Chapter 3 Prologue (2)

(one month later) Massachusetts, Boston October 9, 2005 4:45 pm Exercising is so cool.Craig.Boman first did stretching exercises for half an hour in the equipment room, and then participated in several intense three-on-three basketball games.Maybe it's luck, the other two people in his group are very talented.They hadn't lost a game in this group for at least an hour, and in the end it was really exhaustion that stopped the game.After playing, Craig had another massage and a sauna before showering. Now, Craig is looking at himself in the mirror in the VIP area of ​​the men's locker room at the LA Health Club.I have to admit that over the years, his form has never been so good.Since he joined the club and started exercising six months ago, he has lost twenty-two pounds and an inch from his waist.But most noticeably, the sallow flesh on his cheeks was gone, replaced by a healthy flush.In order to make himself more fashionable, he grew his yellowish-reddish hair a little longer, and went to the hair salon to design a hairstyle, combing it back together, instead of the left-side parting that he has been doing for decades.In his opinion, he has changed so completely that he would never recognize himself as he was a year ago.You can be sure that he is no longer the dull, boring doctor he used to be.

Craig now comes to the club to work out three times a week: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.Of the three days, Friday is the best.The least number of people, and the fact that there was a whole weekend waiting in front of him, made him feel very excited.His clinic closed at noon, as usual, on Fridays, and calls were diverted to cellphones.In this way, Lian Na could exercise with him.He got a fitness supplementary card as a gift for her and himself. Lena had moved in with him at the Beacon Hill apartment a few weeks earlier.She decided that it would be too bad to pay the Somerville rent when she was with him every night, and moved here on her own initiative.Craig was annoyed at first that Lianna made it a fait accompli without even consulting him.From his point of view, he had just started to enjoy freedom, so Lianna's behavior was simply coercion.But after a few days he figured it out.He had forgotten that sex could be so good.And, he comforted himself, it would be easy to separate again if something changed in the future.

The last step before heading out is a new Brioni jacket.He shrugged several times to make the clothes fit better, then looked back in the mirror.He turned his head a few times, watching himself from different angles, thinking to himself that he should stop studying art and take acting classes instead.Thinking of this, he couldn't help smiling.He knew that this idea was a bit bold, but it was not impossible.Everything was going so smoothly, he felt that he was in the happiest moment of his life. After getting dressed, he took out his cell phone to check text messages.No new information.The next step is to go back to the apartment, take a break with some wine, read the latest NEJM for an hour, then go to the Museum of Fine Arts to see the latest exhibition, and finally go to the new trendy restaurant in the Back Bay for dinner.

Craig whistled softly as he walked from the locker room to the club lobby.On his left is the front desk, on his right along the corridor past the elevator is the bar and light dining area.Soft music plays in the transition zone.Although there are not many people in the fitness area on Friday afternoon, the good time of the weekend at the bar has just begun, and the number of people is gradually increasing. Craig looked at his watch.He counted well.It was a quarter to five: exactly the time he had made an appointment with Lianna.Although they went to the club together and left together, in the club they acted separately.Lena's been into stair machines, Pilates, and yoga lately, and none of them interest Craig.

He glanced at the rest area and confirmed that Lian Na hadn't come out of the women's changing room yet.Craig wasn't surprised at all.Apart from being unable to keep secrets, Lian Na was also not very punctual.He simply sat down and watched the handsome men and women come and go, quite satisfied.On the same occasion, six months ago he would have felt an odd outsider.Now, he feels very natural.As soon as he sat down firmly, Lian Na came out from the women's changing room. Just as he was looking critically at himself a few minutes ago, Craig was also quickly looking at Lianna.Exercise is also good for her.Still, because of her relative youth, she was solid and flushed from the start.As she drew closer, he could see that she was an attractive, proud, but somewhat stubborn young woman.In Craig's view, her main flaws were her Revere, Massachusetts accent and syntax.The most unbearable thing is that she pronounces every sound ending in er like a short sharp a.Craig felt that deep down he was doing it for her own good, so he reminded her of the problem and hoped she could correct it.But she reacted violently, viciously accusing him of being an Ivy League elite.Craig also tactfully didn't mention it.Gradually, his ears got used to it.What's more, tonight's night is sultry, and a little accent is nothing.

