Dead in the Water

English Harbour.”
    “Good, good.”
    “Leslie,” Stone said, “Mrs. Manning will need to live aboard the yacht until this matter is disposed of.”
    “I’m sure His Lordship would agree to that.”
    “Who?”
    “The judge, Lord Cornwall.”
    “Oh.”
    “Stone, did you ever see the film Witness for the Prosecution? ”
    “Yes.”
    “Well, that is a pretty good model for how court isconducted. I expect you’ve seen other such films as well.”
    “Yes, I suppose so. Oh, Allison, I brought you some things.” He shoved the duffel across the table. “I couldn’t find a…I hope these are all right.”
    Allison held up the dress and looked at it. “Well, at least you didn’t bring the sequined cocktail dress.”
    Sir Leslie opened his garment bag and removed two black robes, handing one to Stone. “You’d better get into this.”
    Stone stood up and put on the robe; it was ridiculously small on him.
    “And this,” Sir Leslie said, opening his small case. He handed Stone a wig.
    “You can’t be serious,” Stone said, regarding the thing at arm’s length.
    “Oh, yes, quite serious,” Sir Leslie said. “On second thought, just carry it; don’t put it on.”
    “Good,” Stone said. “I’ll carry it.”
    Thomas put a hand over his face and laughed quietly.

Chapter
9
    A llison was taken away by the matron, and Stone, Sir Leslie, and Thomas left the jail, walked upstairs, and found the courtroom. Thomas took a front row seat, and Sir Leslie led Stone to the defense table. Sir Winston and another man, probably his supporting attorney, were already seated at the prosecution table. Various people milled around the room until the bailiff stood and shouted for all to stand. A moment later a red-gowned, bewigged black man entered from a side door and took the bench. He was middle-aged, tall and thin, with short, graying hair under his gray wig.
    “Be seated,” the judge said. “Bring up the prisoner.”
    Stone turned and watched as Allison came up from a hidden stairway and entered the dock. She had pulled back her hair, and in her fresh dress looked quite normal.
    “Madam, would you like a chair?” the judge asked.
    “Thank you, yes, Your Lordship,” she replied, giving him a grateful smile.
    That’s it, Stone thought, pour on the charm for the judge; wouldn’t be the first time that had worked.
    “Sir Winston,” the judge said, “do you have a request for this court?”
    Sir Winston stood and handed a folder to the bailiff. “Thank you, Your Lordship, yes. The government petitions this court for the trial on a charge of murder of one Allison Ames Manning, now present in the dock. We certify that we have sufficient evidence to bring this case to trial and to convict the defendant.”
    The judge accepted the folder, flipped through it for a moment, and addressed the middle distance. “All is in order; who will appear for the prosecution?”
    “I will, Your Lordship,” Sir Winston replied, “assisted by Henry Porter.”
    The judge turned to the court reporter. “Write down that Sir Winston Sutherland and Mr. Henry Porter will appear for the prosecution.” He looked over at the defense table. “And who will act for the defense?”
    “I will, Your Lordship,” Sir Leslie said, standing, “and I request to be assisted by Mr. Stone Barrington.” He turned to Stone and whispered, “Stand up.”
    Stone stood, feeling foolish in the tight robe, the wig in his hand.
    “I do not recognize Mr. Barrington,” the judge said.
    “Your Lordship, Mr. Barrington is an American barrister, a prominent member of the New York bar. I request that he be admitted to the St. Marks bar for the duration of this action, so that I might have his advice.”
    “Will he question witnesses?” the judge asked.
    Stone spoke up before Sir Leslie could. “Yes, Your Lordship.”
    “Mr. Barrington, have you had the experience of defending in a murder trial?”
    “I have, Your Lordship, on four occasions.”
    “And how did you do?” the judge asked impishly.
    “They were all innocent, Your Lordship,” Stone replied with mock seriousness, “but only three were acquitted.”
    The judge smiled. “Three out of four acquitted, eh? But then, you have such a lenient judicial system, don’t you?”
    “On the contrary, Your Lordship, in a lenient system all four would have been acquitted.”
    The judge laughed. “Very well, Mr. Barrington, you are admitted to the St. Marks bar for the duration of this