Page 2 of The Psychic and the Vampire

“This might be because of the nature of their injuries sustained, any impairment they suffer due to intoxication or drugs, or there are times when the memory simply prefers to shut out the time surrounding that event. The dead don’t have those limitations.”

“I see.” Colin Banks was already sweating as he looked down at the papers on the desk in front of him, and Ant didn’t understand why. The courthouse wasn’t cold, but it was hardly tropical, and it wasn’t like Ant’s testimony was saying anything negative about Bank’s defense of his client.

Surely it was the man’s job to clear his defendant and Ant’s testimony basically did that. In fact, Banks didn’t have any reason to cross examine him at all,and yet, here we are. The man tapped his desk. “I have an issue with part of yourtestimony yesterday. You claimed the victim’s spirit said the person who stabbed him was taller than he was.”

“That’s right. He said his assailant was taller than average, had short dark hair, and bright green eyes.” It was as if every person in the courtroom looked to where the defendant was standing, flanked by two guards. Ant already knew from the arrest report that Duncan was five foot eight, had muddy blond hair, and brown eyes.

“How can this spirit know that? He was hit from behind.” Banks rocked on his feet as though he’d just scored a point. “He couldn’t even see the assailant. When the police were called they found him face down on the ground.”

“The police found his body face down on the ground, yes.” Ant nodded. “However, the spirit that leaves the body on the point of death was able to see his assailant perfectly clearly when the man bent over him to check he was actually deceased. When the man straightened, the spirit got an excellent look at the man’s features, including his approximate height, hair, and eye color. I was able to confirm that description when I ran a reading on the area myself, at the behest of the prosecution office.”

“So you know who killed the victim?” Banks pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and mopped his face.

Ant shook his head. “I know what he looks like, but I don’t know who he is. It’s not my business to go and find him. That’s what the police will do in the course of their investigation. I am here today to confirm that the man currently in custody for murder, Mr. Duncan, was not responsible for the death of Mr. Fallows at Gully Park last Wednesday.”

“But Duncan confessed!” Was Mr. Banks having a meltdown? Ant wasn’t sure but it was starting to look like it. “The police didn’t have to investigate anything because Duncan, overcomewith remorse for what he’d done - in accidentally causing the death of a friend - handed himself into the police station the same morning the body was found.”

“That death was not an accident!” Ant felt Bridget’s hand on his knee and felt his dog nudge against his other leg and realized he was allowing emotion to impact his testimony, which was never a good idea. Taking a calming breath, Ant continued. “According to the spirit’s communication with me, and from what I could pick up from the scene, Mr. Fallows was actively chased through the trees at Gully Park by the murderer, who was waving a large knife similar in length to a machete, although the blade was thinner.

“Mr. Fallows fell, tripped over a tree branch, and when he tried to crawl away, the murderer stabbed him six times in the back and then kicked him in the head. Mr. Fallows was already dead when the boot connected with his head. The man responsible for the death bent over him, checked the pulse on the side of the victim’s neck, and then stood up and wiped his blade on his shirt before buttoning his jacket and walking away. I fail to see how any of that could be accidental.”

Banks sat down with a thump, still patting his face with his handkerchief. Ant noticed the judge quirking an eyebrow at him. “Mr. Banks. Do you have any further questions for Dr. Channon?”

“I need a recess, your honor.” Banks was shaking his head. “This testimony can’t be right, I just have to find what’s missing. Duncan confessed. That confession has been entered into evidence as fact, and now…now…on the basis of somefairy storycooked up by a pipsqueak toyboy witness for the prosecution no less, he gets to go free.”

“You will apologize for your disrespect to Doctor Channon,” the judge said sharply before Bridget could even get to her feet. “It would appear Doctor Channon has given you a win, and personally I commend the prosecution department for agreeing to include Doctor Channon’s testimony despite the fact their case has been totally derailed by the expert testimony. Mr. Hammond, are you agreeable to a recess?”

Ant leaned back in his chair. He already knew what Hammond would say.

“Your honor, I have to admit our office was suspicious of Mr. Duncan’s confession from the start. It sounded too glib and too rehearsed and combined with the fact Mr. Duncan didn’t seem to be able to offer any details about the victim and their life, despite claiming they were close friends, we had our doubts about its authenticity.”

Mr. Hammond opened his hands in that classic “we’re all friends here” gesture. “However, the laws of our fair city demand that if a person does confess to a crime, the police have to accept that confession on the basis it was offered, unless they have a clear indication of why the confession was bogus. It’s an integral part of our legal system.

“I am pleased that we can now, with the evidence provided by Doctor Channon’s testimony, investigate who truly was responsible for the murder. We respectfully ask the court to drop the case against Mr. Duncan. We plan to charge him separately with wasting police time and resources. It is our suspicion that Mr. Duncan is known, or has a contact to the actual murderer, and it is hoped that once we delve into his known acquaintances more leads may come to light.”

“You can’t do that.” Banks jumped to his feet. “If you release Mr. Duncan from these murder charges then he can walk free, andbecause of the double jeopardy clause he can’t be retried. I don’t understand why you’re not listening to me. I’ve talked to my client extensively. He confessed to killing Mr. Fallows.”

“I find your argument particularly unusual, given you are paid to act in your client’s best interests.” The judge did sound surprised. “Surely, it would have been part of your service, Mr. Banks, to advise your client of the penalties and laws we have in place to discourage people from wasting police time.”

“I believed in my client’s confession, your honor, the way any decent lawyer would. I’ve been preparing to present his mitigating circumstances for when he was due to be sentenced. It never crossed my mind that his confession wasn’t valid, and nothing I’ve heard from any so-called expert over the past two days has changed my mind.”

Ant lowered his head, unwilling to let his smirk be seen. Bridget wouldn’t believe a smirk would be seemly. The only person “so-called” in his opinion was the defense lawyer.

“I am satisfied, due to Doctor Channon’s testimony, that Mr. Duncan has confessed to a murder he did not commit. The act of confession in itself, especially in keeping with the timeline presented by the prosecution, and in light of the fact he was not identified as an immediate suspect in the preliminary investigation into the murder, suggests that confession is either delusional or deceptive.”

The judge’s voice firmed. “In the meantime, Mr. Fallows, the true victim in this case, has a loving family who has had to sit through this farce, purely and simply because of Mr. Duncan’s lies. That is not acceptable, and I offer the court’s sincere apology to the Fallows family in this difficult time.

“I hereby order Mr. Duncan to be taken from this place, charged with obstructing a police investigation into a serious crime. Heshall be held in custody until the police have completed the work they should’ve been allowed to finish in the first place. My ruling is made and is final. Mr. Hammond, do you have anything further to add?”

Hammond nodded at the judge. “We add our apologies to the Fallows family and trust they can take some comfort that the police have continued working on this case behind the scenes. We are confident the actual murderer will be before your honor in due course.”

“Perhaps we’ll see you again real soon, Doctor Channon.” The judge offered a smile in Ant’s direction, which he only saw because Bridget nudged his arm, and he looked up and nodded.

“I doubt my story regarding the Fallows case will change, your honor,” Ant said quietly. “But if the court requires me to provide testimony at a second trial, I will of course, make myself available.”

“Then this court is adjourned. I thank everyone for their time.” The judge banged his gravel and beside him, Bridget started gathering her papers and bag.

It was in that moment, as Ant stood up, already looking forward to his lunch, that he felt rather than heard a sub vocal growl. His eyes immediately went to the stranger still standing at the back of the room. His face was a mask of fury.

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