Let me start off my saying that seeing Hugh live Monday night was awesome! He was so funny. That guy is talented, that's for sure.
Where we left off:
John Greene was sitting at his desk, glancing at his phone which was connected to his laptop that sat on top of his desk. Looking up, he was surprised to see the Dean of Medicine standing in his presence.
"Lisa, hi. What can I help you with?" he began in a professional manner, a bit surprised, not knowing if this visit was personal or work-related.
Cuddy closed the office door before slowly turning and facing the lawyer with a somber expression. She took a deep breath.
"I want to file a lawsuit against Robert Chase."
Chapter 58:
"I'll try and get you a trial soon, if it gets that far," John Greene told the Dean of Medicine, "because of your, ah, condition."
"Thank you," Cuddy told him sincerely. "I just don't want to be taking the stand when I'm at thirty-five, or thirty-six weeks."
"Quite understandable," the hospital lawyer told her. "I'll see what I can do. I have connections to lawyers who know people in the Jersey court system. I'll see if I can get you a trial in the next month or so, that is, if Chase agrees to testify against you."
Cuddy had been sitting in the hospital lawyer's office for the past half hour. John had been writing on a notepad that lay in front of him on the desk as he asked Cuddy to divulge certain pieces of information to him.
Not everything. That would have to come later, but just to get a general picture so he knew what he had to work with.
Leaning back in his chair, John folded his arms behind his head. "I think calling Greg as a witness will be extremely helpful."
"Absolutely," Cuddy agreed. "Do you think he'll agree to it?"
"If Chase pleads not guilty at the arraignment, Greg will have to," John told her simply. "It'll only make our argument and your testimony that much stronger if he does." He paused, not trying to force her into anything. "Not to pressure you," he added, hastily.
Cuddy waved her hand. "Please John, you're not. If it can help me…" Pausing briefly, she broke eye contact and cast her glance downward as she cleared her throat.
"Does this make me a bad person?"
Leaning forward, John asked quietly, "Does what make you a bad person, Lisa?"
"This!" Cuddy exclaimed, looking back up and waving her hands in front of her at John's notes. "Pressing charges… It was a mistake-"
"Never say that. Listen to me," John interrupted as he fixed the woman in front of him with a serious look, "Lisa, what Chase did, he did it knowingly. Even if he wasn't fully aware of what he was doing, he still knowingly sat behind the wheel of a car, put the keys in the ignition and drove after he had alcohol in his system. And from what I read, he had a considerable amount. 0.12 as I recall according to the paper…. His actions caused you to lose something irreplaceable. And because of what he did to you, I believe, and the law also says, that he should pay for his actions. And it's my job to make sure he does."
"And in NO way does doing this make you a bad person, Lisa. At all," he added. "Trust me. And if I need to keep telling you that over the time we spend together, then I will. I don't care if I have to sound like a broken record."
Cuddy grinned shyly. "Lucky me."
Turning serious, she began, "I just…I feel as if to move past everything that I went through, I HAVE to do this…" Her voice trailed off as she struggled to verbalize what was on her mind.
"Sometimes, closure is a necessity," John told her, seemingly understanding the struggle his new client was going through. "Look, I know this is not going to be easy for you, Lisa, but if you feel that you need to do this, and I agree with you, then you should do what you think is best. You have my support, for starters."
"I know it hasn't been easy going through what you did, and I'm sure talking about it in detail to a judge or in front of a jury, if it gets that far, will be difficult, but just remember, you will not be alone," he continued, sincerely, "Myself, Greg, James, we'll all be there for you."
"Thank you," Cuddy told him softly.
"Now," John began, "you do realize that I am going to have to know everything that happened that you remember in detail and it may have to be in a short amount of time. I just want to make sure that you are absolutely ready to handle this," he told the Dean of Medicine.
Cuddy swallowed nervously. "I can," she told him.
"Good," he replied. "Now, throughout all the prep, if you need to take a break, you can. Like I said, this may be difficult for you so let's take it one step at a time, but also understand that we might have time working against us."
Nodding, Cuddy asked, "What happens next?"
"Well, I'll make a few phone calls today or tomorrow and if either Chase or his lawyer agrees to have him testify, hence he pleads not guilty or guilty at the arraignment, then he'll go to a pre-trial, and at the pre-trial, if we can't resolve it, then we have to start preparing. After, I'll see to it that Greg gets sent a subpoena and we'll take it from there," John told her, "I'll see if I can get you a trial court date soon after the pre-trial conference, and then I'll sit down with you after Greg gets the subpoena. I can certainly hit him with a DWI, maybe gross negligence, possibly manslaughter, but I have to look into that one."
"Okay…" Cuddy said hesitantly, not bothering to hide the insecurity in her voice.
