His court appointed solicitor shuffled through the statements. ‘They’ve held you since Saturday night. That means they’ve taken all the extensions they can and they will have to either charge you or let you go.’ Keith Gooding looked rumpled and tired in his sweat-stained shirt and shiny tie. Jonah doubted he appeared much better than the solicitor because he was still wearing the same clothes in which he had been arrested.
Jonah crumpled his empty cup, then regretted it as the cheap plastic split. No refills now. ‘If they charge me, what’re my chances of getting bail?’
‘Pretty good. Your previous convictions were for drug-related offences, not violence. If they charge you with assault, and I’m not convinced they will, we can argue that it was an isolated event due to the extraordinary circumstances. The fact that your victim had herself just assaulted another woman in a drug-fuelled frenzy, I would argue, backs up your claim that it was self-defence.’
‘It really was. She was out of control. I barely touched her.’ That’s how Jonah liked to remember it so he was persuading himself it was true.
‘I’m not advising you to misrepresent the truth, of course, you must be open and candid with everyone …’
Yeah right, thought Jonah, like that had always served him so well in life.
‘But it would be better for your case if you avoided any implication that bodily contact was made before you offered first aid, even the mildest form of restraint as she went for you.’
Her dark eyes burning, pushing at him to get out of the way; his hands at her throat to stop her. ‘OK, yeah.’
‘There is no forensic evidence to contradict due to the fact that all agree you had close bodily contact with the victim when you gave mouth to mouth resuscitation. Any bruising can be attributed to that.’
That glossed over what had made resuscitation necessary in the first place. Jonah wondered if the lawyer thought him guilty or innocent. ‘I didn’t do it.’
The lawyer gave him a tight smile. ‘Then we shouldn’t have a problem, should we?’
Jonah couldn’t believe that he was actually walking out of the lockups at Lewisham police station. The police had caved pretty quickly once the lawyer got involved and they released him with the warning that he was still a person of interest in their enquiries and that he should keep himself available.
‘Always am,’ he’d quipped to the officer on duty.
What Jonah found even more difficult to believe was that his theatrical agent was sitting in the reception area, waiting for him.
‘Carol?’
‘Jonah?’ She got up and moved closer to give him a hug. ‘You poor old thing!’
He held up a hand. ‘I wouldn’t. I’m wearing the same clothes I was arrested in.’
She patted his arm anyway. ‘No charges?’
‘Not at the moment. The solicitor is just having a chat and asked me to wait here for him.’ He glanced through the doors to the street. There was a cluster of paparazzi lurking. Under other circumstances, he might’ve taken this as an encouraging sign that his fame had reached sufficient standing for him to merit the treatment. ‘I thought you would’ve done a runner?’
She grimaced. ‘Jonah, I knew you were trouble when I took you on. You didn’t do it, right?’
‘Fucking right.’
‘Then if we handle this intelligently, then it should play in our favour.’
‘So I’m still on your books?’
‘Yes. And don’t worry about RADA: they can’t expel you unless you’re convicted. How would that look? They were already aware of your past convictions so can’t play all shocked that the police unfairly persecute a man just because he’s got a record.’
Yeah, he could see how that would come across. Carol was doing a good spin, making the police look lazy as they went for the most obvious target. He just had to broadcast his innocence and hopefully this could blow over, even help him in an ironic way, sharpening his edgy reputation.
Having finished his conversation, Keith Gooding came over and Jonah introduced them. The lawyer shook hands with Carol. ‘Nice to meet you, Ms Travis. I’ve just been informed that Jonah shouldn’t go back to Gallant House until Mrs Whittingham allows it. In any case, seeing how it is the scene of the crime, it would be better if he steered clear. He’ll be allowed back briefly with a suitable escort to collect his clothes and personal belongings but in the short term he needs somewhere else to stay.’
‘I’ll sort that out for him,’ said Carol.
‘Good: I hoped you’d say that. Jonah, I’ll be in touch. Keep out of trouble, OK?’
Jonah shook hands, wondering why he hadn’t had the sense to call in a suit earlier. Decades of distrust of authorities probably explained it. But he wasn’t that vulnerable kid anymore; he was an actor with a profile and people investing in him. That gave him some power and he should seize it. ‘Thanks, Keith. Much appreciated.’
‘And obviously, don’t try to get in touch with Mrs Whittingham or Miss Groves without first clearing it with me. I believe both are still hospitalised.’
‘OK, fine. Wasn’t planning to. Anyone got a cigarette?’
They both shook their heads. Bummer.
‘Ready to go, Jonah?’ asked Carol. ‘I’ve a taxi waiting.’
‘Can we go by a shop? In fact, could you lend me a tenner? I didn’t have time to grab my wallet when they arrested me.’
‘No problem.’ She took his arm just above the elbow and led him to the main exit.
‘We’re walking right through them?’
‘You bet. Try not to look guilty.’
‘Shit, I was born that way. What should I look like?’
‘Defiant?’
‘Yeah, I can do that.’ Holding his head up, he strode towards the black cab, smiling slightly as the flashbulbs flared.