Are you exercising well?Craig stood up. Really cool, Lianna replied.better than ever. Craig frowned.She draws out her voice to emphasize the truth rather than the coolness, and she used to say it was strong.The two walked towards the elevator, he tried his best to control himself, not to comment on her accent, and pretended to listen to her carefully.She talked nonstop about her workout routine and urged him to get into Pilates and yoga, too.But he was thinking about tonight's arrangements to himself, thinking that today has been going well so far.Twelve patients were received in the morning, not too many and not too few.No longer have to rush from one ward to another as in the hospital before, exhausted.

Over the past few months, he and Marlene, the secretary and receptionist, have created a schedule of visits tailored to the patient's needs, based on the patient's condition and personality.For follow-up patients who follow the doctor's orders and have insight, the fastest time is 15 minutes.The most difficult patients take an hour and a half.For new patients who have been diagnosed and are in serious condition, one hour is usually arranged.For new patients at health points, forty-five minutes to an hour, depending on age and severity of illness.If there is an emergency on the day, such as a patient without an appointment, or Craig has something to go to the hospital, Marlene will contact the patient who made an appointment that day, and if possible, arrange another suitable time to see the doctor.

That way, fewer people had to wait in Craig's office, and he was less anxious about being behind schedule.This way of practicing medicine is more rational and beneficial to all.Now Craig loves going to work.It was his dream to practice medicine in this way.Everything is close to perfect, the only fly in the ointment is that his relationship with Lian Na cannot be kept secret.Rumors spread, and Lianna's youth and willfulness added fuel to the fire.As a result, Craig had to endure the secret resentment of Marlene and Nurse Darlene, and often found them harboring a grudge against Lena and slacking off at work.

You are not listening to me at all!Lianna said angrily.She leaned over and glared at Craig.The elevator was heading to the underground garage, and both of them were facing the elevator door. I'm listening, Craig lied.He smiled, but Corianna's anger did not subside. The elevator stopped at the parking level and the doors opened.Lianna walked out angrily, and waited for the waiter to drive her car with a few people.Craig was a few steps behind.Lianna's mood swings are quite large, which Craig doesn't like very much.But as long as he doesn't care, her temper can come and go quickly.If he hadn't paid attention in the lobby a few minutes ago and picked on her accent, things would not be as simple as they are now.Last time, and the only time he found fault with her accent, she was very angry for two days.

Craig hands the parking plate to a waiter. Red Porsche, coming soon, Dr. Berman, the waiter touched the brim of his hat as he spoke, and trotted to pick up the car. Craig was very happy.He's proud to have the sexiest car in the garage.It was a far cry from the Regal station wagon he had driven before.Craig guessed that the people waiting around for his car would feel differently when they saw his car.Apparently the waiter felt that this car was different, so he parked his car under the sign at the pick-up area every time. If I seemed a little distracted just now, Craig whispered to Lianna, it was also because I thought about spending tonight with you: all night.He blinked meaningfully.

Lian Na raised an eyebrow and looked at him, showing that her anger was only half gone.She needed Craig's full attention on her at all times. Craig heard the familiar roar of a Porsche engine nearby, and he heard his name being called behind him.What surprised him was that this man also pronounced Mei in the middle of his name.Few knew his middle initial, and even fewer knew it stood for Mason, his mother's maiden name.Craig turned, expecting to see a patient, colleague or former classmate, only to find a stranger approaching.It was a handsome black man, quick and sharp-looking, about Craig's age.For a while, Craig thought that he might be his partner in the three-on-three basketball game in the afternoon, and the reason why he called his name was to review the brilliant achievements of the afternoon with him. It's Craig.plum.Doctor Berman?The man