Sir Job glanced towards the judge, who said wearily, 'Tell the court what your wife said, Professor.'
'She hinted that I was having an affair with Mrs Didrikson.'
'Only hinted?'
'Well, towards the end she was more specific.'
Diamond ached inwardly. This was disastrous for the defence. Far better if Jackman had come out with the worst Geraldine had said. By his reluctance to tell, he appeared to be confirming that he and Dana had been lovers.
'What did she say precisely?'
'You want the exact words?'Jackman hesitated. 'She said we were shagging like rabbits. It was a complete and utter lie.'
Sir Job said, 'Did you say lie, or lay?' The quip was well-timed. General laughter covered the embarrassment and the cheap point was scored. The defence would gain nothing by protesting.
Jackman's misery continued for another hour. Sir Job went on to secure the important admission that Geraldine had visited Dana and accused her of using Matthew as bait. He took Jackman through the events of the weekend before the murder and made much of Dana's gift of the Jane Austen letters.
'She wanted you to have them as a gift – these letters of potentially great value?'
'Yes.'
'A farewell gift?'
'That was my understanding. After what had taken place between my wife and Mrs Didrikson, it would be impossible for me to go on seeing the boy.'
'And you accepted the letters?'
'Yes – but if they proved to be genuine, I always intended to return them to her after the Jane Austen exhibition was over.'
'So this farewell was more of an au revoir than a final parting. When were you next in contact with Mrs Didrikson?'
'On the Monday morning. I phoned.'
'The day your wife was to be murdered? What did you have to say to Mrs Didrikson that Monday morning?'
Scarcely a statement of Jackman's had passed without being given a damaging twist by Sir Job. It was cross-examination masquerading as evidence-in-chief, and so skilfully had it been done that the defence would only have damaged its own case by repeatedly objecting. By the time Sir Job had done, the jury must have been convinced that Dana was a woman in the grip of an infatuation, and that Jackman had encouraged her.
The cross-examination proper was cut to the minimum. Lilian Bargainer looked over her half-glasses at Jackman and asked, 'Professor, can you account for your wife's erratic behaviour in the months prior to her death?'
'I believe I can. She was using drugs.'
'There is evidence of this?'
'Yes. On 25 April, the police found packets of cocaine hidden in the house. I understand that a person addicted to cocaine may exhibit symptoms of paranoia.'
The judge interrupted. 'Drugs? I heard no mention of drugs before this. Sir Job, is the prosecution aware of this? You made no reference to it in your outline of the case.'
Prosecuting counsel coughed and wrapped his gown protectively around him. 'We are aware of it, m'lord. A man has been charged with supplying the deceased with cocaine. The matter has no connection with the case for the Crown.'
'That may be so. I am surprised we have not heard of it already.'
'I intend to call a police witness at a later stage, m'lord. Undoubtedly the matter will be touched upon. I do not wish to over-state its importance.'
The judge turned to Mrs Bargainer. 'I take it that you attach some significance to it. Did you wish to pursue this matter with this witness?'
She said, 'I think the point is made, my lord. I shall, of course, wish to cross-examine the police witness in due course.'
The rest was routine questioning, attempting to mend some of the fences broken by the prosecution. Jackman did what he could.
When the court adjourned for the day, Diamond didn't stop to speak to anyone. There seemed no point any more. Anyway, his head ached. He went home to take some painkillers.
Chapter Three
HE WAS IN THE SAME seat in the public gallery next morning. By the time Dana was brought in, every place was taken. She looked small, too small to be the focus of this elaborate ritual.
The court rose for the judge.
Prosecuting counsel remained standing when everyone else sat down. 'My lord, with your permission, before we commence the proceedings, I beg to advise the court of some new evidence which has come to light.'
'Sir Job, you know the position regarding new evidence,' said the judge. 'The prosecution is not at liberty to spring surprises on the court.'
'Then I must request an adjournment. I assure you that the matter is crucial to the proper administration of justice.'
The judge fingered his wig, thought for a long interval, and then announced testily. 'The court is adjourned for thirty minutes. Both counsel will attend in my retiring room.'
Diamond filed out with the others, sensing that there would be a longer delay than the estimated half-hour. Something sensational must have occurred.
The recall came after almost two hours.
'After hearing submissions from both counsel, I have decided to allow the prosecution to present its new evidence,' said the judge. 'We shall then adjourn until tomorrow to allow the defence to consider the implications.'
With the tact of a lawyer who knew he had stepped close to the limit, Sir Job pitched his voice on a low, unassertive note. 'Call Chief Inspector Wigfull.'
In the public gallery, Diamond's toes curled.
Wigfull stepped up and took the oath in a voice redolent with self-congratulation. To Diamond's prejudiced eye, the moustache seemed to have been brushed upwards, into an exultant curve.
'Chief Inspector, would you tell the court what you informed me this morning,' said Sir Job in little more than a whisper.
Wigfull had no reason to be humble. A stiffening of the shoulders, a tilt of the head, and he plunged into his story. 'Early this morning, I conducted a further search of the defendant's house in Bath. It has not been occupied since she was taken into custody. In the course of the search, one of my officers, Detective Inspector Halliwell, removed the drawers from the dressing table in the bedroom, the defendant's bedroom, and discovered something fixed with Sellotape to the underside of the section that housed the drawers. It was in a position where it would not have been visible by simply removing the drawers. Inspector Halliwell felt underneath and detected a transparent folder. He immediately drew it to my attention.' folder. He immediately 'Describe it, please.'
'The folder contained two antique letters with the signature 'Jane'. They were dated in the year 1800. From descriptions given to us previously by Professor Jackman, I believe them to be the letters written by Jane Austen that had allegedly been stolen from his house.' Sir Job addressed the judge. 'M'lord, the Crown submits these letters as Exhibit Six.' He handed a folder to one of the court officials, who passed it up.
After a cursory examination, the judge asked whether the defence wished to put any questions to Wigfull at this stage, and Mrs Bargainer said she reserved her cross-examination. The judge gave his customary warning to the jury not to discuss the case, and called the adjournment.
Diamond had watched Dana Didrikson while this scene was enacted. Her composure had shattered. A look of
