Nothing Ventured(49)
A few people in the well of the court began to laugh. The judge frowned at them.
“Wouldn’t you agree that doesn’t sound like the response of a guilty man, fearful of being arrested and thrown in jail?” said Grace.
“Yes, but—”
“If you could stick to answering my questions, constable, and not offering personal opinions, it would be much more helpful.”
William was stunned by the ferocity of her attack, and certainly wasn’t prepared for her next question.
“Are you an expert in recognizing forged signatures, or did you just take it for granted that my client was guilty?”
“No, I didn’t. I had written statements from nine booksellers to whom Mr. Amhurst had offered complete signed editions of Churchill’s history of the Second World War.”
“None of whom, sadly, including the manager of Hatchards who made the original complaint, were able to find the time to come to court and give evidence today. Were you by any chance in Hatchards on Saturday morning?”
“No,” said William, puzzled by the question.
“If you had been, Constable Warwick, you could have obtained a copy of Graham Greene’s latest novel The Tenth Man, because the author signed over a hundred copies before going on to sign even more books at several other bookshops in the West End. Now, as Sir Winston was a politician, I don’t suppose he was shy about signing the odd copy of his works.”
One or two of the jury nodded.
“But we found several other books,” spluttered William, still trying to fight back. “Don’t forget the first edition of A Christmas Carol, signed by Charles Dickens, for example.”
“I’m glad you raised the subject of the Dickens,” said Grace, “because my client has long treasured that particular family heirloom, left to him by his late father, so he would never have considered selling it. Indeed, the court may be interested to know that my client is in possession of the original receipt for the sale of the book, dated December nineteenth, 1843, price five shillings.”
Mr. Hayes was quickly on his feet. “My Lord, I must protest. This document has not been offered in evidence by the defence.”
“There’s a simple explanation for that, Your Honor,” said Grace. “My client has been searching for the receipt since the day he was arrested, but Constable Warwick and his colleague left his home in such a mess that he only came across it this morning.”
“How convenient,” said Hayes, loud enough for the jury to hear. The judge scowled but didn’t rebuke him.
Once again, the jury took their time studying the receipt.
“I hope, Constable Warwick,” said Grace after William had looked briefly at the receipt, “that you’re not going to suggest my client forged that as well?”
Several members of the jury began to chat among themselves, while Hayes made a note on his pad.
Grace smiled up at her brother and said, “I have no more questions for this witness, Your Honour.”
“Thank you, Ms. Warwick,” said the judge. “Perhaps this might be a convenient time to adjourn for lunch.”
* * *
“We’re not beaten yet,” said Hayes, enjoying a Caesar salad in the canteen.
“But I didn’t exactly help our cause,” said William, unable to eat. “I should have reminded my sister about the pages of Churchill signatures we found in Amhurst’s house.”
“Fear not,” said Hayes. “Once Amhurst steps into the witness box, I will remind the jury about the fake signatures again and again.”
“And I’m puzzled about that receipt,” said William. “Why didn’t we find it when we searched the house?”
“Because I suspect it wasn’t there. Amhurst probably bought it quite recently to cover himself. A point I shall put to him under oath.”
William glanced across at his sister, who was having lunch on the other side of the canteen with her instructing solicitor, who he suspected was Clare. But neither of them once looked in his direction.
* * *
When the court reconvened, Mr. Justice Gray asked defending counsel if she would like to call her first witness. Ms. Warwick rose from her place and said, “I shall not be calling any witnesses, Your Honor.”
A murmur went up around the court. William leaned forward and whispered in Hayes’ ear, “So if Amhurst isn’t going to testify, won’t that make the jury assume he’s guilty?”
“Possibly. But don’t forget your sister will have the last word. And if I’d been representing Amhurst, I would have given him the same advice.”
The judge turned his attention to prosecuting counsel.
“Are you ready, Mr. Hayes, to sum up on behalf of the Crown?”
“I am indeed, Your Honor,” said Hayes, who rose and placed his summation on the little stand in front of him. He coughed, adjusted his wig, and turned to face the jury. “Members of the jury, what a fascinating case this has turned out to be—although perhaps you might feel that you are attending a performance of Hamlet without the prince. Let me begin by asking you, why defending counsel never once in her cross-examination of Detective Constable Warwick mentioned the pages of Winston Churchill signatures that were found in the defendant’s home, written on pages torn from a 49p WHSmith lined pad. I think we can assume that they weren’t signed by the great war leader, and not least because he died before decimalization.