It is the first of July. The committee has met two times
since the hearing ended. The first time, the split was three
to two. The three women were resolute that there was not
enough evidence to believe that Diana had written the documents.
They did not put much credence into the report of the document
examiner and they didn't believe Lyle.
Henry could not and would not agree to write the report
announcing this to The Pope. His instructions were clear
--get Trenchant. Seeking distance, he suggested that they should,
in any event, wait for the complete transcript of the hearing.
When that had arrived and everyone had refreshed their memories,
they would hold another meeting.
The second meeting, held two weeks later, lasted four hours.
By the end of the session, everyone was tired and angry
and no one had moved from their original position.
It was a battle of the transcript. Not only had Anuse
and Henry burned the midnight oil preparing for the meeting
with suitable quotes from the transcript, but the same
could be said of Jane, Esther and Annette.
As tempers, which had so far been under control, flared
and threatened to widen the gulf between the two sides,
Henry realized that the arguments were just solidifying
the opposition and, damn it to hell, they were the majority!
Since the handwriting evidence was so shaky, he dared not
force the issue. He would find another way.
He quickly called an end to it, told them tersely that
he would let them know when the next meeting would be
and then before anyone else moved, he left the room.