“So stipulated.”
Yuki felt the tension in the air, imagined the expectation and dread of the dead woman’s husband, a young man sitting only three rows ahead of her.
“Dr. Garza, how did Mrs. Falk die?”
“As you said, she had a heart attack.”
“That’s true, Doctor. But what I mean is, can you describe her death so that we can better understand her last moments?”
Larry Kramer rose to his feet immediately. “Objection! Your Honor, Counsel is trying to prejudice the jury. This is outrageous.”
“Your Honor, I’m merely asking how the patient died. That’s what this case is about.”
“Yes, yes. Of course it is. Dr. Garza, please answer the question.”
Yuki saw surprise ripple across Garza’s face. That was interesting. He cleared his throat before he spoke.
“Well, she went into ventricular tachycardia. A very fast heartbeat.”
“Would you say that would have hurt her and frightened her?”
“Probably. Yes.”
“What else, Doctor?”
“She would have tried to contact anything in her immediate environment.”
“Claw at the sheets, for instance?”
“Probably.”
“Try to call out?”
“Your Honor!” Kramer broke in. “Out of respect for Mrs. Falk’s family —”
“I’m touched, Mr. Kramer,” said O’Mara. “Be concerned for my clients now.”
“Overruled. Dr. Garza, please answer the question.”
“She may have tried to call out. I don’t know. I wasn’t there.”
“What else, Dr. Garza? In medical terms.”
“She went into ventricular fibrillation. As the circulation to the brain decreased, she might have developed clonic movements—like a little seizure. Her skin would’ve gotten clammy. She would have felt dizzy and weak before she went into shock. The entire episode would have taken only two or three minutes until she became unconscious.”
“Doctor, are you familiar with the term ‘psychic horror’?”
Kramer got to his feet and spoke in a tone of deep disappointment. “Your Honor, I object. Counsel is trying to inflame the jury.”
“Overruled, Mr. Kramer. Psychic horror is a legally admissible term. I’m pretty sure you know that. Dr. Garza, please answer the question.”
“Could I have the question again?”
O’Mara emphasized each word. “Doctor, do you know the term ‘psychic horror’?”
“Yes.”
“Could you please tell us what it means?”