'Well, hopeful news at least. Thanks.' Putting down the phone, Dominic wondered: Marinella Calvan? Thibault would no doubt give her a battering over PLR, but at least there should be no claims of bias. Calvan probably had little or no knowledge of French politics, nor cared.
Duclos picked up the phone after the first ring. He'd put down the phone from Thibault only minutes before: news of Barielle's ruling, strategy for Marinella Calvan at the next hearing. He thought Thibault might have forgotten something, was phoning back. But it was Georges Marchand from Switzerland.
After the preliminaries of ‘can we talk freely’ and ‘how are you coping’ — Marchand got to the purpose of his call.
'I had a call a few days back from my people. They're not happy about all the talk in the papers bringing up the bio-technology ruling. They're extremely uncomfortable about the linking of your case to that — and with obvious reason.'
'It's just a ruse by my lawyer. They shouldn't worry.'
'What's his aim?'
'The bio-technology ruling provides good background for his claim of political bias against me. Strong incentive for political enemies to start coming out of the woodwork. We almost got the case thrown out at the last hearing — but almost certainly it will be by the next. Then the whole thing will blow over quickly. Some new scandal will hit the headlines.'
Brief silence from the other end. 'A few days ago they were merely worried. But when news from today's Le Figaro reaches them, they're going to panic. Remember Lenatisse?'
'Yes.' Lenatisse was a French Socialist MP strongly outspoken about the bio-tech ruling, making caustic remarks about Duclos' handling favouring the Greens.
'… One journalist seems to be linking your lawyer's comments with those of Lenatisse. Have you seen it yet?'
'No, no. I haven't.' He didn't get the papers early, hardly ventured out with the gendarme and the press at the door. He waited till later in the day for Betina to bring the papers in with the shopping.
'I'll read it for you: "… Bold claims indeed from Counsellor Thibault of a political witchhunt against his client stemming from the bio-technology dispute. But this raises other more intriguing issues: in particular Minister Lenatisse's earlier comment, however flippantly made, that Alain Duclos might be in the pocket of the Greens. Because certainly, if Alain Duclos is finally found guilty of murder — then it doesn't take too extreme a stretch of the imagination to believe that he might also be a corrupt politician. Perhaps Minister Lenatisse's comments might have some substance after all."
'I see.' Duclos went cold. Yet another dimension to his problems. 'I can see why they're worried. At least it still only points to the Greens — your people would be the last to come under suspicion.' Then realized it had sounded offhand. 'But point taken. I'll mention to Thibault to layoff. No more mention of the bio-technology dispute. And, as I say — the whole thing should be quashed soon anyway.'
'Let's hope so.' Marchand wouldn't be surprised if the journalist too was playing an angle for some industry lobby group. At present, if Duclos was convicted of murder, the bio-technology ruling still stood. Only if a connection was successfully made to possible corruption could the debate be re-tabled. 'There was another reason for me making contact at this stage.' Marchand sighed. From his client's last call it was obviously a prime concern, but the words just didn't sit right; felt out of place with the relationship he'd so far established with Duclos. 'I know that your lawyer is confident of clearing you. But if anything should go wrong — if you should feel the need for additional help. Just call. It's just so that you know that if the worst comes to the worst, you have friends out there. People who will help you.'
'Yes, yes. Certainly. I'll remember that.'
Marchand rang off. Duclos had sounded suitably non-plussed by the gesture; probably its significance wouldn't hit him for a while. Or perhaps he was so confident his lawyer would clear him, he hadn't even considered other possibilities.
Not an entirely altruistic gesture by his client, Marchand realized. The last thing they wanted was a convicted Duclos, eager to make deals and turn state's evidence, sink some industry big fish by telling all about his years as a corrupt politician.
FORTY-ONE
Stilted three way conversation: questions from Barielle through the translator to Marinella Calvan. And in turn back again with Calvan's answers.
It reminded Marinella of the sessions with Philippe and Eyran.
'What is your preferred method for conducting sessions?' asked Barielle.
'Hypnosis.'
'I understand that your predecessor, Dr Donaldson, preferred conducting sessions while people were awake. What was the reason for this?'
'He felt that sometimes hypnosis could be suggestive. Could spark off unwarranted imaginations if used the wrong way.'
'I see. So hypnosis could be used to suggest imaginative scenarios that weren't real?'
'Yes. But as I say — only if misused.'
Corbeix looked up. The first hesitation from Calvan. The first half hour had already covered much of her background at the University of Virginia and her working relationship with Donaldson. Corbeix had spent almost an hour going over points in file notes in private chambers with Barielle the day before. He imagined that Thibault had spent a similar time. As the most unusual element in the case, it was important that Barielle gained a full grasp of the subject. But equally its unorthodox nature would target it as the main area for Thibault to try and discredit. Corbeix tried to pick up on his own questions and those influenced by Thibault. Sometimes the dividing line was vague, or they might be additional questions posed by Barielle. Except now: throwing doubt on hypnosis. Thibault's hand was on the rudder.
'… In working with children, as Donaldson did almost exclusively, I felt that many would have vivid imaginations in any case. Particularly because he so often worked with children in India and Asia, where reincarnation is an accepted part of their culture.'
'And you generally have avoided working with children from those regions?'
'Yes. My main work has been with children in America and Europe.'
'Any particular reason for this?'
Marinella thought for a moment. 'Challenge, I suppose. It was more of a challenge to delve into past lives with children from a culture where reincarnation wasn't normally accepted, rather than one where it was. And, of course, this makes hypnosis all the more essential — to drag out buried or heavily repressed memories.'
Fresh breath from Barielle. 'Can you tell me: what are the percentages of people that believe in past life regressions in Europe and America?'
'In America the figures are going up all the time. As much as thirty, thirty-five percent, I now believe. But in Europe I understand that it's slightly less — twenty, twenty-five percent. But among the rest, there's a lot of 'not sures' and 'don't knows’.’
'I see. But in general, in America and Europe, is it fair to say that most people do not fully accept or believe?'
Marinella cast her eyes down slightly; reluctant admission. 'Yes, it is.'
'In your own work, has this been significant? Something you have seen as an obstacle: that, if possible, you would like to change. Get more people to believe?'
Marinella shrugged and smiled. 'Yes, of course. It's something that everyone working with PLR and related fields is continually fighting for — wider acceptance. That's why we spend so much time building up strong case histories.' One eyebrow arched, as if to say: stupid question. Days and sometimes weeks spent compiling tapes and transcripts. Ninety pages alone from Eyran Capel's sessions, with her and Donaldson up until 2am solidly for over a week to knock it into shape for a publishable paper for the University. 'It's a constant battle against scepticism — much of it from within our own profession. From the more staid and conventional areas of psychiatry and psychology.'