‘I keep my promises,’ said McGill. ‘You’ve got your story.’ He gave Edwards an envelope. ‘A photostat of a letter which is self-explanatory and some photographs which I’ll explain to the Chairman. What’s going on down there now?’
‘Harrison is winding things up. A pathologist is giving medical evidence.’ Edwards paused, his thumb beneath the flap of the envelope. ‘Talking of that — how’s Ballard?’
‘In a bad way.’
‘These bloody hit-and-run drivers.’ He saw McGill’s look of surprise, and said, ‘One of the boys checked at the hotel. It was obviously hit and run, wasn’t it?’ He regarded McGill closely. ‘Or am I missing something?’
McGill poked his finger at the envelope. ‘You’re missing your story.’
Edwards pulled out the copy of the letter and scanned it. His jaw dropped. ‘Jesus! Is this straight up?’
‘I’ll be giving the original to Harrison in less than five minutes.’
‘Thanks, McGill. Maybe I’ll give you a case of beer.’ He went back into the Press gallery and found a young reporter. ‘Take this back to the office. Give it to the editor — in no one else’s hands, understand. Off with you.’
He regained his seat and Dalwood said curiously, ‘Anything doing?’
Edwards grinned broadly and nodded down into the hall. ‘The fireworks are due to start any minute.’
McGill walked across the vestibule, past the two policemen standing outside the chamber, and went inside. Harrison turned his head, and said to the witness, ‘Excuse me, Dr Cross. Good afternoon, Dr McGill. How is Mr Ballard?’
‘He’s still unconscious, Mr Chairman.’
‘I’m sorry to hear it. It’s good of you to return, but not really necessary under the circumstances.’
‘I think my return was very necessary, Mr Chairman. I am in possession of fresh evidence.’
‘Indeed? Step forward, Dr McGill. You are excused for the moment, Dr Cross.’
The pathologist stepped down and McGill stood before the rostrum. He took an envelope from his pocket. ‘I received this letter and discussed the contents with Mr Ballard. We both agreed that it was too important to conceal even though it could destroy a man’s reputation.’
He handed the letter to Harrison who opened it and began to read. It took him a long time and the lines of his face deepened as he read. At last he raised his head, and said, ‘I see. Yes, it would have been wrong to withhold this.’ He looked at the letter again. ‘I see that each page is signed and countersigned, and has the seal of a notary public. Would that be the American equivalent of our own Commissioner for Oaths?’
‘It is almost the exact equivalent, Mr Chairman.’
Harrison’s eyes roved about the room. ‘Mr Lyall, would you mind stepping over here?’
Lyall looked surprised, but said, ‘Not at all, Mr Chairman.’ He got up and walked over to stand next to McGill.
Harrison said in a low voice, ‘This concerns one of your clients. I think you’d better read it.’ He held out the letter.
A few minutes later Lyall said nervously, ‘I don’t really know what to say, Mr Chairman.’ His face was pale. ‘I feel inclined to withdraw from this case.’
‘Do you?’ Harrison’s voice was grim. ‘This is not a case, Mr Lyall; it is a Commission of Inquiry. Apart from that, I doubt if anyone would respect a lawyer who deserted his client when things became hard.’
Red spots burned in Lyall’s cheeks. ‘Very well,’ he said abruptly. ‘But is it admissible evidence?’
‘That is something which I and the assessors will have to decide,’ said Harrison heavily. He took the letter from Lyall and passed it to Rolandson.
McGill said, ‘I have other supporting evidence.’
‘No evidence can be brought to support this letter if the letter itself is not admissible,’ said Lyall. ‘And if you admit the letter there will certainly be grounds for appeal.’
‘There’ll be no appeal,’ said McGill. ‘And you know it.’
‘You are not here to argue a lawyer’s case, Dr McGill,’ said Harrison in tones of freezing rebuke. He turned to Rolandson. ‘What do you think?’
‘I think it’s appalling,’ snapped Rolandson.
‘I mean, is it admissible?’
‘Let me read it all.’ Presently Rolandson said, ‘It has been witnessed under oath. It is admissible.’
Harrison gave the letter to French, who read it and soon looked as though there was a bad smell under his nose. He tossed the letter down. ‘Certainly admissible.’
‘I think so, too. I’m sorry, Mr Lyall.’ Harrison passed the letter to the Secretary to the Commission. ‘Read that aloud, Mr Reed.’ He paused as though confused by the discord of what he had uttered.
Reed scanned the letter and then began, ‘This is a letter from a Mr George Albert Miller of Riverside, California, and is addressed to Dr Michael McGill.’
He read the letter slowly and in an even tone which contrasted oddly with the events Miller described. When he had finished he said flatly, ‘Each page is signed by Mr Miller and countersigned by Carl Risinger. Each page is impressed with the seal of a notary public.’
The silence in the hall was total and seemed to last forever. It was as though time had stopped. There was a strange movement as people twisted in their seats to look in one direction. It was as though Charlie Peterson had developed a new form of attractive force — all eyes turned towards him like compass needles towards a magnet.
He was sitting slumped in his chair, his face white and his eyes staring. Next to him Eric had withdrawn and was looking at Charlie with a baffled expression. Liz was sitting upright, her hands in her lap, and staring rigidly ahead. Her brow was contracted and her lips compressed. She was very angry.
Charlie’s eyes flickered from side to side and he became aware that everyone was watching him in silence. He jumped to his feet. ‘It’s a lie!’ he shouted. ‘Miller is a liar. He started the avalanche, not me.’
The silence broke and a wave of sound washed around Charlie. Harrison hammered with his gavel furiously. With difficulty he achieved order and said icily, ‘Any more disturbance and I will adjourn this session.’ He looked at Charlie with cold eyes. ‘You will sit down, Mr Peterson.’
Charlie’s right hand stabbed out, pointing at Harrison and McGill’s eyes narrowed as he observed the strip of sticking-plaster which decorated his knuckles. ‘Aren’t you going to hear me?’ Charlie yelled. ‘You were ready enough to hear Ballard when his reputation was at stake.’
Harrison turned to Lyall. ‘You must control your client, Mr Lyall. Either he sits down or he leaves — by force, if necessary.’
Lyall called out, ‘Sit down, Charlie. You’re paying me to handle this.’
‘And you’re not doing too well,’ grumbled Charlie. But he sat down and Eric whispered to him furiously.
Lyall said, ‘I must formally protest against the admission of this unsubstantiated letter as evidence. It attacks my client’s reputation seriously and, in my opinion, unjustifiably. Mr Miller is not available for my cross-examination and I must protest. Further, I give formal warning that a motion of appeal will be entered immediately.’
Harrison said calmly, ‘As I remarked to Mr Rickman earlier in these proceedings, you will find the necessary procedure set out in the Act of Parliament which governs the holding of Commissions of Inquiry. Dr McGill, you mentioned that you have other evidence. Is this evidence in support of Mr Miller’s allegations?’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘Then we will hear it.’
‘Objection!’