Beyond Innocence

by Barrie Turner

  As soon as she arrived at the prison she was escorted to the same drab and dreary interview room where her client was already waiting together with a warder. There was no time for any preliminaries other than a curt hello. The warder had already left as her brief case hit the desk. She rounded on Harry immediately and, thrusting the papers containing the statements from Roy Chambers into his hands, she said, “What exactly do you mean by this Mr. Thompson? Adding, “of course if this is true I trust you realise that you’ve no alternative now except to plead guilty to both charges.” Inside she was positively seething, but she knew she had to put aside all her personal feelings whilst she waited for him to finish reading. Harry didn’t keep her waiting long. In fact, he barely read the first page before he let the pages slip through his fingers and onto the desk where he sat. He was ashen faced and visibly shaken. When he opened his mouth to speak he had the utmost difficulty in getting the words out. “It, It, it’s er, er tthththere’s nnnot, it’s just not true, I I I I’ve hardly spoken to the man” he stammered. How can I confess to committing two crimes I didn’t commit and what does the man expect to gain by making this up?”

  Throughout the last few moments, Irene Yarwood hadn’t taken her eyes off her client and, she had carefully observed each move and tiny mannerism he had made. From this observation, she rapidly concluded that either he genuinely hadn’t murdered the two unfortunate women and that the confession was false or she was confronted by one of the best actors she had ever seen. There was still the possibility that if he was acting out yet another scene; he could still be the raging psychopath that other people maintained he was. That thought, and its possibilities, sent an involuntary shudder down her spine as she replied, “Harry we are not playing games here. This confession alone is quite sufficient for any jury to find you guilty on both counts. Once you have been found guilty you will be sent away for life. In your case, life will probably mean just that. In fact, you’ll be lucky to get out of prison this side of twenty years. I received those documents a very short time ago and your trial is due to start in less than three weeks’ time which leaves me very little time to do anything. I can ask for a delay to the start of the trial but what will that achieve? At the end of the day, whenever we go to trial, this confession is still going to be there forming a large part of the case for the prosecution and we can’t mount any challenge to it until Chambers is in the box answering questions on oath. Not that that will mean a lot to him. In view of that, I’m going to spell it out for you right now in order that you’ll be in no doubt whatsoever what your alternatives are!”

  First, you can plead guilty as charged and face the prospect of a lifetime in prison.

  Second, you can plead guilty and plead insanity, spending the rest of your natural life locked away in a secure mental institution.

  Lastly, you can continue to plead not guilty knowing full well that, if we can’t secure a not guilty verdict or an acquittal, you’re going to go to prison for at least twenty years without any prospect of release. During this period of incarceration, you will probably be subjected to many medical examinations to determine your sanity and, at the end of it all, you could still end up being locked away in a secure unit. So Harry Thompson, I’m asking you to tell me how you wish me to proceed?”

  Without a moment’s thought or hesitation, he answered, “Not guilty” as firmly, and as positively, as he could.

  “All right then Harry,” Miss Yarwood replied, “I’ll leave you with a copy of your alleged confession and I want you to study it intently. You must read it over, and over, to see if there’s anything in there only you could have known about or anything you can spot where we might be able to catch Roy Chambers unawares. By the way, there is something else for you to consider and that is this. If you didn’t give any of this information to Chambers there are certain things in there that he could have only obtained from the police which can only mean that there has been some collusion with one or more of the investigating officers themselves. This will be a very difficult thing to prove, and it can only mean one thing. In a nutshell, Chambers has been offered a deal on his sentence when his case comes up for trial. Obviously I’ll give this all my spare time myself but we really do face an uphill struggle now. As I said earlier, I could ask for a postponement but it won’t accomplish anything, so we’ll just have to live with it and hope for the best. Besides, who knows, by adopting this approach, the prosecution might even have overlooked something. For now the best thing you can do is keep your spirits up and if by any chance you see Chambers, which I doubt very much, do keep well away, and say absolutely nothing about this to him or, anybody else...”

  Chapter 13

  * * *

  Timothy Harris could see clearly that the Prime Minister was not amused; in fact he was decidedly edgy. Timothy was glad they were alone in the leader’s office safe from prying eyes. Even so, he found himself wishing that his ordeal would soon be over. He knew, or at least he thought he knew, why he had been summoned to the leader’s office and he assumed that it would probably be about the murdered prostitute. However, he felt quite sure he would be able to weather any storm which might be blowing his way.

