章 11: Chapter 11: Will an expert testify?

'Dr Liu, I'm Elisabeth Sharman.' The doctor, Australia's foremost neurosurgeon, was an Australian-born Chinese, half a head taller than Elisabeth in her flat sandals, with clear unmarked skin and cool hands when he took Elisabeth's in his own.

'I apologise for asking you to come so early,' he said, 'But it's the only time I can be reasonably sure of being free.' It was not quite eight. 'Come in and sit down. Would you join me for coffee or tea? I am having tea.'

'Tea would be lovely, thank you.'

Elisabeth took the armchair offered. The office was comfortable. She supposed with the amount of time he would spend in it, it should be. As he placed the tea beside her Dr William Liu said, 'I've read the hospital records and studied the x-rays and scans. They were thorough in what they did for him.' He sat down opposite her. 'You say he's recovered?'

'That's what I'm told. He still has severe headaches, although his doctor says they should stop.'