Sleepwalk (36 page)

‘I see. So, if indeed the defendant, Eleanor Wilson was the person driving the car when these unfortunate accidents occurred, and if she was driving whilst she was asleep, she would have had no idea what she was doing or why?’

‘None at all.’

‘Is there any cure for sleepwalking Dr Debruski?’

‘Yes it can be controlled with the right treatment.’

‘Thank you Dr Debruski. No more questions your Honour.’

Robert Jackson stood up now and walked up to the witness stand. He looked the American Doctor in the eyes, a deep thoughtful expression on his face, then he turned and walked back and forth at the front of the court room scratching his face as he went.

Finally, he came to rest at the witness stand and faced his observer.

‘Dr Debruski. I take it you have seen the video footage from the hospital where Mrs Wilson was a patient after she leaped from her bedroom window?’

‘Yes.’

‘So you will have seen the defendant stumbling through the hospital corridor on her broken limbs with her eyes wide open and a look of certain madness in her eyes?’

‘I saw the defendant sleepwalking Sir, yes. Sleepwalking is a state of automatism. The eyes are open but the sleepwalker does not know where they are going or why.’

‘You will have seen Dr Debruski, the defendant Eleanor Wilson slamming a young nurse hard against the wall like she was a rag doll and cursing her at the same time. Is that kind of behaviour normal to someone who walks in their sleep?’

‘Yes. Violence is quite common in these cases where the person sleepwalking is approached or apprehended but only usually occurs as an instinctive form of self defence. They feel they are being attacked and may lash out at their perpetrator to protect themselves.’

‘They feel they are being attacked? They are acting in self defence?’

‘Yes sir.’

‘In your opinion Dr Debruski do you believe Mrs Wilson was acting in self defence when she viciously drove into Corporal Daniel Glover and Colonel Arthur Jack Harding and killed them outright?
’

‘Objection!’

‘
And do you not find it strange Dr Debruski that her third victim, young Jonquil Forbes had told her friend Williams here that this woman was looking for her ……. In the victims own words,
searching
for her and obviously finally
found
her and then promptly drove at her taking
her
young life also?’

‘No Sir I don’t. Firstly there is no evidence to say that it
was
Mrs Wilson driving this car. Secondly,
If
it was proved that it
was
indeed her, I believe Mrs Wilson would not have been acting in anything Sir, because she would not have known anything about it; wouldn’t have even seen these people. It is my opinion that
If
the defendant was driving that car
and I stress the word
If
; as the driver of this vehicle has not yet been identified, then these people would have simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time. As I understand it the first two victims had a high volume of alcohol in their bloodstream and the girl was a heroin addict who….. let’s face it Sir, had a bit of a fixation on this driver; even gave her a name, ‘The angel of death’. The girl had a dangerously high level of heroin in her bloodstream. In all three of these cases their reactions would have been slow. Probably just stepped out in front of the car and the rest is history.’

‘Thank you Dr Debruski.’ …….
for nothing
……….
damned yanks
……. ‘No further questions your Honour.’

Slim was in shock. Robert Jackson stood up and talked to the Jury, rattling on about things he’d already said, then the American did the same but it all went over Slims head. The Jury went out to consider their verdict and as the Judge and Jury left the room Slim twirled his very special tie round and round in his fingers. It was the only tie he ever wanted to wear. Vanguard had bought it for him as a celebratory gift when he’d been accepted at the river authorities office. It was the colour of blue denim jeans and had lots of tiny pairs of brightly coloured striped socks printed all over it. As they left the court for the fourth day running the Doctor’s words were still ringing in his ears…….
the girl was a heroin addict
……..
a
dangerously high level in her bloodstream
………….

The court was adjourned and as he left the building and stepped out into the afternoon sunshine he bumped into the police detective woman, DC Claire Peters.

‘Are you alright Stephen?’

‘Yeah……….. I didn’t know, you know.’

‘Didn’t know?’

‘That she was doing drugs. I would have tried to stop her if I’d known.’

‘I think you’d have had a hard time trying Stephen. She was pretty well hooked. Her boyfriend is an addict; has been for the last seven years.’

‘Her……… boyfriend?’

‘Yes. I hear you’ve joined us working folks now? How are you getting on?’

‘Mmm….. It’s good.’

Slim sighed and looked up at the azure sky. Little puffy white clouds drifted over the city scape. He used to watch the clouds drifting by from his bucket seat under the viaduct in East Barton. Sometimes they seemed so close he would wish just for a minute he could climb a tree; leap onto a cloud and drift away to a better life.
Jonquil had a boyfriend. He never really knew her at all
,
did he?
………

‘Yeah. It is good. Never thought I’d say that, but it is. I got something to get up for now, and something to show for it at the end of the week. Never seen so much paperwork though! You wouldn’t believe that a few simple rivers running across the land and out to the sea could be so important. But they are you know. I’ve learnt loads of stuff already.’

‘Good. It sounds like you’re enjoying it. And I see Miss Gordon’s got you driving now.’

He was lucky he had Vanessa Gordon sorting him out.
She wasn’t such an old tyrant after all……..

‘Got me test in five weeks. Shitting me self.’

Obviously there was still room for improvement
…………..

‘Right…….. You’ll be fine. Well, good luck.’

‘Yeah. Thanks. Hey, d’you fancy coming out for a drink one night?’

Well he really was coming out of his shell
…….

‘Oh I don’t think
my
boyfriend would like that, do you?’

‘Oh…… right. See‘ya then.’

She watched as he strolled off along the pavement twirling his blue tie in his fingers. He was a nice lad. She wished there were more people like Miss Gordon that would give young people a chance. Perhaps then the world would be a better place.