  The Prime Minister finished his nervous shuffling of the papers on his desk, then he stood up in order to address Timothy Harris, “Look here Timothy,” he said firmly, “let’s not mess about. You know, as well as I do, this business has gone on long enough and that I’ve done my very level best for you but, under the circumstances, I have to tell you it’s over now and I must ask you to resign your ministerial position forthwith. I would also like you to resign your seat in order to save any further embarrassment to the Government, the Party and the House.” Although he was prepared for questions about his reputed involvement, Timothy was totally unprepared for this dramatic turn of events as he asked himself what on earth could have happened to bring about such a change in his fortunes.

  Solemnly, the Prime minister told him that Dennis Panter had put down a question for the following day to say that if the person, subject of constant rumour, did not offer his resignation and apologies to the House concerning his involvement in the Clarkson case then a national daily newspaper would name and shame him the very next day.

  Realising at once just how serious his position was, Timothy Harris responded by fighting for his political life and, his career. He knew he had no alternative now and that if he couldn’t get his leader to move from his entrenched position then he was as good as dead. “Look Sir,” he began, “obviously I’m very grateful for your support over these past weeks but I don’t think I should have to take such a drastic step as this. With your permission, sir, when the question is asked, please allow me to make a statement and I will categorically deny any involvement or, cover up. In addition, I will personally invite the Honourable Mr Panter to repeat his remarks in any place outside the Chamber and I’ll sue him, together with anyone else involved, for libel. Naturally it goes without saying, if the newspaper goes into print, with the same cowardly and libellous remarks then I will sue them without a moment’s thought or hesitation.”

  “Timothy that’s all very well and good,” replied the Prime Minister but just suppose you can’t substantiate those remarks. Also, think about my own position if you sued and lost. In those circumstances, that would reflect even worse upon myself, and, my leadership of the party. We would then end up with the press demanding my head. No, Timothy I’m afraid it is no use. Enough is enough. This unfortunate saga has dragged on far too long and I am determined to put a stop to it right here and now. I shall expect your resignation on my desk here tomorrow before the House convenes and that will be the end of it. I know it’s hard on you Timothy but, I feel I’ve no other alternative and, if I don’t have your resignation as requested then I will be left with no alternative except to sack you in a very public and humiliating fashion. With that he began to collect the papers which lay loosely scattered upon his desk.

  However, before he could finish that task an
d before he could leave, Timothy began again, “Excuse me sir, please allow me two minutes of your time after which, if you still remain unconvinced, I will do as you ask and submit my resignation. First of all your decision has been made on the assumption that there’s no smoke without fire and that I really do have something to conceal about this tragic affair. As it happens nothing could be further from the truth because, not only am I not guilty on all charges, I can actually prove it. You see my involvement appears to revolve around the fact that this murdered prostitute wore a watch, which, if my critics are to be believed, I reputedly gave to her. Now the fact is that only days before the lady was killed I purchased a watch from Harrod’s which bears an uncanny resemblance to the watch she wore. In fact it could well be identical. However unfortunately for the press, not only do I have the receipt for the watch I purchased but I still have the watch. You see the item I bought was intended as a gift for my wife on the occasion of our wedding anniversary later this year. Now, if I didn’t know the poor woman and, if I didn’t see the poor woman and I still have possession of my watch, then the newspaper story is going to look decidedly thin. I don’t think I’ll have too much trouble in convincing a jury either. I have to say I wholeheartedly agree with you that this state of affairs cannot be allowed to continue but please consider my position. I assisted the police in their enquiries and I was completely exonerated along with various other people. I now find, because of my position, I haven’t been able to say anything about this as I was told it might prejudice the actual trial but, if the press feel confident to name and shame me, then I don’t see any reason why I shouldn’t be allowed to be able to defend myself. That is why I think you should at least give me the opportunity to make that statement in the House tomorrow, plus, I think you should also consider the effect the consequences might have on people such as the Honourable Member for Knutsford who has always given people a rough ride with his questions in the House. Who knows, in the not too distant future, people may be less inclined to use his services after this. With this last statement Timothy Harris knew he had struck a raw nerve as the Prime Minister’s papers, together with his brief case, were slowly lowered and replaced upon the desk.

  “Is this true Timothy?” He asked incredulously to which Timothy Harris replied, “Of course Sir, there’s no point at all in me telling you a pack of lies knowing full well that it’s going to rebound in such fashion within the next forty-eight hours or so. If that were the case, I might just as well resign now because there wouldn’t be any point in prolonging the issue would there?”

  “No Timothy there wouldn’t,” replied the Prime Minister. “There would be no point whatsoever so, in that case, I’ll see you in the House tomorrow and, when the question crops up, I’ll ask you to make a statement. Better still, when the question is asked be on your feet ready then, when you make your own request to make your statement, I’ll give way to you immediately. Oh, and, by the way, thank you Timothy; like a lot of other people, I’ve waited ages for such an opportunity to really put down that little shit Panter. It’s about time he got his own comeuppance and tomorrow might well be his day. Just one more thing before I go, Tim, I’ll have a word on your behalf with my lawyers because if I were you, I would want be sure I only employ the best and you can rest assured they’ll look after you.”

