Chapter 10 - The Bribed Physician
Before the trial could begin, Marcus needed to neutralize Evelyn’s only remaining weapon: Dr. Sterling.
Sterling was the elite, private psychiatrist who had diagnosed Maya with severe postpartum anxiety and written the damning medical evaluations Evelyn had included in her custody folder. If Sterling testified that Maya was a danger to her child, the defense could argue that Evelyn’s actions, however extreme, were justified out of grandmotherly concern.
Marcus subpoenaed Dr. Sterling for a sworn deposition.
They met in a sterile conference room in Sterling’s high-end downtown clinic. Sterling was a polished man in his fifties, wearing a Rolex and an air of supreme confidence. He sat across from Marcus, flanked by his own expensive lawyers. Maya and Ryan sat silently in the corner.
“Dr. Sterling,” Marcus began, laying a stack of banking records on the table. “You diagnosed my client, Maya Whitmore, with severe postpartum psychosis after only three, twenty-minute sessions. Is that standard medical practice?”
Sterling adjusted his tie. “Psychiatry is subjective, Mr. Reed. In my professional opinion, Mrs. Whitmore was exhibiting highly unstable behavior. I was acting in the best interest of the child.”
“I see,” Marcus said smoothly. He slid a piece of paper across the table. “Can you explain why, two days after you signed that diagnosis, the Whitmore Foundation made a three-hundred-thousand-dollar ‘anonymous’ donation to your private research clinic?”
Sterling’s confidence evaporated instantly. His lawyer placed a hand over the document. “This is a coincidence. The Foundation supports many medical initiatives.”
“It’s a bribe, counselor,” Marcus snapped, his voice cracking like a whip. “And I have the subpoenaed email correspondence between Evelyn Whitmore and Dr. Sterling discussing the exact wording she wanted on Maya’s evaluation in exchange for the funding.”
Sterling turned an ugly shade of gray.
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“Here is what is going to happen,” Marcus said, leaning over the table. “You are going to surrender your medical license voluntarily tomorrow morning. You will refuse to testify for the defense, citing a conflict of interest. If you do not, I will hand these emails over to the medical board and the FBI, and you will share a prison cell with Evelyn.”
Sterling didn't say a word. He just nodded, completely defeated. Maya watched the exchange, a profound sense of closure washing over her. The medical professional who had made her doubt her own sanity was nothing but a paid mercenary. She wasn't crazy. She was the only sane person in the room.
