extremely agitated and begged me not to.”
The President of the Court leaned down and asked, “Did she explain why?”
“Yes, Your Honor. She said that her husband would kill her while she was asleep.”
The President leaned back in his chair thoughtfully and said to Peter Demonides,
“You may continue.”
“Dr. Kazomides, did you in fact administer a second sedative to Mrs. Douglas?”
“Yes.”
“While she was in her bed at the bungalow?”
“Yes.”
“How did you administer it?”
“By hypodermic. In the hip.”
“And she was asleep when you left?”
“Yes.”
“Was there any chance Mrs. Douglas could have awakened any time in the next few
hours, gotten out of bed without assistance, dressed herself and walked out of that house
unaided?”
“In her condition? No. It would be most unlikely. She was very heavily sedated.”
“That is all, thank you, Doctor.”
The jurors were staring at Noelle Page and Larry Douglas and their faces had turned
cold and unfriendly. A stranger could have walked into that courtroom and known
instantly how the case was going.
Bill Fraser’s eyes were bright with satisfaction. After Dr. Kazomides’ testimony there
could no longer be the slightest doubt that Catherine had been murdered by Larry Douglas
and Noelle Page. There was nothing Napoleon Chotas would be able to do to eradicate
from the minds of the jurors the image of a terrified woman, drugged and defenseless,
begging not to be left in the hands of her murderer.
Frederick Stavros was in a panic. He had gladly let Napoleon Chotas run the show,
following his lead in blind faith, confident that Chotas would be able to secure an acquittal
for his client and therefore for Stavros’ client. Now he felt betrayed. Everything was
falling apart. The doctor’s testimony had been irreparably damaging, both for its evidential
and its emotional impact. Stavros looked around the room. Except for the one
mysteriously reserved seat the room was filled. The world press was here, waiting to
report what happened next.
Stavros had a momentary vision of himself leaping to his feet, confronting the doctor
and brilliantly tearing his testimony to shreds. His client would be acquitted and he,
Stavros, would be a hero. He knew this would be his last chance. The outcome of this case
would mean the difference between fame and obscurity. Stavros could actually feel his