Dada 130

‘I could have been her step mother , so many times did I share your Dada’s bed.’ ‘They took away my baby’ she whispered. I remember looking at her. The sea was combing in little buttered waves behind the hut. ‘Many bad things have happened in both our houses,’ she said. The presiding judge began to utter his words and ordered that the official proceedings begin. He knew that he did not have to remind the members no matter how many emotions might be aroused, they must discount these in favour of the evidence. He felt that his role was to preside over the trial with impartiality and to consider the case objectively. The jury’s sentence would be made in the spirit of justice and, in any case, he would clear the court room if good order did not prevail among the public if given the slightest reason to do so. People from Europe would be following this trial!!!! Even with air conditioning grumbling away it was getting hotter and I could see members of the jury fanning themselves with bits of paper or those who were judicious enough to have brought fans used them in uniform purpose. There was a constant rustling of paper. The presiding judge gestured to the clerk who immediately brought in bottles of water for the top bench. My interrogation began at once, the presiding judge questioned me calmly and even it seemed with a touch of cordiality. Once again I was asked to confirm my identity and in spite of my irritation, my profession. On the other hand I relaxed, because I thought this was only natural because it would be a serious mistake to pass judgement on someone with a different identity especially on this island. The presiding judge then began explaining what crime had been committed and what I had done, turning to me every three sentences and asking me if that was correct. Each time I replied correct as I had done in the detective’s office.