walked straight up to Craig and asked again. What's with you?Craig nodded suspiciously.He was still wondering who it was.Definitely not playing basketball together, nor a patient or a classmate.He tried to recall if he had seen him in the hospital, but he didn't seem to. The man put a large sealed envelope in Craig's hand.Craig took a look. His name was on the envelope, including May in the middle.Before Craig could reply, the man turned around and entered the elevator before the doors closed.That's it.The whole process only takes a few seconds. What did he give you?Lianna asked. I have no idea, Craig said.He looked at the envelope again, and for the first time had a sense of foreboding.On the upper left hand corner of the envelope read: SUPERIOR COURT OF Suffolk, MA. Well, Lianna said, why don't you open it and have a look? Honestly, I really don't want to open it, Craig said, although he knew it was going to happen sooner or later.Craig glanced at the people waiting around him.Several people witnessed the scene just now and were looking at him curiously. The waiter brought Craig's Porsche over, got out, and waited for him to enter, holding the cab door.Craig put his thumb in the mouth of the envelope and tore it open.He felt his heart beat faster as he pulled out the summons.In his hand he held a stack of curled papers, held together by staples. what exactly is it?Lian Na asked with concern.The blush on Craig's face from the workout disappeared quickly. Craig raised his head and looked directly into Lianna's eyes.There was a tension in his eyes that Lian Na had never seen before.Lian Na didn't know whether it was because of confusion or suspicion, but she was obviously shocked.For a moment, Craig was paralyzed and couldn't even breathe. Hello?Lianna said hesitantly.How are you?She held out a hand and waved it across Craig's marble-cold face.At this time, someone peeked from the side, and she suddenly realized that they had become the focus of everyone's attention. Suddenly, Craig's pupils narrowed, and the color quickly returned to his face, as if waking up from a seizure.His men kneaded the summons into a ball subconsciously, and didn't stop until reason overcame impulse. It's a subpoena, Craig whispered, his voice hoarse.That bastard actually sued me!He flattened the crumpled summons and flipped through it quickly. Who is suing you? Stanhope!Jordan.Stanhope! What are you charged with? Improper treatment resulted in unnatural death.It's just too shameless! It's because of Patience.Stanhope? Who else?Craig gritted his teeth and said viciously. Hey, don't come at me, Lianna said, raising her hand, pretending to protect herself. How could such a thing happen!How shameless!Craig looked through the subpoena in his hand again, as if he was afraid that he had misread it. Lian Na looked at the waiter.Another attendant had already opened the passenger side door for her.It turned out that the waiter was still holding the door of the cab.Lianna looked back at Craig.Craig, what are you going to do?she whispered urgently.You can't just stand here forever.It's been said all the time. Shut up!Craig growled.His fragile nerves could no longer stand the torment of the accent. Lian Na let out a suppressed, pretending to be sad laugh, and then warned: Don't talk to me like this in the future! Craig woke up for the second time, realizing that everyone around him was watching them.He apologized in a low voice, then said: I would like a drink. Okay, Lian Na agreed, but she was still furious.where to drinkDrink here or go home? drink here!Craig said angrily.He turned and walked towards the elevator. Lianna knew that the waiter was watching, so she smiled apologetically, shrugged her shoulders, and followed Craig.After trying to keep up with him, Craig was tapping the elevator button with his knuckles.Calm down, she said.She looked back at the people waiting for the bus.Everyone quickly looked away, pretending that they didn't look this way just now. Calm down, easy to say, Craig replied angrily.Not accusing you.Still receiving subpoenas in public, what a shame. Lian Na didn't speak anymore.They sat down at a tall table, as far away from the weekend crowd as possible.Low-backed bar stools for two are just the right height for the table.Craig, uncharacteristically, ordered a double scotch.He rarely drinks alcohol because he is worried that he will be called back to work at any time.Lian Na ordered a glass of white wine.His hand holding the wine glass trembled