Free Trapped by Lawrence Gold Page B

you to say that, but your conclusion is shallow , and ill-informed. Moreover, it’s an insult to everyone who worked their asses off to help that baby.”
    “Wait a minute, Mike,” Eileen said. “She’s just expressing her concern.”
    Mike turned to face Lisa. “Who are you to second guess me? Did you treat this baby? Did you work with these parents through Cindy’s horrendous hospitalization? Did you study the records for weeks before understanding what happened?”
    “Mike, I just…” she cried.
    “You’re a caring, sweet woman, Lisa, but in an instant, you concluded that I’m some kind of whore for the insurance company…”
    “I never said that.”
    Mike stood, and then paced the room, his face still red with anger. “I can’t fix the world, Lisa. I can’t make this baby better, or improve this family’s lot in life. All I can do is tell the truth about what happened. Attorneys seek the help of professional expert witnesses who will testify to anything for a fee. They’re the real whores in malpractice litigation, and excuse me if I choose to not be included in that company.”
    Mike started for the door. “I’ll be in my office, Eileen, if you need me.”
    After he left, Lisa began crying. “I’m so sorry. I felt so bad for that baby and her family.”
    “It’s not your fault , Lisa,” Eileen said. “Mike hates these cases. He serves as an expert witness for both sides from a sense of obligation, but in an adversarial process, each side wants to win at all costs, truth be damned. Yet each time he testifies, one side or the other challenges his expertise, his character, or both. Mike tells the truth, but when you sink in the sewer of malpractice litigation, you emerge covered with its stench.”
    “I keep screwing it up with Mike. I thought something was happening between us, but…”
    “He’s a complicated guy, Lisa, and a passionate one, too. Don’t give up, yet. I know him. Right now, he’s kicking himself for lashing out at you. In two minutes, he’ll remember that you’re not the enemy.”

 
    Chapter Thirteen
     
    By the time Mike reached his office, he regretted his eruption. He placed his head on his desk, and shouted, “Dumb, really dumb.”
    It wasn’t Lisa , he knew. He’d thought through his role as an actor in the theater of the absurd, malpractice litigation. If I’m so damn sure that I’m right, then why did I have that outburst? Why was I hurt when Lisa failed to give me the benefit of the doubt?
    Mike heard a rap on his door, but before he could respond, Brad Rosin entered.
    “I hear they put you through the wringer yesterday at the deposition.”
    “Secrets are good for about ten seconds at Brier,” Mike said. “That deposition went as most of them do, with the Vince Lombardi mantra: ‘Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.’”
    “Nobody’s forcing you to put yourself out there as an expert witness. The only time you’ll get me in court is by subpoena , or in handcuffs.”
    “Someone’s got to do it, Brad. We’ve reviewed the trial transcripts of the so-called expert witnesses. Their testimony is shit, pure and simple. I can’t let that stand.”
    “Then you pay the price.”
    Mike looked at Brad, and said, “Maybe too high a price , this time.”
    “What happened?”
    “I was discussing the case with Eileen when Lisa came in.”
    “She’s a cutie, that one. I think she’s got the hots for you.”
    “Not anymore.”
    “You didn’t blow up in front of her, did you?”
    “I did, and worse. She had the typical knee-jerk reaction to my testifying for the doctor and the hospital. The truth didn’t matter to her. I might have gone off on anyone who so thoughtlessly criticized me. I expected more of Lisa; I thought she knew me. It hurt. She disappointed me, and I let my anger get away.”
    “I’d say that an elaborate apology with a dash of groveling is in order.”
    “I hurt her feelings, Brad. Women don’t forget being hurt ,