Revenge by Joanne Clancy Page B

these charges you'll be responsible for at least two deaths. Surely no criminal conviction is worth such a high cost in human life.”
    Of course, the Director never entertained such dubious correspondence and immediately saw straight through it as nothing more than an ill-conceived attempt to stop the investigation. It was obvious th at Mark's pleas were in vain because he was arrested again and brought before the c ourt s where he was charged with conspiracy to murder a nd with soliciting Savannah Kingston to murder Penelope Garrett, Shona Morgan and Rebecca McNamara.
    Savannah Kingston was also charged with conspiring to kill the three women and had to face additional charges of demanding the money with menaces from Penelope Garrett, robbing the office of M&R Photography and handling stolen goods.
    However, Savannah's barrister complained that his client had been locked up in jail since her o riginal arrest and the incarceration had not been easy for her. He argued that it was unfair to keep her incarcerated while Mark had only been recently arrested. He warned the judge that his client was becoming withdrawn and depressed and that her health was deteriorating alarmingly. She had diabetes and her condition wasn't being helped by her stint in prison. He demanded that his client's rights should be recognised and that she be released as soon as possible. However, Savannah remained in prison while the Book of Evidence was assembled.
     
     

 
    Chapter 10
     
     
     
    It was a bright summer’s morning in the vibrant tourist town of Westport, County Mayo. There w asn't a cloud in the clear blue sky and the sea was calm and still . The summer season was in full swing and the tourists who sat outside the pleasant cafes which dotted the sea front were in bu oyant mood. Most people enjoying their early morning coffee were utterly oblivious to the fact that the latest sitting of the town's District Court was about to take pl ace. Westport's District Court wa s in session only six t imes a year and the court list wa s usually short; generally lasting no more than a few hours. Offences mainly consist ed of public order cases, road traffic charges and the occasional licensing dispute.
    However, this was no ordinary day in Westport. Police cars already clogged the streets around the t iny, slightly dilapidated court house, and inside, the seats were already full of eager spectator s. Television crews and photographers were in place, anxious to be at the forefront of the unfolding action.
    This was the morning that police had been anxiously awaiting . An extensive and c omplex investigation had at long last brought charges of conspi racy to murder against business man Mark McNamara and nightclub hostess, Savannah Kingston; a very unlikely pair!
    A noisy posse of photographers and journalists had gathered around the courtho use; all waiting impatiently for the arrival of Mark and Savannah. The previous afternoon Savannah had been due to go on tr ial charged with extortion and burglary, but the charges were dropped by the prosecution. She was released and immediately arrested again, charged with conspir acy to murder. It was this sudden change in events w hich caught the attention of the media.
    The arrival of Mar k and Savannah at the courthouse sparked a flurry of excitement among the waiting photographers an d television crews. Savannah entered the courtroom, neatly dressed in a knee-length skirt and matching tailored jacket. Her face was pale and tear-streaked and devoid of any makeup. Penelope and Shona stared at the petite blonde woman, amazed that this apparently meek woman could be involved in a devious murder plot.
    Mark sat opposite her, flanked by two police officers. He wore a dark suit and tie with a blue shirt which emphasised his tanned skin. He glanced at Savannah and muttered under his breath. Rebecca watched her husband carefully . She knew he was a lot of things but she still found it difficult to believe he wanted her