The Heirs of Owain Glyndwr (11 page)

PART 2

RHAN 2

21

Friday 18 July 1969

Gareth Morgan-Davies QC turned
towards Sir Bernard Wesley to conclude his short speech of congratulation.

‘Bernard, you have presided wisely over our Chambers for many years now and we will miss you, but our loss is the High Court's gain. You will be a glittering addition to the High Court bench, and we wish you many happy years in your new career. Amélie, we are so pleased that you are with us this evening to celebrate Bernard's elevation. I hope that, as a true French woman, and therefore, a dedicated republican, you will not be too distressed about being known as Lady Wesley. With your permission, we will still call you Amélie when you visit us, which we hope will be often.'

He held his glass up high.

‘Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the newest judge of the Probate, Divorce and Admiralty Division, Mr Justice Wesley.'

The members of Chambers and their guests raised their glasses and toasted Bernard Wesley. It was a big day in the life of the barristers' chambers at 2 Wessex Buildings. Bernard Wesley had been Head of Chambers for more than fifteen years, ever since his predecessor, Sir Duncan Furnival, had left on the occasion of his own appointment to the bench. Now Gareth Morgan-Davies, in silk for only three years, would take over the helm. By the standards of the Temple it was early in his career to assume such a huge responsibility, even for a set of chambers which deliberately kept itself small in number. Gareth had a substantial practice in serious criminal cases, and was greatly respected by judges, solicitors, and the members of Chambers alike. There was no reason to think that Chambers would not continue to thrive under his leadership. But such mercifully rare days always represented a time of transition, and for a profession which loved stability and continuity, it was inevitably a nervous time.

‘Thank you, Gareth,' Bernard replied. ‘I have enjoyed every moment as Head of Chambers, but it is time for me to move on. I do so in the knowledge that Chambers is in good hands. I do hope you will invite me back for Chambers parties and the odd dinner if I won't be in the way. And now, I will do what every outgoing Head of Chambers ought to do, namely, to shut up and let you enjoy your champagne without having to listen to any more speeches. Let me just add that Amélie and I are grateful for your friendship, for your understanding and support over the years, and for your kind hospitality this evening. I ask you to raise your glasses again and toast Chambers.'

The toasts completed, those assembled rushed to refill their glasses and sample the
hors d'oeuvres
and sandwiches.

Ben Schroeder had been a member of Chambers for more than six years. He was a good-looking man, with thick black hair, and dark brown eyes set rather deep in his face because of his prominent cheek bones. He was almost six feet in height, and his naturally thin figure was showing the first signs of filling out in response to his body's age. As always, Ben wore an immaculately tailored three-piece suit, dark grey with the lightest of white pin-stripes, a thin gold pocket watch attached to a gold chain threaded through the middle button hole of his waistcoat, and a fluted white handkerchief in the top pocket of his jacket. As a young Jewish man from the East End of London, he had not found it easy to gain a place in the most waspish and conservative of professions, but he had already played his part in a number of important, high-profile cases as junior to both Bernard and Gareth, and his long-standing self doubt had now receded. He was making his mark at the Bar.

‘Many congratulations again, Bernard,' Ben said. ‘Don't give us too hard a time when we appear before you, will you?'

‘As long as you behave yourselves,' Bernard smiled.

Ben kissed Amélie lightly on both cheeks.

‘
Félicitations
, Lady Wesley.'

‘
Mais non, non
. Lady Wesley is still Amélie, and she will be continuing her work at the university as usual.'

She stepped forward.

‘Jess, I am glad you could come. How are you?'

Jess was almost as tall as Ben, her hair and eyes brown and, although she dressed formally as a barrister in the mandatory dark grey suit, when she was not in court she could not resist adding touches of colour, with a bracelet of bright beads on one wrist and a multi-coloured band holding her luminous hair in place behind her head.

‘Very well, Amélie, thank you.'

They hugged affectionately.

‘I haven't seen you since you became Mrs Ben Schroeder,
n'est-ce pas
? It was a wonderful day.'

‘More than a year ago now,' Jess replied.

‘Too long,' Amélie said. ‘We must get together again soon.'

