Fractured Bonds

10 -Emma (Part Two)

Contd from Three Years Ago.

The trial began.

I felt a surge of adrenaline mixed with a steely resolve. The courtroom was filled with a tense silence, broken only by the rustling of papers and the occasional cough. I glanced at Mike, who sat beside me, his face a mask of determination. The judge called the court to order, and the opening statements commenced. I took a deep breath, focusing on the task ahead. This was our moment to present the truth, to defend Mike's reputation, and to ensure that justice was served. Every word, every piece of evidence, would be crucial. I was ready.

The plaintiff, Mrs. Williams' lawyer Arthur Smith, began by calling Mike's fellow staff members to the stand. One by one, they testified, each painting a consistent picture of Mike as a dedicated and compassionate doctor. Nurse Patel described him as "one of the most caring physicians I've ever worked with," while Dr. Lee emphasized his "unwavering commitment to his patients." Their stories matched up seamlessly, each reinforcing the other.

When questioned about the night in question, they all highlighted the same critical point: the ER and the hospital were overwhelmed. Nurse Patel recounted, "We were slammed that night. There were so many patients, it was hard to attend to any one person for more than a few minutes, except for those in surgery." Dr. Lee added, "The hospital was understaffed, and we were doing our best to manage the influx of patients. It was an extraordinary situation."

Their testimonies painted a vivid picture of the chaos and pressure that night, making it clear that the circumstances were far from normal. Each staff member's account was consistent, underscoring the extraordinary challenges they faced. As I listened, I felt a sense of relief. Their honesty and coherence were crucial in supporting our case. Now, it was up to us to tie all these pieces together and present a compelling defense for Mike.

The trial continued, and Arthur Smith called Mike to the stand. The tension in the courtroom was palpable. Arthur's questioning was direct and unyielding. "Dr. Pendragon, isn't it true that you didn't order a post-surgery scan for Mr. Williams?: Mike nodded, his expression somber. "Yes, that's correct," he admitted.

Arthur pressed on, "And after reassuring Mrs. Williams numerous times about her husband's recovery, you immediately rushed to another surgery, leaving Mr. Williams unattended. Despite your reassurances, Mr. Williams passed away. Can you explain why you didn't take the necessary precautions?"

Mike's voice wavered slightly. "The hospital was overwhelmed that night. We were short-staffed, and I had to attend to another critical patient. I truly believed Mr. Williams was stable."

Arthur leaned in, his voice sharp. "But isn't it true, Dr. Pendragon, that your failure to order that scan directly contributed to Mr. Williams' death?"

I stood up, my voice firm. "Objection, Your Honor. Counsel is leading the witness."

The judge nodded. "Sustained. Mr. Smith, please rephrase your question."

Arthur stepped back slightly. "Dr. Pendragon, do you believe you did everything within your power to ensure Mr. Williams' safety?"

Mike took a deep breath. "Given the circumstances, I did everything I could. But I acknowledge that more could have been done if the situation had been different."

The judge's intervention provided a brief respite, but the weight of Arthur's questioning lingered. The jury's eyes were fixed on Mike, absorbing every word. The emotional strain was evident on Mike's face, and I could feel the gravity of the moment pressing down on all of us. This was a pivotal point in the trial, and every response mattered. Mike's questioning ended with Arthur stating that he might have to call him to the stand again, if needed.

I called Louise to the stand.

As I stood in the courtroom, I could feel the weight of the moment. "Louise," I began, my voice steady but probing, "This record states you were arrested for trespassing in a restricted government area while trying to uncover what the government was hiding. It also mentions you assaulted one of the officers during your arrest. Can you explain what happened?"

Louise, sitting in the witness stand, looked visibly shaken. Her face turned pale, and her breathing became rapid and shallow. I watched as her hands started to tremble uncontrollably. The courtroom fell silent, the tension palpable.

Before I could offer any comfort or rephrase my question, Louise was already hyperventilating. The judge, noticing her distress, quickly intervened. "We'll take a recess for lunchtime," she declared, her gavel coming down with a decisive thud.

As Louise was escorted out to regain her composure, I couldn't shake the feeling of guilt. Had my questioning pushed her too far? Was I too harsh? Was there any information I didn't know about her that led her to such a state?

The courtroom buzzed with murmurs, but all I could think about was how to approach the next round of questioning with more sensitivity.

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