Learned Enemies by Mark Dryden

Author:Mark Dryden [Dryden, Mark]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-07-21T22:00:00+00:00

Benjamin spent the rest of the day finishing off the two legal advices he owed to solicitors while noting the simmering tension on the Floor. Barristers clustered in rooms or corridors to gossip about the murder of Alex Hume. Their excitable voices often reached his ears. Those who had already talked to the detectives repeated what they were told and everyone wanted to know who was on the Floor at the time of the murder. Those who were not acted like they had won a prize.

Benjamin was anxious to see how television evening news programs covered the murder. He made sure to arrive back at his apartment just before 7 p.m. Russell was in his bedroom, door closed, thundering away on his computer keyboard like a concert pianist.

Benjamin turned on the television and watched the opening credits of the ABC Evening News program. A newsreader who seemed all forehead and teeth introduced the first item. “A massive scandal has rocked the staid world of the Sydney Bar. Homicide detectives have discovered that a senior barrister found dead in his room late last week was, in fact, murdered. They are now hunting for the killer. We cross to our court reporter, Robert Edwards, standing outside of the building where the murder occurred. Can you hear me, Bob? What is happening?”

The court reporter appeared on the screen, standing outside of Benjamin’s workplace in a mellow light. “Thank you, Bruce. I’m outside the Barwick Chambers building which houses most of the barristers in Sydney. Last week, a silk called Alex Hume was found dead in his room on the fourteenth floor. It was initially believed that he fell and hit his head. However, Homicide detectives now believe that someone struck him on the head and then broke his neck. Fourteenth Floor, Barwick Chambers, is a floor that specialises in commercial litigation. It has a very high reputation. The whole Sydney Bar is in a state of shock.”

“Do the Homicide detectives have a suspect?”

“The detectives say they have no suspects. However, they believe that Alex Hume died in the evening when access to the building was restricted.”

“Does that mean another barrister was responsible?”

“It looks like it. About an hour ago, I spoke to Tony Barnardo, who is the Head of Chambers of Fourteenth Floor, Barwick Chambers. Let me show you some of that interview.”

Benjamin was stunned that Tony Barnardo agreed to talk to the press. No good would come of it. Barnardo should have gone to ground. However, barristers thought their words could bend reality and solve all problems. Not this time. Reality would not budge.

Tony Barnardo appeared on the screen, standing outside the entrance of Barwick Chambers, facing the reporter.

The reporter said: “Mr Barnardo, you are the Head of Chambers of Fourteenth Floor, Barwick Chambers. What is your reaction to the news that one of your colleagues, Alex Hume, was murdered?”

Tony Barnardo squared his shoulders. “This is obviously, a tragic situation - very tragic. Alex Hume was an esteemed and much-loved member of the Floor.

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