Page 27 of Dissection of a Murder
“Correct,” he confirms, sitting opposite me across the table. The case papers are spread out between us.
“And she works at Temptation as a hostess.”
“Yes.”
“Your solicitor says Miss Woods is prepared to give evidence in court to confirm this?”
“She is, yes.”
I pause for a moment to check the papers. Something isn’t sitting well with me.
“Mr. Millman, did you have a solicitor in your police interview?”
“Yeah, he advised me to go no comment. He said because of who it was, he didn’t think it would go anywhere.”
“What do you mean?”
“Tony Flanagan doesn’t want unnecessary coppers in his life. Or, at least, that’s what we thought.”
“He doesn’t get on with Eddie, does he?”
“Nah. They’ve been rivals for years. That’s what this is all about. He wouldn’t be pursuing it otherwise.”
I’m aware of Flanagan. He’s a dangerous man. Notorious. Jack’s solicitor was right to advise him not to say anything in interview, but it’s going to cause issues now.
“Mr. Millman, from what I’ve seen and heard, you should plead not guilty to this offense. Your defense should be that you were defending another from harm.”
“Yeah, I’m good with that.” He’s soft-spoken for a man of his build.
“You’ll have the opportunity to tell the jury what happened when you give evidence if you plead not guilty.”
“Well, Iamnot guilty,” he tells me firmly. “If I hadn’t got Flanagan off her, Christ knows what he would have done.”
There’s sincerity in his voice. I believe him.
“Let’s hope she turns up at court and says just that.”
His piercing eyes drill into mine. “You don’t think she will, do you?”
I lean back in my chair and cross my legs. My robes drop to the floor.
“Do you? Honestly?” I ask him straight, to his surprise. His eyes don’t move from mine. “Your defense hinges on her. Flanagan knows who she is. He’s a dangerous man. It will be difficult to show a jury you’re not guilty if, for whatever reason, your main witness doesn’t show up.”
This man in front of me has no idea of the legal dilemma I face,because this is not a normal case. It never is when influential people are involved. I have two choices and both carry pros, cons, and an element of risk.
I can cooperate with the prosecution and serve them a defense statement that sets out everything Mr. Millman has told me regarding his defense. This could help him in the long run, as they might find and disclose evidence to corroborate his version. The disadvantage is that the prosecution will know exactly what he’s going to say at trial, and given the people involved, Flanagan might ensure the vital witness in this case goes missing.
Or I could take the more maverick approach and not serve a defense statement at all. The prosecution will have no clue what Jack is going to say and so won’t be able to sabotage anything. But the jury will be told they can draw an adverse inference from this when they come to determine his guilt.
It’s difficult, weighing these kinds of decisions, when it’s someone’s liberty at stake.
“Who will represent me at trial?” he asks, leaning back in his chair, mirroring me.
“It’ll probably be me now, if you’re content with that?”
“Yeah.” He smiles, the dimples in his cheeks revealing themselves for the first time. “You’ve got your wits about you. And you’re more on my level than the other one.”
“Your level?” I frown.
