Page 7 of Reasonable Doubt (Wounded Heroes: The Redemption #7)
A few days later, Nick called his mother before he left for work. She answered. “Hello, Nicky.”
“Hello, Mom. How are you feeling?” It had been a week since her heart attack and he’d checked in every day.
“I’m getting around pretty easy, and the boys come over all the time.”
He felt a twinge of guilt. “Tell me what you do all day.”
After she recounted her routines, he said, “I’m afraid I have to go. I’ll call again soon. And I’ll see you at Christmas. That’s not too far away.”
“Of course, son.” She never asked for more from him.
Determined to concentrate on his job, Nick headed to Pax’s house.
The cedar-sided ranch was shaded by trees and populated by flowers up the walkway.
He rang the bell. Steph opened the door, Mutt at her side.
Her hair was mussed and she wore a bathrobe.
The dog barked at him. “Hi, Steph. Is Pax available to see me?”
“Yeah. We just got up. We didn’t get back till late last night.”
“I wouldn’t have bothered you on your first day back but the pretrial conference is tomorrow.”
Her smile faded a bit. She folded her arms across her chest. “I can’t wait until this is all over.”
“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.”
“Not that day.”
“During the surgery, was he careful?”
“Yes, until blood spurted out of the patient’s chest.”
“Ah. I think we all agree that he made a mistake . The question here is did you observe any negligence?”
“No, I didn’t. But with all the blood, something had to be wrong.”
“Yet you didn’t actually see any negligence.”
“I didn’t. He did, though. Dr. Barry was so upset that he left the room. Another surgeon had to come in to take over. Later we learned he nicked an artery.”
“During a very complicated surgery. You’re an experienced nurse. Have you seen other doctors make mistakes?”
“Yes, of course. But I never saw one leave the operating room.”
“So the fact that he left was a mistake?”
“I don’t know. The patient died, for God’s sake.”
“Again, have you seen other patients die on the table?”
“Yes.”
“Where was the negligence in this surgery?”
“The patient died.”
“I think we clarified that one. Nurse Landers, did you like Dr. Barry?”
“No. Nobody did. He was conceited and arrogant. And he didn’t treat the staff very well.”
“Hmm. So you’re testifying against him because of his personality?”
“No!”
“Did the autopsy reveal negligence?”
“It was inconclusive.”
“I see. No other questions for you, Nurse Landers.” He clicked off the recording.
Pax sat back, his eyes bleak. “She was right, you know. I was a bastard. I couldn’t even tolerate what happened so I left.”
“Understandable. But because you weren’t a nice person then, doesn’t mean you were negligent. Pax, you made a mistake.”
Steph spoke for the first time. “I keep telling him that, Nick.”
Pax put his arm around her. For a fleeting moment, Nick was jealous of their closeness. “I am coming to see that in counseling.”
“That’s terrific.”
“Shall we listen to the people in the bar? For the record, they were drinking, like you. No one observed how many drinks you had. And no one saw you drive home.”
“I didn’t. I called an Uber. I’ve never driven drunk.”
“That’s in your favor.”
He ran a hand through his hair. “This is awful, Nick.”
“I know. Let’s get through this part today.”
Both Steph and Pax were unhappy, but they had to hear everything before the hearing tomorrow.
* * *
Noreen helped her agent, Marcy White, move her books from the counter to the signing table.
The clerk at The Book Nook was busy with customers who milled around, waiting for her.
The back of the store was crowded and people lined up out the door.
“Excited to have your first signing in Westwood where you live now?” Marcy asked.
“Yes. Although I don’t have a lot of friends here.”
“Noreen, dear, you would if you let people close.”
“I know. But I’ll enjoy today very much because I obviously have fans.”
A table had been set up, with a pink tablecloth and a bouquet of carnations. Their flowery scent filled the air. She whispered, “Don’t they know this book is a mystery with some gore in it?”
“Hush.” Marcy studied the bouquet. “There’s a card on these.”
Noreen picked out the missive nestled in some leafy greens. “Good luck, today, Noreen. I’ll be there with bells on.” She
frowned. “No signature.”
“Well, you have a few groupies. Don’t worry about it. There are tons of people around.”
When the crowd was let in, they scrambled for seats. Once they got their book from Noreen, there was a table three feet away where they could cash out.
Marcy surveyed the room. “All the chairs are taken and there’s standing room only in the back. Are you ready to start?”
“Yes.” She came around the table and leaned against it, facing the audience. The audience quieted.
“Hello, everyone. Thank you for coming.” She started reading…
Melanie Bright lived up to her name. She was the most popular doctor at Memorial Central.
She concentrated on the girl sitting on the exam table. “Hey, little one, you ready for this?”
“You gonna fix both my broken legs?”
“Yes, honey. You’ll be running in no time.”
She spoke more with the girl, then a nurse came up to her. “Dr. Bright, it’s time to go scrub in.”
To the child, she said, “I’ll see you soon.”
But Melanie Bright never made it to the operating room…
Noreen held up the book and the group clapped. They were anxious to read the second Melody Bright novel out today.
She circled back around the table, sat down and pasted a smile on her face.
It turned real when she saw her mother first in line.
“Hello, Mom. I’m so glad you came.” Eve looked beautiful in a long flowing skirt and peach sweater that matched the coat she held over her arm.
She set a book on the table. “You’ve already got a copy. ”
“I know, darling. But this is an event. I love watching you shine.” She pointed to the book.
“This is my pass-around copy. I won’t let anyone borrow the one you signed for me.
Just put your signature in it.” She leaned in and Noreen was warmed by the scent of her mother’s essence.
“I’m not leaving though. I’m planning to stay around and enjoy the festivities for a while. ”
“There’s coffee and cookies over there behind the cash out desk. Love you Mom.”
Noreen recognized the next person in line. “Well, hello again.”
“Hello. Do you remember me?”
“Sure. Minnie?”
A deep frown. Today, the girl was dressed in a dirty sweater and worn jeans. “Mindy.”
“Ah, sorry. Who is this book for?”
“Um, um, my mother. But sign it just with your name.”
“Okay.” Noreen scrolled her signature. “There you go.”
The girl raised her brows. “We still friends, Noreen?”
“Of course.” When she still didn’t move, Noreen nudged her. “If you’ll excuse me. I know the people next in line.”
Frowning, Mindy walked to the cookie table. She hoped her mother wouldn’t strike up a conversation with the girl. Her…hovering made Noreen nervous.
The next couple approached.
Noreen smiled broadly. “How sweet to see you here, Caleb. Gemma.” They looked cute in jeans and matching cable knit sweaters.
Gemma said, “It’s so exciting to see an author I know signing her books.”
“It’s exciting to be an author here and I appreciate the support.”
“We both read the first in the series,” Caleb put in. “I was on the edge of my seat.”
“Thank you. I hope you’re not disappointed in this one.”
“Nah, no chance. Now, here.” He handed her two books. “We want two so we can read it together.”
“Like the lovebirds you are.”
“Nope.” He angled his head to the line behind him. “The lovebirds are right behind us.”
She glanced over their shoulders and saw Jackson and Maisy Kane approaching next. They were holding hands. “Hello, you two.”
“Hello, Noreen. We came to support you. And because Maisy stays up way too late reading your work.”
On cue, Maisy yawned. “Sorry. I finished the first one. It was gripping. Sign the next one to me, please.”