‘How are things going at the Bar?' Bernard asked.

‘Really well,' Jess replied. ‘I've been a member of chambers for about 18 months, and I'm starting to get some decent work of my own.'

‘Family, mostly?'

‘Yes. I leave the crime to Ben. One of us doing crime is enough.'

‘It is strange how time passes so quickly,' Amélie said. ‘When I first met you, you were still working for a solicitor,
n'est-ce pas
?'

‘Barratt Davis,' Bernard said. ‘Of course, that's what you were doing when we both first met you. The Middle Temple was giving you and Ben such a hard time about “consorting together” when Barratt was sending Ben work.'

‘They called it “touting for work”,' she replied. ‘And if it hadn't been for you and Miles Overton talking some sense into them, it would have been disastrous for us. Thank you again for that, Bernard.'

She kissed him on the cheek.

‘I'm just glad it worked out so well,' he replied.

‘It was only the other day Miles Overton was appointed, wasn't it?' Ben said. ‘You have scaled the Olympian Heights together.'

‘Yes. Well, not quite together. I am slightly miffed that I let him beat me to it, but there it is. He will never let me live it down, you know.'

They laughed.

‘Bernard, I must dash.' Mr Justice Furnival came over briskly to take his leave.

‘Thank you for coming, Duncan.'

‘Not at all. Always happy to call in when there is champagne on offer. Many congratulations. I couldn't be more pleased, and Chambers is in good hands with Gareth. Amélie. Schroeder. Ah, and Miss Farrar. You were in front of me the other day, weren't you?'

‘Last week, judge.'

‘Yes, of course. You were telling me that what the Court of Appeal said in that wretched
Staunton
case was a load of complete poppycock.'

‘I hope I didn't put it quite like that, Judge.'

They laughed.

‘No, of course you didn't. You put it very well. I'm only sorry I couldn't agree with you. But they outrank me, as you know, so you will have to go up there and try to persuade them, rather than me.'

Merlin was hovering quietly, but with intent.

‘I am sorry to interrupt, sir,' he said to Ben. ‘But can I drag you away for a moment? I need a word with you and Mr Morgan-Davies.'

‘Sorry, Bernard.'

‘No, it's quite all right, Ben. When your senior clerk calls, you must obey. I've known Merlin long enough to know that, haven't I, Merlin?'

‘Indeed you have, Sir Bernard.'

‘In any case, I see Aubrey hoving into view, so we won't be lost for conversation. Enjoy the rest of your evening.'

Merlin appeared to hesitate.

‘Actually, Miss Farrar, I need you as well, if you don't mind.' He caught her look of surprise and smiled. ‘I know your clerk isn't here, but perhaps I can take his place for this evening? Steven and I have known each other for a long time. I'm sure he won't mind.'

‘This is all very mysterious, Merlin,' Ben said.

‘All will be revealed, sir,' Merlin replied.

22

They gathered in what
would still be Gareth's room for a few days, until Bernard Wesley had finally removed the last traces of his occupancy from the Head of Chambers's room and ceded it to Gareth. Barratt Davis was waiting for them, with a man Ben did not recognise. Ben knew Barratt well. He was a partner in the firm of Bourne & Davis, which sent its work in the courts to Chambers, much of it to Ben.

‘I'm sorry to interrupt the party,' Barratt said. ‘How is Mr Justice Wesley? I haven't seen him since the
Digby
case. He was most impressive, I must say. I would think he will be rather good on the bench.'

‘I agree,' Gareth said. ‘I am sure he will. And you're not interrupting at all, Barratt. What can we do for you?'

‘Well, first I must introduce someone – Eifion Morris, an old friend, and a solicitor practising in Cardiff. We did our solicitors' finals together at Guildford, more years ago than either of us cares to remember. Eifion, may I introduce Mr Gareth Morgan-Davies QC, Mr Ben Schroeder, and Miss Jess Farrar of Counsel.'

‘Very pleased to meet you all,' Eifion said, shaking hands.

‘I haven't quite got used to saying “Miss Farrar of Counsel” yet,' Barratt grinned. ‘She used to work for me, you see,' he added. ‘Apparently, the experience was enough to make her desert the solicitors' profession in favour of the Bar, but it doesn't seem to have done her too much harm.'

