“I’m not sure why seeing me on TV would make you think you could trust me.”

She retrieved a camera from her crime scene case.

When he didn’t answer her, she said, “Tell me why Terri was disappointed.”

“You know why, and it was completely understandable. You respect people,” Oscar said. “You care about them. You help them. I stay away from doctors unless I have no choice. I can’t stand pain. I tell them to put me under, give me an injection of Demerol, do anything if it’s going to hurt. I admit it. I’m afraid of doctors. I’m afraid of pain. I can’t look at a needle if I’m injected. I can’t see it or I’ll faint. I’ll tell them to cover my eyes or inject me where I can’t see it. You aren’t going to hurt me, are you? Or give me a shot?”

“No. Nothing I do should be painful,” she said as she checked abrasions under his left ear.

They were shallow, with no sign of epithelial regeneration at the edges. Again, the scabbing was fresh. Oscar seemed reassured by what she said, and soothed by her touch.

“Whoever’s following me, spying on me,” he started on that again. “Maybe the government, but whose government? Maybe some hate cell or some cult. I know you’re not afraid of anyone or any government or any cult or group or you wouldn’t talk about the things you do on TV. Terri said the same thing. You’re her hero. If only she knew I was sitting in this room with you, talking about her. Maybe she knows. Do you believe in the after-life? That the loved one’s spirit doesn’t leave you?”

His bloodshot eyes looked up, as if looking for Terri.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do,” he said.

“Let me make sure you understand something,” Scarpetta said.

She pulled up a plastic chair and sat close to the table.

“I know nothing about this case,” she said. “I don’t know what you supposedly did or didn’t do. I don’t know who Terri is.”

Shock registered on his face. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying I was called in to examine your injuries, and agreed to do so. And I’m probably not the person you should be speaking to. Your well-being is of my utmost concern, so I’m obliged to tell you that the more you talk to me about Terri, about what happened, the bigger the risk.”

“You’re the only one I should be speaking to.”

He wiped his nose and eyes, and stared at her as if he were trying to figure out something very important.

He said, “You have your reasons. Maybe you know something.”

“You should have a lawyer. Then every word you say is privileged, unconditionally.”

“You’re a physician. Whatever we discuss is privileged. You can’t allow the police to interfere with my medical care, and they have no right to any information unless I give permission or there’s a court order. You must protect my dignity. That’s the law.”