Claire leapt forward suddenly as she felt hands either side of her, pinching the skin of her slim waist and pivoted around to face DI Carter in what was obviously an unusually jovial mood because human contact between them was unheard of.

‘What d’you reckon then Claire? Guilty or not guilty?’

‘Hard to say Sir. I think we put forward a good case but I have my doubts about this one.’

‘I’d agree with that. I’ve got this sinking feeling….. in fact I’
d put money on it she gets off
Scott
free. Come on; I’ll buy you a drink.
Jackson
’s side kick is going to phone when the jury are out.’

Two Years Later……………

‘Is everything okay between you and David?’

‘Yes. We’re fine Mum. Why do you ask?’

‘No reason.’

‘Well obviously there
is
a reason or the thought wouldn’t have entered your mind. Has he said something to you?’

‘No. No, not at all. It’s ……. I just got the impression he seemed a little fed up when he came to pick your Father and I up this morning. He just didn’t seem himself. It’s probably just my imagination running away with me.’

‘He’s probably just tired. He’s been working all the hours God sends these past few weeks since he got his promotion.’

‘Oh. Well that’s probably it then. I shouldn’t have mentioned it. I’m sorry Darling. How are you bearing up? Not long to go now is it?’

‘Two weeks. I’m suffering terribly from backache but……. hey…… It won’t be for much longer.’

Felicity ran her hands over her round stretched stomach. She would be glad when it was over and she wouldn’t have to carry all this weight around any more.

‘Vic! Grandad Joe keeps calling me Mary. Tell him I’m not called Mary. I’m not a girl …… I’m a boy!’

‘Oh! Well now Oliver, Grandad Joe doesn’t see with the eyes that we see with, does he? So we have to make allowances for him don’t we? Do you remember what I told you about poor Grandad Joe and his illness?’

‘Yes but you could at least tell him I’m not a girl!’

‘Why don’t you tell him yourself? Be nice to him though, eh Ollie?’

‘Okay.’

Mother and Daughter watched as the little boy returned to the old man who remained still in his wheelchair; his body slumped forward and his eyes partially closed.

‘Grandad Joe, I’m Oliver…… not Mary. I’m a boy!’ The child stated clearly and with conviction. The old man lifted his head slightly.

‘Used to sit on my knee. I told her stories.’ said Joseph Breen. ‘You’d better go now; back to your Mother.’ The boy turned and started toward the kitchen, then paused.

‘My Mother is in
America
.’

‘Sergeant lives there.’

‘What’s his name?’

‘Sergeant.’

‘Sergeant what? What’s his name?’

‘Can’t remember.’ Joseph Breen hung his head and closed his eyes for a few seconds.

‘Grandad Joe I remember more stuff than you.’

‘Can’t remember.’

‘Tell me a story Grandad?’

Felicity took the plates from the warm drawer and began to lay the kitchen table.

‘He’s good for your Father, that boy. He keeps his brain active.’ Margaret’s comments had not gone unnoticed as Felicity stooped to lift the heavy meat dish from the oven and felt a sudden twinge from deep down inside her.

‘Oh……… Oh…….. ouch!’

‘Are you alright Darling? Shall I fetch David?’

‘No. No I’m fine Mum. It was just a twinge………….’

‘Fetch David for what? Hey I’ll do that Flick. You sit down.’ David lifted the meat tin from the oven and placed it on the worktop. During the course of their Sunday lunch Felicity had several more twinges and they were getting stronger.

‘Babe, I think this is it don’t you?’

‘It can’t be David. It’s two weeks too soon.’

‘Perhaps you’ve got your dates wrong.’ Margaret suggested. ‘David I think you should take her in……… just in case.’

‘No, please! Look Mum it’s quite common to have false alarms with your first isn’t it?’

‘Well, yes but there’s no harm in getting it checked out Darling.’

David agreed. ‘Sorry Flick you’re out-numbered. Come on, I’ll wash up later.’

They piled into the car minus Josephs wheelchair because there wasn’t room for it and David drove straight to the hospital. Another twinge came whilst they were en-route.
They waited in the day room on the delivery ward and David paced up and down while Joseph and Oliver chatted away and Margaret tried to read a magazine; to no avail. They had been waiting almost an hour when the door opened and Felicity appeared accompanied by a young nurse who helped her to a comfortable high backed chair by the window.

‘False alarm.’ Sighed Felicity……. ‘I told you so.’

‘We believe baby has turned since last week and the pains are due to the head engaging. She’ll be good for another week at least.’ Smiled the nurse. ‘Panic over. You can all get back to your Sunday lunch!’

‘Mmmm……… Sunday lunch. Come on Ollie; you can push me to the train.’ Joseph grinned from the hospital wheelchair David had borrowed when they arrived.

‘Grandad we’ve already eaten it! And we’re not going on a train; we’re going in the car. You are funny Grandad.’ laughed the boy.

Joseph had been on a new medication for three weeks now and he was doing really well. He seemed somehow less confused which was an incredible bonus, although his body had deteriorated to the point where mobility was becoming increasingly difficult. He could still walk, but even a few paces were a struggle and he tired very easily. Once the tiredness kicked in, so the confusion returned. Felicity was just glad that her Father would be around to meet her new born child, to hold him and to love him……. or her. They had decided against knowing the sex of their child. Felicity secretly hoped it was a girl and she believed David was hoping for another boy although they had both agreed that whatever the sex they would be happy as long as the baby was happy and healthy. David helped her parents into the back of his car with Oliver and then went around to the passenger side to help Felicity get comfortable and passed her seat belt around her.