Triple Jeopardy

by Anne Perry

  There were gasps of alarm and sudden understanding around the room. Even the jurors looked pale. They all stared at Thomas Pitt on the witness stand.

  “Yes,” Pitt answered. “Submarines, carrying torpedoes that can sink even a battleship, or any cargo ship carrying food or other supplies, are the greatest invention in naval warfare, certainly in my lifetime. I would guess since the time of Admiral Lord Nelson and the Battle of Trafalgar. I would judge that they might be an even greater threat to our lives than the invention of ironside ships, or the power of steam.”

  “Then the neglect of deep-water harbors, where these things can hide on our own outlying islands, must be avoided?” Daniel asked.

  “Yes, or the use of them could be obtained by our potential enemies, at the cost of treason and murder,” Pitt replied.

  “Thank you, Sir Thomas, that is all I have to ask. The ruin of one young man at the British Embassy in Washington is a price hardly worth mentioning.” Daniel said it deliberately, knowing how his father would reply.

  “The fairness of the law is always worth mentioning,” Pitt said.

  “Yes, sir.” Daniel turned to Hillyer.

  Hillyer rose to his feet and looked at Thomas Pitt for several seconds, then declined to ask him anything.

  The judge glanced at the clock, then at Daniel. “How many more witnesses do you have, Mr. Pitt?”

  Daniel had to make his decision immediately. He had two more witnesses to call, although one of them might be enough, if he chose the right one. He knew what had happened, at least he thought he did. Proving it was another thing. If he misjudged it and failed now, there would not be another chance. Sidney was here in the courtroom and had heard everything. Did he at last understand? He must be allowed his chance to speak for himself.

  On the other hand, Armitage was waiting outside to be called, if it all fell into place…

  “Mr. Pitt!” the judge repeated.

  “Yes, Your Honor. I call Sir John Armitage to the stand.” The decision was made. Please heaven, it was the right one!

  The judge looked exasperated. “Mr. Pitt, my patience is not endless, and you have tried it further than most. I hope you know what you are doing!”

  “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied. He hoped more than anyone else that, indeed, he did. They all seemed to be here. His parents, Patrick and Jemima, Miriam, all those he cared about. This was going to be a triumph…or a disaster. He could feel his heart beating, as if it were trying to break out of his chest.

  CHAPTER

  Twenty-six

  SIR JOHN ARMITAGE was called and took the stand. Daniel knew he had to be quick. If he did not prove his case and the judge adjourned for the evening, tomorrow would be too late. If it were forced upon him, he must at least leave it at the point where Armitage could not escape without damning himself!

  Now the courtroom was full of people who were involved, but it was a one-to-one battle, too late for anyone else to help.

  Daniel cleared his throat. He must keep Armitage on the wrong foot—always the wrong foot. “I believe you know the defendant, Philip Sidney,” he began. “You were the one who gave him his opportunity to work in the British Embassy in Washington. Was that because you were acquainted with his mother?” He was deliberately handing him an opportunity to rake up the petty weaknesses or offenses Sidney might have committed in his youth. Please God he took it! It was bait, to prove he knew Sidney and had for years. And, therefore, possibly knew May Trelawny and the island.

  The jury looked puzzled, the judge impatient. He was about to speak, but Daniel refused to look at him. “Sir John?” he persisted.

  “Yes, I knew her,” Armitage replied. “Mrs. Sidney was a delightful woman, and devoted to her son. I imagined I was doing her a favor. I had no idea of his…weakness.”

  “Do you have a specific weakness in mind, sir?”

  “Gambling,” Armitage answered. “I know that is at the root of it all. It is, in itself, not a sin, if it is kept in check. But he would not be the first young man, far from home and in an exciting world capital, who loses his sense of proportion.”

  “I suppose not.” As soon as Daniel said the words, the last piece of the puzzle fell into place in his mind. “It would make a man extremely vulnerable to blackmail, I imagine—that is, if he lost consistently…and badly?”

