Cross and Ottey watched the news coverage of the case that night. Moreton was filmed trying to make his way through the massive, heaving throng of media that had assembled. They knew from the past weeks that Moreton was never one to offer ‘no comment’. That would presumably just be a wasted opportunity in his book. Swift’s and Cross’s evidence had been a hammer blow for the prosecution. The media used it as an excuse to ask him again about his by-election result.
‘How do you feel the trial is going after today’s bombshell from the defence?’ he was asked.
‘I’m not sure it’s appropriate or even legal for me to comment on the proceedings at this juncture,’ he replied.
The seat-warmer out of the way, the reporter came to the point immediately.
‘Will you be seeking another seat to stand for election, if one comes up?’
‘Of course. Why on earth shouldn’t I?’ he scoffed.
‘Self-respect?’ suggested another reporter over the heads of others. This made Moreton stop as if accepting a challenge.
‘And what source of drivel are you from?’ he asked.
‘The BBC,’ came the reply.
‘Well, there’s a surprise. Now if you’ll excuse me.’
‘Were you surprised by the margin of defeat in your constituency?’ asked another reporter.
‘Disappointed. None of this would have happened without the so-called bullying report. It was a complete put-up job.’
‘Are you saying there’s no truth at all in the report?’
‘Other people’s truths, not mine.’
‘What makes you say it’s a put-up job?’
Again, Moreton stopped as if signalling he had something worthwhile and important to point out.
‘Look, the civil servant at the centre of this witch hunt and I have a long history.’
‘You were at school together – is that correct?’
‘Yes, and he was as much of a troublemaker then as he is now.’
‘In what way?’
‘He’s been a constant source of conflict. My father would tell you as much. But as you know he can’t as he’s been recently murdered by his neighbour,’ he said with outrageous grandstanding. A collarless-shirted individual with wig hair whispered urgently in his ear.
‘Allegedly,’ he repeated with obvious reluctance.
‘Your father was a headmaster.’
‘Have you been attending the trial or read any newspapers recently?’ he asked combatively.
‘I have.’
‘Then that’s a somewhat pointless question, isn’t it?’
‘It was actually a statement not a question.’
‘Well, pointless, whichever way you frame it. It’s all on record. My father was indeed headmaster. What might not be on record is that Richard Brook never got over my being appointed head boy and taking a sound beating at my hands in front of the whole school. If that sounds small-minded it’s because that’s exactly what he is.’
‘Brook! That was the boy Maurice Simpson told us about. He’s the civil servant mandarin,’ said Cross out loud, angry at himself.
‘How did you miss that, George?’ asked Ottey, tongue in cheek as she had no idea who this Brook was. She immediately regretted it as she saw his crestfallen face.
‘Are you watching this?’ asked Mackenzie as she came into Cross’s office. ‘The civil servant behind the report is the boy, Brook, Maurice Simpson told us about,’ she stated in amazement. She took one look at Cross’s face and said, ‘Ah…’
‘My question is this. Is this report just another indication of how far Richard Brook would go to get back at me and my late father? As childish as that sounds I believe it to be the truth,’ Moreton finished by saying.
Cross wasn’t entirely sure what to think at this point. He had read the reactions, of which there were plenty online, in print and on TV about the conclusion of the Moreton bullying report. But not the report itself. He’d had no reason to. Moreton’s reaction was the fairly predictable denial of everything, discrediting the inquiry itself, that modern politicians obviously learned on an updated media course somewhere. Moreton blamed a conspiracy in the civil service which now opened the door for anyone to have a go at ministers in office. It had become open season. But all the separate allegations, from different people, at different times, in different locations had many striking similarities. Too many. Some of the instances were just verbal, shouting and swearing, humiliation of people and their work in front of others. But some were also physical. Mobile phones being thrown, a computer screen smashed, even a wastepaper basket, into which he had thrown some ‘inferior’ work, being set on fire. Some instances of humiliation had occurred in public and had been caught on people’s camera phones. Moreton claimed the footage had been digitally altered. The fallback for any ultimately desperate denial. But Richard Brook being the author of the report was definitely of interest.