Leslie Crosbie
Wife of rubber plantation owner Robert Crosbie. Leslie is on trial for pumping six bullets into the well-constructed body of handsome Geoffrey Hammond, manager of a neighboring plantation and friendly acquaintance of the Crosbies. Leslie claims she was defending herself against rape. Her attorney has certain questions.
Robert Crosbie
According to Leslie, Hammond was only over at her home that fateful night to discuss a gun she wanted to purchase for Robert’s upcoming birthday. According to his wife, Robert knew all about the affair between her and Hammond.
Geoffrey Hammond
Tall, good-looking, athletic and having an affair with Leslie. Which he brings to an end and for which Leslie fires six shots into his body. Her attorney is especially bothered by the fact that while two of the shots indicates distance, the other four were fired from close range. As if Hammond’s last moments were spent with Leslie standing over him and vicious emptying her gun. Or, perhaps, as if Hammond was already dead and she till emptied her gun.
Mr. Joyce
A close friend of the Crosbies and Leslie’s attorney. While he believes his client is innocent due to her justification of shooting a would-be rapist, he is bothered by the manner in which Hammond was shot to death. This bother becomes even more inflamed when his clerk tells him of the existence of an incriminating letter.
Ong Chi Seng
Joyce’s Chinese law clerk informs his boss that a certain Chinese woman has in her possession a letter written on the day of the shooting from Leslie to Hammond telling him her husband would not be home and he should come by her house that night. The woman in possession of the letter also happens to be Hammond’s mistress for whom he has thrown over intensely colonial Leslie.