"Lisa," John began again, "I know this must be a struggle for you. I'd be concerned if you WEREN'T apprehensive and hesitant about doing this. You did the right thing by coming to me about this. I would be honored to assist you."
The lawyer and Cuddy continued on for another half hour and then Cuddy had to leave to attend a conference call that required her presence. After confirming to meet with John later the following week, after being told John would make the phone call he needed to in the next day or two, Cuddy left the lawyer's office and headed back downstairs to her own office.
The week came to a close. House was busy with the beginnings of his physical therapy and cases with his team. He had just got a patient who had suddenly lost all control of his motor functions, including the ability to speak.
Cuddy was busy as well. The merger with PPTH and Princeton University Medical Center was a little over a month away from finalizing. Even though the Medical Center was smaller than PPTH, they were well-connected and as another teaching hospital, it was the perfect fit to have two teaching hospitals come together, providing even more opportunity to those doing their residency or those in training. Thinking it was wise to have a connection to the Children's Hospital in Philadelphia through the Medical Center along with other hospitals as well, Cuddy thought this was the best way to begin to expand PPTH's network. And so far, she had the support of everyone at the Medical Center and the majority of her board at the hospital.
As the thought of the impending trial was on her mind, Cuddy forced it to stay in the back of her mind until she heard from John or from House, when he got the summons. She knew he hadn't gotten word of what she did, mainly because Wilson hadn't said anything to him, and if Wilson didn't know, that mean that John had not divulged anything.
Cuddy honestly did not know how House was going to react when (or if) he received the subpoena to be called to the witness stand. Would he be furious with her for pressing charges or would he be understanding and have the realization that she needed to do this. Cuddy didn't know, but what she did know was if she didn't have House's support, the thought of going through the whole ordeal without the person she needed the support of most was a devastating notion.
All she could do was wait for Chase's decision. It was out of her hands and John's. Forcing herself not to think about the potential of a pending trial coming up in the next few weeks, Cuddy instead threw herself into her work, while still being cognizant of her health during her pregnancy.
Early the next week, after John had made some phone calls, Robert Chase sat in one of the smaller courtrooms in Mercer County Courthouse in Trenton, New Jersey on Tuesday morning as he waited for his arraignment. He wore a suit that smelled like it hadn't been washed in decades.
Well, he thought, that's what you get from a prison. He didn't have time to shave either, and his facial hair was getting a little out of hand for his liking.
He was told to approach the bench.
"Robert Chase," judge Matthew Barnes said to him, "On the Friday night of November the 18th of last year, between the intersection of Nassau and Mercer Streets, Dr. Lisa Cuddy had the right of way and made a legal right hand turn. Your vehicle reportedly had its lights off and did not stop as it was supposed to and struck the driver's side door of the victim's car at full speed coming from the opposite direction. You have been accused of a DWI, gross negligence and involuntary manslaughter or as it has been also known, unlawful act manslaughter, against Lisa Cuddy for your actions -"
Chase interrupted him. "Manslaughter?!"
"Please don't interrupt me, Dr. Chase," Barnes told him. "And yes, involuntary manslaughter. While you did not intend, as far as we know, to harm Ms. Cuddy, she did however miscarry, due to your reckless actions."
Chase's head swam. He didn't expect manslaughter as one of the charges against him. The judge went on talking and Chase pulled himself together and listened to what he was saying.
"How do you plead?"
Chase didn't speak for a moment. Closing his eyes, he could either play this one of two ways. If he pled not guilty, he could always get a lawyer to represent him. If he pled guilty, he could get this over with but then would be facing possibly more jail time and have this on his permanent record. Or he could say nothing, but then be assumed 'guilty'.
He didn't know what to do. Without a lawyer present, he was in a tough spot. Taking a deep breath, Chase re-opened his eyes, and looked at the judge who was waiting patiently.
"Not Guilty."
"I have to go meet a client," he lied.
Three days after Robert Chase had pled 'not guilty' at the arraignment, John Greene was on his way to the courthouse for the pre-trial conference.
And he felt horrible for lying to Wilson about why he couldn't do lunch with him that day.
"I don't know what time I'll be back. I don't want to stand you up," he continued.
"That's fine," Wilson told him.
"I'll talk to you later?" John asked softly.
Wilson nodded and moved forward to kiss his partner on the lips.
He never lied to Wilson before but this was necessary. He was respecting his client's privacy. As he pulled himself out of his thoughts, he arrived at Mercer County Courthouse, made a quick call to Cuddy and then walked inside.
Because it was a pre-trial, Cuddy was not required to attend and John did not want her to. It was only himself, Chase, Chase's lawyer (if he had one) and a judge. Why would Chase plead 'Not Guilty?' Was it because he thought he had a chance of winning this lawsuit? That he could get away with blaming it on the alcohol and hoping for a sympathy vote?