a little, and Lian Na could tell that his thoughts had returned to that matter.In less than fifteen minutes after receiving the subpoena, he had changed from initial shock and disbelief to anger, and now to anxiety. I've never seen you so upset before, Lianna said.Although she didn't know what to say, she felt that she should say something.She has never been good at silence, unless she chooses to fight coldly for a certain purpose. Of course I'm bored, Craig said angrily.He raised the glass, his hands shaking so much that the ice cubes in the glass kept ringing.After finally reaching his mouth, the wine spilled out.Hell, he said, putting down his glass, trying to shake the spilled wine from his hands, and took his napkin to wipe his lips and chin.No idea, Jordan.The bastard Stanhope would come to this hand.How much time and energy I have spent on his wife who is not sick and pretends to be sick.I hate this woman. Craig hesitated, then said: I shouldn't be telling you this.Physicians should not tell outsiders about these things. I think you should speak up.You're in a bad mood right now, I know. The problem is, Patience.Stanhope is driving me nuts.She repeated those damn bowel movements over and over with relish.Not only that, but also vividly described the yellow-green sticky phlegm she spit out every day.He still kept it for me to see.Really sick.She has the ability to drive everyone crazy, including Jordan, and even herself.gosh. Lian Na nodded.Although she doesn't know much about psychology, she also knows that Craig should say everything she wants to say at this time. I can't remember how many times, after get off work, or even in the middle of the night, I drove up to their huge house, held her hand, and listened to her complain.Is it useful?She never followed doctor's orders, including quitting smoking.No matter what I say, she does it right. Yeah?Lianna asked.She couldn't hold back any longer.She complained about coughing up phlegm while continuing to smoke? Do not you remember?Her room smelled of cigarettes. I don't really remember, Lian Na shook her head as she said.I was terrified at the time, but I don't remember what it smelled like. She smoked cigarette after cigarette, several packs a day, as if there was no tomorrow after today.That's not too bad.Let me tell you, she is a typical patient who does not follow the doctor's advice, especially when it comes to taking medicine.She always forces you to prescribe medicine, and then take it if you want, and don't if you don't want to. Do you know why she didn't follow the doctor's orders? Maybe she likes to be sick.This finally has something to do.Long story short, she was a waste of time for me, for her husband, and even for herself.It's better for everyone if she dies.She shouldn't be alive at all. Craig calmed down slowly, this time without spilling the drink. I've dealt with her a few times in the office.She is really difficult.Lian Na comforted him. More than difficult, you're taking it lightly, Craig muttered.This bitch, with an inheritance in her hand, wants me to hold her hand and listen to her disgusting complaints.I worked my ass off through four years of college, four years of medical school, five years of residency, the medical license exam, and writing so many papers, but she only wanted me to hold her hand.Really, after holding for fifteen minutes, she needs half an hour; after holding for half an hour, she needs forty-five minutes.As soon as I refuse, she will immediately get upset and make things difficult for you. Maybe she just felt lonely, Lianna said. Who are you after?Craig demanded loudly.He put the wine glass heavily on the table, and the ice cubes slammed.She just needs a beating. Ah yo, calm down.Lian Na was surprised.She looked around cautiously and was relieved to find that no one was paying attention to them. You don't come here and muddy, Craig snapped.I'm not in the mood to play this with you. I just want you to calm down a little bit. How do you make me calm down?This is no small matter.I have worked hard all my life to be the best doctor.I'm fucking working on it until now.This is the result?Craig tapped angrily on the envelope containing the subpoena. Haven't you been complaining about having to pay malpractice insurance money, isn't it going to come in handy now? Craig looked at Lianna angrily.Don't you understand?That bastard Stanhope wants me to appear in court just to discredit me in public.What he wants is the trial process.Regardless