Chapter 12 - DR. VOSS UNDER OATH
Samuel Voss looked older in deposition.
Not guilty.
Older.
That unsettled Jonathan.
Villains should not look tired.
They should look easy to hate.
Voss wore a dark suit and answered carefully.
Did he arrive after Ethan’s delivery?
“Yes.”
Did he know the final note said he was present for critical portions?
“Yes.”
Why?
“Standard attending attestation.”
Was it accurate?
“In broad terms.”
Caleb leaned forward.
“Were you physically present when Ethan was delivered?”
“No.”
“During neonatal chest compressions?”
“No.”
“Then how is ‘present for critical portions’ accurate?”
Voss hesitated.
“Critical portions can include operative management after extraction.”
Caleb let the silence sit.
Then Laura.
“Did you cancel the ultrasound?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Her vital signs were initially acceptable.”
“Did Teresa Hale disagree?”
“Yes.”
“Did Laura report worsening left-sided pain?”
“I don’t recall.”
Caleb placed the texts.
Voss read them.
“Do these refresh your memory?”
“No.”
Then the email draft.
Sam says I’m anxious.
Voss’s face changed slightly.
Caleb asked:
“Did you tell Laura Reed she was anxious?”
“I may have reassured her that anxiety after a difficult birth can amplify symptoms.”
Jonathan’s hands tightened under the table.
Caleb continued.
“Did you know her hemoglobin was dropping?”
“Yes.”
“How much?”
Voss gave numbers.
The decline was meaningful.
Not necessarily catastrophic alone.
But meaningful.
“Why cancel imaging?”
“Clinical judgment.”
“Would you make the same decision today?”
Voss stopped.
That was the question.
Not malpractice language.
Not standard of care.
Would you do it again?
He looked down.
“No.”
Jonathan felt no triumph.
Only grief.
Caleb asked:
“Why was the neonatal resuscitation form marked entered in error?”
Voss’s face tightened.
“I didn’t do that.”
“Who did?”
“I don’t know.”
“Did you discuss documentation with Colin Graves?”
“Yes.”
“Before Laura’s emergency surgery?”
“I don’t recall.”
The email appeared.
Routine postoperative pathway up to acute event.
May you like
Voss read it.
For the first time, he looked afraid.
