‘Is that not what your Defence Statement says, Mr Colliver?’

‘THE BLOODY JURY’S GOT IT, AIN’T THEY?’ Colliver had reached boiling point. ‘THEY CAN READ IT FOR THEMSELVES!’

‘Lower your voice.’ Judge Levitt did not hesitate to intervene. ‘I’ve said this once in this trial and I’ll say it again, Mr Colliver: another outburst and you will be taken downstairs. Do you understand?’

Colliver met Levitt’s glare. For a moment it seemed he would try to argue. But with a visible effort he brought himself under control and nodded grudgingly, making no attempt to hide the sneer now etched upon his face. He turned back to Michael, who did not miss a beat.

‘So, would you like to explain it?’

‘Explain what?’

‘The problem with your evidence, Mr Colliver. You see, you’ve told us that you answered “no comment” because you did not think you would be charged. But that once you were charged you realised you were in serious trouble and so you gave up the names Darren O’Driscoll and Simon Kash. Except that’s not true, is it?’

‘Yes it bloody well is. I swore an oath.’

‘No it isn’t, Mr Colliver. We’ve just seen the signed document that sets out your defence, authorised by you over a month after you were charged. Almost a month after you pleaded not guilty. After you had your trial date fixed.’

‘And?’

‘Oh come on, Mr Colliver. We’re agreed that you’re a clever man. You know exactly what I’m pointing out. The problem is that long, long after the charge that apparently changed everything – that allowed you to name names – you were still telling a different story. You had still not blamed Simon Kash. Or Darren O’Driscoll, for that matter. Why is that, Mr Colliver?’

Colliver had reverted to silence.

‘Come on now, Mr Colliver. That one was an important question. If you don’t answer it the jury will surely draw its own conclusions.’

Michael let the pause drag out, as if waiting for an answer he already knew would not come.

‘Mr Colliver?’

Finally he turned to the jury.

‘So be it then,’ he said, shaking his head as if disappointed. ‘Let’s move on. Tell me, do you recall the date upon which you received your copy of the evidence upon which the Crown intended to rely in your murder trial?’

Colliver glared at Michael. If his arrogance had gone, his rage was now barely contained.

‘February 16th.’ The answer was almost a growl.

‘And that evidence included a detailed case summary, didn’t it?’

‘You know it did.’

‘Good memory, Mr Colliver. You didn’t even need to give that answer a moment’s thought.’

‘So what?’

‘So I’m just wondering if there’s a reason for that. If there was something in the case summary that made it memorable to you. That made you so sure you’d received it along with the evidence.’

No response.

‘Let’s not start the silent treatment again, Mr Colliver. It’s getting very dull.’

Michael looked down as he spoke, his tone dismissive. This time he did not wait for a response, grabbing a handful of papers from the bench and holding them up for all to see.