of the outcome, I lost.I am a victim and no one can help me.And once it goes to court, do you know what will happen?Even if I'm right, I don't necessarily win.Even if I think so wholeheartedly about my patients, especially Patience.Stanhope, how many outpatient visits have I made for her.And who are the jurors?What a joke.Archivists, plumbers, retired teachers, how do they know what it's like for a doctor like me to wake up in the middle of the night and hold the hand of a hypochondriac?Jesus Christ! Can't you tell them?as part of your testimony. Craig rolled his eyes angrily.Lianna could really drive him crazy sometimes.That's the bad thing about staying with young, inexperienced women. Why did he say you were treated improperly?Lianna asked. Craig looked at the beautiful men and women at the bar, talking and laughing, obviously enjoying the weekend.Compared with the two, he felt worse.Perhaps choosing to come to the bar was itself a mistake.He suddenly felt that it was impossible for him to integrate into this circle through cultural life.Existing problems in the medical industry, including the current malpractice case, have trapped him to death, and he can't get out. Where could the treatment be inappropriate?Lian Na changed the way of asking. Craig said desperately.Listen, keep your eyes open!The complaint is vague.Said that my technique of diagnosis and treatment was wrong, and my heart was not enough.How would a competent, sane physician handle the same situation.A bunch of crap.In short, the results of the treatment were not good, Patience.Stanhope is dead.A lawyer who specializes in malpractice lawsuits would start with this outcome.These people can always find an asshole doctor who only lives by testifying in court to say that there is something wrong with a certain treatment step. Keep your eyes open!Lian Na said angrily.Don't talk to me in such a condescending tone! Well, I apologize, Craig said.He took a deep breath.You know, I'm in a bad mood right now. What is a doctor who earns his living by testifying in court? Some physicians are hired as so-called expert witnesses.The defense lawyer told him to say what he said.In the past, it was difficult to find doctors to testify against colleagues in court, but now it is different.Some spineless jerks still make a living out of it. Terrible. And that's not all, Craig said.He shook his head dejectedly.This bastard Jordan.That Stanhope had the nerve to sue me is utter hypocrisy.I tried my best to save his wife that day, but he never stayed in the hospital.Damn, he told me several times that his wife was an incurable hypochondriac and that he couldn't remember all the symptoms she made up.Several times, she felt that she was going to die, and she insisted on calling me to come out to the clinic at 3 o'clock in the middle of the night.He even apologized to me for it.This has happened more than once.Usually they ask for an outpatient clinic at night, and I have to put aside my personal business and rush there.He has always been grateful, because he knows that it is not easy to make such a trip, because usually his wife makes it out of nothing, or makes a big fuss.That woman is horrible.She's gone, and it's better for everyone, including Jordan.stanhope.Now he came back to sue me, demanding five million dollars in damages for the loss of spousal rights.What a big joke.Craig shook his head dejectedly. What are spousal rights? It is what one can expect from a spouse.Such as companionship, caressing, helping and sex. I don't think there should be any sex between them.They each have their own bedrooms! You are right.I can't imagine him wanting to have sex with that old hag, she's so sick. Did it ever occur to you that he might be suing you because you criticized him that day?He was really angry at the time. Craig nodded.What Lian Na said made sense.He slid off the bar stool and took his glass to the bar for a refill.Surrounded by happy drinkers, he waited while thinking about whether Lian Na's idea made sense.He entered Patience's bedroom that day, saw that she was not well, and did say something to Jordan that he shouldn't have said, and he regretted it afterwards.The situation was urgent at that time, and there was a big gap with what Jordan described. He blurted out the words before he had time to think about it.At that time, he thought it was enough to apologize, but now thinking about it, he thinks it is not enough.If Jordan sued him for this, he would regret it even more. Craig