"Kiser, Marcia - Doctor Of Death" - читать интересную книгу автора (Kiser Marcia)

"How long was Mr. Harvey a patient of yours?"

"Several years. I'm not sure how many. I could check the file, if you'd like."

"Maybe in a minute. What was Mr. Harvey seeing you for?"

"I'm a general practitioner, Detective. Originally, Mr. Harvey would come in when he had the flu or a cold. When he started getting sick, I ran some tests and determined that he had cancer. I referred him to an oncologist for treatment. Mr. Harvey was alone in the world. No family left at all. No one to take an interest in whether he lived or died. I know that feeling. I have several patients in the same state. I invite them all to come back whenever they want--to talk about their disease, their treatment, their fears.... anything at all. I don't try to be a substitute family, but its important to keep your spirits up when battling a disease like cancer. That's difficult enough to do with a loving and supportive family, but when there's no one, its practically impossible, so I try to help."

"Like the six patients that have committed suicide in the past two years by walking in front of busses, doctor?" Salida's voice cracked through the quiet office.

Dr. Green looked startled.

What an actress, Salida thought. Academy Award caliber.

"Suicide? What on earth are you talking about? Those people were killed in accidents. They were all elderly people and most likely were in a great deal of pain. They should not have been walking the streets alone. Pain can dull the senses and one's thinking. They misstepped and tragically were hit by traffic. But, they did not commit suicide. I can assure you of that. I spoke with each one the day before they were killed. I would have known if they were suicidal."

"Hmmm. You spoke to each one the day before their "supposed" accidents."

"What do you mean, "supposed"? They were accidents. Just like Mr. Harvey's. He was on his way to see me. He had called late the afternoon before and wanted to talk to me about something. He seemed disturbed, but not suicidal. I saw him coming down the street. He appeared dazed and confused even at this distance. I saw him stumble into the street. There was no way the bus could stop in time. For Mr. Harvey, it was a blessing. The oncologist had given him less than six weeks. And that six weeks would have been a living hell. There comes a point when no pain medication helps.Ф

Salida tapped her pen against her pad. "So, what you're telling me, Doctor, is that you spoke with seven individuals. Individuals who had no family at all. Individuals who had no family support, except you. That you spoke with these seven individuals the day before they each had their accident and you don't find something strange in that."

This time, coffee sloshed over the side of the elegant china coffee cup Dr. Green held. "Are you accusing me of something, Detective Sanchez?"

Just the right touch of indignation, Salida thought. Definitely Academy Award.

"Actually, Dr. Green, I am. Mrs. Mason came by the station yesterday and told me about these seven deaths. She remembered Mr. Harvey saying something about hypnosis and since you're a medical doctor, she got curious and dug through some files. And guess what? There's not one mention of hypnosis in Mr. Harvey's file. Does that surprise you?"

"Of course not," Dr. Green snapped. "There's no mention of hypnosis because I don't perform hypnosis. Why would I? I'm a medical doctor. I'm not a psychiatrist or a psychologist."

"Maybe you can explain why Mrs. Mason found notes concerning hypnosis in the other six patients' files?"

Dr. Green looked bewildered.

Move over Helen Hunt, Salida thought.

"I can't explain it because it's not there. I'll show you the files."

Dr. Green stood and strode from the office. When Salida followed, Dr. Green glanced around.

"Just want to make sure there's no tampering." Salida allowed herself a wolfish grin.

"Detective, I assure you I would not tamper with my patients' files."

"Well, this way, we're safe, aren't we?"

Dr. Green looked ready to explode, but turned and continued to the reception area. Jerking open a battered file cabinet, Dr. Green rifled through the files, pulling out seven in rapid succession.

"Here. Look for yourself. There is absolutely no mention of hypnosis in any of them."