Chapter 11 chapter eight

Massachusetts, Boston Tuesday, June 6, 2006 nine: twenty-eight in the morning All rise!cried the court clerk.Judge Marvin.Davidson walked out of the chamber and up the steps to the bench.Black robes covered his feet, making it look like phantoms gliding.Please sit down, the court clerk shouted again when the judge sat down. Jack sat looking back so as not to bang his ass off the Starbucks takeaway coffee behind him.When he sat down, he found that no one brought food to the court, so he put the coffee on the seat beside him very embarrassedly. The auditorium was crowded, and he sat next to Alexis and asked her why so many people came to listen.She said she didn't know either.Almost all the seats are filled.

At the Bowmans' house this morning, things went better than Jack could have imagined.Although Craig was a bit morose afterwards, at least the two had an open and honest conversation, and Jack felt much better as a guest.They continued talking for a while after the kids had gone to school, but mostly it was Alexis and Jack.Craig was getting a little morose and preoccupied again. There was a long discussion about the means of transportation in and out of the city.In the end Jack insisted again and again that he should drive himself.He wanted to go to the court to get a feel for the main people involved in the case, especially the lawyers of both parties.But later he was driving to the Boston Medical Examiner's Office to learn about Massachusetts' rules on exhumation.What to do next, he is not sure yet.He said he might return to court, and if not, meet at Newton's house at dusk.

Before the trial, as usual, some routine motions had to be dealt with, and Jack took the opportunity to study the main people involved in the case.The black judge looked like a retired ex-varsity football player.However, he was calm and confident when sorting out the files on the table. He talked with his assistants in a low voice from time to time, exuding a sense of authority.The two lawyers were exactly as described by Alexis.Randolph.Whether in dress, actions or speech, Bingham showed the demeanor and cultivation that a barrister should have.In contrast, Tony.Dressed in stylish clothes and heavy gold jewelry, Fasano looked a little gaudy and cheeky, but also very confident.But there was one thing about Tony that Alexis didn't mention that Jack noticed right away: he seemed to be enjoying the trial.While the mourning plaintiff sat poker-faced, Tony and his assistant kept smiling and having a lively discussion, occasionally bursting out with restrained laughter.The members of the dock either sat cautiously, or simply looked desperate, in stark contrast to the plaintiffs.

Jack's eyes shifted to the jury box, watching the jurors take their seats one by one.The jurors were all kinds of people, and Jack thought it was a good fit.He thought that if he walked out of the courtroom with his head bowed and slipped out into the street, the first twelve people who would meet him might be about the same as the members of this jury. Jack is studying jurors, Tony.Fasano's first witness was in court on the day of his biography.Aunt-level Marlene.Richart, Craig's secretary and receptionist, took the witness stand after she was sworn in. Jack turned his attention to the woman.To him the person looked like her German name, a strong-willed German woman.She was not small, with a strong physique, and she was somewhat similar to Tony.Her hair was pulled up in a tight bun, she had a bulldog mouth and a defiant gleam in her eyes.It was not hard to see that she was reluctant to testify in court, and Tony asked the judge to declare her a hostile witness.

Tony stood on the podium and started slowly, trying to joke with the witness Marlene, but unfortunately it didn't work, at least that's what Jack thought before turning his attention to the jury.Unlike Marlene's reaction, most of the jurors laughed.Jack immediately saw Tony.Fasano does have a talent for moving juries, and Alexis is right about that. Jack has seen Marlene's testimony and has little to do with the case.Patience.On the day of Stanhope's death, she had no contact with the deceased because the deceased did not visit the clinic at all that day.Jack finds it hard to comprehend that Tony spends so much time with Marlene, describing her relationship with Craig and delving into her messy private life.She and Craig had been colleagues for fifteen years, and there was a lot to say.

Tony has always maintained a humorous style.Marlene ignored him at first, but after nearly an hour Tony was behaving a bit like a senator giving a tirade to stop the bill from passing.She was getting a little angry, and she was starting to get emotional when answering questions.At this time, Jack began to clearly realize that this humorous style was a trap set by Tony.Tony just wanted her to lose control of her emotions and get angry.Randolph, who seemed offended, objected that the testimony was endless and irrelevant to the case.The judge seemed to agree with him, but after a short bench talk (out of Jack's ear), the questioning resumed and soon reached key points concerning the plaintiff.

Your Honor, may I approach the witness?Tony asked.He was holding a folder in his hand. Yes, Judge Davidson said. Tony approached the witness stand and handed the folder to Marlene.Can you tell the jury what you're holding? A medical record folder in the clinic. Whose medical records? Patience.stanhope. There is a number on the medical record. Of course there is a number!Marlene said angrily.Otherwise how to find it? Can you read it aloud to the jury?Tony said.He ignored Marlene's little outburst just now. PP eight. Thanks, Tony said.He retracted the medical record folder and returned to the podium.

Several jurors leaned forward, as if waiting for something. Madame Richart, can you explain to the jury what the abbreviation PP stands for? Like a cat cornered, Marlene's eyes quickly wandered around the courtroom, and finally settled on Craig. Mrs. Richard, Tony asked tentatively.Hello!are you still there? It's letters, Marlene said sternly. Oh thanks, Tony said sarcastically.I think most of the jurors knew it was letters.What I want to ask is what do these letters refer to.Allow me to remind you that giving false testimony under oath is perjury, and the penalties are severe.

Marlene's face grew redder as she testified, and redder now.Even her cheeks started to swell, as if trying to hold back something. If you still can't remember, there is also testimony later that this method of marking medical records was conceived by you and Dr. Berman together, and it is not common in the clinic.I have here two other medical record numbers from the clinic.Tony produced two more folders of medical records.One is Peter.Sage's case number was PS 121.We chose this medical record because his initials were the same as those of the deceased Peter.Saiqi (Peter Sage) and Patience.Patience Stanhope's initials are PS, but the deceased's medical record number starts with PP, not PS.

The third medical record is Catherine.Baxter, case number KB233.There were other medical records, each with the first two letters matching the patient's initials.We know of a few other medical records beginning with PP, but very few.So I ask again.If PP is not the patient's initials, what does it refer to? PP refers to the problem patient (Problem Patient), the initials are PP, Ma Lin suddenly shouted provocatively. There was a wry smile on Tony's face, for the jury to see.Problem patient!He spoke slowly and loudly.What the hell does this mean?Are they making trouble in the clinic?

