'But do you really think she did it?' said Ellie.
Pascoe shrugged and said, 'Open mind, but Bomber's point about a bunch of drunks getting past Security at Redcar is a good one.'
'I didn't ask if you thought she killed that guard,' said Ellie. 'Do you think she might have killed Wendy?'
'But if the two are linked.. '
'Could be they're not. Could be that she had some completely different motive for getting rid of Wendy and she's laughing her socks off at the unedifying sight of you and Fat Andy barking up the wrong tree.'
Pascoe shook his head in admiration of his wife's devious thought processes. Perhaps it took a woman to suss out a woman. Perhaps he should hand this one over to DC Novello.
He said, 'You think she might have done it then?'
'For the right reason, perhaps. What I'm certain of is she's very manipulative. One way or another she's good at getting people to dance to her tune. But I see I'm boring you. What you really want is to take a look at Poll's fax, isn't it?'
'I'm trying not to want it,' said Pascoe wearily. 'And no, love, you don't bore me. Ever.'
He gave her a kiss to prove it. But when she led him to the dining room where she'd arranged the fax sheets on the table, he didn't resist.
Poll's covering note was admirably terse and to the point.
The record of your great-grandfather's trial consists of (1) the official court-martial papers detailing the charge (2) the names of those taking part (3) the president's notes on witnesses' statements and any cross-questioning (4) written evidence presented (5) defence (6) sentence and recommendations (7) written comments from CO on character and record (8) written opinions from brigade, corps and army commanders on whether the sentence should be commuted or carried out (9) Army Form B 122 which is your g-grandfather's conduct sheet (10) the commander in chief 's signature confirming his agreement with sentence. I am sending you my notes as I made them, no embellishments. I know that what you want is simply the facts.
There was no signature. Poll didn't believe in taking more chances than she had to.
Pascoe turned to the notes.
(1) cowardice in face of the enemy — September 26 1917 in Polygon Wood — during advance, assaulted platoon commander Lt Grindal — told survivors of platoon their orders were to withdraw — and led them back to their starting line on south edge of wood. NB authorities spoilt for choice — striking SO, quitting post, disobedience, casting away arms, mutiny, all capital.
(2) President — Major Arthur Lippman plus Captain John Partridge and Lieutenant Lionel Holliday. Prosecuting officer — Captain Hartley Evenlode (Adj. WYF) — Prisoner's Friend — Captain Thomas Hilary Studholme.
(3) First witness for pros. Major Vernon — Australian — came across small group of men sheltering in trench — asked what they were doing — one of them — Private Doyle — said they were sole survivors of 2 platoon WYFs and had been ordered back. Vernon asked, By whom? Doyle said sergeant had relayed order. Where sergeant? Gone further back with wounded officer. Where weapons? Ordered to throw them away by sergeant. Vernon made note of names and unit. Own duties didn't leave time for further investigation.
Second witness, Sergeant Mackie, Field Ambulance Unit on duty at Advanced Aid Station. Sergeant Pascoe appeared with Lieutenant Grindal — half carrying him, though Lt was conscious. P. put him down and asked Mackie to take a look at him. He went to sit a few yards away and lit a cigarette. Mackie examined Lt and found no sign of injury other than severe bruising to jaw. Pres. asked if any theory about cause and Mackie said, As if he'd been punched. Mackie said he asked Sergeant P. if he was injured and he said no, he'd be going back forward shortly, he just wanted to make sure the Lt was all right.
Third witness, Captain Ainstable, Staff Officer. Gathering info on progress of assault on Polygon. Noticed Sergeant P. Asked if he was getting treated, told no. Asked what he was doing there. Told he was having a smoke. Asked why he wasn't with his unit. Told that most of them were dead and if he, the Capt., didn't believe it, he was free to go into the wood and take a look for himself. Capt. then ordered his arrest — for insubordination initially, but on checking with Mackie on suspicion of desertion. (Yet another poss. charge!)
Fourth witness, Private Doyle. Said the platoon took very heavy casualties during advance through Polygon. Heard Sergt P. continually urging Lt Grindal to slow down and take cover. Pres. asked if this came across as military advice from old experienced soldier to young officer. Doyle said no, impression he got was Sergt P. was shit scared. Pres: Which you weren't? Doyle: Oh yes. But like most of the rest of them it was his job to keep going till ordered to stop, not to tell other people what to do. (NB Clearly impressed Pres. as honest answer from good English yeoman.) Finally came under heavy fire from pillbox. Many of platoon killed at this point. Last saw Lt standing up with revolver in hand. Got impression he was pointing it at Sergt and urging him forwards. Then there was shell blast. When smoke and debris cleared, Lt and Sergt no longer visible but shortly afterwards Sergt appeared, said Lt was injured and that they should withdraw. Doyle asked on whose authority. Sergt said Lt had passed on order just before he was injured by shell blast. Said he would see to Lt Grindal himself, but others followed and when he saw them, Sergt ordered them to throw away their rifles and give him a hand. When they demurred he said, OK if you'd rather be dead with a gun than live without one, that's your business. Pres: But you did throw your weapons away? Doyle: Only so we could help the Lt. Out of wood with Lt recovering use of legs a bit, Sergt said that others should take cover while he saw Lt safely back to aid post. Pres: What did you do after Major Vernon spoke to you? Doyle: What we'd been on the point of doing when he arrived. Went forward again to recover our weapons and make contact with rest of battalion. Which Capt. Evenlode (pros.) said he could confirm Doyle eventually did, the other two both having been killed en route. Capt. Evenlode also threw in that on an earlier occasion he had personally witnessed defendant acting threateningly towards Lt Grindal and he'd only been deterred from putting him on charge by Lt's vigorous opposition.
Fifth witness, Major Winander RAMC. On duty at Advanced Casualty Clearing Post. Examined Lt Grindal, confirmed Mackie's diagnosis, no wounds except for contusion on jaw but severely dazed and deafened probably from shell blast. Later examined Sergt Pascoe. Confirmed uninjured except for lacerations on knuckles of right hand. Pres: As if acquired by punching something? Major: Yes. Pascoe was by then in custody of military police. Grindal was sent to casualty clearing station but unfortunately the ambulance he was travelling in was blown over by a shell. Lt sustained broken arm and ribs. But major reaffirmed that prior to this he had no injuries except to his jaw.
(NB No record of Prisoner's Friend having asked any questions of these witnesses. This not unusual. Being too clever could antagonize court and implication of cross-examination was that pres. of court was not doing his job properly.)
(4) This kind of written evidence unusual. Explains delay between offence and FGCM. Lt Grindal's evidence dictated to his father Arthur Grindal because of difficulty with writing with broken arm, and sent from UK. Lt said that during attack he could recall Sergt declaring that the tactics were misconceived and would achieve nothing but all their deaths. Casualties were indeed heavy though to some extent this could be put down to slow progress caused by Sergt's extreme caution, thus giving enemy time to get a line on them. Way blocked by pillbox. Essential they took it at any cost, but Sergt said it was madness, they must go back. He remonstrated with Sergt then something hit him on the jaw and everything went black. Remembers nothing more till arrival at dressing station. Definitely gave no order to withdraw because he received no order to withdraw. Deeply conscious that any man could snap in heat of battle and begged court to show compassion to Sergt Pascoe who had been showing signs of being under strain for some time.