Did You Get What You Deserve?

Alec’s lawyer smiled reassuringly at Keith as he approached the witness stand.

“So, Keith, let’s talk. Can you remember the first girlfriend you ever had?”

Keith thought for a moment, then nodded.

“Rachel,” he said.

“And how old were you then?”

“Twelve.”

“So that would have been when you lived in Ohio?”

Keith nodded.

“And how did that relationship end, Keith?”

“Um... she ended it. She said I wasn’t her type.” Keith’s face was reddening at having to say this in front of so many people.

“I’m sorry to hear that, Keith. Do you know what happened to Rachel after that?”

“Not really. She and her family moved to Canada because her parents lost their jobs.”

“I see. Where did your father work at that point?”

“The same place as Rachel’s parents.”

“Interesting, interesting.” The lawyer scratched his chin. “And who was the girlfriend after that?”

“Stevie.”

“How did that end?”

“Uh, she cheated on me so I dumped her.”

“And what happened to her after that?”

“Don’t know what happened to her. I didn’t get much opportunity to talk to her.”

“Why was that?”

“Because her brother got arrested and she had to leave private school so they could pay for the legal fees.”

“Did you know any of the witnesses in that trial, Keith?”

Keith nodded. He was looking increasingly uncomfortable with every question.

“Which witness did you know, Keith?”

Keith bit his lip.

“My father,” he said.

“What is your father’s name, Keith?”

“Neville Dean.”

“The same Neville Dean that just gave evidence?”

“Yes.”

Alec’s lawyer nodded.

“Keith,” he said, “how many girlfriends have you had?”

Keith began counting on his fingers, then stopped and shook his head.

“Lots,” he said.

“How many of those relationships ended because of something the girl did? How many of them were ended by her, or you ended because of something she did?”

“About seventy percent, give or take.”

“And how many of those girls had something bad happen to them or someone they loved soon after the relationship ended?”

Keith took a deep breath before answering.

“Ninety percent.”

“Keith,” said the lawyer softly, “in how many of those cases could your father have been involved?”

Keith’s lip trembled.

“All of them,” he whispered.

“How many of those cases were fair, reasonable and honest?”

Keith’s voice was barely audible.

“None of them.”

“Keith?”

“Yes?”

“Do you think Alec Marshall is a paedophile?”

Keith shook his head.

“No. He’s not.”

Alec’s lawyer smiled.

“Thank you, Keith. You can go now.”

“Are there any more witnesses?”

“No, Your Honour.”

“Then it’s time for the jury to deliberate.”