Yes, they did make trouble in the clinic, Marlene said through gritted teeth.They are hypochondriacs, always making up some inexplicable symptoms to take up the doctor's time and delay other patients' seeing a doctor. Does Dr. Berman agree with you numbering them this way? Of course.We wrote it after he told us which patients were problem patients. I repeat to avoid misunderstanding.Patience.Stanhope's medical records read PP, meaning she was a problem patient.is that so? Yes! The inquiry is over. This is a PR nightmare, Jack leans closer to Alexis and whispers.What was Craig thinking? I don't know a thing.But that's bad for the case.To be honest, I think things are getting worse. Jack nodded and said nothing more.He couldn't believe Craig could be so stupid.Every doctor has several problem patients in his hands, but no one will note them in the medical records.Every clinic has patients who are hated and disgusted. Doctors don't want to receive such patients, but there is nothing they can do.Jack remembers having two or three of these patients in his eye clinic, and seeing their names on the waiting list put him in a bad mood all day.He knew that this reaction was part of human nature, and that doctors were not immune to it.Nobody except a psychiatrist is trained to deal with this kind of person, and it's avoided talking about it. On cross-examination, Randolph tried his best to recover the damage, but it was clear that he hadn't thought about it before.According to the strict discovery process, the chances of such errors are very small.Tony had a smug grin on his face. Labeling a patient as a problem patient does not necessarily carry a derogatory connotation.Right, Madame Richart? I don't think so. In fact, labeling patients like this is to give them more care, right? The consultation time arranged for them is indeed relatively long. This proves my point.Can you say that as long as you see the PP logo, you will arrange a longer consultation time for the patient? Yes. Therefore, the PP logo is specially designed with the interests of patients in mind. Yes. The inquiry is over. Jack approached Alexis again.I'm going to the medical examiner's office right away.After hearing the trial, I felt it was even more necessary to go. Thank you, Alexis whispered. As soon as he came out of the court, Jack felt a burst of relief.Being involved in a lawsuit has always been one of his greatest fears, and now that it involves his brother-in-law, he finds it a bit overwhelming.Craig's case is about to prove that it's too idealistic to imagine that justice will be miraculously served.Jack didn't believe in the system, though he couldn't think of a better one. He retrieved the Hyundai he rented from near the Boston Common.In the morning, he couldn't find a parking space near the central area of ​​Boston's government for half a day, and then he accidentally found a public garage here, so he parked his car here.He didn't know where Craig and Alexis' car was parked.It was originally agreed that he would follow their car into the city, but as soon as there was even a gap between him and Boman's Lexus, a car would fill it up immediately.Especially after getting on the expressway, if he wanted to keep up with Alexis and Craig's car, he had to charge at full speed. He didn't have the guts, and was gradually dispersed by the tide-like commuting traffic.Driving in Boston was difficult enough last night, he felt, and now it was a veritable morning rush hour, and driving was a hundred times more difficult than last night. With the help of the map provided by the Hertz car rental company, he easily drove into downtown Boston.The walk to court from the public garage is a short and comfortable walk. Once out of the dimly lit garage, Jack parked the car on the side of the road and began to study the map provided by Hertz.It took him a long time to find Albany Street.But having found the street, and with the help of the Boston Common on the left and the Boston Public Garden on the right, he quickly positioned himself.The garden is full of flowers, a scene of late spring.It was only when Jack came to Boston that he discovered what a charming and charming city it was. Driving took up most of his attention, but he still wondered if there was any other way he could help Craig win the case.It is both ironic and absurd that Craig should be accused of medical malpractice for his well-intentioned outpatient visits. Albany Street is easy to find.The Forensic Medicine Department is on this street, next to the multi-storey public parking building, which is very convenient.Fifteen minutes later, Jack was able to speak through a protective glass screen to an attractive young receptionist.Compared with the antiquated facilities of the New York Medical Examiner's Department, everything is new here in Boston.Jack couldn't help being both admiring and jealous. How can I help you?said the female receptionist pleasantly. I think you can help, said Jack.Then he introduced himself and said that he wanted to find a forensic doctor to understand the situation. He didn't choose anyone. I