“But she wasn’t about to die, either,” said Mattheus. He had to focus on the immediate cause of her passing.
“There was immediate reason to assume that,” said Dr. Padden. “Patients die in comas due to infection, difficulty breathing, pneumonia, etc. Tara was healthy.”
“No sign of brain death, either?” Mattheus wanted total certainty.
Dr. Padden seemed irritated by the question. “Many place a great deal of importance on the idea of “brain death” because most people equate brain death with death of the individual. But according to some researchers, death is characterized by irreversible cessation of all vital functions, circulation, respiration, and consciousness. For example, although a patient may be “brain dead”, they may still be considered alive because they can still grow and even reproduce.”
Mattheus was stunned by his response. “So you considered Tara fully alive?” he asked.
“Yes, of course she was,” said Dr. Padden startled, “no question about it.”
“There was a possibility Tara could have returned and lived a useful life?” Mattheus tried to absorb this strange fact.
“Who is to say whether a life is useful or not?” Dr. Padden was offended by the question. “That is not a judgment I would make, nor should anybody. Who is to say how long a person deserves to remain alive? Who is so wise to decide their moment of death? Still, some family members feel differently. They don’t want to risk having their loved permanently disabled. Some feel tremendously relieved when the patient passes away. Some actively ask the staff to help the person die.”
“That’s illegal in Jamaica, isn’t it?” asked Mattheus, looking at Dr. Padden carefully.
“Yes, euthanasia is illegal here,” Dr. Padden said, “we are not able to respect requests of that kind.”
“It must happen anyway, though,” said Mattheus, confidentially. “Doesn’t it?”
“I have nothing to say about that,” Dr. Padden said, professionally. “If it happens, I know nothing of it.”
“But when the toxicology results come back, like they did with Tara, it’s clear when someone intervenes,” Mattheus insisted.
“Yes, in Tara’s case, it was clear,” Dr. Padden commented. “Many families don’t request toxicology reports or autopsies though.”
Mattheus bolted up straight. “Who requested them for Tara?”
“I believe her brother, Hank, insisted,” Dr. Padden said, startling Mattheus.
“Her brother suspected foul play?” Mattheus asked.
A strange look came over Dr. Padden’s face. “Her brother suspected that someone intervened in Tara’s passing,” he replied methodically.
“Who did it? Who?” asked Mattheus, suddenly agitated.
“That question is not within my domain,” Dr. Padden remarked, “I look to you for that answer.”
“Help me out, give me some suggestions,” Mattheus wouldn’t back away.
“I can’t say who, but I will say one thing,” Dr. Padden relented, “there was a great deal of pressure on the hospital for this case to end.”
“Pressure on the hospital to let Tara die?” Mattheus was horrified.
“All kinds of voices were raised in the matter,” Dr. Padden replied, edgy. “Some insisted it was cruel to keep the patient alive. Actually, there was nothing cruel about it. Tara was in absolutely no pain. The ones who suffered most were the family who kept waiting for her to return.”
“What other voices were raised?” asked Mattheus?
“The paparazzi started camping out at our doors in increasing numbers every day,” Dr. Padden said frankly. “Hospital officials, patients and visitors found them invasive, intrusive and disturbing, to say the least.”
“I can only imagine,” said Mattheus. “What other voices were raised?”
“One newspaper article went so far as to suggest that Tara remained in a coma due to medical incompetency and error. They called for the hospital to be investigated,” said Dr. Padden nervously.
That was the first Mattheus heard of that.
“Of course Konrad, our hospital administrator, knew how to get around that claim. Up to now, anyway,” Dr. Padden continued.
“What’s changing now?” asked Mattheus.
“The pressure’s increasing since Tara passed away,” he said. “Many are convinced her husband is innocent. Owen himself has started a letter writing campaign. He’s in touch with Senators, reporters, you name it.”
“Unusual behavior for a grieving husband,” Mattheus commented.
“People grieve in all kinds of ways,” Dr. Padden replied.
“Are the press blaming the staff who cared for Tara, are they blaming you?” Mattheus could not hold back.
“There’s no question of blaming me at all!” Dr Padden’s face flushed. “If you check, you’ll see that I have an impeccable record. I, personally, have not made even one of the normal medical errors that naturally plague others.”
“Plague who?” asked Mattheus.
“All hospitals and physicians are subject to medical error,” Dr Padden suddenly became harsh. “That’s why we’re burdened with such huge malpractice insurance costs.”
“Yes, of course,” said Mattheus, suddenly wondering about the medical mistakes that went on at this hospital. This was something he definitely had to check out quickly. “I’m sure you’ve done a wonderful job, Dr. Padden” Mattheus turned to him warmly then and changed his tone. “And you’ve been incredibly helpful. I appreciate your time, I appreciate your expertise.”
Dr Padden stood up pleased. “I want this case solved as badly as you do,” he said definitively. “If there’s anything further you need to know, please do not hesitate to call. Or, why not come to the Jamaica Jazz Festival, in two days. The hospital has seats reserved for the Board of Directors, top doctors and hospital administrators. Most importantly, Konrad will be there. You’ll have time to talk to everyone. You never know when or how a new piece of information will come out.”
“That’s right, you never know,” said Mattheus, pleased with the invitation. “I’d love to come.”
“Good,” said Dr. Padden. “In my view, it’s especially important for you to talk to Konrad. He usually gives the press a few headlines and dashes away. Wouldn’t hurt for you to pin him down.”
“Is Konrad keeping something from us?” Mattheus asked directly,
“It’s certainly possible,” Dr. Padden replied non-commitally, “he always has a thousand things up his sleeve. Why should it be any different now?”
Chapter 12
While Mattheus was interviewing Dr. Padden Cindy could only think of one thing, getting in touch with Alana and speaking to her immediately. Cindy called the number she had for Alana and let the phone ring and ring. No answer. There was no way to leave a message either. Alana’s in hiding, Cindy realized. There was no choice then but to go to Alana’s home directly and see if Cindy could surprise her there. Alana lived south of the hospital, just barely commuting distance. It shouldn’t take too long to get there.
Cindy quickly got ready to leave. The taxi she took wove round and round, across circular roads, along pools of water and through old streets dotted with small homes crammed close to one another. Cindy wondered why Alana would be living in this kind of neighborhood. Todd had described her as a beautiful, charming, compelling woman. Something didn’t add up.
Cindy had the taxi stop a few blocks away from Alana’s place. She didn’t want to create a stir riding up to her home in a taxi. It would be better to walk there simply under the shade of the trees. The more Cindy walked, the more unsavory the area seemed. The streets were dark and narrow, with little sun coming through. What if Alana wasn’t home now? What if she’d left town? It made sense that Alana might skip out if she was in trouble.
Cindy found the address to the house easily. It was like all the others, small, a bit wobbly and made of old wood. Cindy walked to the front entrance, stood there a moment and rang the bell. To her delight, she quickly heard footsteps coming to the door. Then someone flung it open.