Under Oath

Chapter Two

Chapter Two

The atmosphere in the court room was horrible today, the negativity clung to the air like an invisible cloud. The trial only started 25 minutes ago and looking around I could see the anger and desperation written across almost every face in the room. Eddie Clapton and his lawyer, Maxine Keats being the exception. Maxine was a witch of a woman I hardly knew her but I still hated her, some of the monsters she'd defended. Murderers, paedophiles and rapists! She'd stand by their side pleading innocence just the thought makes me sick to my stomach, how does that bitch sleep at night?.

The prosecution council on the other hand happens to be two friends of mine, Robert Irvine and Trudy Sullivan. If anyone can send this scumbag down it's these two. Maxine finishes her questioning of Clapton, I've got to admit she knows how to work a jury the way she manipulates a situation or an event can leave even the sharpest mind slightly confused. Now it's Robbie's turn i feel a small grin tugging at the corners of my mouth.

"Mr.Clapton would you mind clarifying for me one last time where you were the evening of November 27th between 6pm and 11pm?".

Eddie lets out a big sigh before answering "As I've already said a hundred times I was at home, alone, watching the television". The fat sweaty man crosses his arms over his chest in annoyance.

"Are you 100% sure about that, I know thats what you've said countless times Mr.Clapton but I need you to think really hard about this?".

"Yes I'm sure, I was at home all night!".Clapton snaps back.

"Well in that case would you mind explaining to me why you were caught on a shops CCTV camera located on Messina avenue buying sweets at 7:10pm?".

"OBJECTION!" maxine shouted. "We have not been informed of or shown any footage your honour, it would appear Mr.Irvine has been withholding evidence".

This time Trudy interrupted,"Actually your honour we only received the footage at 8:15 this morning we didn't have time to share our findings with the defence council". The judge motioned Trudy forward, she unclipped her brief case and took out a small clear wallet containing the screen shots of Clapton she handed them to the judge and returned to her seat, as she sat down our eyes met she flashed me a quick wink. After browsing the pictures Judge Robbins looked up at Maxine. My heart stopped waiting for the verdict, the tension was unbearable.

"Overruled, Mr.Clapton please answer the question". Maxine's faced dropped, I could see she was pissed off. Finally she seems rattled by something. Sweat started to appear on Eddie's top lip. My hands hovered above the stenotype machine waiting to record his pathetic excuse.

"I must of forgotten I went out these last few weeks have been stressful my mind must of blocked out my trip to the store. Even seeing the pictures hasn't jogged my memory besides it's totally irrelevant! whats your point then huh? You said yourself I was seen purchasing sweets, I didn't realise that was a crime". He grunts back sarcastically.

"Oh no I wasn't implying it was a crime Mr.Clapton. Im more interested in the location of the purchase". Robbie turns towards Judge Robbins.

    Where is he going with this I wonder? It must be important if he's being so dramatic about it.

"Im not sure how familiar the people of the jury are with the town of Camden, so I'd like to show the jury a map. Is that alright?". Judge Robbins nods her head. Robbie approaches the jury with an A3 sized map. "The red circle on the map is the convenience store on Messina avenue where Mr.Clapton was caught on cctv at 7:10pm. The blue circle is the entrance to kilburn grange park, a mere 300 yards from the convenience store. The same park ten year old Melissa Fenson and her 6 year old brother Kyle were last seen?".

  Complete silence fell across the court room. "That proves nothing,I didn't go near that park!" Clapton yelped. "There was at least ten people in that store with me that night and I don't see you accusing them!".

I spot a grin appear on Robbie's face. " I thought you couldn't remember that night? So how do you remember there was ten people?".

Eddie begins to squirm. This is brilliant and I can tell Robbie's not finished. His eyes glisten with determination.

"Can I ask your occupation Eddie?" Robbie's voice calm and almost soothing, it doesn't match his expression at all.

"I work in construction, general sort of stuff house extensions, conservatories, driveways, patios. Ground works occasionally". I watch as the round man shifts his weight in the chair.

"The night you were arrested Mr.Clapton we had a warrant to search your house, which resulted in most your personal belongings being collected. This included two pairs of black boots one pair are steel toe cap boots the other are just a typical pair.Do you wear these for work purposes or general day to day use?".

"The steel toe caps are obviously for work, the other pair are day to day" he sounds almost bored. He doesn't even seem interested in the point Robert is about to make.

"Been to the beach recently?" Robbie asks in a mocking tone.

"Of course not its winter" Eddie rolls his eyes and shifts forward leaning onto his elbows. This man really couldn't care less and it's playing on my last nerve. The urge to get up and land a punch on that turned up nose of his is overwhelming but I push it to the back of my mind where it belongs, I'm at work not in a pub.

"Hmmm I see, so would you mind telling me why there was sand extracted from the grooves on the bottom of your day to day boots?".

Eddie's face twists with confusion at last, he has a different expression but in all honesty even I'm confused why is he asking about the beach and sand, Robert better have a good reason otherwise he'll end up looking like an idiot.

"I take it you can't explain it then?" Robbie probes waiting for an answer. We are all waiting for an answer. A few moments slip by before Robbie breaks the silence.

"Well let me answer it for you, you did go into the park that night and the sand tells us so! The sand collected from your boot matches the sand sample taken from the sand pit in the children's play area of kilburn grange park."

A ripple of whispers and gasps fill the room, no one quite knows how to take this information.

"I think that's enough" Maxine stands up in protest but Robbie ignores her.

"We found burnt pictures along with a disposable camera Eddie! What are you trying to hide?". Eddies face dropped. "Your on the sex offenders register Eddie, were they pictures you didn't want us to find? the pictures and the sand paint there own story Eddie you shouldn't of been anywhere near that playground and you know it but when you saw two innocent children playing without any supervision you just couldn't help yourself".  Judge Robbins hit the gavel against the hard wood block, it grabbed Robbie's attention for a second but not long.

" We know Melissa had been sexually abused, what did you do make her pose for you first before you decided to steal a 10 year old girls innocence? Did you feel powerful behind that lens? Could you not see the fear on her face or did that just turn you on more?".

    Eddie Clapton was rubbing his fingers along the underside of the wooden rail in front of him! that sick bastard was getting off listening to Robbie replay what happened that night. Judge Robbins slammed the gavel down hard. The sound ringed out it was almost deafening.

"Your completely out of line Mr.Irvine, I will not tolerate that in my court room. If you can not keep yourself in check then you will be out on your back side quicker than you can say 'sorry your honour'! Do I make myself clear council man?". She wasn't even shouting but that's what made it scary, her eyes had fixed on Robbie her jaw clenched so hard I thought it was about to shatter. Suddenly her face released. "Have you finished questioning Mr.Clapton?". Robbie nods his head and returns to his seat. "Very well, if both councils have given across their evidence and Mr.Clapton has made his plea the jury will deliberate and we will reconvene tomorrow at 9:00am. Court dismissed". The gavel came down once more and she turned to leave. The room erupted with movement and noise. Eddie was whisked off through a side door, Robert and trudy headed towards the main door. Damn it there's no way I'd catch them now. I'll have to speak to them later after they've been torn apart by the media.