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.”
