Open Verdict

Aileen arrived home a few days after the inquest to find her husband staring out of the French windows. He clearly wasn’t admiring the view, which was magnificent, as was usual after dark with millions of pinpoint lights scattered all over the hillsides for miles around and twinkling reflections in the sea between. “What’s the matter, Boff?” Clearly a moment when she thought he had to be reminded he was professional scientist by using her pet name for him. He came back to earth, jumped up and without a word kissed her and hugged her for a full minute. “What were you dreaming about?” “No dream I’m afraid. I’m being leaned on.” “How do you mean?” “Sit down. We need to talk. G and T?” “Thanks. What about?” He said nothing. The only sounds were some gurgling and the tinkling of ice. He joined her on the settee, put an arm round her and started: “I’ve had a warning. Very casual - over coffee. They don’t like what’s been said on your radio program and they don’t like the verdict at the inquest. From what I gather they hold you in some way responsible, though it escapes me how.” “Who’s ‘they’?” “Ah, you may well ask. I can only say ‘government’. It came from my head of department, but obviously he’s not the source.” “What do you want me to do about it?” There was a long pause and a few deep breaths. The firm hold on her shoulders said more than words could about his support. But finally he said, tentatively, “I suppose nothing. Your job is no less important than mine.” “I don’t know. You earn more, and neither of us could afford this government flat.” “I can’t believe the threat is that serious. Just be a bit careful. Try not to say things to upset them.” “That’s all very well. I can’t stop the listeners. Most of the gossip comes from them. Besides do you think I should let the authorities get away with a cover-up?” “I don’t think you have. The inquest was an open verdict. That means they haven’t succeeded in a cover up. You’ve done your job. Just drop it for a bit and see what happens.” “I’ve got Elsie coming in the studio next Saturday.” “Oh Jesus! Well - just let her do the talking.” The next day’s program was set. An eminent Nephologist, Dr Walter Turk, was the studio guest. His subject was the great need for people to donate their organs and how difficult it was in Hong Kong because of the culture. He explained how the Chinese believe the body must remain intact, and at one time did not even want their photograph taken, believing that a part of the soul would be taken away. Walter explained how difficult it had been to persuade people to give blood for transfusion let alone donate kidneys. Even the relatives refused to give permission for a deceased to have their eye corneas removed as the belief was that in reincarnation their loved ones would be blind. In fact 98% of the eye corneas used came from Sri Lanka, where the thinking was exactly the opposite. In that country the belief was that if you donated your eyes you were given great blessings and new vision in the next world. Walter Turk was asked by a caller how you could tell from a corpse whether the deceased had intended his kidneys to be donated. Another caller suggested a tattoo in a suitably obscure place. Many others then rang in suggesting the most absurd places. Walter said attitudes were changing, especially amongst the younger Chinese. Then the interview took an unexpected turn. The callers raised the subject of coroners and how vague the rules were on the necessity for an inquest. “There are many strange cases of people,” Walter said, “particularly policeman, supposedly committing suicide, which look exceedingly suspicious yet never become the subjects of inquests.” He went on to state that the situation concerning the duties of coroners was very unsatisfactory as they were only seconded into the post for three months and were often called back to their own job in the middle of a case. “Hong Kong,” he said, “must be the easiest country in the world in which to commit a murder and get away with it.” Aileen couldn’t resist the opening and asked him how long someone could remain conscious after having a bullet through his heart and aorta and buried in his spine?” “A few seconds,” said the renowned specialist. It was just what Aileen’s listeners wanted to hear and for the first time, but by no means the last, came the general outcry from them: “we must have a full, independent inquiry.”