Rook has a hearing impairment.”
“Then he must be given a proper opportunity to understand and answer the accusations against him.”
A murmur passed through the room.
Vane stood.
“Mrs.
Rook, surely you understand that this unfortunate gentleman’s condition is the very reason we’re here.”
I turned toward him.
“Being deaf does not make a man incapable of understanding the world, Mr.
Vane.
But it apparently makes some people believe they can lie in front of him without being challenged.”
Several people gasped.
The judge struck his gavel.
Yet he allowed Gideon to receive questions in writing.
Dr.
Pryce testified first.
He described Gideon’s childhood injuries, recent convulsions, and supposed deterioration.
Then Miriam Bell was called.
She presented her examination notes.
She explained the infection.
She described the sedative found in Gideon’s medicine.
Finally, she produced the preserved leech.
The courtroom erupted.
Judge Alden leaned forward.
“What exactly are we looking at, Doctor?”
“A medicinal leech recovered from Mr.