‘It was an essential part of my training,' Jess smiled.

‘Well, let me come to the point,' Barratt said. ‘Eifion arrived in my office unexpectedly this afternoon. It's probably best if I let him tell you why.'

They took seats.

‘I'm sure you all remember this quite well, with it being so recent,' Eifion began hesitantly. ‘Three people, two men and a woman, were arrested in Caernarfon on the eve of Prince Charles's Investiture. It is alleged that they were planning to plant a home-made bomb in the Castle, timed to detonate during the ceremony.'

‘I remember it very clearly,' Gareth replied. ‘The papers said they planned to hide it under a flagstone, not far from where the ceremony would be taking place.'

‘Yes, that's right. At this precise moment, my firm represents them – well, two of them, anyway. I've known Caradog and Arianwen Prys-Jones for years. My wife and I were close friends of their parents, God rest them. Arianwen asked me to come to see her at the police station, just after she had been charged. Caradog is representing himself. He told me he will refuse to recognise the court, so what will happen with him, God only knows. But Arianwen is my client, as is the third defendant, Dafydd Prosser. I don't know him really. He came to me through professional colleagues in North Wales who knew I was representing Arianwen. I would like to continue, but…'

‘They have already decided to move the trial out of Wales,' Barratt said, ‘to the Old Bailey. Apparently they were afraid there might be too much local feeling in Wales, or that there was too much danger of public disorder and the like. Or perhaps they just couldn't trust a Welsh jury to convict. In any case, the Bailey has it now.'

‘It would have been a huge headache in Wales, politically, in addition to everything else,' Eifion said. ‘Anyone in any position of power in Wales would be glad to wash their hands of it.'

‘Is it too much of a headache for you too?' Gareth asked.

‘No. It might have caused some resentment against us in certain quarters, but that wouldn't have stopped me. We can't back off just because the client's cause is unpopular, can we? They couldn't have kept it in North Wales – Caernarfon, Mold and so on, obviously. That would have been asking for trouble. But they could have moved it down to South Wales, Cardiff or Swansea, and if they had, I would have done it using my local counsel.'

He paused.

‘But in England, you know, with a London jury… I just think it would be in their best interests to have London solicitors and counsel. Of course, you are well-known in Wales yourself, Mr Morgan-Davies. You are fluent in Welsh, I understand?'

‘It's my first language. Is there any conflict of interest between the two?'

Eifion shook his head. ‘Not for the solicitors, but we will need separate counsel.'

‘Wasn't there a fourth suspect?' Ben asked. ‘Another man?'

‘Yes. Trevor Hughes, Arianwen's husband,' Eifion replied. ‘He seems to have disappeared without trace. Arianwen and Dai Bach – that's what they call Dafydd – both tell me they have no idea where he is, and I believe them. It's possible the police may find him before trial, but we will just have to wait and see about that.'

‘Mr Morris tells me that the trial will not be before the spring of next year,' Merlin said.

‘Yes. The prosecution has a lot of exhibits to submit for forensic testing, and they have to take a lot of witness statements. I was told that April or May is the earliest we can expect.'

‘That is good for us, in the sense that we can accommodate it,' Merlin said. ‘My understanding, Mr Davis, is that you were suggesting Mr Morgan-Davies for Dafydd Prosser and Mr Schroeder for Mrs Hughes?'

‘That's correct,' Barratt replied. ‘I'm sorry, Gareth, but from what Eifion tells me, I'm not sure your man has much of a defence.'

‘They're accused of trying to kill the Queen and Prince Charles,' Gareth said. ‘I'd be very surprised if any of them has much of a defence.'

‘I'm told Dai Bach made highly incriminating statements to the police, including one in writing,' Eifion added, ‘though, fair play to him, he does say that it was beaten out of him.'

‘It's not the first time a defendant has alleged he was beaten up by the police,' Gareth smiled. ‘There are even times when it is true. I've dealt with that one before.'

‘And by MI5, actually, in this case,' Eifion said, ‘as well as the police. And he says there is medical evidence.'