think they're all in the autopsy room right now, said the receptionist.I'll help you find it. While the receptionist was on the phone, Jack looked around.The building is very functionally decorated, and the smell of paint has not completely dissipated.There was an office for liaison with the police, and the door was open, and Jack saw a uniformed officer.As for the purpose of the other offices, Jack can only guess. Latasha.Dr. Wylie is free, she'll be down right away.said the female receptionist.She was almost shouting so that Jack could hear through the glass. Jack thanked her and began to think about Parker.Where exactly is Maidow Cemetery?If Craig and Alexis agree to an autopsy, he'll have to hurry because the trial is scheduled to last five days and it's already the second day.The biggest challenge is all kinds of red tape.In such an ancient city as Boston, Massachusetts, Jack worried that the procedures would be extra cumbersome. Doctor Stapleton?asked a voice. Jack was taken aback.He was looking furtively into another room in the lobby, trying to figure out what it was for.Ashamed, he turned to face the black woman, who was surprisingly young, with wavy jet-black hair, beautiful enough to go to a pageant.For a while, Jack didn't care about being ashamed anymore, but was a little dazed.The female doctors he met recently all looked as beautiful as college girls.He felt really old. The two sides introduced themselves.Jack also pulls out his forensic badge to prove he's not some street lunatic.Then he said he wanted to get an overview of exhumation procedures in Massachusetts.Latasha then invited Jack to her office.Compared with his own office, Jack is even more jealous.The room is not big and not luxurious, but it has both a desk and a work area.In this way, archives and microscopic samples can be handled separately, saving the trouble of moving them around.And there are windows in this house, although only the nearby parking lot can be seen, but at least it can shine in natural light.This is unimaginable in his office. Inside the office, Jack details Craig's malpractice lawsuit.He exaggerated a bit, saying that although Craig's clinic was in the suburbs, he was the best doctor in the city.It also hinted that unless an autopsy is opened, Craig is likely to be wrongly judged.He felt that the reason why he had to add oil and vinegar in this way was to give the Boston Medical Examiner enough motivation to help him solve the red tape, which was the case in New York.It's a pity that Latasha corrected his thoughts as soon as he spoke. Massachusetts medical examiners do not have the authority to order an exhumation, except in criminal cases, she said.Even then, the court order must first be obtained from a judge through the District Attorney. Jack complained in his heart, and bureaucracy was beginning to emerge. The process is complicated, Latasha continued.In fact, it was the Forensic Medicine Department that convinced the district attorney that there was a serious crime and that an autopsy was required to prove it.On the other hand, Massachusetts stipulates that if the exhumation does not involve a crime, it only needs to go through a routine procedure. Jack's ears perked up.Yeah?What program? Just get a license. Jack felt his heart beat faster.How to get this license? Find the town clerk in charge of the town records where the cemetery is located.If you are in Boston, go to the Health Department.The easiest way to do this is to go directly to the funeral director who was in charge of the burial at the time.If the funeral home and cemetery are in the same town, usually the funeral director knows the town clerk or the person in charge of funerals at the health department.If you find the right relationship, you can get a permit in about an hour. That's all right, Jack said. If you're doing an autopsy we can help, but of course not here because it's a public facility and my superiors wouldn't agree to it.However, we can provide specimen bottles and fixatives, and can also help with specimen processing.If toxicology testing is required, we can also help. Will the funeral home be listed on the death certificate? certainly.The handling of the corpses is documented.What was the name of the deceased? Patience.stanhope.She died about nine months ago. Latasha called up the death certificate through the computer.here.September 8, 2005 to be exact. Yeah?asked Jack.He stood up and glimpsed the date over Latasha's shoulder.Seems like a coincidence.September 8th, 2005 was also very important in his life.That day at Elio, he proposed to Laurie. The body was collected by Langley Pearson Funeral Home in Brighton.Shall I copy the address and phone number for you? Thank you, said Jack.He was still thinking about the date.He sat down again.He was not superstitious, but this coincidence made him feel that it was God's will. How did you arrange it?When are you going to do this autopsy?Latasha asked. To be honest, it's not yet decided whether to do it or not, Jack admits.It's up to the doctor and his wife to decide.I suggested doing an autopsy because