ordered another double scotch, walked back to the table, and climbed onto the bar stool.He moved sluggishly, as if his legs weighed a hundred pounds each.Lian Na felt that his emotions had transitioned to the next stage.He looks depressed now, with his mouth parted and his eyelids drooping. Disaster, Craig finally said with a sigh.He folded his arms on the table and stared at the whiskey in his glass.That might be the end of it, for how well things had gone. How could it be over?Lian Na asked, trying her best to look happy.Now that you have accepted the subpoena, what do you plan to do next? Craig didn't answer, just remained motionless.Lian Na couldn't even feel him breathing. Should I find a lawyer?Lian Na continued to ask.She leaned in, trying to look up at Craig's face. Insurance companies are supposed to defend me, Craig said weakly. That is, you are right.Or, give them a call? Craig looked up, just in time to meet Lianna's eyes.He nodded while considering Lian Na's proposal.It was five-thirty on a Friday afternoon, but the insurance company might have someone on duty.should try.At least I can comfort myself that I did something after all.His anxiety was largely due to the fact that he suddenly encountered such a big case and the complaint was so vague that he felt helpless. Time was running out, so Craig quickly took out his phone and fumbled through his address book.Suddenly, his insurance agent's name and mobile phone number jumped into sight, like a lighthouse in the dark.Craig called. It turned out to require several phone calls, including leaving his name and number for an emergency voicemail.Fortunately, within a quarter of an hour, Craig finally got on the phone with his agent.The other party's voice was very authoritative, and he knew the business very well, so he was very calm.His name is Arthur.Marshall.Craig thought the name sounded reassuring. Because this is the first time you have encountered this kind of thing, Arthur said, from previous experience, we know that you are worried.But you know, for us, this kind of case is too common.That said, we are experienced in handling malpractice lawsuits, and we will give your case our full attention.At present, what I want to emphasize is that you should not interpret this case as a personal grievance. How else can I understand?Craig complained.My whole life has been questioned.I feel like everything is dangerous now. For someone like you, this feeling is normal and understandable.But trust me, things are never what you imagined.This matter does not represent your dedication and hard work of a lifetime.It's often just plaintiffs' lawyers wanting to make a fortune, even though they won't admit it.Anyone who understands medicine knows that unsatisfactory treatment outcomes, even if they involve inadvertent mistakes, are not the same as medical malpractice.If the case needs to go to trial, the judge will also advise the jury to consider this.But remember!The vast majority of such cases do not require a trial.Even if there is a trial, the defendant wins in the vast majority.Under Massachusetts law, such cases must first go to arbitration.Based on the facts you have provided, it is possible that the case will end in arbitration. Craig's heart rate gradually returned to near normal levels. It would be wise for you to contact us as soon as this unfortunate incident has occurred, Dr. Berman.We will soon be assigning an experienced and good attorney to your case, so we need to get the complaint and subpoena as soon as possible.You are usually required to respond to this within thirty working days. I'll have someone deliver the materials on Monday. very good.At present, I suggest that you recall the course of the case, especially to sort out the relevant records.Sooner or later, this has to be done, and it will give you the feeling that you are making a constructive effort to protect yourself.In our experience, this is important. Craig nodded frequently. Regarding the relevant records, Dr. Berman, I must warn you not to make any changes.That said, don't fix misspelled words, or glaring grammatical mistakes, or anything that you think is sloppy.Do not change any dates either.In short, don't change anything.Understand? Fully understand. very good!Much of the mistreatment cases that plaintiffs win are due to alterations to relevant records, even though the alterations themselves have nothing to do with the case.Any change is a recipe for disaster because it damages your reputation and