CHAPTER TEN H: THE CHOICE OF A WITNESS
Celia met Arthur at the municipal engineering office and listened to his account.
She explained that his recollection could help establish a timeline but could not identify the cause of the accident by itself.
Arthur said that he wanted the record to reflect exactly what he remembered.
He did not want his uncertainty edited out for a more dramatic story.
Nora waited in the corridor while the interview took place.
When Arthur emerged, he looked exhausted.
He said that speaking had been harder than he expected.
Nora asked whether he regretted coming.
He answered that regret was not the right word.
He felt as though he had finally set down a heavy object without knowing whether anyone would pick it up.
Outside the office, a reporter approached and asked whether Arthur had accused Malcolm of destroying evidence.
Arthur said that he had described moving equipment and had accused nobody.
The reporter asked whether Malcolm had paid him to keep quiet.
Arthur turned away.
Nora stepped between them and said that the interview had been voluntary and private.
The reporter accused her of obstructing public interest.
Nora answered that public interest did not entitle anyone to invent a witness’s testimony.
Arthur thanked her when they reached the corner.
He said that he had spent his working life dealing with engines, not microphones.
Nora told him that she worked with coffee cups and impatient customers.
They both laughed, and the tension eased.
Later that evening, Daniel called Nora with news about Walter.
His father had insisted on visiting the theater despite the temporary closure.
Daniel had stopped him at the gate and brought him home.
Nora asked whether Walter was angry.
Daniel said that his father was furious at being treated like a child.
Nora suggested that Daniel explain the safety restrictions rather than simply forbidding the visit.
Daniel sighed and said that he had already tried.
She asked whether Walter had been offered another way to contribute.
Daniel admitted that he had not considered it.
The following morning, Walter called Nora himself.
He said that Daniel had arranged for him to speak to the youth workshop by telephone.
Nora asked what he intended to tell them.
Walter said that he would describe the first radio play he ever directed.
She asked whether he would also describe the mistakes he made with young workers.
Walter was quiet for several seconds.
Then he said that he would.
Nora told him that the students might learn more from that part than from the triumphs.
Walter agreed, and she could hear him writing something down.