I thought it might help the case, so I first came to inquire about the procedures. Regarding the permit for exhumation, there is something I forgot to mention just now, and Latasha seems to have just remembered. Oh, said Jack, reminding himself not to get too excited. The signature of the next of kin is required. Jack's shoulders visibly sank, and he secretly blamed himself for not thinking of such an obvious thing.Of course, immediate family members must sign the consent.He only wanted to help his sister, and his enthusiasm overcame his reason.He could not imagine that the plaintiff would agree to exhume his wife in order to help the defendant win the case.But knowing that weirder things had happened, and doing an autopsy might be the only thing he could do to help Alexis, he didn't want to throw in the towel without even trying.But there is one more thing to consider.Laurie was still waiting for his return in New York.If he decided to do an autopsy, he would have to stay in Boston, so she would worry.This matter was much more complicated than he imagined, and there were too many such things in his life. Fifteen minutes later, Jack was back in his Hyundai, tapping his fingers on the airbag lid next to the driver's seat.What's the next step?He looked at his watch, it was twelve twenty-five.He rejected the idea of ​​going back to the court, because it happened to be the noon recess time.Of course, he could call Alexis, but he decided to go to the funeral home first.So he took out the map provided by Hertz and planned the route. In Boston, driving out of town is no easier than driving in.But when he got to the Charles River with some trouble, he knew the way.Twenty minutes later he was on the road outside Brighton; five minutes later he found the funeral parlor.It was originally a large white wooden house for a family, in Victorian style, with a tower, and the details reflect the Italian style.The newly added part extending from the back is a concrete structure of unknown style.The most important thing for Jack is that there is a lot of parking space. After locking the car, Jack walked straight to the front of the building and walked up the steps to the spacious wrap-around porch.There was no furniture on the porch, the front door was unlocked, and Jack entered the hall. Jack's first impression was that the room was as quiet as an abandoned medieval library, and the background music was faintly Gregorian hymns.He originally wanted to say that this place is as serious as an abandoned funeral home, but thinking that this is a funeral home, he felt that he had to think of a separate metaphor.On the left is the coffin display area. All the coffins are open to display the velvet or satin lining.The names are reassuring, like Eternal Bliss, but the prices are not so reassuring.On the right is the farewell room, now empty, with rows of folding chairs, and behind the high podium is an empty bier. Jack was a little confused at first, not knowing where to find a living person.But before he had gone far, a living person miraculously appeared.Jack heard neither the door opening nor footsteps. What can I do for you?the man asked, his voice so low that it was barely audible.He was thin and dour in a black suit, white shirt, and black tie.He was pale and bloodless, which suited the atmosphere of the funeral home.His thin, short hair, dyed dark, stuck to the rough crown of his head.Jack couldn't help laughing.He embodies the familiar image of the funeral home worker, sent by the Screen Actors Guild for a ghost movie.Jack knew that this Hollywood image often didn't match reality.As a forensic doctor, he often dealt with the staff of the funeral home, but none of them were as ghostly as the man in front of him. What can I do for you?The man raised his voice slightly and asked again, but it was still a whisper, as if he was afraid of alarming anyone, even though there was not even a dead person around.His posture is very restrained, his hands are folded reverently on his lower abdomen, his elbows are clamped, and they are attached to his sides.All over the body, only the lips are moving, and it seems that the eyes are not blinking. I'm looking for a funeral director here. Willing to work for you.My name is Harold.Langley.The shop is family owned and managed. I'm a medical examiner, Jack said.He waved the forensic badge in Harold's face quickly, sure he didn't have time to see that it wasn't from Massachusetts.Harold's body visibly tightened, as if he thought Jack was a commissioner for the Massachusetts Board of Professional Qualifications.Suspicious by nature, Jack found Harald's reaction strange, but he kept asking.Patience.You did the funeral for Stanhope, who died last September. Indeed.I remember it very well.The funeral of Mr. Stanhope, a well-known gentleman in the district, was also carried out in the past.This time, this person is probably the only direct descendant of the Stanhope family. oh!Jack snorted, he had no intention of inquiring about the news.But he quickly jotted it down in his mind and returned to the original topic.A little