Page 30 of Raymond's Forever

“Yes. The next problem is that with you not being able to see or read these files, that means we can’t use your professional opinions as to what we’re reading. We’re going to have to reach out to someone not associated with this case to help us with the medical jargon we will be reading. Nurse Betty won’t be able to help either, because I’m, well, I’ll recommend Raymond does it, but there will be assault charges brought up against Ervin on Betty’s behalf.”

“I understand. I think I know why you can’t use us, and correct me if I’m wrong, but is it because I could be accused of being biased against Perkins and Ervin. Their lawyers could say I had a professional vendetta against them, and I’m making up lies about what is in the files.”

“Yes.”

“Understood, and with me taking myself out of the equation, they can’t get out of the charges, or try to.”

“Correct.”

“Do you want me to give you names of people that I might know that could help you with those files?”

“No, again, their lawyers could say you coerced them to give their testimony. We, Raymond, Ilsa, and I will find a professional doctor not associated with you, Perkins, Ervin, the clinic, or even the hospital the clinic is associated with. I know some professionals I’ve used on some of my federal cases in the past. They would have no knowledge of this case before being called to the stand.” He looked at Raymond. “You’re going to want Ilsa as your third chair.”

“I can do that.”

“Ah, someone with no skin in the game.” Amelia answered Jason when he said who he wanted to bring in.

“Correct.”

“Okay, I probably know the answer to this, but what do you want me to do in the meantime?”

“What do you think?” Raymond asked gently.

“Set up my practice here, go out and get clients, treat them, and keep my head down, do my job, and trust that the three of you will do what you can to bring these assholes down. Now, one more question, and I’ll drop it for now.”

“What’s that?” all three lawyers asked as one.

“What if Shay comes to me for a check-up for an assessment if he’s called into Perkins office.”

“Then you treat him. Technically, he’s still your patient. You never signed him off to anyone else after you treated him the first time, did you?”

“No, I signed off on his case, because in my professional opinion, he was healed. But I never signed off on him as a patient.”

“Perfect, do that then. If by some chance Shay does get called in to see Perkins, or Ervin for that matter, then we can only hope that he will delay the alleged surgery until Shay can get a second opinion. I can’t stress enough that you document everything if that happens. Your medical notes, any x-rays, any referrals to physical therapy, anything. Even if you give him a clean bill of health, I want detailed notes as to why you feel that you gave it to him.”

“Okay.” Everyone watched as she worried her bottom lip with her teeth, and fingers.

“What’s wrong, Amelia?” Ilsa asked quietly.

“I agree with everything you said. If I’m too close to this case, and it goes south at trial, I’ll never forgive myself. However, what if Perkins is so pushy with Shay, but he refuses to have the unnecessary surgery, and Perkins takes out that frustration on an unsuspecting person?”

“That’s a chance we’re going to have to take,” Raymond said quietly as he reached over and took her hand in his, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I know that sounds harsh and unfeeling, but we can’t control what he’s going to do. If that happens, then we can document, and god forbid something awful happens, we can go after him for that. I know you don’t want to hear this, but don’t borrow trouble.”

“I know, it’s going to be hard.”

“I know.” He squeezed her hand again, and the four of them sat around drinking coffee, ignoring the laptop with evidence they couldn’t use glaring at them.

CHAPTER 13

At ten o’clock Monday morning,Shay looked over at Clark, sitting in the passenger seat of his truck, then back at Naomi, sitting behind Clark. “Are we locked and loaded?”

“Yes,” Clark said as he double-checked his camera and audio equipment. He looked back at Naomi and made sure she had hers in the correct position.

“I’m good.”

“So am I,” Shay said. “Let’s get this shit done.”

“Shouldn’t we have told Amelia about this meeting?” Naomi asked as Clark helped her from the back seat.