credibility.I hope I have made my point clear. very clear.Thank you, Mr. Marshall.I feel much better. That's the right feeling, doctor.Rest assured, we will do our best for your case.Everyone wants to win this case quickly so you can get back to doing what you do best: caring for patients. I hope so too. We'd be happy to help you, Dr. Berman.One last thing, I'm sure you've already realized.Don't, I stress, don't discuss this case with anyone!Spouses and our assigned attorneys are excluded.Anyone includes all colleagues, acquaintances and even close friends.This point is very important. Craig realized how inappropriate the nagging had been.He looked at Lianna across the table with a guilty conscience.Not even close friends?Craig asked.That means giving up emotional support. We can understand, but if something goes wrong, the consequences will be disastrous. What will be the consequences?He didn't know how much Lianna could hear the content of the phone call.She was watching him intently. Because friends and colleagues are easy to find.Lawyers can, and do, compel friends and even close friends and colleagues to testify if it is in the plaintiff's favor.Their testimony is often useful. Well, I remember, Craig said.Thank you for your advice, Mr. Marshall.Craig's heart beat faster again.To be honest, he had to admit that apart from being young and selfish, he didn't know Lian Na at all.And she likes to gossip so much.This made him even more worried. Thank you, Dr. Berman.We will contact you as soon as we get the complaint and subpoena.Just relax and live normally. Well, I'll try, Craig said.He himself has no idea.He knew he would live in the shadows until the dust settled.He just didn't know how big the shadow would be.For now, he vowed to avoid paying attention to Lianna's accent.He was smart enough to know that he had told Lena so much about Patience.Bad things about Stanhope would do him no good in court. New York, New York City October 9, 2005 4:45 pm Jack.Stapleton turned his attention to the dead man's heart and lungs.On the autopsy table in front of him lay the naked body of a fifty-seven-year-old white woman, all internal organs had been removed.The head of the deceased was propped up with wooden blocks, and a pair of unconscious eyes were facing the fluorescent lamp above the head.The autopsy so far has found nothing but a sizable asymptomatic uterine fibroid.A healthy woman died suddenly at a Bloomingdale's department store, but an autopsy was unable to provide a definitive cause of death.Night shift autopsy technician Miguel.Sanchez came at three o'clock in the afternoon and was helping him.Jack prepares to examine the deceased's heart and lungs.Miguel is at the sink, busily washing the dead man's guts. Jack's hand only touched the surface of the deceased's lungs a few times, and he felt abnormal resistance. The lung tissue was harder than normal, and the weight was also heavy.Jack picked up a scalpel that looked like an ordinary butcher's knife, and made several cuts in the deceased's lungs, again proving that the resistance was higher than normal.He picked up the dead man's lung, carefully observed the incision, and wanted to test the density of the organ.The deceased had denser lung tissue, and he determined that fibrosis could be seen under a microscope.The question is why there is fibrosis in the lungs of the deceased? Jack picked up a pair of tweezers and a pair of small surgical scissors, and turned his attention to the dead man's heart.Just as he was about to dissect, the door leading to the corridor opened, and a figure appeared.Jack hesitated for a moment, and the man slowly leaned forward.After a while he recognized Laurie, even though the light was reflecting off the plastic mask she was wearing. I've been wondering where the hell are you.Laurie sounded annoyed.She was wearing a full suit of disposable high-density polyethylene synthetic paper, as were Jack and Miguel.Calvin, deputy director of the forensic department.Washington mandates full surgical gowns be worn in autopsy rooms to avoid encountering potential sources of infection.Nobody knows what microbes they'll run into, especially in a busy autopsy room like New York City's. Wondering where the hell am I.So you've been looking for me? The reasoning was correct, Laurie said.She looked at the ghostly gray body on the autopsy table.I never thought I'd find you here.Why is it so late and there is still a task? You don't know me yet?Jack laughed to