controversy arose as to Mrs Stanhope's cause of death, requiring an exhumation.Does Langley Pearson Funeral Home have experience in this area? Yes, but rarely, Harald said, returning to the polite and restrained style just now.It seemed that Jack was no longer a threat to him.Did you bring the relevant files? No.I'm hoping you can help me with this. pleasure.An exhumation permit, transport permit, and reburial permit are required.Most importantly, the permit must have the signature of the immediate family member, who is now Mr. Stanhope.Authorization by immediate family is required. I know this.Do you have the relevant form here? I think there are.Come with me, I'll get it for you. Harold led Jack through an archway toward the main staircase, but turned suddenly left into a dark corridor with a thick carpet.Jack finally understood how Harold had suddenly appeared without making a sound. You just said that the former Mr. Stanhope was a celebrity in the district.what happened? He was the founder of Stanhope Insurance Company in Boston.The company was very successful in its heyday.Mr. Stanhope is very rich and a philanthropist.This is rare in Brighton.Most of Brighton's residents are industrial workers. That is to say, the present Mr. Stanhope must also be rich. No doubt, Harold said, leading Jack into an office as gloomy as his own.Now Mr. Stanhope's family history is a typical Horatio.Alger's story [note].His real name was Stanislaw.Jordan.Garuchelski, the son of a local immigrant industrial worker family, worked for an insurance company in Stanhope right out of high school.Although he didn't go to college, he was very smart and managed to get from the bottom to the management level by himself.After old Stanhope's death, he married the widow, setting off a series of lurid rumors.He even inherited the Stanhope surname. 【Note】Horatio.Horatio Alger, the most popular writer in the United States in the nineteenth century, is regarded as a hero by teenagers.Mostly he wrote about poor kids becoming rich, good people being rewarded with honesty, unrelenting optimism and hard work, good luck falling from the sky. Although it was a sunny June day outside, Harold's office was so dark that he had to turn on desk lamps and floor lamps.The windows were hung with heavy curtains of dark green velvet.After talking about the struggle of the current Mr. Stanhope, Harold walked to a four-drawer filing cabinet with mahogany trim and took out a file folder from the top drawer.He pulled three files out of the folder, handed one to Jack, and put the other two on the table.He pointed to a velvet chair in front of the desk, gestured for Jack to sit down, and settled himself in a high-backed office chair. I give you a permit to open the coffin, said Harald.There is a place where Mr. Stanhope's signature is required. Jack sat down while looking at the form.The signing authorization is undoubtedly the hardest part, but he doesn't want to think about it just yet.After Mr. Stanhope has signed, who will fill in the rest? I'll fill it in.How do you arrange the time? I think the sooner the better if I can. Then you must notify me as soon as possible.I need to arrange for Crypt trucks and backhoes. Can an autopsy be done here at the funeral home? Yes, it can be done in the embalming room, even during working hours.The only problem is that we may not have all the tools you need.For example, we don't have skull saws. I will solve the tool.Jack was surprised. Harold looked weird, but he was very knowledgeable and efficient. I need to remind you that an exhumation is expensive. how much is it? Rental fees for crypt companies and backhoes, plus cemetery handling fees.In addition, we also charge for permits, coordination, and allowing you to use the embalming room. Tell me an approximate price. At least several thousand. Jack whistled lightly, as if he thought it was expensive, but in fact he thought it was quite cheap for so many things involved.He stood up.Who can I call you after get off work? I'll give you my cell phone number. Very well, said Jack.And one more thing.Do you know the address of the Stanhope house? certainly.Everyone knows the Stanhope family.That's a landmark in Brighton. A few minutes later, Jack was back in the rental car, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel, wondering what to do next.It's past two o'clock in the afternoon.He really didn't want to go back to court.He has always preferred to be a doer rather than a bystander.He didn't want to go back to Boston, so he took out the map Hertz had provided.It took him a few minutes to find Newton Memorial Hospital, orient himself, and drive to his destination in no time. Newton Memorial Hospital, like every suburban hospital he had been to before, had been expanded over the years, and the overall architectural style was chaotic and confusing.The oldest part still has the imprint of the times, and the decoration style is like the decoration on the cake, the most common is the Greek retro style, while the expanded part is always more and more plain.The newest part has only brick and