Flight of the Jabiru (4 page)

Lara nodded, almost too emotional to speak.

Walter noticed her jacket and glared at her cellmates. “What did you do to my daughter?”

“It wasn't them, Dad,” Lara said wearily.

“Can you get me out of here?”

“We're trying, but it's not looking good,” Walter said worriedly. “Surely it isn't true that you assaulted Sergeant Andrews, Lara?”

“It wasn't like that, father. I pulled my arm free of Constable Formby's grasp and accidently hit the sergeant in the face.”

Walter sighed in dismay. “Is that how your jacket got torn?”

Lara nodded. “It was Constable Formby's fault as much as mine, but he's not taking any responsibility.”

Walter had been hoping it wasn't true. He didn't know what to make of all that was happening. “You remember Bill Irving, Lara?”

“Yes,” Lara said, turning her attention to her dad's friend of more than twenty years. “Hello, Mr. Irving.”

“Lara,” Bill said, gesturing towards an older man carrying a brief case. “This is my Uncle Herbert. He's a solicitor.”

“Hello, Mr. Irving. Can you get me out of here?”

“I'd like to say I can,” Herbert said kindly. “But it won't be easy. Apparently, Lord Hornsby is not allowing his son to be questioned, so there is no way to verify your story.”

“Can't you do something about that?”

“No. Harrison is a minor. We need Lord Hornsby's permission to question him. And now with the assault charge filed by the sergeant...”

Lara felt dismayed and her head dropped.

“But I'll do all I can. You will be brought before the court very soon, I'm sure. Meanwhile, I'll see if Sergeant Andrews will at least drop the charge of assault. Were there any impartial witnesses?”

“Witnesses?” Lara brightened. “Yes, there was a man and woman sitting on the seats in the reception area. Their names were Fred and Hazel. Hazel is a prostitute, but I'm not sure why Fred is here. They must still be in the reception area because they haven't been brought through.”

“There wasn't anyone when we came in,” Walter said.

“I don't suppose you know their full names?” Herbert asked. “If you did, maybe we could find them.”

Lara shook her head.

“I'll have a word with Sergeant Andrews. Perhaps he's had time to cool down and see reason,” Herbert said, but he didn't sound very confident.

“Thank you, Mr. Irving,” Lara said. “I had hoped I wouldn't have to spend the night in here.”

“I'm sorry, Lara. That is quite likely,” Herbert said.

CHAPTER THREE

Herbert Irving could see how nervous Lara was when she was escorted into the courtroom and took her place beside him at her bail hearing. She had that
I can't believe this is happening
expression that he'd seen so many times before on clients who were innocent, and he was sure that Lara was innocent. Bill had known Lara all her life, so he could vouch for her character, but apart from that, Herbert had represented people from all walks of life, so he could read them like a book. He had no doubt that Lord Hornsby had it in for Lara. He was sure the Lord knew what really happened but he was too humiliated to admit it.

After two nights in the cells, wearing the same clothes, Lara looked extremely wearisome and a little disheveled. Her father had wanted to bring her fresh clothes, but he'd been told by a junior constable at the police station that Sergeant Andrews, who'd taken leave to recover from his
injuries,
had left orders that Lara was not to be given any special privileges and that included visitors, other than her lawyer, or gifts.

The first thing Lara did was look for her father. He presented a solitary figure, standing not too far behind Herbert on the empty court gallery. Lara was unaware that many of the parents of her pupils had been denied access to the courtroom and were congregated on the court steps, protesting her innocence.

Lara thought her father had aged years in a few days, and felt terrible that the strain and worry over her predicament was affecting him so badly. He tried to smile bravely to reassure her, but she could see that he was at breaking point. She didn't know that he'd tried, several times, to talk to Lord Hornsby but he had been turned away.

Herbert told Lara that he'd learned that Judge Winston Mitchell had a reputation for fairness. “Apparently he's one of the best judges we could get,” he said, hoping to make her feel less anxious, if that was possible.

“So there's a good chance I'll be going home with my father this morning?” Lara suggested hopefully.

“I'm optimistic,” Herbert said, unable to hide the fact that he was exaggerating.

“How optimistic?” Lara pressed.

“Just a little,” Herbert confessed unwillingly. He patted her arm reassuringly.

Lara tried to relax, but it was almost impossible.