  “I’m afraid so,” Armitage agreed.

  “And you have seen this?”

  Armitage looked grave, a wise man observing the weakness of his inferiors.

  “Yes, I tried to intervene, but I have only so much power. And my own very important job to do.”

  “Of course. And you can only advise,” Daniel said sympathetically.

  Hillyer shifted in his seat.

  Kitteridge was sitting silently beside Daniel, but he was watching him with increasing concern.

  “And had you any reason to believe that Philip Sidney was being blackmailed by anyone?” Daniel went on. “Increased anxiety, perhaps? An appeal for an advance in salary? Borrowing from other colleagues? Borrowing from funds and then resorting to more desperate means when he could not repay?”

  “I see you understand the path downward very well,” Armitage replied. “You have seen it before, perhaps?”

  “The end is predictable,” Daniel agreed.

  There was a slight movement as Patrick Flannery came into the court. He held up a piece of paper and nodded at Daniel.

  Daniel nodded back and turned again to Armitage. He said almost casually, “By the way, since you know Philip Sidney’s mother, perhaps you know May Trelawny as well? They were related, I understand, and quite close friends.” He smiled. “Sidney mentioned it to me.” He was waiting for an objection, but no one made it.

  Armitage sat absolutely still. “We met once or twice,” he conceded.

  “And you would, of course, know the Thorwoods,” Daniel continued. “I believe they are quite close friends of yours in Washington. It is part of your position to know the people of influence in that city?”

  “Yes, of course I know them.” Armitage’s expression took on an air of concern. “The attack on Miss Thorwood was a terrible event. I…I felt sorry and profoundly embarrassed that it should be an Englishman, and part of my embassy, who did such a thing. I would deny it if I could, but Mrs. Thorwood saw him, and has no doubt it was he.” Armitage looked pained, as if he were feeling the humiliation all over again.

  “Of course,” Daniel agreed.

  No one moved in the courtroom. Please heaven Hillyer did not pick now to try to raise an objection, in order to interrupt Daniel’s rhythm and the jury’s concentration.

  “He says it was on your advice that he claimed diplomatic privilege and returned to England. Is that so?” Daniel asked. “Easy enough to understand, in the circumstances.”

  “Yes,” Armitage admitted reluctantly. “There was no question in my mind that he was guilty.”

  “Did he admit it to you?” Daniel asked. “And stealing the pendant—violently?”

  Armitage hesitated only a moment, then took the bait. “Yes. He said he was desperate for the money. I believe he pawned the pendant to pay his debts…” His voice trailed off, soft with pity.

  “Yes,” Daniel agreed. “We retrieved it from the pawnbroker—at least, the Washington police did. They have been of great assistance to us.”

  “I’m glad, for Rebecca’s sake.” Armitage looked suitably grave.

  “Clearly, it was taken to the pawnbroker after Sidney left America to sail back to England.”

  “I daresay he asked a friend to do it for him,” Armitage suggested.

  “Any idea who that might be? Such as Morley Cross, for instance? We can look into it, of course. There was a fairly good description of the young man.” This was it! Or had he struck too soon?

  “I daresay it was Morley Cross,�
�� Armitage replied. “A nice enough young man, and they were friends.”

  “That would explain it,” Daniel agreed. “In fact, it would explain quite a lot. Was Morley Cross a gambler as well? Our inquiries suggest that he was. That would account for his sympathies. And his ability to know the ropes, so to speak.”

  Armitage looked a little less comfortable. “I suppose so. Is it important now? Sidney is the one who attacked Miss Thorwood. Mrs. Thorwood recognized him in the light on the landing. And Sidney is the one who embezzled from the embassy.”

  “No, actually he isn’t,” Daniel contradicted. “He did not attack Miss Thorwood, nor steal the necklace. For a start, he was aware that it was only of sentimental value, and not worth more than a few pounds. And he was not in America when it was pawned—”

  “I’ve told you,” Armitage interrupted, “Morley Cross would have done it for him!”