bronze-coloured glass, without any other decoration. Behind the guest parking lot is a wetland with a small pond.A few Canada geese float motionless on the water, looking like wooden bauble.Jack stopped the car, dug out the thick medical records, and made a note of the name of the person he interviewed: Emergency Room Physician Matt.Gilbert, emergency room nurse Georgina.O'Keeffe, and the day's cardiologist, Noel.Everett.All three are on the plaintiff's witness list and have all been testified by the defendant.Jack is trying to figure out the cyanosis problem. Instead of going through the front door, Jack went straight to the emergency room.The ambulance entrance is empty, next to an automatic sliding glass door.Jack went through the door and walked straight to the reception desk. It seemed the timing was just right.There were only three people in the waiting area, and they seemed to be in good health.The nurse at the reception desk looked up as Jack approached.She was wearing a surgical gown, and she had a stethoscope around her neck as usual.She was reading the Boston Globe. The calm before the storm, Jack joked. Roughly the same.What can I do for you? Jack repeated his old trick and took out the forensic badge again.He said he was looking for Matt and Georgina, and deliberately only said their names, pretending to be acquaintances. They haven't come yet, said the nurse on duty.They are on the evening shift today. What time does the evening shift start? three o'clock. Jack looked at his watch.It's almost three o'clock.Which means they're coming soon. Better come quickly!The nurse on duty said sternly, but smiled to show she was joking. Noel.Where is Dr. Everett? She must be there.Do I need to page her? That's great. Jack retreated to the waiting area and sat next to the three men.He tried to make eye contact with them, but no one paid him any attention.He saw an outdated "National Geographic Magazine", but he didn't pick it up to read, but sighed Stanislaw.Jordan.Garuchelski can turn himself into Jordan.Stanhope, and wondered how I could get him to sign the permit to open the coffin.It seems impossible, it is equivalent to climbing Mount Everest not only without oxygen, but also without clothes.He couldn't help laughing at the thought of several bare-bottomed mountaineers standing on the summit.Anything is possible, he reminded himself.That's when he heard the old paging system calling Noel.Doctor Everett's name.This kind of paging system seems out of tune with this information age, and it still uses the text message format of elementary school students. Five minutes later the emergency room nurse called him back to the reception desk, told him that Dr. Everett was upstairs in the radiology department and would be happy to interview him, and gave him directions. The cardiologist was busy looking at cardiovascular X-rays and dictating the diagnosis.She sat in a small viewing room with X-rays hanging on a conveyor belt along the wall.The only source of light in the room was the blue-and-white fluorescent backlight behind the X-rays, which was like moonlight, but brighter.She was wearing a white coat, shrouded in such light, looking extraordinarily weird.Jack thought he might look weird too.He was very candid about who he was and what his connection to the lawsuit was. I was an expert witness for the plaintiffs, and Noel was just as candid.I need to prove that the defendant sent the patient to the ER so late that it was impossible to save him.I am outraged because this delay could have been avoided.We traditional doctors treat all patients equally, and are very displeased with these housekeeper doctors who have to get consultant fees to see a doctor.We feel that these people are selfish, have no real professional ethics, and keep saying that they are considering the interests of patients, which is not the case at all. So you're testifying because Dr. Berman is in housekeeping?Jack asked.Noel's excited words surprised him. Of course not, Noel said.The reason I testified in court was because the patient was not brought to the hospital in time.As we all know, after myocardial infarction, thrombolysis and perfusion therapy are very important, and the sooner the better.If this view indirectly expresses my views on butler medical care, then I can't help it. Dr. Noel, I respect your position.I'm not here to persuade you to change your mind.Believe me!I just wanted to ask about the level of cyanosis in your patient at that time.Do you still have an impression of this? Noel softened a little.Can't say I was particularly impressed, because cyanosis is a common symptom of severe heart disease. The emergency room nurse noted in the notes that the patient had central cyanosis.She specifically noted central cyanosis. Listen, the patient was about to die when he was delivered. His pupils were dilated, his whole body was limp, his heartbeat was obviously slow, his vision and hearing were completely lost, and his heart could not be paced outside the body.Cyanosis is only one of the symptoms. Thanks for taking the time to talk to me about this, Jack