Court Out - By Elle Wynne Page 0,65

this stage.

“No Sir, I did not. I loved my wife dearly and hope that the police do finally find the person responsible for her death.”

Quinn sits down with a satisfied look on his face. The Judge looks at the clock and smiles at the assembled parties.

“I think we’ll take a break there. Mr. Hobbs you are under oath so please do not speak to anyone until you complete your evidence.”

Corr remains in his seat as everyone around him stands up. He’s bent over his desk, looking at his notes for cross-examination. If I didn’t know better I’d say he must have the butterflies now. I mean, he’s about to cross-examine someone and accuse them of murder! To the outside world, he looks as cool as a cucumber and is calmly sipping from a glass of water in front of me.

“Anything you need me to do?” I ask.

He looks thoughtfully at me.

“Was there anything arising from his evidence that you thought was useful?”

I stop and think.

“Obviously the fact he’s so blatantly glossed over everything won’t go down well with the jury. Plus, he’s been caught with his trousers down more times than that flasher you represented last year.”

Corr laughs. “I’d forgotten about him. Thanks, let’s see what we can get out of him. Keep your ears pricked, if you think I’ve missed something then pass me a note.”

“Sure,” I reply, before impulsively adding “Good luck!”

“Thanks,” he says, turning back to his papers.

Serena is watching proceedings from the back of the court. Lucinda’s returned from her trip and is firmly ensconced in the public gallery. I can see Serena throwing dirty looks her way; normally this wouldn’t concern me in the slightest, but I suspect her hatred of Lucinda is now nothing to do with their mutual dislike but everything to do with Rivers.

Lucinda isn’t engaging with Serena today, totally ignoring her mocking glances and bitchy comments aimed in her direction. Come to think about it, Lucinda isn’t looking her usual groomed self. Her hair looks rumpled and her shoes don’t match her outfit at all.

She keeps shooting anxious glances towards Rivers and I notice that her makeup appears to have been applied in the dark; her eyeliner is totally wobbly and her lipstick looks slightly clown-like. If I didn’t despise the girl then I think I might be tempted to feel slightly sorry for her.

The court usher brings Hobbs back into the court. He appears totally nonchalant about the whole process and doesn’t seem to care that he is about to be interrogated by one of the country’s finest advocates.

He resumes his place in the witness box and gazes around at the courtroom. His eyes rest on me and I shift uncomfortably in my seat, looking away. I look back a few seconds later and find that he is still staring at me. What is his problem? I try not to look at him, but can’t help it. He looks at me with an expression of contempt and I flinch. He gives a nasty smile as he notices my reaction. Creep. I sincerely hope Corr manages to wipe that expression off his face.

When Mr. Justice Wynne returns, the change in atmosphere is noticeable. Everyone is waiting to see what Corr is going to do. As he stands up to start his questioning I feel a funny sensation in my tummy. It’s like a mixture of fear and hope.

“You met Marina Fellows in a strip club didn’t you?” asks Corr, his voice quiet and measured.

“What’s that got to do with anything?” snaps Hobbs instantly.

“You paid her to dance for you,” he continues, standing tall and looking directly at him.

“So? It’s hardly a crime!” explodes Hobbs. He’s gone from calm to furious in a matter of seconds which I’d bet is exactly what Corr wants.

“So your initial relationship was, a business one, wasn’t it. A mere transaction?”

“No. She fell for me straight away,” he retorts.

“You had to pay her to enjoy your company though?”

“She married me!” howls Hobbs, banging his hands on the front of the jury box.

“Yes, and because of how you met, you always felt as though you owned her didn’t you?”

“What! That’s preposterous!” he splutters, visibly spitting in his reply.

“You though of her as one of your possessions. And far from having a ‘perfect’ relationship it’s well documented that you were unfaithful to her on a number of occasions.”

“That’s a load of rubbish!”

Corr opens a folder in front of him.

“Members of the jury perhaps you could turn to page 76