She was very worried that her father had already lost his position as stable manager for Lord Hornsby. If by some miracle he hadn't, this situation was going to make things a whole lot worse for him. Although Lara disliked Lord Hornsby intently, she was well aware that her father had a very special relationship with the horses he looked after, each like a much-loved child to him. The bond between them was truly unique and Lord Hornsby had the sense to be aware of it. But Lara now knew he was a liar and a spiteful man, who was capable of anything. Nevertheless, Walter would be heartbroken to lose his position and access to the horses he loved. This, more than anything, had troubled Lara in the past two days.

Judge Mitchell listened intently as a written statement from Lord Hornsby was read to the court by his legal representation. Lara was dismayed, although not thoroughly surprised that her father's employer described her as meddling, argumentative, and violent. He claimed she'd taken an exception to being told that she should not interfere in the way he raised his son. He went on to give an account of her striking him with a rake, knocking out one of his front teeth.

Sergeant Andrews had been on leave for two days. When he took the stand, the few people in the court were clearly shocked by his appearance, even Lara, who had not seen him since the ‘incident'. Both of his eyes were black and his nose was red, swollen, and askew, obviously broken. Judge Mitchell listened with interest as he gave his account of how Lara came to assault him. He described her as tempestuous, volatile, and a danger to the public.

Herbert Irving had intended to obtain a character reference from the head of the school where Lara worked. Apparently she was well liked by the staff and respected as a good teacher, so he was very surprised when the principal, Richard Dunn, refused to provide the reference. Herbert questioned him and soon learned that he was well acquainted with Lord Hornsby. Herbert asked if Lara was to be sacked from her teaching position, but Principal Dunn refused to give an answer. Herbert concluded that she wouldn't have a job to return to, but decided now was not the time to tell her.

Most of the parents at the school had heard what had happened and they wanted to write testimonials to Lara's good character. Herbert accepted three from the mothers of pupils in Lara's class. He presented them to the court, and Judge Mitchell asked for a reference from her employer.

“I ... don't have one, your honor,” Herbert admitted uncomfortably.

“Why not?” Judge Mitchell asked.

“I believe the school's principal is closely acquainted with Lord Hornsby, so he felt he was in a conflicted position.”

“I see,” Judge Mitchell said, none too happy. He was well aware that Lord Hornsby's influence stretched far and wide but a little surprised that Lara's employer showed her no loyalty.

Herbert gave the court Lara's version of the incidents resulting in the charges against her, claiming Lara was innocent of striking Lord Hornsby and innocent of purposely assaulting Sergeant Andrews. He added that Lara had ties and obligations to the community and her students and she would not put those in jeopardy. He suggested that Harrison could vouch for Lara's innocence, but that Lord Hornsby would not allow the boy to be questioned and as Harrison was a minor, the court had no course of action.

“Were there any impartial witnesses to the assault of Sergeant Andrews?” Judge Mitchell asked.

“Yes, your honor, a man and a woman were present, but I've been unable to locate them as they have no fixed place of abode.”

“Are you telling the court that the witnesses are
Gypsies?
”

Herbert cleared his throat in embarrassment, as the travelers were not considered reliable witnesses. “It appears so, your honor.”

After a recess, Judge Mitchell said that he'd taken everything into account, but it had been very difficult to make a decision because of the lack of a reference from Lara's employer to back her good character. He accepted the parents' of her students kind words, but said he would've liked a reference from a prominent member of society. He concluded that he'd deny bail because of a concern expressed by Lord Hornsby that Lara might put pressure on Harrison at school, or treat him unfairly. Lara cried out that she'd never do something like that, but she was threatened with charges of contempt and silenced. Herbert Irving pleaded with the judge to grant bail with restrictions, but his application was denied. Lara was to be sent to the Hollesley Bay Prison, eight miles out of the village of Woodridge in Suffolk. Judge Mitchell did, however, promise her trial date would be confirmed as soon as possible.

“Nicole, you shouldn't be here,” Winston Mitchell advised his sister as she entered his chamber in the county court.

“Why not? You are my brother,” Nicole protested.

“You know why. Just yesterday I rejected an application for bail in a case that involves your husband. I am meant to be impartial but it won't look that way if you are seen in my chambers.” Winston had tried to get himself excused from the case, but no other judge had been available.

“The case against Miss Penrose is the reason I am here, Winston,” Lady Nicole said, as she removed her jacket and sat down. She was overly slim, due to her nervous disposition, with dark curly hair usually hidden by a fashionable hat. Her complexion was so fair that it was almost translucent, and her big green eyes were fringed by thick, dark lashes. She was, however, not a beautiful woman, but attractive in an ethereal way.

Winston was almost ten years older than Nicole and carried a little too much weight around his middle. His skin was pitted as he had bad acne as a boy and his hair was white after a serious illness in his twenties. He'd never married or had a family, but more than once he'd been asked if he was Nicole's father.