said, standing up. You're welcome, Noel replied. Jack walked to the emergency room on the first floor.Now he is even more pessimistic about the outcome of the case.As an expert witness for the plaintiff, Noel.Dr. Everett's testimony will be very convincing.Not only because she is a cardiologist, but also because she speaks very well, is a conscientious doctor, and is directly involved in the whole rescue process.The world has changed, Jack said to himself, thinking that in the past it was difficult to find doctors who were willing to testify against his peers.He felt that Noel was looking forward to testifying, and that her abhorrence of stewardship was a big part of her motivation, even though she didn't want to admit it. By the time Jack returns to the emergency room, the shift is over.Although the emergency room is still very calm, if Jack wants to talk, he has to wait for the doctors and nurses to finish their patients.Some patients need to get the test results, and some are waiting for the doctor they are used to seeing.It wasn't until almost three-thirty that Jack had the opportunity to sit down with them in the doctors' lounge behind the reception desk.Both were very young, probably only in their thirties. Jack's opening remarks were much the same as he'd said to Noel, though the responses from the two ER physicians were much calmer, less critical or accusatory.Georgina also gushed about how impressed she was with Craig. How many doctors can come in an ambulance with a patient?I tell you: not much.It's funny how he could be sued.It only shows how dysfunctional the system is. Even a doctor like Dr. Berman is framed by a mercenary like the plaintiff's lawyer.I can't remember his name. Tony.Fasano, Jack reminded her.He was happy to hear that someone thought like him.But he didn't know if Georgina had heard the rumors about Craig's social life, especially that Lianna had been to the emergency room on the night of the incident. 就是這個名字：托尼．Fasano.他剛來這裡打聽情況的時候，我還以為他是黑幫片裡的群眾演員。real.我根本想不到他是來幹正事兒的。他真的上過法學院嗎？ 傑克聳了聳肩。 至少不是哈佛，這我敢肯定。不管怎麼說，我都不明白他為什麼要找我作證人。我跟他說了我對博曼大夫的真實看法。他對這個病例的處理很出色，甚至還自己帶了可攜式心電圖儀，在到急診室之前還做好了生理指標化驗。 喬治娜說著，傑克頻頻點頭。她在取證時對克雷格大肆吹捧，這些他在證詞裡都看到過。 等她安靜下來，傑克說，我想跟你們瞭解的是發紺問題。 發紺怎麼了？馬特．吉爾波特大夫問道。這是他第一次開口說話。他這種懶散的個性與喬治娜的活潑形成鮮明的對比。 你當然記得當時發紺啦，笨蛋，喬治娜說道。還沒等傑克插嘴，她半開玩笑地拍了一下馬特的肩膀。她抬進來的時候，藍得像個藍月亮。 我覺得藍月亮這個詞好像跟顏色沒什麼關係，馬特說。 Is it okay?喬治娜問。應該有吧。 你記不得當時發紺了？傑克問馬特。 印象很模糊，不過她整體情況很差，個別症狀就不太引人注目了。 你記錄中寫成中樞發紺，傑克對喬治娜說，有什麼特殊原因嗎？ Of course!她全身發紫，不僅是手指和腿。真是全身發紫，直到上了氧氣，心臟起搏器，並開始給她做心臟按摩之後才好一點。 你覺得可能是什麼原因引起的？傑克問，會不會是右至左心房分流，或者嚴重肺水腫？ 分流不敢說，馬特說。但肯定不是肺水腫。她肺是好的。 我想起來了，喬治娜突然說。她渾身癱軟。我給她做靜脈滴注的時候，覺得她的胳膊像布娃娃那麼軟。 據你的經驗，這很少見嗎？Jack asked. 是的，喬治娜說。她看著馬特，以便確認。一般都會有一些阻力。我想跟清醒程度有關。 你倆看到她眼睛裡有血斑嗎？臉上或者頸部有沒有異常斑點？ 喬治娜搖搖頭。I do not see it.她看著馬特。 我當時忙著搶救，沒注意這些細節，馬特說。 What are you asking these for?喬治娜問。 我是法醫，傑克解釋道。受的訓練就是要懷疑。這是突然死亡，又伴有發紺，不能排除捂死或者掐死的可能性。 這個思路倒是挺新鮮的，喬治娜說。 生理指標化驗結果證明是突發心臟病。 心肌梗塞我不懷疑，傑克說。但如果是非正常原因引發的心肌梗塞，就值得研究了。舉個例子。我接過這麼一個案子，那個女人可能比斯坦霍普太太大幾歲，在被人持槍搶劫後突發心臟病。這樣很容易證明兩者之間有聯繫，那個搶劫犯現在還關在死囚室呢。 my God!喬治娜說。 傑克給了兩人各一張名片，上面有他的手機號碼，接著回去取車。等他打開車門鑽進去，已經四點多了。他坐著看了一會兒小池塘，想著自己與大夫們的談話。他覺得從克雷格的角度來說，諾埃爾和喬治娜一個強烈反對，一個強烈支持，算是扯平了。問題是諾埃爾已經確定會出庭作證。而喬治娜，就像她自己猜測的那樣，可能不會出庭作證，因為被告方證人的名單上沒有她。除此之外，他沒得到什麼有用的資訊；或者說有，但他太遲鈍了，沒察覺到。有一點是肯定的：這裡所有的醫師都給他很好的印象，如果他出了什麼事給送到這裡，他覺得自己很放心。 傑克考慮下一步該幹什麼。說實話，他很想開車回博曼家，換上打籃球的行頭，然後去紀念大道的球場跟沃倫的朋友大衛．湯瑪斯一起打場籃球。但他不得不實際一點。如果他想對這官司有點貢獻，想做佩欣斯．斯坦霍普的屍檢，就得硬著頭皮去見喬丹．斯坦霍普，想辦法讓他在開棺許可證上簽字。問題是，除了弄把槍頂著喬丹的太陽穴，他不知道還有什麼辦法能讓他乖乖就範。他想不出一個可行的辦法，只好走一步看一步，看這人還有沒有一點公平正義之心。 傑克拿出哈樂德．蘭利給他的那張三×五英寸的索引卡，上面寫著哈樂德的手機號碼和喬丹．斯坦霍普的位址。傑克把卡片小心地放在方向盤上，拿出赫茲提供的地圖開始找那條街。他找了很長時間，才發現那條街在錢德勒池塘和栗子山鄉村俱樂部附近。他想到法庭可能下午三點半到四點就休庭了，所以現在正好去拜訪一下。他不知道喬丹．斯坦霍普會不會讓他進屋，可他不想試都不試就認輸。 街巷錯綜複雜，他找了半個小時才找到斯坦霍普家。一眼就能看出喬丹．斯坦霍普是個有錢人。房子很大，屋前寬大的庭院裡，樹木和花圃都修整得近乎完美。一輛嶄新的深藍色賓利兩座跑車停在屋前的環形車道上。透過樹叢，隱約可以看見主樓右邊可以停三輛車的車庫。車庫樓上還有房間可以住人。 傑克把自己的現代雅紳特車往這輛貴得嚇死人的豪車旁一停，差距馬上就顯出來了。他下了自己的車，向賓利車走去。他想看看這輛豪車的內部。車窗沒關，豪華皮具的香味彌散在空氣中。顯然這車是嶄新的。傑克確認周圍沒人注意他，把頭伸進駕駛座一側的車窗裡。儀錶盤透出名車特有的簡潔和優雅。他突然發現車鑰匙沒拔，不由得退後一步。雖然他覺得花這麼多錢在一輛車上荒唐之極，但看到鑰匙，一時間他不由得幻想和勞麗開著這輛賓利，在某個風景如畫的大道上飛奔。這個白日夢讓他想起年輕的時候經常夢見自己飛起來。不過這夢很快就醒了，取而代之的是一絲羞愧，居然想到偷開別人的車，哪怕是做白日夢也挺讓人難為情的。 傑克繞過賓利，走近前門。他看到車之後的反應讓他自己都很吃驚。最重要的是，他居然可以毫無顧忌地體會快樂的滋味。空難過去這麼多年，他一直高興不起來。只要一想起自己是家裡唯一活著的人他就有負疚感。現在他竟然能陶醉在白日夢中，說明他向完全恢復正常生活又邁進了一大步。 傑克按了門鈴，又開始重新考慮這輛嶄新的賓利車。他剛才只顧思考這車對自己意味著什麼，現在他轉而琢磨這車對喬丹．斯坦霍普，也就是斯坦尼斯勞．Jordan.加路采爾斯基意味著什麼。這人顯然在盡情享受剛到手的財富。 門開了，傑克的思路又集中到眼前這樁棘手的案子上。他上衣內袋裡還裝著一張沒簽名的開棺許可證。他抬起手遮眼睛，那紙揉得沙沙作響。門上擦得雪亮的黃銅把手反射著黃昏的陽光，刺得他一時間睜不開眼。 who?喬丹問道。儘管陽光很刺眼，傑克還是能感覺到喬丹懷疑的眼神。傑克穿著牛仔褲，藍色棉織襯衫配條紋領帶，最外面這件薄的運動夾克他自己都記不得多長時間沒洗沒燙了。相反，喬丹穿一件格子花呢的吸菸服，打著領巾。他身後飄來一陣乾爽清涼的風，表明室外氣溫並不算高，可家裡還是開著空調。 我是斯坦普敦大夫，傑克說。他突然決定冒充上門執行公務，於是摸索著掏出裝有法醫徽章的錢包，亮了一下。我是法醫，想跟你談一下。 show me!還沒等傑克把錢包和徽章放回，喬丹伸出手來說。 傑克吃了一驚。很少有人認真檢查他的證件。 紐約？喬丹抬頭看著傑克的臉問道。這也管得太寬了吧？傑克覺得喬丹說話時有點拿腔拿調，而且略帶英音，讓人想起精英雲集的新英格蘭寄宿學校。更讓傑克吃驚的是，喬丹甚至還抓牢他的手，以便看清法醫徽章，精心護理的手指摸上去冰涼的。 對工作負責嘛，傑克說，有點自嘲。 是什麼工作讓您那麼老遠從紐約來到寒舍呢？ 傑克忍不住笑了，這人和他一樣，幽默中帶著一點尖刻。這房子居然還稱為寒舍。 是誰啊，喬迪？屋裡的涼風中傳來水晶般清澈的聲音。 還沒弄清楚是誰，親愛的，喬丹扭頭溫柔地回答道。紐約來的一個醫師。 你正在打的那場官司，有人請我來幫忙。 是嗎！喬丹有點驚訝。你打算怎麼幫忙呢？ 還沒等傑克回答，一個迷人的姑娘出現在喬丹身邊，目不轉睛地看著傑克。她眼睛很大，大概只有喬丹一半年紀。她一隻胳膊搭在他脖子上，另一隻胳膊環繞在他腰間。她笑得很討喜，露出雪白整齊的牙齒。你站在這兒幹什麼？請醫師進來呀！他可以和我們一起喝茶。 按照姑娘的建議，喬丹讓到一邊，示意傑克進屋，然後領著他經過客廳，穿過寬敞的起居室，終於來到樓後加蓋的陽光屋裡。屋子三面牆和屋頂都是玻璃的，讓傑克覺得他又回到了戶外的花園裡。