‘Really?' Gareth said thoughtfully. ‘Well, that ought to make it interesting.'

‘But even if we keep his statement out, they say they have a lot of circumstantial evidence against him. I don't know what that amounts to, yet.'

Gareth nodded. ‘Well, we will just have to wait and see. I will need a junior.'

‘I was going to suggest Mr Clive Overton, sir,' Merlin said. ‘Someone relatively junior would do for this, I think.' He smiled. ‘But I am told there is a problem with that.'

‘The case has already been assigned – to Mr Justice Overton,' Barratt said. ‘We don't think it's a good idea to have him appearing in front of his father, even as a junior.'

Gareth laughed out loud.

‘Miles Overton would have a heart attack if we even suggested it,' he said. ‘Who else is there?'

‘I've got Mr Weston, sir,' Merlin said.

‘Perfect,' Gareth agreed.

‘I'm not sure about Arianwen, Mr Schroeder,' Eifion said. ‘I'm told that her statement to the police protests her innocence, and the only evidence against her is that she was driving the car, accompanied by Mr Morgan-Davies's client, when the police found the bomb. She says she had no idea what she was carrying. It's early days, yet, obviously, but you may have some chance in her case.'

‘All right,' Ben replied. ‘That gives me something to work with.'

‘So, where do I fit into all this?' Jess asked with a smile.

‘Well, Miss Farrar,' Eifion replied, ‘we are going to need your expertise too. When she was arrested, Arianwen had her son Harri with her in the car. He is four years old, so he was in a child's seat in the back of the car.'

Ben took a sharp intake of breath.

‘She had her four-year-old son in the car while she was carrying the bomb?' he asked.

Eifion nodded grimly.

‘I'm afraid so. Of course, the boy was taken to a foster home immediately, and he is being well looked after. But it's a problem for her defence.'

‘You can say that again,' Ben said.

Eifion smiled thinly.

‘I didn't mean that only in the obvious sense. It presents us with another problem, as you will find when you see her. I'm afraid she is obsessed with seeing Harri, and with getting him back. I've tried to talk to her about it, but she is not rational at the moment. She is heart-broken about being separated from him, and I don't use the term lightly, Mr Schroeder. I'm not sure I knew what “heart-broken” meant before I saw her. But she is really heart-broken. She is almost out of her mind with grief. It's difficult to get her to concentrate on the criminal case at all, and it worries me.'

Jess shook her head.

‘Well, obviously, getting him back is something we can't even consider unless, and until, she gets a “not guilty” in the criminal case. Even then, the local authority may want to delay returning him until she has proved herself to be a fit parent, and if they think she really did put him in the same car as a bomb, it may not be easy to satisfy them. Remember, there's no need for proof beyond reasonable doubt in child welfare cases. It's just a question of what seems more likely, so she doesn't have the same protection she does in the criminal case, and even if she is acquitted, getting Harri back won't be automatic.'

‘I agree, Miss Farrar,' Eifion replied. ‘But I believe it is essential to involve family counsel now, so that we can reassure her that we are not forgetting Harri, we are making sure nothing bad happens to him, and that we are waiting in the wings to apply to the court for him to be returned to her when the moment arrives. She is going to be a very difficult client, and we are going to have to support her, be patient with her. Mr Schroeder, I hope you agree with that strategy.'

‘Absolutely,' Ben replied.

‘I will talk to Steven tomorrow, Miss Farrar,' Merlin said, ‘and explain what we have discussed this evening.'

‘Thank you, Merlin.'

‘Well, there we are,' Gareth said. ‘It would be helpful for us to have a conference with the clients as soon as possible. Even though we have some time before trial, this is going to be a difficult case, and it's going to take a lot of preparation. She is in Holloway, I imagine. Where is he?'

‘Brixton,' Eifion replied.

‘I will work out a date for that with Merlin,' Barratt said.

‘Good.' Gareth looked at his watch. ‘Well, what do you say to a glass of champagne before you go?'

‘That would be very welcome,' Barratt replied.

‘Right. Come on, both of you, and you can give Mr Justice Wesley your congratulations personally.'