“I cannot discuss the case, Nicole,” Winston said brusquely. “You know that.”

“I do, but if you don't send Miss Penrose to jail for a period of time, my life with Roy will be unbearable. What she did to him has left him extremely bad tempered. He hasn't been out of the house because of his missing front tooth. You know how vain he can be.”

“Then why doesn't he visit a dentist and get the missing tooth replaced?”

“He won't wear a dental plate because he's afraid it will look out of place and be too noticeable.”

“I've always known him to be bad tempered and somewhat vain,” Winston added. “I don't see how you can say he's any different now.”

Nicole looked pained.

In reality, Winston had never liked Roy very much. As far as he was concerned, his brother-in-law wasn't endowed with a shred of charm and he wasn't especially good looking. This of course wouldn't have mattered if he'd been a nice person, but that wasn't the case. Winston believed it was only Roy's inherited status as a wealthy lord that had paved an easy way through his life and attracted Nicole.

“I'm baffled how you've stayed married to the man anyway,” Winston told Nicole, not for the first time. She was well aware that her brother thought she had married Roy for the status. She enjoyed the finer things in life, and as Lady Nicole Hornsby, she had everything her heart desired; the grand house on an estate, jewels, clothes, a chauffeur driven car, and respect from the mere mortals who populated County Suffolk. But she paid a high price, too high in her brother's opinion. “I cannot guarantee a custodial sentence for Lara Penrose, Nicole. It was a very difficult decision for me to reject bail.”

Nicole's green eyes welled with tears. “I really need your help with this, Winston. I'm playing down how unbearable Roy is actually being. He's threatened to...” Her voice wobbled.

“He threatened to
what?”
he asked in concern.

“He says he'll ... divorce me if Miss Penrose goes free.”

“He'd be doing you an enormous favor,” Winston said with honesty.

“I'm quite serious,” Nicole dabbed tears.

“So am I,” Winston added curtly.

Nicole was annoyed with Winston. She needed his sympathy. “Roy feels Miss Penrose has made a complete fool of him. I think his reaction is overly sensitive but you know he has psychological issues relating to the war.”

“He was only in the war for a matter of weeks,” Winston said irritably. He didn't like to play down what had happened, but he couldn't tolerate it being an excuse for Roy's ill treatment of his sister.

“His injury made him feel less of a man because he's so competitive. Unfortunately, what Miss Penrose did has only added to the problem. I'm telling you it's nearly pushed him over the edge. If she is not sufficiently punished he believes he'll be the laughing stock of England.”

“That's nonsense, Nicole,” Winston suggested with impatience.

“My life will be ruined if he divorces me, Winston. I can't go back to being Nicole Mitchell from Yoxford.”

“Do you know how shallow you sound, Nicole?” Winston asked.

“It's all right for you. You're a magistrate with a good salary. Can you see me pouring pints of ale at The Black Bull Inn with mum and dad?” Their parents had owned the Inn for twenty years and it was now rather run down. To have to resort to that kind of work again would be a nightmare for Nicole.

Winston couldn't imagine Nicole in her former life, but only because she was now spoiled. Even so, he was enjoying teasing her. “What's it matter what you do, as long as you're happy?”

Nicole's big green eyes grew moist again. “This is serious, Winston, or I wouldn't be here. Roy said he'd divorce me and take Harrison from me. I can't live without my son.”

Winston's mood darkened. He recalled that Nicole had lost several babies before carrying Harrison to full term. She'd been told she couldn't have any more children but then she'd conceived Isabella, her miracle baby, five years later. “Surely he wouldn't do that?”

“Do you seriously doubt he wouldn't make good on his threat, Winston? What sort of life would Harrison have without me? Roy would be so hard on him, and he wouldn't have me there to comfort and support him.”

Winston did love his nephew and he couldn't deny that Nicole was a good mother. He thought Harrison was a fine boy, but he knew he was sensitive and that he struggled to cope with such a bombastic father.

“I understand your predicament, Nicole. I really do, but I won't be blackmailed into sentencing Miss Penrose to a term in jail to save your marriage or Roy's sanity. They are issues you and he will have to deal with.” That Roy was using Nicole to do his dirty work made Winston quite furious.

Nicole's shoulders rounded as she stood up. She dabbed her tears again and then slipped her jacket on. “I'm sorry I came to you, Winston. You are a good man. I shouldn't be putting you in this position. I just didn't know what else to do...” Her composure crumbled and she began to sob. Winston put his arms around her. It broke his heart to see his young sister so upset.