“We have a very strong case.”
Pax came into the room with sleepy eyes and tousled hair. “Hey, Nick. What’s up?”
He explained and added, “The discovery for the trial came in while you were gone. I have some depositions I want you to hear.”
“Why are you smiling?”
“Because these depositions, along with the one from Dr. Shannon that you already listened to, are the only proof they have.”
“Okay. Let’s all sit.” Pax poured them all coffee and they gathered at the table. The smoky, earthy scent of the brew filled the kitchen.
Pax said, “Go ahead.”
He turned on a small recorder.
Nick’s voice: Deposition from Dr. Stuart Struthers, resident at Upstate Medical Center.
“I was in the operating room when Dr. Barry came in. He argued with the nurse about playing music. He won, as always. He didn’t look good, though. He was grayish, like he’d been out all night.”
“Do you have proof?” Nick interrupted. “That he was out all night?”
“No, just a feeling.”
“Did you see the operation, Dr. Struthers?”
“Ah, no. The bastard kicked me out for an innocuous statement I made.”
“Excuse me. I’m confused. Why are you testifying if you weren’t present during the surgery?”
“The lawyers said I could set the stage.”
“You were reprimanded. And suspended from the program for a year.”
“Yes. But I finished there.”
“I think we have a very good picture of your grudge against my client.” Nick turned off the recorder.
“His testimony doesn’t hold any water, does it?” Pax said.
“No. It wasn’t factual. And he did indeed have a grudge against you.”
“I wasn’t a very nice person back then.”
“Let’s go to the next one. From Nurse Emily Landers.” He pressed the button on the tape again.
“Ms. Landers, you were in attendance at the surgery in question, correct?”
“Yes, I was in the operating room when Dr. Barry came in.”
“Was he acting differently?”
“No. He was always…hard to deal with.”
“In what way?”
“He thought he knew everything.”
“He was a distinguished medical professional at Upstate Medical. He’d been called a genius in his field.”
