Page 67 of Maybe Tomorrow

‘I’ve been speaking to an appeal judge all afternoon. I’ve managed to get him to see that the way the confession was taken from Anthony borders on unlawful, and I tried so hard for Anthony to be released on bail, at least pending further enquiries. However, given the statements from the… working women, the judge believes there is enough evidence for the police to go ahead with a prosecution.’

‘What?’ Pauline asked, her face red with rage. ‘They’re taking the word of a bunch of… slags over a law-abiding citizen?’

‘Pauline, please, calm down,’ Jennifer said. ‘The appeal judge is in agreement with me that Anthony’s confession was coerced out of him, so he’s sending the case to crown court for a full trial.’

‘What does that mean?’ Leo asked. He plucked another tissue from the box and handed it to Pauline.

‘It means this will go before a jury and I believe, with the lack of evidence the police have, coupled with the unsound testimony from the prostitutes, we have a clear chance of winning and Anthony walking away free.’ Jennifer tried to smile but it wouldn’t come.

‘When will that happen?’ Pauline asked, wiping her eyes.

‘The trial will be several months away while both sides prepare their cases.’

‘So, why haven’t you brought Anthony home with you this evening?’

Jennifer swallowed hard. This was the difficult part. ‘Anthony has been charged with rape and murder. In these cases, bail is nearly always refused. I’m afraid Anthony is to be kept on remand until the trial.’

Leo’s mouth fell open. Pauline remained still, trying to take it all in.

‘You mean… Anthony is to go to prison until the trial?’

‘It’s a remand centre, but, yes, I’m afraid so.’

‘But you said the trial could be months away.’

‘Yes.’

‘I… I can’t… No. I’m sorry, no. That can’t happen. It’s Christmas soon. Anthony won’t cope in a remand centre. No. No. I need you to bring him home,’ Pauline said, growing agitated. She stood up and went over to the window, turning her back on the closed curtains. ‘You need to bring him home right now,’ she stated firmly.

‘Pauline, believe me, I tried my hardest to get Anthony released on bail. The judge refused.’

‘Can’t you go to another judge?’

‘It doesn’t work like that.’

‘Why not? Anthony is innocent. The police lied. You know the police lied to get him to make a false statement. Surely that should tell the judge that the police have the wrong man.’

Jennifer couldn’t say anything.

The room fell silent. The atmosphere darkened.

Leo cleared his throat. ‘Will Pauline be able to see Anthony while he’s at the remand centre?’

‘Yes,’ Jennifer answered quickly. She turned to Pauline. ‘I’m going to try my hardest to bring Anthony home to you, Pauline. I believe him when he says he’s innocent. I believe the police have no idea who killed Alice Patterson and have chosen Anthony merely because they have the pressure of the media on their shoulders. This is going to be a difficult few months for you… for you all, but I promise, I will fight hard to get him released.’

Leo turned to Pauline, but the blank look on her face told him she hadn’t heard a word Jennifer had said.

‘Thank you,’ Leo said.

‘I’ll leave you both to it.’ Jennifer stood up and picked up her briefcase. ‘I really am sorry I couldn’t bring Anthony home this evening.’

Leo smiled. ‘I’ll show you out.’

‘I’ll call in the morning with the details of the remand centre.’

‘Thank you.’

Jennifer left the house and blew out her cheeks. She felt ill. She had failed. She knew the judge’s decision was swayed by the media’s coverage of the rape and murder of a vulnerable young woman. The nation was outraged by the crime. They wanted to put a face to the evil. They wanted someone to hate. North East Police had delivered, and tomorrow morning Anthony Winstanley’s photograph would be on the front cover of every newspaper throughout the country. And it was Jennifer’s job to defend him. She needed a drink.