Vincent is a violent man, she answered without hesitation. I assume you know about my testimony in court.
You testified that he beat you and raped you.
It's not a far stretch from rape and assault to murder.
The murders in Milton County were not acts of passion, Cross said. They were well-thought-out acts of sadism.
Vincent is a sadist, Mr. Cross. The rape was very methodical. The beating was not administered in some sort of insane rage. Vincent looked very satisfied with himself when he was through.
Dr. Cardoni denies raping or beating you.
Of course he does. You don't expect him to admit it, do you?
Did you report the rape to the police or seek medical assistance?
Justine looked disgusted. You mean, can I prove Vincent raped me?
It's my job to check the facts in a case.
Let's not kid each other, Mr. Cross. It's your job to trick me into saying something that will help Vincent escape the punishment he deserves. But to answer your question, no, I did not report the rape or seek medical assistance. So it's Vincent's word against mine. That possibility does not intimidate me in the least.
Dr. Castle, did you know that your husband owned a home in Milton County?
The police asked me about that. If he does own that place, he never told me.
Your divorce lawyer never ran across a reference to it or property owned by Northwest Realty when you were trying to discover Dr. Cardoni's assets?
No.
Did you know Dr. Clifford Grant?
Justine's anger faded away and was replaced by a weary sadness.
Poor Clifford, she said. He was my attending until the administration started taking his responsibilities away from him. Not that I can blame them. He couldn't stop drinking. That's why his wife left, and that made him drink even more. Then there was that incident in surgery. He almost killed a four-year-old boy.
And yet I get the impression that you liked Dr. Grant.
Justine shrugged. He was going through his divorce while he was supervising me. We went out for dinner every now and then. He trusted me and unburdened himself on occasion.
She stopped talking, and her eyes grew distant. I can't help wondering if I' m responsible for his death.
Why would you say that?
Vincent and Clifford didn't become friendly until we were engaged. The papers say that they were harvesting organs for the black market. I wonder if Clifford would have trusted Vincent if I hadn't brought them together.
What can you tell us about the incident with Mary Sandowski? Cross asked.
I was there when he attacked her. The poor woman was speechless with fright. He had her by the arm and he was screaming at her.
Do you know why he was so angry?
Mary told me that Vincent screwed up during an operation and became furious with her when she tried to warn him. I' m certain she was right.
Why is that?
I saw Vincent's eyes. He was coked to the gills.
What's your husband's reputation among the other doctors at St. Francis?
I can't speak for them. If you want gossip, you might want to talk to Carleton Swindell, the hospital administrator. I do know that the Board of Medical Examiners is looking into several complaints of malpractice that are probably legitimate. If it was up to me I would never let him in an operating room. I think he's a drug addict and an incompetent.
He's also rich, isn't he?
Justine raised an eyebrow suspiciously. What if he is?
I don't want to offend you, Dr. Castle, but isn't it true that you' d come away from the divorce with a lot of property and money if your husband is convicted of murder?
Justine pushed away from the table and stood up.
Anything I take out of this marriage I've earned, believe me. And now I' m afraid that I have to end this interview. I've been working since early this morning and I need to get some rest.
What do you think? Amanda asked as they headed toward the elevator.
I think that Dr. Justine Castle is one pissed-off lady.
Wouldn't you be if you were the victim of rape and assault?
Then you believe her?
Amanda was going to answer when she noticed Tony Fiori walking toward them. He was wearing green surgical scrubs under a white coat that looked as though it had never been washed. Scraps of paper poked out of the jacket's bulging pockets.
Tony!
Fiori looked puzzled for a moment. Then he smiled.
Hey, Amanda. What are you doing up here?
We just finished interviewing a witness in a case. This is Herb Cross, our investigator. Herb, this is Dr. Tony Fiori, an old friend from high school.
Herb shook Tony's hand.
Do you have time for a cup of coffee? Tony asked Amanda. I got bumped out of the OR by an emergency and I've still got half an hour before I have to be back.
I don't know, Amanda said hesitantly, looking at Cross.
That's fine, the investigator replied.
You're sure you don't need me?
I' m just going back to the office to write my report. We'll catch up later.
Okay, then. I'll see you at the office.
She turned to Tony. I can use a caffeine fix. Let's go.
It was raining when Amanda and Tony walked outside. They sprinted across the street to Starbucks, and Amanda found a table while Tony ordered for them.
One grande skinny caramel latte, he said, placing the drink in front of Amanda.
That looks like regular coffee, Amanda said, pointing to Tony's cup.
Hey, I' m a barbarian. What can I say?
Amanda laughed. It's strange we don't see each other for years, and now we bump into each other twice in less than a month.
It's fate, Tony answered with an easy smile.
You look like you're working hard.
Like the proverbial dog. Fortunately, my senior resident is a good guy, so it's not as bad as it could be.
What are you doing?
I've been on the surgical intensive care rotation for two months, but I've been doing elective surgeries for the past two days hernias, appendectomies. It's two-for-one day today. Let me take out your appendix and I'll remove your spleen for free.
No, thanks, Amanda answered with a laugh. I gave at the office.
Tony took a long drink of coffee. Man, I needed that. I've been at it since six this morning without a break.
I' m glad I came along.
Tony leaned back and studied Amanda.
You know what I remember about you? he asked with a smile. The swimming. You were so great at the state meet my senior year, and you were only a freshman. Did you keep it up in college?
All four years.
How' d you do?
Pretty well. I won the two hundred free in the PAC-Ten my junior and senior years and placed at nationals.
