also deeply interested in
politics and news. The case of murder of Mr. Dawson attracted him particularly.
This morning he had sought an appointment with the
Archbishop to discuss a personal matter.
“How would you justify it, son?” the bishop asked. He had
the usual calmness in his voice, but his face seemed faintly anxious.
“Deborah Dawson has sought special permission from the court
only for one thing.”
“…and what’s that?” archbishop asked.
“…to attend the Sunday mass at the church.”
It led to a semi – involuntary raise in the eyebrow of the
Archbishop, but he suddenly normalized his expressions and smiled calmly saying
–
“Seems like a good way to improve her image in the public.”
“She has been visiting the church every week. She knows all
the nuns well. The church itself has given her a letter of approval which she
produced to the court.”
“Hmmm….” archbishop said in a reflective mood. “That
certainly strengthens your case.”
Father, I have been opening the page from the holy Bible
since yesterday. Every time I open, it comes to the same passage. Pray, open a
page for me sir.”
The Archbishop picked up the holy bible. Prayed on it and opened.
As he moved his lips to read the passage, his eyes could only have recognized
the first word, when Thomas repeated the whole passage before him.
But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow
it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all
righteousness.”
Matthew 3:15
The Archbishop looked at Thomas, kept the book aside and
said:
“Draft the letter and get it typed from the clerk. I’ll sign
it for you.”
