“Forbes has already categorically denied it,” Brian said. “They say that they access insurance companies on a regular basis but purely to process claims. They say they never access precertification files for elective surgery. And what’s more, the insurance companies claim that all their files are secure.”
“Of course the companies would say that,” Sean said. “I’m sure they’re all quaking in their boots that they might be drawn in on the civil side of this. But in regard to the program at Forbes, Janet and I saw it running.”
“It will be tough to prove,” Brian said. “We’d need the program itself, and they certainly aren’t going to give it to us.”
“Well, damn!” Sean said.
“It’s all going to come down to the science and whether we can get a jury to believe it or even understand it,” Brian said. “I’m not sure I do. It’s pretty esoteric stuff.”
“Where’s Janet?” Sean asked. They started walking again.
“She’s in my car,” Brian said. “Her arraignment was much earlier and a bit easier, but she wanted to get out of the courthouse. I can’t blame her. This whole experience has unnerved her. She’s not accustomed to being in trouble the way you are.”
“Very funny,” Sean said. “Is she being charged?”
“Of course she’s being charged,” Brian said. “What do you think, these people down here are morons? She was an accomplice for everything except assault with a deadly weapon and the kidnapping. Fortunately, the judge seemed to believe her biggest crime is associating with you. He didn’t set bail. She was released on her own recognizance.”
As they neared Brian’s rental car, Sean could see Janet sitting in the front seat. She had her head leaning back on the headrest and she appeared to be asleep. But as Sean came alongside the car, her eyes popped open. Seeing Sean, she scrambled out of the car and hugged him.
Sean hugged her back, feeling self-conscious with his brother standing next to them.
“Are you all right?” Janet asked, pulling her head away but keeping her arms around Sean’s neck.
“Fine, and you?”
“Being in jail was an eye-opener,” she admitted. “I guess I got a little hysterical at first. But my parents flew down with a family attorney who speeded up my arraignment.”
“Where are your parents now?” Sean asked.
“Back at a hotel,” Janet said. “They’re mad I wanted to wait for you.”
“I can imagine,” Sean said.
Brian consulted his watch. “Listen, you two,” he said. “Dr. Mason has scheduled a news conference at noon at Forbes. I think we should go. I was worried we’d still be tied up here at the courthouse, but there’s time. What do you say?”
“Why should we go?” Sean asked.
“I’m concerned about this case, as you can tell,” Brian said. “I’m worried about getting a fair trial here in Miami. I’d prefer that this news conference not turn into the public relations bonanza I believe Forbes expects it to be. Your being there will tone down their rhetoric. It will also help establish you as a responsible individual who is serious about his allegations.”
Sean shrugged. “Okay by me,” he said. “Besides, I’m curious what Dr. Mason will say.”
“Okay by me,” Janet said.
Because of traffic, it took more time than Brian expected to drive from the Dade County Courthouse, but they were still on time for the news conference when they finally pulled into the Forbes parking area. The conference was scheduled to be held in the hospital auditorium, and all the parking spaces near the hospital were occupied. Several TV vans were parked in the fire lane near the hospital’s front door. Brian had to drive around by the research building to find a space.
As they walked around to the hospital, Brian commented on how much media attention the affair was getting. “Let me warn you, this is hot. It’s just the kind of case that gets played out in the media as much as it gets played out in the courts. What’s more, it’s being played on the Forbes’s turf. Don’t be surprised if your reception is less than cool.”
A throng of people was milling about in front of the hospital. Many were reporters, and unfortunately several recognized Sean. They mobbed him, fighting with each other to thrust microphones into his face, everyone asking hostile questions at the same time. Flashbulbs flashed; TV camera lights flooded the scene. By the time Sean, Brian, and Janet reached the front door, Sean was angry. Brian had to restrain him from taking a swing at a few of the photographers.
Inside wasn’t much better. News of Sean’s arrival sent ripples through the surprisingly large crowd. As the three entered the auditorium, Sean heard a chorus of boos rise from the members of the Forbes medical staff who were attending.
“I see what you mean about chilly receptions,” Sean said as they found seats. “Hardly neutral territory.”
“It’s a lynch mob mentality,” Brian said. “But this gives you an idea of what you’re up against.”
The booing and hissing directed at Sean ceased abruptly and was replaced by respectful applause when Dr. Randolph Mason appeared from the wings of the small stage. He walked resolutely to the podium, placing a sizable manila envelope on it. Grasping either side of the podium, he looked out over the audience with his head slightly tilted back. His bearing and appearance were commendably professional, his classically graying hair perfectly coiffed. He was dressed in a dark blue suit, white shirt, and subdued tie. The only splash of color was a lavender silk foulard handkerchief in his breast pocket.
“He looks like everyone’s romantic image of a physician,” Janet whispered. “The kind you’d see on TV.”
Brian nodded. “He’s the kind of man juries tend to believe. This is going to be an uphill battle.”
Dr. Mason cleared his throat, then began speaking. His resonant voice easily filled the small auditorium. He thanked everyone for coming and for supporting the Forbes Cancer Center in the face of the recent accusations.
“Will you be suing Sean Murphy for slander?” one of the reporters yelled out from the second row. But Dr. Mason didn’t have to answer. The entire auditorium erupted in a sustained hiss in response to the reporter’s rudeness. The reporter got the message and meekly apologized.
Dr. Mason adjusted the position of the manila envelope as he collected his thoughts.
“These are difficult times for hospitals and research facilities, particularly specialty hospitals which have the dual objectives of patient care and research. Clinical reimbursement schemes based on diagnosis and standard therapy do not work in environments such as Forbes where treatment plans often follow experimental protocols. Treatment of this sort is intensive and therefore expensive.
“The question is, where is the money supposed to come from for this type of care? Some people suggest it should come from research grants since it is part of the research process. Yet our public funding for general research has gone down, forcing us to seek other sources for financial support, like industry, or even, in exceptional cases, foreign industry. But even this source has limits, especially when the global economy is floundering. Where else can we turn but to the oldest method: private philanthropy.”
“I can’t believe this guy,” Sean whispered. “This is like a fund-raiser pep talk.”
A few people turned to glare at Sean.
“I have devoted my life to the relief of suffering,” Dr. Mason continued. “Medicine and the fight against cancer have been my life since the day I entered medical school. I have always kept the good of mankind as my motivating force and goal.”
“Now he sounds like a politician,” Sean whispered. “When is he going to address the issue?”
“Quiet!” a person behind Sean snapped.
“When I took the position as director of the Forbes Center,” Dr. Mason continued, “I knew the institution was in financial difficulty. Restoring the institution to a solid financial basis was a goal consistent with my desire to work for the good of mankind. I’ve given this task my heart and my soul. If I’ve made some mistakes, it is not for lack of altruistic motives.”
There was spotty applause when Dr. Mason paused and fumbled with his manila envelope, undoing the string that held it closed.
“This is a waste of time,” Sean whispered.
