Page 44 of Traitors Gate

‘Yes, it was a Ms Clarke, Jojo’s class teacher.’

‘So what happened next?’

‘I jumped out of my car, ran across the road and stepped in between them.’

Booth Watson made a note on his yellow pad –stepped in between them?

‘Did you notice anything else as you crossed the road, Inspector?’

‘Leading,’ said Booth Watson from a sedentary position.

‘The defendant opened his clenched fist and dropped some pills down a nearby drain,’ said Ross, ignoring the sotto voce remark.

‘What did you do next?’ asked Sir Julian.

‘I immediately arrested him on suspicion of being in possession of and dealing in drugs.’

‘And was he in possession of drugs?’

‘No, sir. But three of the pills ended up in the gutter and, while I was holding onto the suspect, Ms Clarke gathered them up, wrapped them in her handkerchief and handed them to me.’

Booth Watson made a note,only three?

‘And what did those pills turn out to be, Inspector?’

‘Methamphetamine, more commonly known as ecstasy.’

‘Methamphetamine is, correct me if I’m wrong Inspector, a class A drug, as defined under section four of the 1971 Misuse of Drugs Act.’

‘That is correct,’ said Ross.

‘And at the time of the arrest, the defendant was loitering outside a school playground.’

‘My Lord,’ protested Booth Watson, heaving himself up.

‘I agree,’ responded the judge. ‘Sir Julian, you will in future refrain from asking and answering your own questions.’

‘I do apologize, m’Lud,’ said Sir Julian, but only needed to glance in the direction of the jury to confirm that his point had been made. He suppressed a smile before saying, ‘No more questions, m’Lud.’

‘Mr Booth Watson,’ enquired the judge, looking down from on high, ‘do you wish to cross-examine this witness?’

‘I most certainly do, m’Lud,’ replied Booth Watson, even before he had risen from his place. He looked long and hardat the witness and certainly didn’t offer him a warm smile before posing his first question. ‘Inspector, can I begin by congratulating you on your commendable record as a police officer, although I fear we only heard your side of the story.’ He paused, hoping for a response, but none was forthcoming, so he continued. ‘Is it not also the case that you have, during that same period, been suspended on two occasions for conduct unworthy of a police officer?’ Ross still didn’t respond so Booth Watson pressed on. ‘And have you also been placed on disciplinary reports on no less than five separate occasions?’

Ross continued to return Booth Watson’s stare but still said nothing.

‘Should I assume from your silence, Inspector, that you are not denying your past indiscretions?’ Still nothing. ‘Would it therefore be fair to suggest you are from time to time a good cop, while at other times, perhaps not quite so good?’

‘Move on, Mr Booth Watson. I think you’ve made your point.’

Booth Watson bowed to the judge, leant down and extracted a single sheet of paper from his original notes. ‘This, Inspector,’ he said, holding it up for all to see, ‘is your incident report following the arrest of my client, so let me ask you, when did you hand it in?’

‘The following morning,’ admitted Ross.

‘Not at the time of the arrest?’

‘No. Once the custody record had been completed by the sergeant, I returned to St Luke’s to collect my daughter.’

‘Despite the fact that she was in the safe hands of Ms Clarke.’

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