Page 85 of Dissection of a Murder
“Day of reckoning, then?” Davina announces dramatically.
“I suppose,” I reply, with a raised eyebrow. “Shall we go and see him?”
—
I’m taken aback when Jack walks into the cells. In contrast to how he’s looked the last few times I’ve seen him, he’s now immaculately groomed and wearing a white shirt, with black trousers, a suit jacket, and a black tie. His hair, usually messy, has been tamed and teased into a side parting. It looks respectable but still retains a slight air of rebellion.
“You look great, Jack,” I tell him.
“Thanks.” He smiles. “Eddie helped me out. Wanted me to make a good impression.”
“You do.”
“Have you thought of a decent defense for me yet?” he asks, the tiniest of smiles curling up his mouth.
Even now, on the morning of his murder trial, he’s making jokes. It worries me.
“No,” I say, shaking my head. “Just running with what you’ve disclosed in the police interview, which is absolutely nothing.”
“Let’s trust the process, shall we?”
I catch Davina glaring at Jack, presumably trying to read him. She’ll be hoping this confidence translates well in front of a jury.
“Are you sure there’s nothing you want to tell me before it starts?”
“Nope.”
“For the record, I need to tell you again that whatever you say in evidence is going to be held against you because you’re bringing it up late. The judgewilldirect the jury that they are allowed to hold an adverse inference against you.”
“I’m aware. You’ve said it enough times.”
“The prosecution barrister is going to try to annihilate you. I’m not saying that to scare you, but you need to be prepared.”
“Your husband?”
“Yes,” I answer. “My husband.”
“Are you OK?”
Jack is the only person who has asked me, with any sincerity, how the case has affected me and my marriage. It catches me off guard and I take a sharp intake of breath.
“This case will hinge on many factors. The fact I’m married to the prosecutor will not be one of them. I—”
“Miss Reynolds? I have no regrets.”
—
Upstairs, people are taking their places in court. As per tradition for a murder trial, white shirts must be worn by the legal team. The public gallery is filled with journalists and Anton’s family. Barristers have come in to watch, as have some solicitors, including Sienna. I even catch Demi sitting right at the back, as well as Eddie and Daniella Sorrington. People are treating this as a day out, it seems.
Presiding over this trial is Mrs. Justice Brightman, a High Court judge from London with a reputation for being stern and exceptionally sharp. When you think of judges with this level of seniority, you imagine them to be old men, but she is a petite woman with a short, baby-blonde bob and gold-rimmed glasses. I’m grateful to have a woman presiding over the case, especially with Julian as my opponent.
At exactly 10:30 a.m., she walks onto the bench and Jack enters court.
After dealing with standard housekeeping matters, we agree a jury can be selected, and twelve people are brought forward to take the oath. It is always at this point that I like to study each one. What kind of person are you? Are you empathetic? Are you easily persuaded? Are you a leader or do you follow others? Are you kind? Are you strict? How would you react if a family member got into trouble? How do you treat your spouse?
You can get a good grasp of people just by watching them. I can always tell who the foreman is going to be. For me, this moment in the trial process is very important. Julian never even watches this part.
Our jury is made up of five men and seven women. Once they’re sworn in, they’re addressed directly by the judge, who informs them that the evidence upon which they will decide the case is the evidence that will be presented to them in court. All twelve jurors listen intently. Some glance fleetingly over at Jack before drawing their eyes back to the judge. The responsibility bears down heavily on their shoulders by the time she’s finished.
