Chapter Fifteen
Arthur arrived at the court early. The crown prosecutors wanted him to sit behind them, so the defendant, Crenshaw, could get a good look at one of his victim’s surviving family members when he was brought into the courtroom.
When he was brought in, Crenshaw stared hard at Arthur.
Arthur, in turn, looked at the defendant before turning his head to what was going on in front of him.
Listening to the opening statements by the defendant’s counsel and then the prosecutors was lengthy.
Each trying to sway the jury early on. Crenshaw’s man claimed his client was simply part of a conspiracy.
That his client was a scapegoat because the prosecution couldn’t pin the murders on anyone else.
The prosecution countered by stating there was plenty to prove Crenshaw guilty.
They would introduce a key element that would put a nail in Crenshaw’s case.
Arthur’s family signet ring was the key piece of evidence.
The prosecutor had persuaded Arthur to let him hold the ring in safekeeping until the end of the trial.
There was some worry that Crenshaw had henchmen ready to assault Arthur to steal the ring.
No ring, and the case might surely go away.
The ring would be kept in the prosecutor’s office safe until the verdict was read.
The trial began with the defense starting out. They offered no witnesses and had advised their client not to speak on his own behalf. There was speculation they might add Arthur at the last minute but didn’t.
Once the prosecution began, there was little doubt as to why the defense had no one. People had heard Crenshaw make threats against anyone who questioned him. He expected loyalty, but now, when he really needed it, people were abandoning him and helping the crown plead their case.
Arthur had been asked to take the stand on behalf of the prosecution.
They wanted him to add a dose of reality to the proceedings.
By using him, Arthur would make his parents human and not just words on a paper.
His father had taught him how to hunt and ride a horse at an early age.
He had the best tutors to complete his education before going to boarding school and later university.
Crenshaw’s men never questioned what the crown presented and never cross-examined Arthur.
Once the prosecution presented his family signet ring, the defense took notice, listening to Arthur’s answer to every question.
They thought they had the case neatly sewn up when the ring’s ownership was questioned.
“Your Grace, how can you be sure this is your father’s ring?”
“I would know the ring anywhere. My father never removed it, and before that, my grandfather wore it. It’s been one thing the eldest son receives.”
“A ring seen through the eyes of a child. How can you be so certain it is the same one?”
Arthur turned his attention to the prosecutor for a moment. What he was about to say and what the attorney was going to show was proof positive the ring’s ownership was undisputable.
“On the inside of the band is an inscription which undeniably proves it belonged not only to my father, but to the very first duke.”
The ring was produced and shown to the judges before the defense got their look at it. “There’s no disputing who the rightful owner is,” one judge said. There was a buzz heard throughout the chambers when the ring had been produced.
The judges and prosecutor thanked Arthur for his testimony.
Arthur left the witness box and sat back in the chair he’d occupied earlier.
He looked over at Crenshaw who was staring at him with a look of hate.
Arthur wondered if the man knew his fate was sealed.
It would now be in the hands of the jury and crown.
Both sides gave their closing statements before the jury retired to debate the verdict they felt Crenshaw deserved.
Arthur remained seated and spoke with the prosecution when asked a question.
One asked him what sort of punishment Crenshaw deserved.
Arthur knew in his heart what was a fitting punishment, but he kept it to himself.
The small group of men believed Crenshaw needed to be sent to Australia to a penal colony, but Arthur thought that was too easy.
He would be alive and one day be allowed to live the remainder of his days free.
The man had murdered his parents, and for committing such a heinous crime, he should receive what he inflicted on his parents.
It didn’t take long for the jury to reach their verdict. It seemed forever before the verdict was read. Guilty on all counts which included kidnapping. It was over. Justice had prevailed. Now if the crown would deliver a fitting punishment. Arthur tried not to look or act too relieved and happy.
Crenshaw stood in the witness box as the punishment was read for each count. Death by hanging. He seemed to be dumbfounded, not believing what was happening.
Arthur took a deep breath. Not too long ago, he would have never thought he’d see this day. Still, though, he had a million questions for Crenshaw but knew it wouldn’t change a thing and probably wouldn’t make him feel any differently.
