“I found that he was mentally fit to be interviewed regarding the homicide of Rachel Goodwin.”
“Not insane?”
“No, he was coherent and lucid when I saw him.” She didn’t mention the psychiatric hospital by name or description.
“How long did you spend with the accused?”
“About an hour, which was sufficient to establish that he was not under the influence of medication, alcohol or illicit substances or suffering substance withdrawal. He was oriented in time and place and answered questions appropriately.”
Dan Brody rose and stared at Anya with raised eyebrows, presumably for drama.
“You described Savannah Harbourn as a frightened, secretive young woman. Is it possible that she was less than honest with you?”
“It’s possible. Any patient could lie to a doctor, either outright or by omission, but the story given by Savannah was consistent with the injuries and mechanism of trauma she suffered.”
“I see. Did you do a mental health assessment on this woman?”
“Not specifically, but she was lucid and orientated. There was no reason to suspect-”
“Thank you, Doctor, please just stick to answering the questions.”
Anya’s palms began to perspire. What the hell was Brody doing?
“Now, Doctor, did you perform a toxicology screen on Savannah Harbourn that night, looking for evidence of excess of alcohol or illicit drugs?”
She felt her fists tighten, out of view of the jury.
“No, I did not, as she had no alcohol on her breath, and her friend informed me that Savannah did not take drugs or consume alcohol.”
Anya knew how bad it sounded as soon as the words came out.
“However one was conducted at post-mortem-”
“I am asking about the specific night Ms. Harbourn attended your clinic.”
He had not allowed Anya to explain that the results of the toxicology report at Savanna’s post-mortem were negative for all medication and alcohol. The liver results showed she had not taken regular intravenous or oral narcotics, and so confirmed that she was not a drug addict as Brody was trying to suggest.
“So a
“Initially, yes. I told her over the phone before we met that I never carry narcotics and would not give them.”
“I see.” Brody began to pace, slowly, as if trying to make sense of Savannah Harbourn. “Did she at any stage ask you for painkillers?”
Anya thought back. She had asked for something to have by mouth, but hadn’t asked for an injection. “Yes but-”
“Thank you. So she did request analgesia from you, a doctor who had no knowledge of her prior history. And by her story about the need for confidentiality, you were bound not to request verifying medical information from her usual doctor. Or did you?”
“No, I did not.”
“I see. Is it possible that Gary Harbourn had tried to stage an intervention at the family home and Savannah had become violent herself, suffering the injuries when Gary and his brothers tried to calm her down?”
Anya knew exactly what Brody was doing. He wanted to completely discredit Savannah now that she was no longer able to defend herself. Anya thought last night had changed him, but apparently not. What he was doing here in court sickened her. The worst part was that he was using her to do it.
“The injuries to Savannah were inflicted with significant force and with a solid object, possibly a boot.”
“I heard that, but in your experience as a forensic physician, have people been injured resisting arrest, even though the police did everything in their powers to prevent that occurring?”
Damn him! Brody was telling half-truths and causing her to lie by omitting the true details. The jury weren’t getting the real story.
“Yes, but-”
“Thank you-”
Dan was distracted by Gary Harbourn knocking over a glass of water. He was twitching and shaking. Dan leaned over to speak to him.
“Your Honor, may I request a recess? My client is becoming agitated and requests to see his psychiatrist at this point.”
“I’ll grant a half-hour recess, court will resume at 10:30 A.M.”
Everyone stood as Pascoe left via a side door.
Anya had not been dismissed, she had been put on hold. Fiorelli chose not to interject or ask anything about Savannah and her injuries. He obviously considered her irrelevant to this trial after Brody’s short performance. And now that it was clear Bevan Hart was responsible for Savannah’s killing, Gary would get away with that assault as well.
As she left the court, Anya saw Violet Yardley sitting in the back row. The young woman had tears in her eyes and gave Anya a look of despondency.
Anya couldn’t help feel she had just helped Gary Harbourn. Dan Brody was doing exactly what Judge Pascoe had demanded, even if it meant committing a terrible injustice in the process.
She had never been more disappointed in herself, or in the man she had considered her friend.
45
Outside the courtroom. Fiorelli tried to calm Anya down.
“This is about Harbourn’s insanity plea. Savannah was never going to help us prove he was competent the night of Rachel Goodwin’s murder.”
“Not now she’s dead.”
Kate Farrer approached. “Brody’s just doing everything he can to goad you. Don’t get suckered. He’s a slimeball and that’s what he does for a living. Either that, or you’ve pissed him off big time.”
Anya looked at her friend, never the epitome of tact. Even so, she had said exactly what Anya had been thinking. Maybe he was doing what Pascoe ordered and making sure there was no reason for Harbourn to appeal at a future date. Or he wanted to discredit her, in order to show Pascoe his dirty secret was safe and there was no nexus between him and Anya.
Either way, she didn’t want to go back on the stand.
“Here,” Kate said, offering her a black coffee. “Take a few minutes. You’ve got that rash on your neck again.”
Anya took the coffee and walked outside for some fresh air.
Brody crossed the road outside the courts and ignored her. How could he be doing this? Surely he couldn’t be trying to impress the man who had raped his mother? Bevan Hart’s pleas about the victims and their families obviously made no difference. He didn’t care about anyone but himself and his moneymaking career.
Her phone rang and she checked the number. Martin. She quickly answered.
“Everything okay?” she asked.
“Yeah, just letting you know that Ben came third in his first race in the athletics carnival. Not bad, given he’s half the size of some of the kids in his class.”
For a moment nothing else mattered. “That’s so great, but winning isn’t everything.”
“Can you just be happy for him-he did his best and ran his little heart out. Even if he did look like he was stirring a pudding the way his legs go all over the place.”
She knew exactly what her ex-husband was describing. Ben wasn’t blessed with the athletics genes, but she adored watching the joy on his face as he ran.