傑克一開始以為喝茶實際上是指雞尾酒，現在才發現他理解錯了。 傑克被讓進一把超大的白色籐椅，棉布的椅墊上畫著水粉畫。穿著法式制服的女僕一言不發地給他端來茶、生奶油和餅乾，然後迅速離開。喬丹和女朋友沙琳．麥肯納坐在對面配套的藤沙發上。傑克和主人之間隔著一張玻璃茶几，上面的銀茶具裡放著甜點。沙琳的手一直放在喬丹身上，而喬丹則裝作對她公開的親熱舉動毫不在意。一開始，大家隨便閒聊，最後話題集中到暑假的計畫。他們打算乘船去達爾馬提亞海灘觀光。 讓傑克覺得意外的是，這兩人旁若無人，一直在不停地說話。他覺得這兩人可能是太缺乏娛樂了，因為他只需要說自己從哪裡來，現在紐頓的妹妹家裡做客，之後只要偶爾嗯一聲表示自己在聽著就行。這麼一來，傑克倒有充分的機會在一旁觀察，覺得很有意思。他聽說喬丹在享受生活，顯然從佩欣斯．斯坦霍普去世那天起他的日子就過得很滋潤，根本沒什麼時間哀悼。葬禮後沒幾個星期，沙琳就搬來和他同居。車道裡的賓利車剛買了一個月，而且這兩人冬天大部分時間是在聖巴特島過的。 傑克生性多疑，又瞭解到這麼多新情況，讓他越發覺得佩欣斯的死因蹊蹺，屍檢非常必要。他考慮要不要回波士頓法醫署，把自己這些疑慮說給法醫們聽，儘管他知道沒有根據，但也許他們願意聯繫地方檢察官，請求法官下令開棺屍檢。因為如果喬丹真與佩欣斯的死有關，那他絕不會同意在開棺許可證上簽字。可越是聽喬丹說話，越覺得他在刻意扮演一個受過良好教育、有貴族氣質的紳士，傑克就越發不能肯定他對屍檢的態度。以前的案例中，有罪犯覺得自己很聰明，還主動協助警方調查，就為了證明自己作案手段高明。喬丹很有可能就屬於這種人，簽字同意屍檢會讓他覺得這個遊戲更有意思。 傑克搖搖頭，突然間清醒了。毫無疑問，剛才他的想像力實在太豐富了，戰勝了理智。 don't you agree?Jordan asked.他看到傑克在搖頭。 不，我是想說，對，傑克支支吾吾地說，極力掩飾自己的口誤。剛才他開小差，根本不知道他們在談什麼。 我覺得達爾馬提亞海灘最好是秋天去，而不是夏天。don't you agree? 我同意，傑克堅持說。毫無疑問，完全同意。 喬丹滿意了，回頭繼續剛才的話題，沙琳不時點頭，附和他的觀點。 傑克繼續考慮，繼而默認佩欣斯意外死亡的可能性極小，因為她突發心臟病之後參與搶救的好醫師太多了，包括克雷格。傑克向來不喜歡克雷格，覺得他跟自己的妹妹並不合適，但卻認為他是自己認識的技術最好、知識最豐富的醫師之一。喬丹根本不可能騙過這麼多好醫師，人為製造佩欣斯心臟病發作的假象。 傑克覺得自己一下子又回到了起點。他不可能通過法醫署申請開棺驗屍，只能自己想辦法。這樣喬丹刻意把自己裝扮成波士頓紳士的企圖倒是可以為他所用。既然是紳士，就有責任在倫理道德方面做出表率，讓正義得以伸張。傑克也知道這有點異想天開，但此刻他真的沒有更好的辦法。 喬丹和沙琳還在討論一年中什麼時間最適合去威尼斯。傑克放下杯碟，從口袋裡摸出一張名片，瞧準兩人說話的空檔，他身體前傾，大拇指重重地將名片按在茶几的玻璃檯面上。 oh!我倒要看看這是什麼。喬丹上鉤了。他靠近茶几掃了一眼名片，然後又拿起來認真看，接著沙琳也拿過去看了看。 什麼是法醫？沙琳問。 就是驗屍官，喬丹解釋。 不完全是，傑克說。以前驗屍官是指任命或者選舉出來負責調查死因的官員，不一定受過專門訓練。而法醫是指接受過法醫病理學培訓的醫師。 那算我說錯了，喬丹說。剛才你說到這樁官司你可以幫到我。說老實話，我覺得這官司太沒勁了。 Why? 我以為會很精采，像看拳擊比賽。結果發現很拖沓，像是看兩人吵架。 我肯定能讓這案子精采起來。喬丹對庭審的這番評論倒是給傑克提供了一個機會。 能說得具體一點嗎？ 我很欣賞你剛才的比喻，庭審就應該像拳擊比賽。這場庭審之所以不精采，是因為現在雙方都蒙著眼睛出拳。 確實挺滑稽的。兩人都看不見對方，就那麼瞎比畫，亂打一氣。 就是這意思！之所以說是蒙眼出拳，是因為他們沒掌握應有的證據。 應有的證據？ 他們爭論的焦點是佩欣斯的搶救過程，而佩欣斯自己卻無法出庭作證。 如果她出庭作證，會說些什麼呢？ 除非問她本人，不然我們沒法知道。 我不明白你倆在說什麼，沙琳抱怨道。佩欣斯已經死了，下葬了。 他的意思肯定是想做屍檢。 I mean it. 你是說把她挖出來？沙琳大吃一驚。呀，想想都噁心！ 沒你想像的那麼可怕，傑克說。還不到一年。我肯定屍檢能有不少新發現。至於你說的拳擊比賽，這下就不是蒙眼出拳了，會精采很多。 how to say?喬丹問道。他變得很沉默，有點憂心忡忡的。 比如可以確定是心臟哪部分出了問題，病情是如何發展的，之前有沒有病變跡象。只有先搞清楚這些問題，才能更好地討論搶救是否及時有效。 喬丹一邊思考傑克的話，一邊咬著下唇。 傑克來勁了。他知道現在就像上坡，稍一鬆勁就可能會前功盡棄，但至少喬丹沒有完全否定這個想法。當然了，喬丹可能還沒有意識到只有他同意才能做屍檢。 你為什麼要這麼做？Jordan asked.有人給你錢嗎？ 沒人給我錢。說老實話，我是為了伸張正義。當然同時，這裡也涉及一點利益衝突。被告克雷格．博曼是我妹夫。 傑克盯著喬丹的臉，沒看出任何憤怒或是惱火的痕跡。這人確實不簡單。他似乎正在理性地考慮傑克的提議，不摻雜任何感情因素。 伸張正義我沒意見，喬丹終於說話了。不過剛才那點英國口音已經蕩然無存。不過讓你做到完全客觀似乎很難。 也是，傑克說。你說的有道理，不過如果讓我做屍檢，我會把所有樣本都留著讓專家複檢，甚至可以找一個與本案沒有利益關係的法醫來協助我做屍檢。 為什麼一開始沒做屍檢呢？ 不是所有的死亡都需要做屍檢的。只有死因可疑時，法醫署才會要求做屍檢。一開始沒人覺得佩欣斯死因可疑，都認為是突發心臟病，而且私人醫師也及時治療了。如果當時就決定要打官司，就應該做屍檢。 本來我沒想打官司。不過說老實話，你妹夫那天晚上挺讓我生氣的。他很傲慢，還指責我沒有充分說明佩欣斯的病情。我可是一直求他把佩欣斯直接送醫院。 Jack nodded.這部分他在喬丹和克雷格的證詞中都讀到過，他不想妄加評論。他知道，很多治療失當官司都源於醫師或助手與病人溝通不當。 其實，直到安東尼．法薩諾先生跟我連繫之後，我才想到要打官司。 傑克的耳朵豎起來了。是律師來找你，而不是你找他？ yes.就像你來找我一樣。他自己來按門鈴的。 他勸你打官司的？ Yes.跟你的理由一樣：伸張正義。他說我有責任保護大家，揭露博曼大夫這種醫師的嘴臉，揭露管家醫療的所謂不平等和不公正。他很執著，而且說話很有道理。 天哪，傑克暗想，就這麼一個追著救護車跑的個人傷害案律師，幾句話就能讓喬丹上鉤，看來這人也沒有他想像的那麼聰明。傑克提醒自己，這人是個偽君子：有錢的偽君子，一個靠著婚姻往上爬的傢伙。他覺得自己鋪墊得差不多了，應該切入正題，速戰速決。於是他從口袋裡掏出那張開棺許可證，放在喬丹面前的茶几上。如果你同意我做屍檢，只要在這張授權書上簽字就行了。其他的事兒我來處理。 這是什麼樣的授權書？喬丹問道，偽裝的英式口音又回來了。他湊近看了一眼。我可不是律師，不太懂這些。 就是個常規的表格，傑克說。他想插幾句尖刻的玩笑，想想還是忍住了。 喬丹的反應讓傑克始料不及。他沒有繼續提問，而是把手伸進口袋，但掏出來的不是鋼筆，而是手機。他撥了一個手機快捷鍵號碼，然後往椅子上一靠，等著接通，還看了傑克一眼。 法薩諾先生，喬丹一邊說，一邊看著窗外綠油油的草坪。剛才一個從紐約來的法醫給了我一張表格，可能會影響到庭審，需要我簽字同意將佩欣斯的屍體挖出來進行屍檢。我想等你看過了再簽字。 傑克坐的地方離喬丹至少十英尺，可還是能聽到托尼．法薩諾的聲音。雖然具體的措辭聽不清楚，可他的態度很明瞭。 ok, ok!喬丹說了兩遍。你沒看過之前，我絕不會簽字的。I promise.他掛了電話，看著傑克。他馬上過來。 傑克最不願意將律師牽扯進來。他跟亞歷克西斯說過，他不喜歡律師，特別是嘴上說為小人物伸張正義，實際上自私自利的個人傷害案律師。空難之後，好多律師成天盯著他，慫恿他控告航空公司。 我還是先走吧，傑克說著站了起來。他覺得只要托尼．法薩諾來了，喬丹簽字同意開棺驗屍的可能性幾乎為零。名片上有我的手機號碼。等你的律師看完授權書之後，如果你想找我，可以給我打電話。 不，我想現在就把這事辦了，喬丹說。要麼就不辦，要辦就現在，你先坐下！法薩諾先生馬上就到。來杯雞尾酒吧。五點過了，喝點酒不犯法。說完這句略顯老套的俏皮話，他自己笑了，還搓了搓手，等著傑克的反應。 傑克回到籐椅邊，從容地坐下來。他決定順其自然，靜觀其變。 喬丹肯定設置了一個隱蔽的按鈕，那個穿法式制服的女僕突然出現了。喬丹讓她拿一瓶伏特加馬丁尼酒和一碟橄欖來。 就像什麼都沒發生過一樣，喬丹和沙琳很自然地繼續剛才的話題，討論起度假計畫來，還招呼傑克喝點酒，傑克婉言拒絕了。他現在最不想幹的事就是喝酒。他準備只要一出這個門，就先去鍛鍊一下。 就在傑克的忍耐快到極限的時候，門鈴響了，前門有客人來。Jack didn't move.遠遠地他聽到前門開了，有人在低聲說話。幾分鐘之後，托尼．法薩諾快步走進屋。緊跟其後的是一個和他穿著同樣衣服的人，只是個頭要大很多，讓人看著害怕。 傑克下意識地站起來表示尊敬。他注意到喬丹並沒有起身。 你說的表格在哪兒？托尼命令道。他沒時間說客套話。喬丹一隻手端著馬丁尼酒，另一隻手指了指茶几。沙琳緊貼著他坐在沙發上，正在玩他頸後的頭髮。 托尼一把抓起玻璃面茶几上的開棺許可證，迅速掃了一眼。傑克在旁邊打量著他。與法庭上的輕鬆自如不同，此刻他顯然很生氣。傑克猜他大概三十六七歲，臉龐很寬，五官飽滿，大板牙，手掌寬大，手指粗短。傑克的注意力隨即轉向他那個大一號的助理。他和主人穿著一模一樣的灰色套裝，黑襯衫，打著黑領帶。他走到門檻那兒就停住了。他顯然是托尼的打手兼親信。托尼拜訪客戶要帶這麼一個人壯膽，讓傑克覺得有點不可思議。 What the hell is this?托尼衝著傑克揮舞著手中的表格，大聲呵斥道。 我可不會把政府發的表格叫做鬼東西，傑克說。這是開棺許可證。 who are you?原告請來的高參？ Absolutely not. 他是博曼醫師的妹夫，喬丹解釋說。現在住在他妹妹家，是來伸張正義的。這是他的原話。 正義個屁，混蛋！托尼衝著傑克大吼。你居然還有膽子闖到我客戶家裡指手畫腳。 you are wrong!傑克平靜地說。是他們請我進來喝茶的。 你這混蛋倒是挺機靈的啊，托尼氣呼呼地說。 確實是我們請他進來的，喬丹說。之前我們確實在喝茶，酒是剛上的。 我來只是為了辦好手續，傑克解釋說。資訊越全面，越有可能伸張正義。總得有人代表佩欣斯．斯坦霍普說話。 我不相信你這些鬼話，托尼說著極不耐煩地衝助理揮揮手。佛朗哥你過來，把這堆狗屎給我弄出去，別燻著斯坦霍普先生！ 佛朗哥很聽話地進了屋，一把抓住傑克的手肘，順勢把傑克從肩膀那兒拎起來，拖著他往外走。傑克心裡反覆掂量要不要跟他動手，如果動手自己會不會吃虧。他看了看喬丹，他安坐在籐椅上，動都沒動，似乎對眼前的這一切很吃驚，但並沒有過來勸架的意思。托尼向他連聲道歉，並保證好好教訓這個不速之客。 佛朗哥攥著傑克的胳膊，拖著他大步走過起居室，進了鋪著大理石的中央大廳，眼看就是弧形樓梯口了。 我們就不能像紳士一樣好好商量嗎？他一邊繼續考慮如何處理眼前的問題，一邊開始稍稍往後賴。他一直不喜歡跟人打架，哪怕是別人先惹他。佛朗哥這種大塊頭讓他想起大學橄欖球隊裡的中後衛。他就是因為打不過一群型號體格和佛朗哥差不多的中後衛，才不得不結束了自己短暫的橄欖球生涯。 Shut up!佛朗哥連看都沒看他一眼，怒喝道。 到了前門口，佛朗哥停下來開了門，一撒手把傑克掄了出去。 傑克整了整上衣，下了兩級臺階，來到碎石鋪成的車道上。賓利和現代旁邊停著一輛碩大的黑色凱迪拉克，氣勢逼人，跟其他兩輛車一比，像是遊艇。 傑克往自己的車走去，還掏出了車鑰匙，可又半道停下來往回走。佛朗哥正站在門廊上，兩腿分開，兩手扠著腰，滿是青春痘疤的臉上帶著嘲弄的笑容。還沒等傑克開口，托尼從屋裡衝出來，把佛朗哥推到一邊。托尼的塊頭比佛朗哥小很多，兩腿粗短，走路的時候扭屁股的樣子很怪異。他徑直走到傑克跟前，用食指指著傑克的臉。 好漢，我來告訴你這裡的真實情況，托尼咆哮道。這官司已經花了我至少十萬了，我還等著清帳呢。你聽清了嗎？你別來攪和。順其自然，別搞