himself.Anytime, anywhere, as long as I have fun, I'm there for you. What did you find?Laurie ignored Jack's biting jest.She reached out and touched the dead man's severed lung with her gloved index finger. Not yet, but I think I've found the crux.Did you notice that the lungs are a bit fibrotic.I want to keep checking the heart and that should find the cause of death. Can you tell us the background of this case? The deceased heard a pair of Jimmy .The price of Zhou's shoes suddenly caused a myocardial infarction. really interesting. No kidding, she literally had a heart attack in Bloomingdale's.Of course, I don't know what she was doing at the time.Apparently she was immediately revived by the clerk and a physician who happened to be there at the time.They immediately started artificial respiration, which continued in the ambulance and was taken to Manhattan General Hospital.When the body was brought to us, the attending physician in the emergency room called to explain the situation to me.He said that they tried everything they should do in the emergency room, even the pacemaker, but they couldn't restore the heartbeat.The patient didn't cooperate at all, and there was no sign of recovery at all. They were also very annoyed, so they wanted us to find out the real cause of death, so that they could deal with it correctly next time they encountered a similar situation.I am very touched that he cares so much about his work and takes such initiative.And we should encourage this kind of work attitude, so I promised him to conduct an autopsy immediately and notify him immediately of any results. You should be commended for being so hardworking, Laurie said.Of course, at this point you're still doing the autopsy.Compared with you, we are all slobs. It looks like a duck, it sounds like a duck, it must be a duck!Western proverbs are: If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it is a duck.It looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and sounds like a duck, so it must be a duck.This phrase tells us that when we look at a person, we must observe it from his appearance, words and deeds, and we can determine what kind of person he is. Well, you can!I don't play tricks with you.I'd like to see what you can find out!You have piqued my curiosity, go ahead. Jack bent down and quickly and carefully cut the myocardium along the main coronary artery, trying to open the heart.He straightened up suddenly.Hey, look here!He held the heart in his hand so Laurie could see it better.He tapped the spot he said with the tip of his tweezers. God, Laurie exclaimed.This is the scariest constriction of the posterior descending artery I have seen, and it is formative, and has not yet developed into atherosclerosis. I think so too.This may explain why the heart is unresponsive.突然的阻塞，哪怕是轉瞬即逝的阻塞，都會引發嚴重的心臟病，並影響部分傳導系統。我想心肌梗塞可能影響到了整個心臟後部。但雖然很嚇人，卻無法解釋肺部的變化。 要不把心臟完全打開看看？ 跟我想的一樣。 傑克把剪刀和鑷子換成解剖刀，在心室上切了幾道口子。found it!他說著將身體歪到一邊，這樣勞麗可以清楚地看到打開的心臟。 這就對了：僧帽瓣缺損！ 僧帽瓣缺損很嚴重。這個女人等於是個隨時可能爆炸的定時炸彈。奇怪的是，冠狀動脈收縮和僧帽瓣缺損，在她身上都沒有什麼症狀。她都沒去看過醫師。不過挺遺憾的。因為兩樣都能夠通過外科手術治好。 有時候越是害怕，越是感覺不到疼痛。 這你倒是說對了，傑克說著開始搜集顯微檢查用的標本，放到貼了標籤的瓶子裡。你還沒有告訴我，為什麼要到處找我。 一個小時前我得到消息，婚禮時間已經安排好了。我急著想跟你商量一下，因為要儘快跟他們回話。 傑克停下手中的工作。就連水池邊的米蓋爾也停止洗內臟了。 在屍檢房裡商量結婚日期，挺詭異的啊，傑克說。 勞麗聳了聳肩。我剛好在這裡找到你嘛。今天是星期五，我想今天下午給他們回話。 傑克瞥了米蓋爾一眼。定在哪天？ 六月九日一點半。What do you think? 傑克咧開嘴笑了。我能怎麼想？這麼長時間過去了，我們終於決定在一起了。我恨不得能下星期二就辦呢。 勞麗笑了，塑膠面罩裡起了一層霧，笑聲有點發悶。這話聽著真舒服。問題是我母親一直盼著辦一場六月婚禮。我自己也覺得六月很好，天氣不錯，不僅適合婚禮，也適合蜜月。 那我沒意見，傑克說著又迅速往米蓋爾那個方向看了一眼。米蓋爾一直站在那裡，一動不動，很顯然在聽他們說話。這讓他很不舒服。 There is only one problem.很多人都想六月辦婚禮，河畔教堂六月份每個星期六都訂出去了。想想看，要提前八個月！六月九日是星期五。你覺得可以嗎？ 星期五還是星期六，對我來說都一樣。我都行。 Very good.其實我本來也更傾向於星期六，更傳統，對客人來說也更方便。問題是星期六已經訂滿了。 嘿，米蓋爾！傑克大喊。那些內臟還沒洗好嗎？別洗一輩子啊。 早洗完了，斯坦普敦大夫。我一直在等你過來看一眼。 oh!傑克只答了一個字。他顯然有點尷尬。他一直以為米蓋爾在偷聽。然後他對勞麗說，對不起，我要把這個屍檢做完。 沒問題，勞麗說著跟他走到水池前。 米蓋爾遞過內臟，已經完全剪開，徹底沖洗，能看到黏膜表面。 今天我還有別的發現呢，勞麗說。這事兒我想跟你談談。 說吧，傑克邊說邊開始系統地檢查消化系統，從食道開始一路往下。 你知道，我在你的公寓裡一直覺得不太舒服，主要是整個大樓都是個豬圈。傑克住的四樓樓中樓公寓位於一百零六街一棟破舊不堪的大樓裡。大樓正對著社區運動場。傑克曾經出錢徹底整修過這公寓。傑克一直固執地認為自己就應該受罪，因此他雖然工資不低，但住得很差。現在有了勞麗，情況就不同了。 我不想為此傷害你的感情，勞麗繼續說道。馬上要舉行婚禮了，我們不得不考慮一下住的問題。所以我自作主張，查了一下大樓到底歸誰所有。你每次寄租金支票的那個所謂管理公司不肯透露。不管怎樣，還是給我查出來了。我跟他們連繫了，問他有沒有興趣賣。guess what?他們願意賣，條件是按原樣賣。我覺得這條件挺有意思的。What do you think? 勞麗說話的時候，傑克就停下了手裡的工作，他轉過身。在屍檢檯旁邊談婚禮安排，現在又在內臟池邊談房子。你有沒有覺得這些話題不適合在這兒談？ 這事兒我是幾分鐘之前剛知道的呀。我急著想告訴你嘛，這樣你就可以考慮啦。 很好，傑克一邊說，一邊極力忍住不讓自己說更尖刻的話。你的任務完成了。不過，你不覺得我們在一個更合適的場合，喝杯葡萄酒，吃著芝麻菜沙拉，再談買房子、裝修房子的事兒更好嗎？ 好主意，勞麗高興地說。晚上在公寓見。 說完，勞麗轉身走了。 你們要結婚了，真好，米蓋爾打破了沉默。 Thanks.這雖然不是祕密，但也不要弄得盡人皆知。我希望你能理解。 沒問題，斯坦普敦大夫。不過根據經驗，我不得不告訴你，結婚會改變一切。 你說得真對，傑克說。他自己也有這體會。