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better include that word
'alleged' somewhere." He gave Brakespeare a stern glance.
    "Sorry - of course, but
you get the picture?"
    "Get the picture?” said
Mortimer, thinking about the statement. “Yes, I do indeed." he said
heavily.
    Brakespeare could not
understand why Mortimer seemed so annoyed with him. It was almost a classic
case of the messenger being shot. Newberry must be of more importance to the
firm than he had understood. Mortimer frowned at his desk, deep in thought.
Brakespeare waited for him. Eventually Mortimer looked up; his lips pursed.
    "So your next step is to
see David?"
    "Yes, Margaret is making
an appointment for me to go and see him tomorrow. "
    "Good. Well, I hear all
that you say, but I am sure that you will agree that before any advice is given
to David as to how he should plead, you need will to hear his version of
events."
    "Oh, sure, but I think he
ought to know what we think. "
    Mortimer looked at him
sternly.
    "No, I don't think that's
right. You may think that he ought to plead “Guilty”, Jonny after a first look
at the file, but 'we', and 'we' have known David for a number of years do not.
Can I suggest that you avoid any conclusions until you have looked at the whole
file in detail, and have heard what David has to say.
    Brakespeare bristled visibly.
Mortimer continued.
    “ Look, I'm not trying to run
this case for you, but David is an extremely important client. When I first
started in this profession, I did my fair share of criminal work and
litigation, as I said. Every new lawyer thinks that he's a Perry Mason, but the
secret I soon learned, and I know Gordon will agree with me on this because
we've discussed it in connection with cases on many occasions, is to pay
attention to the detail of the prosecution case.
    This seems to me like a
typical half cocked Police case, and remember that you don't have to be all
that bright to be a Policeman. The Police have collected sufficient evidence to
satisfy themselves that they have a case. Remember that they aren't going to
look for evidence which shows that they might be wrong. They started this
investigation as a result of a complaint from what is now a major U.K. bank.
    The Police then prepare their
case and send it to the Crown Prosecution Service. The C.P.S. look to see if
there is sufficient evidence to give them a reasonable prospect of securing a
conviction, and if they do, the case goes ahead without any other
consideration.
    In the past, I've seen cases
like this, where the Prosecution look as if they have a cast iron case, only to
see it fall apart when facts of which the Prosecution have ignored come to
light. Destroy the detail and you destroy the case"
    Brakespeare had to restrain
himself from interrupting this speech at several stages, but tried to argue
back as soon as it had finished.
    “ I understand, and I agree
entirely with what you say, but in this case .... "
    He got no further. Mortimer
could be forceful when he needed.
    "Jonny, look. In this
case there are a whole lot of papers that you have not read in detail or at
all; you don't know if the client has an explanation. It's far too early to
give any advice to the client. When you see David, you must have an open mind.
Besides, this is obviously a Crown Court case, you are going to need Counsel;
let the barrister decide. "
    There was a brief silence
while Brakespeare digested all that Mortimer had said.
    "Point taken. I'll be
completely neutral, but I'm going to have to put the Prosecution case to him.
"
    "Of course,"
Mortimer smiled, with what seemed a little relief, "but another word of
caution. I didn't tell you that David has a heart problem. He needs as little
stress as possible - go easy."
    "You're joking?"
    "No, I'm not.” Mortimer
drew himself up in his chair. “Jonny Brakespeare, this is one of the hardest
cases that you're ever likely to come across. I know that the odds are stacked
against you - or appear to be, but I want you to win it for us. That's