‘Whatever,’ said Sue. ‘I have news. Let’s clear security and find somewhere we can have a huddle. My news has a capital N and you’re going to want to hear it.’
Vera raised her eyes to Josh who cocked his head towards the entrance.
‘Come on,’ he said. ‘The only way forward is to get this day over and done with, so let’s get started. You’re not alone, and I’m not going anywhere no matter what the verdict.’
She held his hand close to her heart for a moment before dropping it to clear security.
The guards were just as brisk and impersonal as the first time she’d been here, and within a few minutes she was inside, where the air conditioning was battling to cope with the blistering conditions.
‘Follow me,’ said Sue, and marched them through a foyer, through a beige door clearly marked No UNAUTHORISEDENTRY,and outside again into an enclosed courtyard where one dead pot plant sat beside an old paint tin filled with yellowed cigarette stubs.
‘Smokers’ hangout,’ her lawyer said. ‘No-one will disturb us here; turns out nicotine addicts like me are going to be the next dinosaurs in the evolutionary chain.’
Vera took a breath. ‘What’s this news, Sue? The trial’s scheduled to start in less than an hour. Has there been a postponement? Is that it?’
Sue smirked. ‘You know that restraining order I slapped on Aaron Finch?’
‘Yes.’
‘Well, I dropped a word in the ear of the DPP—that’s the Director of Public Prosecutions—and suggested that Acacia View had commenced a private prosecution based on the evidence of a witness who had turned out to be not so shiny. They’ve had a word with Acacia View’s lawyer.’
‘What sort of a word?’ said Josh.
‘They think the proceedings should be discontinued.’
Vera took a breath. ‘Can you repeat that in plain English?’
‘They don’t want trivial matters cluttering up the courts, and they can’t see any public benefit to this case.’
‘Bloody hell.’
‘Yes, that’s what I said, only with a string of truly naughty adjectives. Acacia View weren’t pleased at all, but I sweetened them up with a deal.’
Vera felt cold suddenly, despite the sweat trickling down her back. ‘A deal,’ she said.
‘An apology, in person, from Vera for installing a camera in their aged care facility without their permission. In return, they will agree that Vera’s intent was to record her aunt’s movements and the presence of staff, not to record private conversations.’
‘But this is … well, it’s—’
She could barely stutter, she was so relieved.
‘The truth?’ suggested Sue.
‘Yes! The truth! My god, is this deal really a possibility, Sue?’
‘It’s a lot more certain that that. We have a meeting room booked for ten-fifteen. I’ll have to go see the judge and make sure she knows the DPP have taken your case off the docket, then we make our formal apology, and then … well. Then we say goodbye and I toddle on back to my office to type up my bill for a job well done.’
For a moment, the only sound in the grubby courtyard was the hum from the air conditioning motors running themselves ragged in the corner.
‘I’m having trouble taking this all in,’ said Vera at last.
Sue grinned. ‘You’re free, Vera. It’s over. The case of Acacia View Aged Care Facility versus Vera De Rossi is in the past.’
‘Oh my god.’
‘Girl, we’ve covered this. God does not have a licence to practise law in this state.’
Vera turned to Josh. ‘Did you hear that, Josh? I’m free. It’s over.’