Chapter 24 Day sixteen, Wednesday

Prabani Sunderland was distraught.She went to see a superior at the Crown Prosecution Service with horror. "Sir, next Tuesday, I need the guidance of an experienced senior lawyer. I can't handle Vansittart." "Prabani, you have to deal with him," said her department head. "Half my staff is still away on vacation. It's the nasty month of August, you know that. Everyone else is too busy Woolen cloth." "But, sir, that Vansittart. He'll torture witnesses for the prosecution." "Look, it's just an interrogation. A formality. He's taking a strategic risk, and it's too risky. The court transcript will give us an overview of his defense. Great. I wish this sort of thing would It happens often."

"But what if Judge Stein dismisses the charges?" "Listen, Prabani, you're going too far, and you've got to keep your head above water. Stan's not going to veto it. When he sees this case, he knows it's a solid case. We've got Mr. Patel's identification and his rock-solid statement. If he can testify, Stan will take the case to the criminal court. Anyway, without Patel, we can't win this case. Do it now Get ready to work." That afternoon, things took a turn for the worse.The Registrar of the District Court called.There was a problem with the work schedule, and there was nothing to do all day on Friday. Prabani Sunderland thought quickly when the clerk asked her if she would agree to schedule it on Friday.Except for Mr. Patel, the witness, and Mr. Whitaker, the dog walker, she had all the experts on her side.Surely they would agree.She asked for an hour and started calling everywhere.At four o'clock she telephoned the clerk to agree to the change.

James Vansittart got the call at five o'clock.He also agreed.Pentonville Prison was also notified.The hearing was scheduled for Court No. 1 at ten o'clock on Friday morning, before Judge Jonathan Stein.