  Both gentlemen said goodnight and left the building.

  The following morning Timothy Harris kept a very low profile. He endeavoured to fill in his time between the Commons’ tea bar and the library. Despite this, it was all too apparent that something was afoot and almost all of the MPs in the House were well aware that today would be like no ordinary day. Confirmation came swiftly after lunch as the House filled up rapidly in readiness for Prime Minister’s question time. As the Speaker appealed for order, the atmosphere became almost electric as she acknowledged to the House a question from the Honourable Member for Knutsford, Mr. Dennis Panter. The Speaker, Helen Little, hardly had time to finish, before the MP already on his feet, began speaking, “Madam Speaker, Members of the House. Is the Prime Minister aware of the shame which is being brought upon this House by continuing to allow a certain Member to keep his position within the government despite that person being the subject of continual adverse gossip concerning his involvement in the case of the murdered Wirral prostitute, Angela Clarkson?” Barely pausing to draw breath, he continued “and is the Prime Minister aware that if the Member concerned does not apologise to this House and offer his resignation today, then a daily national newspaper will be forced to name and shame him?”

  All eyes were focused upon the Prime Minister who had risen to his feet but, instead of replying, he motioned to the House that as Timothy Harris was on his feet he would give way at once. Seeing the Wirral MP on his feet momentarily silenced the critics and hounds who were baying for blood. As they anxiously waited for his expected resignation speech, Timothy glanced quickly around the Chamber then he began, “Madam Speaker, Members of the House. First of all let me thank the Prime Minister for giving way to me. I have to say that I’m sorry to disappoint those people who have set out to destroy me, and my political career but I am not going to apologise to this House and I have certainly no intention of offering my resignation either. First and foremost, I wish to advise all the Members of this House that I am completely innocent of all charges and accusations made against me. Furthermore, if any newspaper ventures into print in the manner suggested by the Honourable Member for Knutsford, then, I shall respond immediately with a writ for libel. I would like to add that I have a complete answer to all allegations and, if any apologies are due to this House, it is the Honourable Member for Knutsford who should be offering them. With that he strode purposefully from the Chamber trying to ignore the order papers being waved, and the many well-wishers patting him on the back. He paused briefly in the Commons’ tea room before leaving the building and making his way towards the offices of Jerome Wolff and Solomon where arrangements had been made for an initial briefing on the basis that his name would be published the next day. Although he was well accustomed to lying his way out of trouble, Timothy was well aware that there was definitely no going back and now, it was all or nothing. Obviously if all went well, as he fervently hoped, then he had it made, but if it all went wrong, he stood to lose everything. The very thought sent an uneasy shudder down his spine as he arrived at his destination.

  Timothy Harris emerged some fifty minutes later feeling very relieved. From his point of view things could not have gone better, and he found himself almost wishing the paper would name and shame him. He took his time walking back to his London flat where he intended to spend the night, and he had no intention of spending it alone.

  Quentin Russell sat in the editor’s office. He had just replaced the telephone after a brief, but all important, telephone conversation with Paula Harris. Turning to his editor he said, “Well Clive you heard that yourself, Mrs. Harris is quite adamant that he’s clutching at straws and he’s trying to bluff his way out in the hope that we’ll back down. She’s quite upset about it all and I can understand that, but she wants us to see it through even though she’s not prepared to testify herself and I can quite understand that as well. Obviously Timothy Harris has no idea his wife started all this off in the first instance and that’s how she wants to keep it. When it’s all over and he’s lost, she’ll start divorce proceedings against him so, all in all, she’s in for a rough time over the next few weeks. Deep down, I get the distinct impression she knows it will all come out in the end, especially in the divorce, so she’s only putting off the inevitable but I think we should respect her wishes.”

  Clive Alderson listened intently to his star reporter and now it was time for action. This would not be an early night for anybody and the first thing on the agenda was a legal conference involving all the senior editorial staff together with a telephonic link up with their legal team of retainers. This was not the first such conference. Over the past few months there had been many
others all revolving around the same issues, namely Timothy Harris’s involvement with the murdered prostitute, the purchase of the watch from the jewellery department at Harrods and his involvement with the murder enquiry. The article for publication naming the errant MP, had been sent earlier to their lawyers by fax and, apart from a number of minor points raised by the legal team, the final text had been agreed. It had also been agreed that Paula Harris’s reluctance to testify would not weaken their case unduly, and they would proceed without her. Now, as the order to print was confirmed, the team repaired to the nearest hostelry to await the first issue from the presses.