P is for Psychiatry part 5
Outside the room, Roy comforted John. "I've got an idea – I need to talk with your lawyer."
"Anything, Roy. Please help me. I can't believe this is happening." John's despondency touched his friend deeply.
As his lawyer exited the room, Roy grabbed his attention. "Can I ask you a couple of things?"
"Sure. What would you like to know?"
"Can Johnny call some character witnesses here? Or medical professionals?"
"I think that would be acceptable, under the circumstances, but we'd have to run it by the other side. If we do that, then they have the power to do it too."
"What d'you have in mind, Roy?" asked John, "Cap or some of the guys?"
Roy didn't respond because he was thinking hard. There was something Christine had said, something that was nagging at the back of his mind…he looked at the lawyer again. "What about calling someone who doesn't know Johnny at all? But who knows Christine Douglas?"
"Who are you thinking of, Roy?"
"She mentioned her doctor, and there was something, I don't know, that just felt…"
The lawyer nodded. "I see where you're going. There was a little hesitation when she spoke about seeing her doctor. You're right. I'm going to check it out. After all, this is primarily a fact finding exercise, and he may have some information that might help us. Good thinking, Roy." He walked off to follow this new lead.
"What d'you think he might know, Roy?"
"I don't know, but I just feel there's a hidden story that could shed some light on what's going on here."
"I really hope you're right!"
"Me too."
The two men wandered over to a nearby sandwich shop, but neither of them had much appetite. Everything they ordered tasted like cardboard. Roy noticed that John was rubbing his eyes repeatedly, so he asked gently, "Headache?"
"Naw, brain ache more like. Slight difference. God, Roy. What the hell is going on here?"
"I have no idea."
"You still believe in me, even after hearing all that crap?"
"Always, pard. I know you too well. There is no way you did the things she said you did."
"But that's just it, Roy. You and I both know I did do those things…just not the way she told them! And definitely not with 'malice aforethought'! Man, if anyone has planned evil, it's gotta be her!"
Roy looked at his watch. "C'mon, let's go for a bit of a walk and clear our heads before we have to go back."
John nodded without enthusiasm. "Yeah, whatever."
When they got back to the room, John's lawyer smiled at them and as they sat down he whispered, "Good news." The other two men leaned in to hear what he had to say. "Great hunch, Roy. Things may be looking up." Just then the mediator and the rest of the committe entered and sat down. They were ready to begin again.