A seal pokes its head above the water, then disappears. The competition. The mists swirl and rise and melt in the rising sun. A gull swoops down and analyses us, and is gone.
I am jolted from the reveries that these sweet moments induce by a tug on my line. A bite!
“Good on you,” says Rimbold. “Easy does it now.”
The creature surrenders after a brave struggle and soon I haul it aboard, a ling cod weighing at least five pounds. Well, perhaps I overstate. But exaggeration is a part of the fishing business, is it not?
Rimbold rolls up another marijuana cigarette and offers it, and in my elation I toss care to the wind, and take a tiny puff. But the marijuana — which I must say is vastly overrated — neither clouds senses nor encourages that talkative state of euphoria I have observed in Rimbold.
As we motor back to the dock I am seized with an unaccountable panic about the state of my Phantom V.
When I arrive at Stoney’s garage, I observe that parts of my beloved car are scattered to all corners of his work space. Even the seats are out. I stare at my car’s remains as one might an old comrade lying in a casket. I indulge in a few quiet moments of meditation.
Finally, Stoney breaches the silence. “Found mice in it.”
I am not sure if I have heard him correctly. My mind seems fuzzy.
“Quite a few, actually. Coupla families.”
“Mice.”
“Well, now, Mr. Beauchamp, that old garage of yours — and you wanna maybe think of replacing it soon — is probably overrun with them and they must’ve got in the car and started nests.”
“But, Stoney, why is it in a thousand pieces?”
“Well, here’s the thing, they got into the wiring. Why they didn’t go for all the leather in here, I dunno, but they chewed up the wiring. You see, that’s probably why one of your headlights wasn’t working, and, uh, there was a nest behind the back seat, and you maybe been driving without tail lights, too.”
He continues with a long, baffling speech about electrical systems. I sense he is nervous, in fear of me.
“Can you put it together, Stoney? Do you know where everything goes?”
“No problem. It’s all in a map in my head. And I’ll redo the wiring, eh? It don’t take a genius to rewire a car, whether you’re doin’ a vw bug or some kinda luxomobile. I can do it, Mr. Beauchamp. You gotta believe in me. I know you think I’m full of talk, but one thing I do know is electrical systems.”
My mind forms a picture of myself describing this woeful scene to my mechanic in Vancouver. His look of confusion gives way to barely concealed mirth, and the sinister gleam of avarice shines from his eyes. But I must call him today, and be prepared to pay an arm and a leg.
How to explain to Stoney that I shall be sending my trade elsewhere? I commence with a lie. “Stoney, it’s not that I don’t have confidence in you. .”
But suddenly I stay my tongue. Oddly, it is as if an angel of peace descends upon my weary shoulders, and I find myself relaxing. It is a mere possession, a material thing, a chattel.
“Let’s see if you can get it on the road again.”
“And I’ll do the bodywork on the fender.”
Incredibly, I find myself smiling. I clap Stoney on the back, offer him some reassuring words, then return to my 1969 Dodge pickup with the passenger door that won’t shut.
DIRECT EXAMINATION BY MS. BLUEMAN
Q
Your name is Dr. Rosa Sanchez.
A
Yes.
Q
And you are a qualified medical practitioner -
MR. CLEAVER:
I’ll admit her qualifications. District pathologist.
THE COURT:
Okay, proceed, Miss Blueman.
Q
On the early-morning hours of November twenty-eighth last, did you examine a certain Ms. Kimberley Martin?
A
Yes, at the North Shore General Hospital, at six o’clock in the morning. I was called in.
Q
Okay, and state the results of your examination.
A
I noted some redness on the interior aspects of both wrists and both ankles, an inch-long latitudinal lesion on her left shin, and some chafing there. On the inner aspect of her right breast I also found some recent bruising, two protruded areas, slightly purple. Also some slight haematoma of her exterior vaginal area, just a faint reddening, really. And. .
Q
Yes? What else did you find?
A
Some recent bruising in the area of her anus.
MR. CLEAVER:
Her. . Just a minute, I don’t have any particulars of this. .
MS. BLUEMAN:
I think if you’ll look at the copy of Dr. Sanchez’s report -
THE COURT:
Mr. Cleaver?
MR. CLEAVER:
Um, yes, well, is the complainant saying she was buggered?
THE COURT:
I don’t see a charge of buggery on this information, Miss Blueman.
MS. BLUEMAN:
Good Lord, is it necessary?
THE COURT:
Miss Blueman! This is no place for profanity. … The charge is sexual assault, so I suppose it subsumes a case of anal penetration. But that slight reddening could be from anything, couldn’t it, doctor? A rash. One often gets. . Oh, never mind. Excuse me, I believe she’s your witness, Miss Blueman.
MS. BLUEMAN:
Yes, your honour, you can cross-examine her after I finish.
THE COURT:
I wasn’t -
MS. BLUEMAN:
I’m sorry, perhaps your honour was seeking some private medical information.
THE COURT:
Miss. . Oh, just carry on. It’s getting near the end of the day and I’m tired. Get on with your witness.
Q
Doctor, did you do any tests for sperm?
A
Yes, I took a swab sample from within the patient’s vagina and subsequently examined it under a microscope. I found no sign of sperm.
MS. BLUEMAN:
Please answer my learned friend’s questions.
CROSS-EXAMINATION BY MR. CLEAVER
Q
No sperm. But if sexual intercourse had occurred several hours later you would expect to find thousands of the little beasties, wouldn’t you? Alive and kicking.
A
If there had been discharge, yes, I would expect to find motile sperm. Assuming no condom.
Q
Did you see any cuts, bite marks, anything you could really call a wound?
A
Nothing that I would consider serious.
Q
Many things can cause bruises?
A
Of course.
Q
Sure. I have one on my bottom from my wife’s shopping cart. Hardly a sexual assault.
A
Well, I don’t know your wife, Mr. Cleaver. (Laughter.)
Q
And some people bruise more easily than others. Sometimes just a touch will do it. Am I right?
A
Some display more obvious haematomas than others.
Q
If they have soft or sensitive skin.
A
That’s a factor.
Q
And reddening in the pelvic area is not all that uncommon, is it?
A
I would find that difficult to answer.
Q
I mean there are rashes, as his honour suggested, or maybe a person doesn’t clean one’s self, or abuses one’s self. . well, whatever.
MS. BLUEMAN:
My friend seems to be heading into an area of his own expertise. (Laughter.)
MR. CLEAVER:
I don’t. . Forget it. Thank you, that’s all I have.
MS. BLUEMAN:
Your honour, Mr. Clarence de Remy Brown is on an extended trip to Latin America and I won’t be calling him until the trial.
MR. CLEAVER:
If there’s a trial.
MS. BLUEMAN:
Likewise, Paula Yi, the other student witness, I give notice I’ll be tendering her at the trial. And finally I have Mr. Paul Stanton here from the serology lab.
MR. CLEAVER:
I’m prepared to admit the serologist’s evidence so we can get to the end of the day.