The guards came to take Crenshaw out. As they were walking him to the door, the man blurted out, “It’s not over!” Fortunately, Arthur had his back to the man.
Arthur accepted his ring back and thanked the prosecutors for their hard work. “I hadn’t thought it would be over in a day, but I’m relieved it is finished.”
“The defense had no case. Any witnesses he thought they had changed their minds, and if they’d put Crenshaw on the witness stand, he would have made it worse for himself.”
“Yes, he would have. You know what’s sad?” Arthur asked. “I’ll never know why he did what he did.”
“Sometimes, it’s best if you don’t know.”
“You’re probably right,” Arthur replied. “If you gentlemen excuse me, I’m going to take my leave. Thank you once again for all you do.”
He shook hands with them and turned to leave.
“I look forward to seeing you in Parliament, Your Grace,” Hawkins, the chief prosecutor, said.
The man reached for his horsehair wig to remove it.
Wigs were a long-standing tradition in British courts.
While they looked historically fashionable, they actually were uncomfortable to wear.
“Thank you. I know my father didn’t spend a lot of time there, but I feel it is my duty to fill my position to the best of my ability.”
Hawkins nodded. “I’m sure you’ll do your father proud.”
“Thank you,” Arthur said, adding, “When will you know when the execution will take place?”
“As soon as I know, I’ll reach out to you, Your Grace.”
“Thank you.”
Arthur walked out of the courtroom. People were bustling to and fro.
Arthur peered across the corridor where a familiar face watched him.
Daphne. He hurried over to where she was standing.
She beamed seeing him as he approached her.
She was attired in a dark blue dress and cape, and he knew there was not a woman in London who could hold a torch to her beauty.
“How long have you been waiting?” he asked, grasping her hands in his.
“Not long. I was afraid I’d miss you, but the man standing next to the door said your case was finished.”
“This is indeed a nice surprise,” he replied. He put one of her hands in the crook of his arm and led her to the stairs where they would walk down to exit the building.
“I thought you might like to take me to lunch. You can tell me everything that happened.”
Looking up at the sky, Arthur was pleased the midday was blue and filled with big white and gray clouds. He hoped it remained like this. “What would you like?”
“Surprise me,” she replied.
“There’s a shop near the entrance of the park that serves some of the best fish and chips. We could go to the park then and eat our lunch.”
“That would be nice. These shops never have any room in their restaurants. The park would be a nice change.”
“Yes, it would,” he replied. “Let me inform my men where we’re headed.”
Walking to his coach, Arthur spoke with the driver. Not wanting for the carriage to be too far off in case rain began, they agreed it would be good for the coach to wait near the entrance to the park.
The restaurant was busy as ever when they approached.
Surprisingly, most patrons waited for their turn without pushing or shoving to advance their way to the counter.
Arthur left Daphne just outside the restaurant while he went in and ordered.
It didn’t take long to order their food and take it back to where she stood.
“That wasn’t so bad,” she said, beaming at the hot fish and chips wrapped up in newspaper.
“No, it wasn’t. I’ve seen it a lot worse.”
They began walking to the entrance of the park. It seemed they weren’t the only ones who had the same idea. Nice days like this would soon be ending to give way for the colder days.
Arthur spotted a bench just outside the entrance where a couple was leaving. “Why don’t we sit over there? We might not find anything farther in.”
“True, and we don’t want our food to get cold.”
Minutes later they were sitting on the bench enjoying their meal and watching the people pass by. He glanced at her to see if she was enjoying her meal.
“Did you get everything you needed?”
She chewed her fish before answering him. “Yes. Some of it is being delivered to the house today. I have a fitting day after tomorrow for some dresses I ordered. Those will be sent to Kent when they are finished.”
“It sounds as though you had a successful morning,” he replied. He was almost finished with his meal, trying to slow down so he wouldn’t finish too far ahead of her.
“It was.” She popped a chip into her mouth. That one little gesture made him groan. He wondered if she were doing it on purpose, knowing what effect she had over him.
“Would you like to accompany me to my office at Parliament?” he asked.