  Daniel nodded. “Yes, you did say that. And since you suggested Sidney leave and arranged passage for him, you would be correct about the dates he left.”

  “Precisely,” Armitage agreed with mounting tension. “I don’t know what the dickens you’re playing at. You’re supposed to be defending him!” There was a slight flush in his cheeks now.

  “I am,” Daniel assured him. “I believe it was Morley Cross who assaulted Miss Thorwood and stole the necklace, and then pawned it. I believe it was probably also him who forged Sidney’s name on the embassy financial record.”

  “Are you asking me?” Armitage said in astonishment. “For God’s sake, man, I don’t know! This is your job, isn’t it?” His voice was considerably sharper.

  “Actually, my job is to defend Philip Sidney,” Daniel replied. “And I believe the best way to do that is to find the truth about Morley Cross’s part in this, and prove it.”

  “Ambitious,” Armitage said a trifle sarcastically. “I assume you are referring to some alternative truth where Sidney was not guilty?” His austere expression suggested his contempt for the idea.

  “There is only one truth,” Daniel replied. “Just several sides of it. Take a prism, if you wish.”

  “A kaleidoscope would be more appropriate,” Armitage returned swiftly. “Every time you shake it, it creates a different picture.”

  “The pieces are interesting.” Daniel was not going to be shaken. “Let us consider them, and let the gentlemen of the jury decide on the true picture.” Before Armitage could respond to that, he went on. “You knew Mrs. Sidney and Miss Trelawny. You knew the house in Alderney. I believe you visited it, possibly several times.” He watched Armitage’s face closely. He thought he saw a slight flush. “I have witnesses. Perhaps you did not know Dr. Mullane is here, in court. Still, let’s go back to the order of the pieces.”

  Armitage did not reply. The muscles were tight in his jaw. Daniel could see that, even from where he stood.

  “You are stationed in Washington,” he continued. “You are well acquainted with all the Thorwoods. And with young Morley Cross. I believe he was one of your assistants. I’ll call proof to that fact, if it is necessary. I suggest that it was Morley Cross who committed the assault on Miss Thorwood and stole the pendant. Certainly, it was him who took it to the pawnbroker. I think it was him who embezzled from the embassy also. Unfortunately, we cannot charge him with it.” Daniel hesitated only a moment. “Regrettably, Mr. Cross was murdered. His body was pulled out of the Potomac River in Washington five days ago. Shot in the back of the head. But finally, we have a witness who saw him alive after Sidney had sailed for London. So that is another crime of which he cannot possibly be guilty.”

  Armitage leaned back in the witness stand, as if bored. “I see no picture yet.”

  “I haven’t laid out all the pieces.” Daniel gave a wry, tight smile. “The Thorwoods have come to England to settle Miss Trelawny’s will and lay claim to the house. Someone has been trying very hard to buy it…Oh, you didn’t know that?”

  Armitage shifted his position slightly, altering his balance on the balls of his feet.

  “Yes,” Daniel went on quietly. “I went to the island over the weekend. Just got back yesterday evening. Brought Dr. Mullane with me. Excellent man. Very fond of Miss Trelawny. It was he who told me about her murder. Very dreadful. Very violent. It happened when you were over here from Washington. Not here in London, perhaps elsewhere in Britain. Like the Channel Islands, for example.”

  Armitage stood rigid now.

  “Never mind if you’ve forgotten,” Daniel continued. “I can ask Dr. Mullane. He is already present and has a very good memory. As has the postmistress in St. Anne. That is on Alderney, but of course you know that…” He glanced at Sidney, who was now sitting bolt upright in his seat at the dock, his face filled with anger. He seemed taller than before, bigger altogether.

  “I remember what it is that I know!” Sidney said loudly.

  “Mr. Pitt, control your client or I will have him taken outside,” the judge warned.

