Bernie Katz leaned back, waiting as patiently as he was able, which wasn't very patient. He was a surgeon, accustomed to doing things and making his own decisions, not waiting for others. One hand twirled at his mustache as he rocked in the chair.

"How well do you know Dr Caroline Ryan?"

"Cathy? I've worked with her on and off for eleven years."

"What can you tell me about her?"

"She's a brilliant surgeon, technically speaking, exceptional judgment, superbly skilled. She's one of the best instructors we have on staff. She's also a good friend. What seems to be the problem here?" Katz's eyes narrowed on his visitor.

"Sorry, I'm the guy asking the questions."

"Yeah, I can tell. Get on with it," Katz said coldly, examining the man, watching body language, expression, demeanor. He didn't like what he saw.

"Has she made any comments lately I mean, trouble at home, that sort of thing?"

"You do understand, I hope, that I am a physician, and things said to me are privileged."

"Is Cathy Ryan your patient?" the man asked.

"I've examined her in the past. We all do that here."

"Are you a psychiatrist?"

Katz nearly growled back an answer. Like most surgeons, he had a temper. "You know the answer to that."

The investigator looked up from his notes and spoke matter-of-factly. "In that case privilege does not apply. Now, could you answer the question, please?"

"No."

"No, what?"

"No, she has made no such comments, to the best of my knowledge."

"Comments on her husband, his behavior, changes in the way he's acting?"

"No. I know Jack pretty well, too. I really like the guy. He's evidently a good husband. They have two great kids, and you know the story on what happened to them some years back as well as I do, right?"

"Correct, but people change."

"Not them." Katz's comments had the finality of a death sentence.

"You seem quite certain."

"I'm a doctor. I live by my judgment. What you are alleging is crap."

"I'm alleging nothing," the investigator said, knowing it was a lie, and knowing that Katz knew it for a lie. He'd judged the man correctly from the first moment. Katz was a hotheaded, passionate man unlikely to keep any secret he deemed unworthy of being kept. Probably one hell of a doctor, too.

"I return to my original question. Has Caroline Ryan acted in any way different from, say, a year ago?"

"She's a year older. They have kids, the kids are growing up, and kids can be a bother. I have a few of my own. Okay, so she's gained a pound or two, maybe - not a bad thing, she tries to be too thin - and she's a little tireder than she ought to be. She has a long commute, and work is hard here, especially for a mother with kids."

"That's all, you think?"

"Hey, I'm an eye-cutter, not a marriage counselor. Not my field."

"Why did you say you're not a marriage counselor? I never brought that up, did I?"