And Is There Honey Still For Tea? by Peter Murphy

country. C is determined that this chapter in our history has to be brought to an end. It is now my job, and that of every officer of the Service, to make sure that this happens. If that involves challenging a few Establishment figures – believe me, whatever may have happened in the past, I fully intend to do it.’
    â€˜Fair enough,’ she replied.
    He shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
    â€˜Our distinct preference,’ he continued, ‘would be to see Professor Hollander defend himself successfully in the action.’
    â€˜That might solve a number of problems for you,’ she replied. ‘I see that.’
    â€˜Look, let me ask you bluntly. Does Hollander have any evidence against Digby?’
    She thought for some time.
    â€˜He has information,’ Julia replied. ‘Whether he has evidence is another matter.’
    â€˜Explain, please.’
    â€˜He has information which seems to me to be reliable, on the face of it,’ Julia explained. ‘But legally, it is hearsay, and I cannot see any judge allowing it to be admitted in court. So it is of limited, if any value, to Professor Hollander in defending the action.’ She paused. ‘On the other hand, it may well be of considerable value to the Service. You don’t have to concern yourselves with the Rule against Hearsay.’
    â€˜Quite true,’ Baxter smiled. ‘In fact, we thrive on hearsay. In some ways, it is our stock in trade.’
    â€˜Then I think you will find his information interesting.’ She paused again. ‘Now I want to ask you something.’
    â€˜Please.’
    â€˜You must understand that I am reading between the lines here. If I am barking up the wrong tree, I want you to let me know. Hollander is quite convinced that the Service already had its own suspicions about Digby before he published his article. That may just be the conclusion he draws from the information he has. I am not asking you to confirm or deny it in so many words. Even if you do have something, I assume it doesn’t go beyond suspicion, given that no action has been taken against him.’
    Baxter was showing no sign of responding.
    â€˜All right. What I want to ask is: whether you have anything you might be prepared to put on the table in exchange for the information he has to offer you? Something we might actually be able to use in court, even if it is not conclusive in itself? If so, it might make a real difference to Hollander’s prospects of success.’
    â€˜Possibly,’ Baxter replied. ‘We might have something of that kind to offer.’
    Julia felt her heart start to beat a little more quickly. She made a conscious effort not to betray any excitement in her voice or her body language.
    â€˜I am not asking for details, but would this material be information only, or potential evidence?’
    â€˜It would be potential evidence,’ Baxter replied at once. ‘But I must be clear about one or two things.’
    â€˜Very well.’
    â€˜You must understand that the material in question is of the highest sensitivity.’
    â€˜I assumed as much,’ Julia said.
    â€˜Yes, but you may not understand exactly what that means in this context. My superiors would prefer not to release it if Professor Hollander can win his case without it. At this stage, we have no way of knowing exactly what evidence he has. If the action can be won on the basis of evidence already available to him, we would prefer that you take that course. On the other hand if, as we suspect, Professor Hollander has insufficient evidence, we would prefer to release the material than to see him lose his case. I will have to ask you to speak with my superiors before a final decision is made.’
    â€˜That’s not a problem,’ Julia replied, ‘as long as it does not involve any delay. If Hollander can produce no evidence, it won’t be long before Digby’s lawyers are applying to strike