Hussain was glad of the respite from the judges’ glowers.
Anderson brushed off Hussain’s continued apologies for the disastrous cross, but inside he was distraught. They needed a miracle.
‘Right,’ said Stapleton, sliding along counsels’ row to where the defence were sitting. ‘We’ve managed to get someone here from MI5. His name is Saul Pennington.’
‘Does he know anything?’ asked Hussain.
‘Only this: they were aware of Doran. They knew he was bitter about his 2003 conviction and bore a grudge against the police and lawyers involved. It’s got no relevance to this case.’
Hussain wasn’t prepared to just accept it. ‘You’ll have to stick him in the box.’
‘Sure,’ replied Stapleton, unconcerned about this apparently peripheral piece of disclosure.
As she moved back to the prosecution team, Anderson caught Taylor’s eye. They read each other’s mind – this guy, Pennington, knew more than he was letting on.
‘All rise!’ The judges came back into court.
Hussain was in a flap, whispering to Anderson: ‘I don’t know what I’m going to ask this witness.’
Anderson poured him a glass of water. Hussain snatched nervously at it, causing droplets to splash over Anderson’s papers.
‘My Lord,’ Stapleton announced. ‘I call Saul Pennington from MI5.’
Anderson, desperately trying to think of some line of cross-examination for Hussain, dabbed at the wet sheets with a tissue Adey had handed him.
Once the witness was sworn, Stapleton tendered him to Hussain, who rose slowly to his feet. What was he going to ask?
Anderson stared at one particular piece of paper from his file:
John Anderson, Spinningfields Chambers – 05man.
The water had made the ink run; the words were blurred. Suddenly, his heart skipped a beat. Could it be he had the answer? Thoughts crystallizing, he pulled at Hussain’s gown, who was still trying to think of his first question. ‘Would you like me to take this witness?’
‘Are you sure?’ Hussain was more than happy to let Anderson take the flak.
‘Yes, if the Court allows it. It’s the most important cross-examination of my life. I should be the one to do it.’
Hussain nodded. ‘My Lord, Mr Anderson will take this witness.’
‘What?’ erupted Billings. ‘You are the advocate, you will take the witness.’
‘My Lord, it is open to the applicant to sack me in any event, and conduct the hearing as a litigant in person. Ultimately, it is his right.’
Hussain had a point. Reluctantly: ‘Oh, very well, let’s get on with it.’