"Yes. She—"

"That's not the same as going to Paris or London, is it?"

"Well, no, but—"

"Thank you. You may step down."

Venable turned to Judge Young. "I would like to call Dr. Benjamin Wallace to the stand. ..."

"Dr. Wallace, you're in charge of administration at Embarcadero County Hospital?"

"Yes."

"So, of course, you're familiar with Dr. Taylor and her work?"

"Yes, I am."

"Were you surprised to learn that Dr. Taylor was indicted for murder?"

Penn was on his feet. "Objection, your honor. Dr. Wallace's answer would be irrelevant."

"If I may explain," interrupted Venable. "It could be very relevant if you'll just let me ..."

"Well, let's see what develops," said Judge Young. "But no nonsense, Mr. Venable."

"Let me approach the question differently," continued Venable. "Dr. Wallace, every physician is required to take the Hippocratic Oath, is that not so?"

"Yes."

"And part of that oath is"—the prosecutor read from a paper in his hand—" 'that I shall abstain from every act of mischief or corruption'?"

"Yes."

"Was there anything Dr. Taylor did in the past that made you believe she was capable of breaking her Hippocratic Oath?"

"Objection."

"Overruled."

"Yes, there was."

"Please explain what it was."

"We had a patient who Dr. Taylor decided needed a blood transfusion. His family refused to grant permission."

"And what happened?"

"Dr. Taylor went ahead and gave the patient the transfusion anyway." "Is that legal?"

"Absolutely not. Not without a court order." "And then what did Dr. Taylor do?" "She obtained the court order afterward, and changed the date on it."

"So she performed an illegal act, and falsified the hospital records to cover it up?"

"That is correct."

Alan Penn glanced over at Paige, furious. What the hell else has she kept from me? he wondered.