Bent Oath by Russell W. Bessette

Author:Russell W. Bessette [Bessette, Russell W.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-03-03T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

After the fire, Malcolm had no visitors other than his sister and Inspector Stuhl. But this morning was special. He was about to receive his first invited guest. Also another first in a long time: he put on his favorite gray Armani suit with an off-white shirt left open at the neck for a casual business look. Seated in his recliner, he tucked his hands beneath the wool blanket covering him from his knees down to his black oxford shoes. Awaiting his guest, he turned his head toward the window to let the sun warm scattered patches of skin.

Grace focused his thoughts when she said, “Remember, let me direct the conversation. We want him to believe this is a career opportunity.”

He cleared his throat. “Yeah, and from what you’ve told me, his ego, coupled with his greed for fame and money, should make him putty in our hands.”

“He’s a true deontologist. Pompous enough to believe only he can set the rules for right and wrong.” She gave a sardonic laugh. “Not unlike many academic doctors we know.”

The feeble knock on the door stopped their conversation. Malcolm heard Grace’s heels stab the floor as she strode over to admit their guest. Then he heard her say, “Dr. Taylor, please come in.”

Malcolm allowed time for the shuffle of their feet to cease, and he imagined Taylor’s anxiety. Holding his silence, he wondered if Taylor was gazing at anything in the room in order to avoid looking at Malcolm’s face.

Grace broke the moment, saying, “Of course you remember my brother, don’t you?”

Taylor struggled with a cough and said, “Yes. How are you, Mr. Reinhardt?”

“Not well, Doctor. But we hope you can help us.”

“That’s why we invited you here, Doctor,” Grace said, adopting her formal attorney voice. “And I trust we can speak freely.”

“Please know, I—I want to help in any way that I can,” he stammered. “But please understand the hospital’s attorney advised against my coming.”

“Forget him,” snapped Grace.

Malcolm said, “Doctor, are you aware of our litigation against the hospital for gross negligence? Soon we will be filing additional litigation against several doctors. But I want you to understand that our prime concern is justice.”

“Dr. Taylor, let me speak bluntly,” Grace said. “What is your assessment of Dr. Whitney?”

The pause was so long, Malcolm thought he could hear Taylor sweating. At last he said, “She’s a cavalier, smart-mouthed surgeon.”

Plucking his hand from beneath the blanket, Malcolm made a fist, as best as his deformed fingers would allow, and then said, “Doctor, don’t bullshit me. We’re not interested in her medical skills. Nor are we here to give her an award. We need to know—did she do this?” With his one good finger, he pointed to his face.

“We know you’re her critic,” Grace said in a raised voice. “Plus you oversaw her that night.” She paused for several seconds. “Legally speaking, one could argue you are responsible for her actions and their consequences.”

Malcolm knew from his courtroom experience that pressure on a witness had to be applied skillfully.

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