Justice and Utu by David Hair Page B

fuelled the gentler aspects of his powers. ‘I am part-Maori,’ he said aloud. ‘We hold that restorative justice is possible, and natural. If she … the defendant … hadn’t given up that day, her father would have won. He’d be a new Puarata. She’s done bad things, but she also did one good thing. That should be remembered.’
    Belsworth looked at him pityingly. ‘Playing to the gallery, are you, Mat? Trying to appear noble, for your “fans”, perhaps? Restorative justice … Ha! The erratic and uncoded principles of the natives do not concern this court. This court is concerned with facts and evidence and consistency before one universal set of laws. You are just a child, coached by your father to try to give weight to his flimsy defence of this self-confessed diabolist. We forgive your ignorance and your youth, but this court should give your testimony no credence.’ He turned away, lordly and dismissive. ‘I have no further questions, Your Honour, except to question why we allow juveniles to testify at all.’
    More applause from the gallery, while Mat teetered back to his seat and slumped there, shaking like a leaf. He glared at the back of Belsworth’s head and seethed.
    The session wrapped up after that, to his immense relief. Wiri put a hand on his shoulder and led him away, while Tamastalked over and exchanged some terse, low-pitched words with Royston Belsworth.
    â€˜That was the worst thing ever,’ Mat told Wiri outside the back of the High Court, away from the crowds. He couldn’t stop shaking. ‘What gives him the right to abuse people like that?’
    â€˜His job, Mat. He’s there to get under our skins, and reveal the truth. Wait and see what your father does if he thinks any of Belsworth’s witnesses are lying or hiding the truth. It’s a tough job, but necessary.’
    â€˜He didn’t have to enjoy it so much.’
    Wiri smiled ruefully. ‘No. You’re right, it wasn’t pleasant. But we’ve done our bit now.’
    â€˜So what happens next?’
    â€˜The trial continues. It is a foregone conclusion, of course — the charges themselves are not contested, but we have to go through the motions of hearing evidence and testimonials to establish guilt. It’s not how it would happen in our world, but the laws here depend on Governor Grey’s moods. What your father is really fighting for is some degree of clemency for Donna Kyle. Whether that comes about is out of our hands now.’
    â€˜I know, I just feel so … mad! That Belsworth! I could just … Arghhh!’ Mat made strangling gestures.
    â€˜Yeah, I know.’ Wiri stood up. ‘Come on, let’s get out of here. Looks like you’ll be able to fly south on Friday and get to your concert after all, eh?’
    Mat stood, forcing himself to think of more pleasant things. ‘Yeah. The whole gang’ll be there.’ Including Riki and Cass being all sweet on each other , he thought morosely.
    Wiri read him like a book. ‘So, Riki and Cassandra, eh?’
    â€˜Yeah.’
    â€˜You OK ’bout that?’
    Mat pulled a face. ‘Yeah, I guess. I mean, I can’t understand half what she talks about — bitrates and torrents and CPUs and stuff — but she’s pretty cool.’
    Wiri gave him what Mat tended to think of as an ‘old person’ look. One full of rueful memories. ‘If things are right, they work out. If not, they don’t. That’s the wisdom of five centuries talking.’
    â€˜That’s all you learnt in five centuries? You should have paid more attention.’
    Â 
    The trial ended on Wednesday afternoon. It all happened quickly, as if the judge, or the governor, had lost patience. Tama Douglas summed up with a plea for clemency for his client. ‘The woman before you was taken at the age of eight by a man steeped in evil, and moulded to his