One thing was for certain and that was that John was not going to settle that easily. His client had gone through emotional hell and he was not going to let the case settle without a trial.
Chase was in a slightly bigger room in the courthouse than he was when he had his arraignment. His lawyer, Steven Savoy, sat next to him. A fairly well-respected criminal defense lawyer in the Princeton/Trenton area, Savoy knew his client came from a wealthy background so he had the money to spend. The defense attorney's goal was always to get his clients' out of trouble and out of the prison system. But Savoy didn't see how he could beat this one, but he really didn't care because Chase was still paying him big bucks.
Glancing at the other lawyer who introduced himself as a 'John Greene, counsel for the plaintiff Lisa Cuddy', Chase silently eyed him up and down. 'So this was Wilson's boy toy, huh.'
At least, that's what Cameron had mentioned. 'He looks good' Chase thought to himself as he continued to give the lawyer a swift once-over look.
"Your Honor," John began after Savoy had done his introduction to the case, "aside from pressing a DWI, gross negligence and involuntary manslaughter against Doctor Chase, I would also like to introduce a witness for the impending trial."
"Hang on," Savoy cut across him, "involuntary manslaughter? That's a little harsh for my client, don't you think?"
John turned to the defendant's lawyer, "I don't think so at all. Your client recklessly and under the influence of quite a high concentration of alcohol—"
"We all know the facts, Counselor," judge Matthew Barnes cut across John. "Get on with your argument please."
"Right, my apologies, your Honor," John said quickly, turning to face Savoy again, "Yes. Involuntary manslaughter. Your client drove his car into my client and the impact caused my client to miscarry one of her unborn twin fetuses. While it was not his intention to do so, his reckless actions caused my client to suffer."
"You don't know that!" Savoy interrupted him, staring at John.
John raised an eyebrow. "Care to elaborate?"
Chase did not interrupt. He let his lawyer do all the talking.
"Do you have any proof that the impact of my client's car caused your client to miscarry?"
John hesitated. He was pulling at strings here. "Her doctor can testify. I can get in touch with him—"
Judge Barnes interrupted. "Gentlemen, we are going around in circles and not resolving anything." He looked at John.
"Counselor, before we go any further into this circle of blame, you said you had a witness?"
Clearing his throat, John said, "I do, your Honor. Gregory House was at the scene of the accident directly behind my client when her vehicle was struck. If this is to go any further, I request that Dr. House get served to be a witness if there is a trial for issues which we cannot settle here."
"That's not fair," Savoy interrupted. "Your witness's judgment and testimony will be biased due solely to his personal affiliation with your client."
"He is still a witness!" John snarled loudly.
"I agree," judge Barnes addressed loudly to the three men in the courtroom, "whether or not Dr. House has personal relations with the client should be irrelevant. He is a witness who witnessed the accident taking place."
Opening his mouth to refute, Savoy didn't get the chance.
"Mr. Savoy, Gregory House was at the scene of the crime. I don't see you or your client jumping up to hand me witnesses."
That made Savoy close his mouth. He exchanged a glance with his client but stayed silent.
"Furthermore," judge Barnes continued, "since there are criminal charges involved, the trial cannot be in this court. I will inform the District Court here in Trenton of these changes."
"Your Honor," Savoy exclaimed loudly, "My client is not a criminal! Yes he was drunk and did a reckless accident but - "
The judge looked at him with disgust as if the lawyer were a giant bug. "Mr. Savoy, your client performed a criminal act," he said, "He may not be a criminal by nature. That is irrelevant. However, he did drive his car intoxicated and his actions caused Lisa Cuddy to suffer the loss of a fetus. We can go on and on about the manslaughter charge, which is a waste of everyone's time, or you can suck it up and deal with this in court."
"But—" Savoy tried to refute.
"Enough," judge Barnes exclaimed loudly. He looked at John. "As per your request last week, I will have the trial date moved up to the last Thursday in February, which is four weeks from now,"
"Thank you, your Honor," John told him sincerely.
"I will have the subpoena dropped off early next week. I just need some information from you. You can do that on your way out." He paused and looked at all three men in the room. "The trial will be at the Clarkson S. Fisher Building and U.S. Courthouse here in Trenton. Details will be mailed to each of you and it is your responsibility to pass it onto your clients."
When John Greene left the courthouse some fifteen minutes later, he got into his car and pulled out his phone. He waited until the other person picked up before he spoke.
"Looks like we're going to trial."
TBC...
My goal is to publish a chapter every 3-4 weeks. If I get behind, don't worry. I'll post eventually. Once again, thanks to all my wonderful readers.