ExLibris: excluded from social networks

  Chapter IV

  “Your story was a real eye-opener for me. Analysing your first case, I would have never thought that you pleaded guilty in your friend’s case in order to save him. But let’s move on from those events which occurred a year ago to the closer past and discuss what happened last week!” Mr. Jonson said, looking through some papers from the thick folder which he put on a desk when we started conversation.

  “OK!” I agreed, staring intently at an impressive heap of sheets in his hands, trying to guess what those were.

  “These are copies of your case materials, of the second case. It took me quite a bit of effort to get them while this stage of the investigation is still in progress, but they will be a great help for us!!” Spotting curiosity on my face and anticipating my question, the lawyer explained: “According to the CCIA information, you committed your… let’s call it “act” on the premises of the social networking addiction clinic on Monday, July 17. Would you deny it?”

  “I don’t. On July 17 I really made the “act” at the place where I had previously been doing community service.”

  “OK. Now tell me, about the events that preceded it and when the intention to commit that act appeared in your mind,” putting the copies aside and looking directly at me, the lawyer asked. “Mr. Parker, in other words, I want to know what was the starting point in the chain of events which brought you here.”

  “I think it all began with a Skype call on Monday, July 11, that initially didn’t seem to be anything special. I heard that call, accidently being at the reception desk in clinic’s lobby. I wasn’t able to answer it because of the court prohibition and I didn’t find out who that was,” I started my story, but was interrupted by Mr. Johnson. As soon as he heard the phrase “on July 11”, he instantly started searching for something among the copies of the case materials and, finding the one he needed, exclaimed: “Wait, Mr. Parker! As you said you were in the clinic, at that time?”

  “That’s right!” I answered.

  “So that means that the working day began. What time was it?”

  “About 10 am or something.”

  “According to the case materials, there was one more person who saw you that day… Henry Hall. I will quote an extract from the protocol of his interrogation,” the lawyer said and started reading from the paper.

  “Question: When was the last time you saw Simon Parker?

  Henry Hall: Our last meeting took place in the morning of July 11, at around eight o’clock. We met in the doorway of the house where he lived. I was on my way out and he was coming in.”

  “Yeah, that is how it was,” I interrupted Mr. Jonson.

  “Where were you coming from so early? You didn’t sleep at home that night, did you?”

  “No, your guess is wrong. On that Monday I woke up in my bed at 6.30 am.”

  “Then what were you doing between 6.30 and 8 am? Mr. Parker, I’ve already asked you not to omit anything. Begin with the morning of July 11, when you woke up. I need to know about all the events of these days.”

  “Right…”