Nothing Ventured(98)
“I think so, Your Honor, if we were allowed a little more time.”
“In that case we will take an early recess, and reconvene at ten o’clock tomorrow morning, to allow members of the jury time to sleep on it.”
Everyone in the court rose and bowed. Mr. Justice Nourse returned the compliment before leaving his domain.
“Don’t you sometimes wish you could skip twenty-four hours and find out what’s going to happen?” said William.
“You won’t when you’ve reached my age,” replied Hawksby.
33
THE CROWN V. RAINSFORD
“Sir Julian, you may call your next witness.”
“I am unable to do so, m’lud. Although subpoenas were issued yesterday as you directed, the court’s bailiff has been unable to serve writs on either Mr. Stern or Mr. Fortounis.”
“Then we will have to wait until they have been served,” said the judge.
“That might not be for some time, m’lud.”
“What makes you think that, Sir Julian?”
“I’m told that Mr. Fortounis returned to his home in Nicosia a few days before the trial opened, and has not been seen or heard of since.”
“Who is the source of your information?”
“The proprietor of the Admiral Nelson public house in West Ham Grove, where he was a regular.”
“And Mr. Stern?”
“It appears that he flew out of Birmingham airport late last night.”
“Let me guess,” said the judge, “also on a flight bound for Nicosia.”
“And as he’d booked a one-way ticket, the bailiff may have some difficulty in enforcing your edict, for as I’m sure you are aware, m’lud, Britain has no extradition treaty with Cyprus.”
“Then I shall issue a directive that Mr. Stern’s assets will be seized, and that he will be arrested should he ever set foot in this country again. I suppose it’s too much to hope that like Bolingbroke, banishment will prove an even harsher punishment for him than incarceration.”
No one offered an opinion.
Mr. Llewellyn rose from his place. “May I approach the bench, My Lords?”
Lord Justice Arnott nodded. Mr. Llewellyn and Sir Julian walked to the front of the court to join their lordships. They spoke in hushed voices to the three judges for some time before Lord Justice Arnott raised a hand and began conferring with his colleagues.
“What are they talking about?” Beth whispered to Grace.
“I have no idea. But I suspect we’re about to find out.”
THE CROWN V. FAULKNER
“Will all parties involved in the Miles Faulkner case please go to court number fourteen,” boomed out a voice over the tannoy, “as the jury is about to return.”
Several people who’d been standing around in the lobby stopped chattering, while others stubbed out cigarettes before making their way quickly back to the courtroom. William joined Commander Hawksby, DCI Lamont, lawyers, journalists, and the simply curious, as the bailiff led his charges into court to resume their places in the jury box.
Once they had all settled, the clerk said, “Will the foreman please rise.”
The foreman rose from his place at the end of the front row.
“Have you reached a verdict on all three counts?” asked Lord Justice Nourse.
“We have, Your Honor,” replied the foreman.
The judge nodded to the clerk of the court.
“Mr. Foreman, do you find the defendant, Mr. Miles Faulkner, guilty or not guilty of the theft of a Rembrandt painting entitled The Syndics of the Clothmakers’ Guild from the Fitzmolean Museum in London?”
“Not guilty, Your Honor.”
Faulkner allowed himself a smile. Booth Watson showed no emotion. William frowned.
“And on the second count, that the defendant was an accomplice in that theft. How do you find the defendant, guilty or not guilty?”
“Not guilty.”
Lamont cursed under his breath.
“And on the third count, namely that of receiving goods that he knew to be stolen, namely the said painting by Rembrandt, how do you find the defendant, guilty or not guilty?”
“By a majority of ten to two, Your Honor, we find the defendant guilty.”
Loud chattering erupted in the well of the court, and several journalists rushed out to grab the nearest available phone and report the verdict to their news desks. The judge waited until the court had settled before turning to the prisoner.
“Will the defendant please rise,” said the clerk.
A less confident figure rose slowly in the dock, stumbled forward, and gripped the railing to steady himself.
“Miles Faulkner,” said the judge gravely. “You have been found guilty of receiving stolen goods, namely a work of art of national importance. Because of the seriousness of your crime, I wish to spend a few days considering what punishment is appropriate. I shall therefore delay passing sentence until next Tuesday morning at ten o’clock.”
“What’s he up to?” said Hawksby as Booth Watson heaved himself to his feet.
“My Lord, may I request that my client’s bail be extended until that date?”
“I will allow that,” said Mr. Justice Nourse, “on the condition that he hands in his passport to the court. And I am sure, Mr. Booth Watson, that you will spell out the consequences to your client should he fail to appear before me in this courtroom next Tuesday morning.”