  “I think we should put him in the witness stand, Your Honor,” Daniel replied as politely as he could. He was directing the judge, but he did not wish to sound like it. He could not afford an enemy on the bench now.

  “First we will let Mr. Hillyer question Sir John, if you are finished,” the judge answered grimly. “And you make a claim that Dr. Mullane can identify Sir John. Do you wish to call him to that effect?”

  Daniel looked at Armitage, then at the jurors. “Thank you, Your Honor, but I think that may prove unnecessary. But if not, then yes, certainly I will.”

  Hillyer shook his head. “Thank you, Your Honor, but I would prefer to question Mr. Sidney on what it is that he suddenly claims to recall at this late and desperate hour.”

  The judge excused Armitage, and he stepped down from the witness stand.

  “I saw him in Washington,” Sidney said quite clearly from the dock. “I went to take a message to him, and I knocked on the door. I thought I heard permission to go in. But I must have mistaken it, because he was furious. He was speaking to a cultural attaché from the German Embassy, and they had a map of the English Channel out on the table. Alderney was marked, and a lot of sea lanes. I ignored it at the time, then forgot about it, because I was more amazed to see a scarf of Mrs. Thorwood’s, or one exactly like one she has, on the back of one of the chairs. I remember it, because I was with Rebecca when she chose it for her mother’s birthday. It was very expensive, and Rebecca told me she had it made especially for her mother, so it couldn’t have belonged to anyone else. But I know now that it was the map that mattered.”

  Armitage was walking toward Bernadette Thorwood. Next to Jemima, Patrick stood up.

  The judge’s face was pink. “Order!” he said sharply. “I will have order in court. Sir John! You have not been given permission to leave!”

  At that moment, Armitage was galvanized into action. He whipped his hand out of his pocket holding what looked like an open penknife, small-bladed but very sharp. He grasped Bernadette by one arm and held her immediately in front of him. “Come after me and I’ll cut her throat!” he said quite clearly.

  Everyone stopped motionless.

  Sidney jerked his hands as if to follow, but he was manacled to the chair and could not take even a step.

  Armitage dragged Bernadette out of the room, the doors opened for them by a white-faced usher. Patrick was the first to charge after them, leaving Tobias Thorwood holding a frantic Rebecca.

  Daniel left his table and dashed through the door and past the still-paralyzed usher. He could see Armitage, still dragging Bernadette with him into the street. Patrick was only yards behind them.

  Daniel reached the top of the steps in time to see Patrick sprinting along the pavement. Ahead of him Armitage stopped dragging Bernadette. It was bound to happen. He could not run holding her.

  Then the impossible happened. Armitage took Bernadette by the han
d and she ran with him, as fast as he did. Suddenly a whole lot of pictures in the kaleidoscope shifted and made a totally different pattern, one that explained many small details: how Armitage knew so much about May Trelawny and the deep-water cove, why Bernadette had lied about recognizing Sidney in the bedroom corridor, why Armitage had suggested so quickly that Sidney claim diplomatic immunity and flee, leaving himself without a defense.

  Patrick was racing along the pavement, gaining on them. Armitage came to an open-topped car parked by the curb. He swung the door open and leaped in, Bernadette immediately behind him. He started the engine just as Patrick came level with him. He threw himself at Armitage, who came back at him hard, sending Patrick reeling backward and to the ground, blood streaming from a knife slash on his face. The knife clattered to the road and Patrick grabbed it, lashing out. It was a moment before he struggled to his feet.

  Daniel skidded to a stop, ignoring the car as it jerked forward and sped away. “Are you all right?” he asked. “Here!” He held out a clean handkerchief. The blood was oozing through Patrick’s fingers and running over his hand.

  “Get them!” Patrick said urgently. “They won’t get far…I put a gash in his tire! That’ll slow him up. We’ll catch them, if you get on with it.” He sounded urgent, desperate, but he was ashen pale.

  “We’ve got to get you to a doctor…” Daniel began.

  Patrick held the folded handkerchief hard against his face. “Go after them.”