The Apprentice: A Rizzoli & Isles Novel

condition of excited delirium, which had killed other cocaine-addled prisoners.
    But months later, the toxicology report showed only alcohol in Dixon’s system. It left no doubt in Maura’s mind that the manner of death was homicide. And one of the killers now sat at the defense table, staring at Maura.
    “I have no further questions,” said Aguilar and she sat down, looking confident that she had successfully made her case.
    Morris Whaley, the defense attorney, rose for the cross-examination, and Maura felt her muscles tense. Whaley appeared cordial enough as he approached the witness stand, as if he intended only to have a friendly chat. Had they met at a cocktail party, she might have found him pleasant company, an attractive enough man in his Brooks Brothers suit.
    “I think we’re all impressed by your credentials, Dr. Isles,” he said. “So I won’t take up any more of the court’s time reviewing your academic achievements.”
    She said nothing, just stared at his smiling face, wondering from which direction the attack would come.
    “I don’t think anyone in this room doubts that you’ve worked hard to get where you are today,” Whaley continued. “Especially taking into account some of the challenges you’ve faced in your personal life in the past few months.”
    “Objection.” Aguilar heaved an exasperated sigh and stood. “This is not relevant.”
    “It is, your honor. It goes to the witness’s judgment,” said Whaley.
    “How so?” the judge countered.
    “Past experiences can affect how a witness interprets the evidence.”
    “What experiences are you referring to?”
    “If you’ll allow me to explore that issue, it will become apparent.”
    The judge stared hard at Whaley. “For the moment, I’ll allow this line of questioning. But only for the moment.”
    Aguilar sat back down, scowling.
    Whaley turned his attention back to Maura. “Dr. Isles, do you happen to recall the date that you examined the deceased?”
    Maura paused, taken aback by the abrupt return to the topic of the autopsy. It did not slip past her that he’d avoided using the victim’s name.
    “You are referring to Mr. Dixon?” she said, and saw irritation flicker in his eyes.
    “Yes.”
    “The date of the postmortem was November first of last year.”
    “And on that date, did you determine the cause of death?”
    “Yes. As I said earlier, he died of massive internal hemorrhage secondary to a ruptured spleen.”
    “On that same date, did you also specify the manner of death?”
    She hesitated. “No. At least, not a final—”
    “Why not?”
    She took a breath, aware of all the eyes watching her. “I wanted to wait for the results of the toxicology screen. To see whether Mr. Dixon was, in fact, under the influence of cocaine or other pharmaceuticals. I wanted to be cautious.”
    “As well you should. When your decision could destroy the careers, even the lives, of two dedicated peace officers.”
    “I don’t concern myself with consequences, Mr. Whaley. I only concern myself with the facts. Wherever they may lead.”
    He didn’t like that answer; she could see it in the twitch of his jaw muscle. All semblance of cordiality had vanished; this was now a battle.
    “So you performed the autopsy on November first,” he said.
    “Yes.”
    “What happened after that?”
    “I’m not sure what you’re referring to.”
    “Did you take the weekend off? Did you spend the following week performing other autopsies?”
    She stared at him, anxiety coiling like a serpent in her stomach. She didn’t know where he was taking this, but she didn’t like the direction. “I attended a pathology conference,” she said.
    “In Wyoming, I believe.”
    “Yes.”
    “Where you had something of a traumatic experience. You were assaulted by a rogue police officer.”
    Aguilar shot to her feet. “Objection! Not relevant!”
    “Overruled,” the judge said.
    Whaley smiled, his path now cleared to ask the questions that Maura dreaded. “Is that correct, Dr. Isles?” Whaley asked. “Were you attacked by a police officer?”
    “Yes,” she whispered.
    “I’m afraid I didn’t hear that.”
    “Yes,” she repeated, louder.
    “And how did you survive that attack?”
    The room was dead silent, waiting for her story. A story she didn’t even want to think about, because it still gave her nightmares. She remembered the lonely hilltop in Wyoming. She remembered the thud of the deputy’s vehicle door as it closed,