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Chapter 1

“Objection, Your Honor Mr Connover is badgering the witness!”

I lean back a little further incounsel Si law for about ten years, about the sa a bow tie with his cheap suit and black, tortoiseshell glasses that he looks more sophisticated and experienced

I’ve wiped the floor with hile with me

His face is , but I just don’t get what the problem is All I did was question the bias of his expert medical witness

It went a little so like this

“So, Dr Drumley, your opinion in this matter is that the defendant, Dr Carrolton, did not commit malpractice in this case?”

Dr Dru his chest out a little His snohite hair sparkled under the harsh, fluorescent lights of the courtroohts,it hard for me to see his eyes

No matter I knew they’d reflect a false sense of security at this point

“That is my absolute opinion,” he said confidently

“That she operated within the standard of care?”

“That’s right,” he said, lifting his chin up in defiance

I leaned back inh our experts—that would be Dr Franklin from Duke University, Dr Parikh froree with you?”

His chin sagged a little, his voice not so self-assured “Yes I disagree with them I’ve read the medical records—”

“Yes… so have they, Dr Drumley But more importantly, have you read the deposition of Dr Carrolton?”

“No ”

“Did you read the medical journals that Dr Parikh testified about that support our case?”

The bottom of his chin hit his chest “No, but—”

“Did you even bother to talk to these doctors… consider their opinions?”

“No,” he admitted, his voice strained “But that’s not—”

“Dr Druht over him “You operate a private practice in Syracuse, correct?”

“Yes ”

“And at one time, Dr Carrolton actually practiced medicine with you?”

“Yes ”

“You were business partners?”

“Yes ”

“Friends?”

“Yes ”

“Still friends to this day?”

“Yes,” he said in a whisper

“And Dr Carrolton is actually paying you for your testimony here today?”

Dr Druine red I think my ex-wife had a nail polish that same color I hated it on her, but I liked the color on hiet paid for my time,” he said testily

I shuffled soanized, but I knew exactly what I was doing I grabbed a paper and perused it It was not what I was looking for, and I think it was actually a docuood prop

I held the document up and waved it around in the air, the jurors’ eyes all pinned to me “In fact, she’s paid you five thousand dollars so far for your ‘opinion’ in this case?” And yes, I made little air quotes when I said the word “opinion” and laced my voice with the appropriate amount of subtle sarcasm

Dr Drumley nodded his head, his lips in a flat line

“I’ive a verbal answer for the court reporter ”

“Yes,” he said, so very quietly While I knew the jury heard hiain

“Five thousand dollars?”

“Yes,” he growled, getting extremely pissed off at me

Which was fking perfect!

I whistled through my teeth and shook my head in bemusement “That’s a lot of cashola ”

“Not really,” he said arrogantly, trying to pick himself up with some false confidence

I grabbed another document from the table “May I approach the witness, Your Honor?”

I didn’t wait for the Judge to say ‘yes’, because I kneould, so I got up and stalked confidently up to Dr Dru him the document