The beach house by James Patterson

Author:James Patterson
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Mystery & Detective - General, Rich people, Fiction - Psychological Suspense, Brothers, Mystery & Detective, Drowning victims, East Hampton (N.Y.), General, Psychological, Suspense, Seaside resorts, Thrillers, Suspense fiction, Fiction
ISBN: 9780446612548
Publisher: Warner Books
Published: 2003-05-01T16:35:33.502000+00:00

The Beach House

Chapter 57

THIS WAS EXCRUCIATING.

I wanted to be the one handling the cross-examination, objecting to Bill Montrose’s every sentence, his blasé attitude, even his goddamned blue cashmere blazer and gunmetal gray slacks. He looked as though he was on his way to the Bath & Tennis Club as soon as this trifling matter was finished.

Montrose’s next witness was Dr. Ishier Jacobson, who had quit his position as Los Angeles County coroner a decade ago when he realized he could do five times as well as an expert witness.

“Dr. Jacobson, how long did you serve as chief pathologist at Cook Claremont Hospital in Los Angeles?”

“Twenty-one years, sir.”

“And in that time, Doctor, approximately how many drowning victims were you called upon to examine?”

“A great many, I’m sorry to say. Los Angeles-area beaches are extremely active and crowded with surfers. In my tenure, I looked into over two hundred drownings.”

Montrose gleamed up at Judge Lillian, then back at Dr. Jacobson.

“So it is no exaggeration to say that this is an area in which you have an exceptional level of expertise.”

“I believe I’ve examined more drowning victims than any active pathologist in the United States.”

“And what were your conclusions concerning the death of Peter Mullen?”

“First of all, that he drowned. Second, that his death was either an accident or a suicide.”

It’s not as if I didn’t know how easily expert testimony can be purchased. If the client can afford to, he can always fly in a second opinion to forcefully contradict whatever the prosecution is putting out. The injuncture, the lawyer’s artifice, just seems a little different when the murder victim is your brother.

“How do you explain the condition of the body, Dr. Jacob-son? Pictures taken of the deceased after he washed ashore indicate that he was badly bruised and there’s been speculation that he was beaten.”

“As you know, a storm was passing through the Hamptons that weekend. In that kind of surf, a badly bruised corpse is the rule, not the exception. I’ve examined dozens of drowning victims where foul play was never a question. Believe me, they looked at least as battered as Peter Mullen did that night. Some were worse.”

“That’s total bullshit,” said Hank, leaning over the back of our seats. “This guy is sickening. Bought and paid for.”

Montrose continued with the charade. He was sickening, too. “As you know, I asked you to bring some pictures of previous victims to illustrate this point. Could you share these with the court, Dr. Jacobson?”

Jacobson held up two pictures, and Montrose, as if he hadn’t seen them before, winced. “Both of the surfers were approximately the same age as Mr. Mullen,” he said. “As you can see they are almost as badly bruised as Mr. Mullen, and as I recall, the conditions were not nearly as severe.”

Montrose carried the photographs to the judge, who placed them beside the statement he had received from Alper.

“Is there anything else you found in the records that could shed light on his tragic death?” asked Monty.

Jacobson nodded.

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