Free False Witness by Dexter Dias

with their decision?” I asked Justine.
    “If Kingsley gets away with this one, who will be next?”
    “I can’t say that I’ve thought about it,” I replied.
    “Well, you should, Tom. You should think about it really hard. But you’re a barrister. A professional. Abuse happens to other
     people’s daughters, not your own.”
    I did not reply. I allowed a few seconds to pass for the tension to subside. It did not seem the time to invite her out for
     some pasta.
    “So how are you?” I asked, unable to think of anything more profound.
    “Just fine, Tom. How’s your wife?”
    I pretended not to notice the question. “Thanks for your note,” I said.
    “Not here,” Justine whispered, looking around quickly.
    “Why not?”
    “Not here, Tom. Can’t we change the subject?” Justine asked.
    I saw that Davenport and Doctor Stone had finished their conversation. As they approached, I asked Justine, “Who is Alex?”
    Justine seemed furious. “Did Penny tell you?”
    “No, she just told me to ask you. So?”
    “So it’s none of your business,” Justine snapped as she stormed back into court.
    “Try not to upset my junior, there’s a good chap,” Davenport said, putting his arm around my shoulder. He gazed at me through
     a cancerous fog. “We won’t ask the girl to name your punter. Got the other filly up our sleeve. She’ll do the job—after a
     spot of lunch.” He tried to smile, but conceit took over. “Just thought you should know.” He left me coughing smoke from my
     throat.
    Doctor Stone and I found ourselves alone together. It was a little embarrassing. As professionals in the same sort of game,
     we should have had much to discuss. But I could not think of a single thing to say.
    Finally, she could suppress her thoughts no longer. “Whatever happened to that funny little man?”
    “Which one?” I asked.
    “The one you represented.”
    “I’m afraid I’ve got a lot of those.”
    “You know the one. Got a message from—” she pointed to the heavens.
    “Oh, you mean Ezekiel.”
    “Ezekiel Smith, wasn’t it? You know, about as charming as an enema.”
    His real name was Edward or Ernest, but he was a bit of a religious freak. I became suspicious when Jenny Stone showed an
     interest in this client of mine. In fact, ex-client was more accurate. He sacked me. I was briefed to represent him on a nasty
     affray in Essex, when he got a message. A message from God. “Sack your barrister and have faith in the Lord.” It had been
     revealed to Ezekiel that he should defend himself. God told him he was sure to be saved. God, it seems, lied.
    “He got two years,” I said. “What’s it to you?”
    “When he sacked you, I had to see if he was sane.”
    “And?”
    “And I thought he was. Came in front of Judge Manly. He said Ezekiel couldn’t be completely mad if he sacked Tom Fawley.”
    “How very touching.”
    “Listen,” she said, tightly folding her arms, “you’re not going to traumatize that girl, are you?”
    “Why ever do you say that?”
    “Because I know your reputation. When you get blood in your nostrils, you’re like a dog after a rabbit.”
    “I’m after bigger game, Doctor Stone.”
    “You know, I’ve always wondered about you.”
    “What?”
    “Whether you could possibly be as neurotic as you seem. I’d love to examine you. You see, I’m doing a paper on anal fixation
     and the criminal Bar and—”
    Just then, Norman announced that we all had two minutes to resume our seats.
    I headed toward Court 8. “Fascinating as it has been, Doctor Stone, I’m afraid my bottom is required in court.”
    “Don’t traumatize that girl,” she ordered.
    “I’ll do my best.”
    “That is precisely what I’m afraid of.”
    When she had joined the rest of the prosecution team in court, I realized that all around me were groups in animated discussion,
     arguing about Kingsley’s prospects, debating how I would attack the girl in cross-examination.
    People think