Read Online Face Value by Michael A. Kahn - Free Book Online Page A

room?”
    â€œAnd elsewhere,” I said.
    â€œThat’s terrible. What does the hospital say?”
    â€œThey settled,” Benny said. “Rachel sued them, too. Your daughter’s one tough broad. The hospital paid up and got out.”
    â€œWell, you make sure that fish behaves tomorrow.”
    â€œI’ll try, Mom.”

Chapter Thirteen
    I assumed it would happen early in the deposition, and it did. Just ten minutes in, right after my seventh question.
    â€œObjection,” Barry Kudar said. “I instruct my client not to answer.”
    I turned to the witness. “Are you going to follow your attorney’s instructions, Doctor Mason?”
    He gave me a smug look. “I most certainly am, counsel.”
    I pulled the telephone close enough to make sure it was on camera and then turned to the court reporter. “Let that record reflect that I am dialing the direct line of St. Louis Circuit Judge Henry Winfield.”
    I hit the speaker button and started dialing.
    â€œWhat do you think you’re doing?” Kudar demanded.
    I paused and turned to him. “Exactly what the judge told me to do at the last court hearing, counsel. I called his chambers this morning to make sure he would be available if you instructed your client not to answer one of my questions.”
    I finished dialing the number.
    â€œThis is ridiculous.”
    â€œBe sure to tell that to the judge, Mr. Kudar. I am only doing what His Honor requested.”
    Dr. Mason looked from his lawyer to the telephone, which was now ringing, and back to his lawyer. For the first time that morning, he appeared to be unsure.
    The judge’s clerk answered the phone. “Judge Winfield’s chambers.”
    â€œGood morning, Cecilia. This is Rachel Gold. I am taking the deposition of Doctor Mason. An issue has come up that the judge needs to resolve.”
    â€œJust a moment, Miss Gold.”
    Kudar stared at the phone, his eyes blinking. The vein in his temple was pulsing.
    â€œCounsel?” the judge said.
    â€œGood morning, Your Honor. This is Rachel Gold. I am calling because Mr. Kudar has just instructed his client not to answer one of my questions.”
    â€œIs that true, Mr. Kudar?”
    â€œUh, yes, Your Honor, I, uh—“
    â€œSave it for later, counselor. Ms. Gold, can you have the court reporter read me the question?”
    I turned to the court reporter.
    â€œYour Honor,” I said, “our court reporter is Ms. Virginia Hansen. Proceed, Ms. Hansen.”
    She cleared her throat. “Question: Your financial statement shows that most of your savings, close to six-point-five million dollars, are invested in an entity known as Structured Resolutions. Can you describe that entity? Response: Objection. I instruct the witness not to answer.”
    There was a long pause.
    â€œMr. Kudar,” the judge said, “you instructed your client not to answer that question?”
    â€œCorrect, Your Honor.”
    â€œOn what possible grounds, sir?”
    â€œWe have given Miss Gold my client’s financial statement. Enough is enough. If she wants to know more about a particular investment, she should do her own investigation.”
    Another long pause.
    â€œTo be clear, Mr. Kudar. You do not contend that the question seeks information protected by the attorney-client privilege, correct?”
    Kudar’s turn to pause.
    â€œThat’s true, Your Honor.”
    â€œAnd you do not contend that your client’s answer would violate some confidentiality agreement with the investment entity, correct?”
    â€œWe do not, Your Honor.”
    â€œYour objection is ridiculous, Mr. Kudar, and your instruction is improper. Your objection is overruled, as is your instruction. From this point forward, Mr. Kudar, let the record reflect that every telephone call to me during this deposition that results in my overruling an objection of yours will cost you and your client