Wrongful Death: The AIDS Trial

  Chapter Eight

  “I don’t get it, Sam.”

  Sarah is sitting in a small downtown café close to the Courthouse with half an egg salad sandwich on spelt bread in front of her and a cup of coffee, talking to her boss on her cell phone.

  “What don’t you get, Sarah?”

  “Well, I talked to Dr. Fowler after his testimony. I was curious why he would be a witness for the plaintiffs, since it was clear that he, like the rest of the world, believes in the standard AIDS hypothesis, HIV and all....” She pauses to see if any of the mental fog would lift just by verbalizing her problem. It didn’t. Sam’s voice brings her back to the point.

  “And he said?”

  “He said that he was subpoenaed by Messick to testify for the plaintiffs.”

  Sarah waits for Sam to express his surprise as well. But all Sam says is, “So?”

  Sarah doesn’t understand why Sam doesn’t see the problem here. “Sam, think about it. Why didn't Messick get his own expert witness who he wouldn't have to force to take the stand? There are plenty of good ones out there. Why would he intentionally call a witness who he knew Crawley had himself previously used as an expert? In fact, Crawley and Fowler might even be good friends for all we know!”

  “Does it matter?”

  Now Sarah is more confused than ever. Is it just her? Is it Sam? Is it Messick? What’s going on here? Would no one else find this whole situation very strange? She decides to backpedal in case it’s her.

  “I don't know. Maybe not. I just wonder what he's up to.”

  Sam decides he has better ways to spend his time. “Have you got a column for tomorrow's edition?”

  “It was pretty much a high school biology lesson this morning. Not much to write about.”

  Sam’s anxious to end this conversation. But he’s more anxious that he made the wrong decision about Sarah’s presence at this trial in the first place. “Maybe it will get more lively this afternoon. Are you okay, kiddo?”

  “Yes. I’m fine. And maybe it will. ­Messick's bringing in Dr. Goddard.”