you put it together, Stoney? Do you know where everything goes?â
âNo problem. Itâs all in a map in my head. And Iâll redo the wiring, eh? It donât take a genius to rewire a car, whether youâredoinâ a vw bug or some kinda luxomobile. I can do it, Mr. Beauchamp. You gotta believe in me. I know you think Iâm full of talk, but one thing I do know is electrical systems.â
My mind forms a picture of myself describing this woeful scene to my mechanic in Vancouver. His look of confusion gives way to barely concealed mirth, and the sinister gleam of avarice shines from his eyes. But I must call him today, and be prepared to pay an arm and a leg.
How to explain to Stoney that I shall be sending my trade elsewhere? I commence with a lie. âStoney, itâs not that I donât have confidence in you . . .â
But suddenly I stay my tongue. Oddly, it is as if an angel of peace descends upon my weary shoulders, and I find myself relaxing. It is a mere possession, a material thing, a chattel.
âLetâs see if you can get it on the road again.â
âAnd Iâll do the bodywork on the fender.â
Incredibly, I find myself smiling. I clap Stoney on the back, offer him some reassuring words, then return to my 1969 Dodge pickup with the passenger door that wonât shut.
DIRECT EXAMINATION BY MS. BLUEMAN
Q
Your name is Dr. Rosa Sanchez.
A
Yes.
Q
And you are a qualified medical practitioner â
MR. CLEAVER:
Iâll admit her qualifications. District pathologist.
THE COURT:
Okay, proceed, Miss Blueman.
Q
On the early-morning hours of November twenty-eighth last, did you examine a certain Ms. Kimberley Martin?
A
Yes, at the North Shore General Hospital, at six oâclock in the morning. I was called in.
Q
Okay, and state the results of your examination.
A
I noted some redness on the interior aspects of both wrists and both ankles, an inch-long latitudinal lesion on her left shin, and some chafing there. On the inner aspect of her right breast I also found some recent bruising, two protruded areas, slightly purple. Also some slight haematoma of her exterior vaginal area, just a faint reddening, really. And . . .
Q
Yes? What else did you find?
A
Some recent bruising in the area of her anus.
MR. CLEAVER:
Her . . . Just a minute, I donât have any particulars of this. . . .
MS. BLUEMAN:
I think if youâll look at the copy of Dr. Sanchezâs report â
THE COURT:
Mr. Cleaver?
MR. CLEAVER:
Um, yes, well, is the complainant saying she was buggered?
THE COURT:
I donât see a charge of buggery on this information, Miss Blueman.
MS. BLUEMAN:
Good Lord, is it necessary?
THE COURT:
Miss Blueman! This is no place for profanity. ⦠The charge is sexual assault, so I suppose it subsumes a case of anal penetration. But that slight reddening could be from anything, couldnât it, doctor? A rash. One often gets . . . Oh, never mind. Excuse me, I believe sheâs your witness, Miss Blueman.
MS. BLUEMAN:
Yes, your honour, you can cross-examine her after I finish.
THE COURT:
I wasnât â
MS. BLUEMAN:
Iâm sorry, perhaps your honour was seeking some private medical information.
THE COURT:
Miss . . . Oh, just carry on. Itâs getting near the end of the day and Iâm tired. Get on with your witness.
Q
Doctor, did you do any tests for sperm?
A
Yes, I took a swab sample from within the patientâs vagina and subsequently examined it under a microscope. I found no sign of sperm.
MS. BLUEMAN:
Please answer my learned friendâs questions.
CROSS-EXAMINATION BY MR. CLEAVER
Q
No sperm. But if sexual intercourse had occurred several hours later you would expect to find thousands of the little beasties, wouldnât you? Alive and kicking.
A
If there had been discharge, yes, I would expect to find motile sperm. Assuming no condom.
Q
Did you see any cuts, bite marks, anything you could really call a wound?
A
Nothing that I
âNo problem. Itâs all in a map in my head. And Iâll redo the wiring, eh? It donât take a genius to rewire a car, whether youâredoinâ a vw bug or some kinda luxomobile. I can do it, Mr. Beauchamp. You gotta believe in me. I know you think Iâm full of talk, but one thing I do know is electrical systems.â
My mind forms a picture of myself describing this woeful scene to my mechanic in Vancouver. His look of confusion gives way to barely concealed mirth, and the sinister gleam of avarice shines from his eyes. But I must call him today, and be prepared to pay an arm and a leg.
How to explain to Stoney that I shall be sending my trade elsewhere? I commence with a lie. âStoney, itâs not that I donât have confidence in you . . .â
But suddenly I stay my tongue. Oddly, it is as if an angel of peace descends upon my weary shoulders, and I find myself relaxing. It is a mere possession, a material thing, a chattel.
âLetâs see if you can get it on the road again.â
âAnd Iâll do the bodywork on the fender.â
Incredibly, I find myself smiling. I clap Stoney on the back, offer him some reassuring words, then return to my 1969 Dodge pickup with the passenger door that wonât shut.
DIRECT EXAMINATION BY MS. BLUEMAN
Q
Your name is Dr. Rosa Sanchez.
A
Yes.
Q
And you are a qualified medical practitioner â
MR. CLEAVER:
Iâll admit her qualifications. District pathologist.
THE COURT:
Okay, proceed, Miss Blueman.
Q
On the early-morning hours of November twenty-eighth last, did you examine a certain Ms. Kimberley Martin?
A
Yes, at the North Shore General Hospital, at six oâclock in the morning. I was called in.
Q
Okay, and state the results of your examination.
A
I noted some redness on the interior aspects of both wrists and both ankles, an inch-long latitudinal lesion on her left shin, and some chafing there. On the inner aspect of her right breast I also found some recent bruising, two protruded areas, slightly purple. Also some slight haematoma of her exterior vaginal area, just a faint reddening, really. And . . .
Q
Yes? What else did you find?
A
Some recent bruising in the area of her anus.
MR. CLEAVER:
Her . . . Just a minute, I donât have any particulars of this. . . .
MS. BLUEMAN:
I think if youâll look at the copy of Dr. Sanchezâs report â
THE COURT:
Mr. Cleaver?
MR. CLEAVER:
Um, yes, well, is the complainant saying she was buggered?
THE COURT:
I donât see a charge of buggery on this information, Miss Blueman.
MS. BLUEMAN:
Good Lord, is it necessary?
THE COURT:
Miss Blueman! This is no place for profanity. ⦠The charge is sexual assault, so I suppose it subsumes a case of anal penetration. But that slight reddening could be from anything, couldnât it, doctor? A rash. One often gets . . . Oh, never mind. Excuse me, I believe sheâs your witness, Miss Blueman.
MS. BLUEMAN:
Yes, your honour, you can cross-examine her after I finish.
THE COURT:
I wasnât â
MS. BLUEMAN:
Iâm sorry, perhaps your honour was seeking some private medical information.
THE COURT:
Miss . . . Oh, just carry on. Itâs getting near the end of the day and Iâm tired. Get on with your witness.
Q
Doctor, did you do any tests for sperm?
A
Yes, I took a swab sample from within the patientâs vagina and subsequently examined it under a microscope. I found no sign of sperm.
MS. BLUEMAN:
Please answer my learned friendâs questions.
CROSS-EXAMINATION BY MR. CLEAVER
Q
No sperm. But if sexual intercourse had occurred several hours later you would expect to find thousands of the little beasties, wouldnât you? Alive and kicking.
A
If there had been discharge, yes, I would expect to find motile sperm. Assuming no condom.
Q
Did you see any cuts, bite marks, anything you could really call a wound?
A
Nothing that I
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