“I have seen the footage,” he said. “It’s deeply touching to watch. Mrs. Benvenuto smiles. She makes noises, which sound like efforts to speak. She seems to respond as if she were conscious. But I’ve also read summaries of the reports on the tests of her brain function. These tests have been conducted multiple times in multiple facilities by multiple experts. Each time, they have been conclusive. In my judgment, this is not a right-to-life issue. Her heart is beating, but she will never recover consciousness. Her body will never be able to survive without the help of machines. By law, the decision to continue artificial life support or to cease falls to her next of kin. That person happens to be her husband, not her parents. There’s no disputing this fact. Hence, the choice, however heartbreaking, belongs to him. As much as I may personally disagree with his choice, the law in this matter is clear.”

“If she were your wife,” the journalist asked, “would you do the same?”

“In my career, I’ve performed dozens of transplant surgeries,” Baird said. “In almost every case, the heart that saved a life came from the body of a person whose loved ones had to confront these exact circumstances. This is why Eleanor and I are both organ donors, and why we have a notarized living will. So yes, Carl, I would do the same, and I know for a fact that, given the choice, Eleanor would also.”

The audience did not react much one way or the other, but, next to me, Andy Goldberg swelled.

“I know I’m not an expert like Dr. Baird, Carl,” Arch said. “But do I get to weigh in?”

“Absolutely, Mr. Creigh,” the journalist said.

Arch placed his hands on the lectern. His smile closed into an expression of solemnity.

“I, too, have seen the video footage,” Arch said. “I find it hard to believe Mrs. Benvenuto has no brain function whatsoever. She certainly seems to be not just alive, but conscious. But as I’ve said, I’m no expert. I am, however, a man of faith. And my faith teaches me that all life is sacred, regardless of whether it can sustain itself without assistance. That goes for the unborn as well as for the sick.”

I glanced over at Vanessa. Her eyes were locked on Arch, her jaw set firm, her face calm and serene, unwavering.

“I believe our elected officials have a moral obligation to protect those who can’t protect themselves, even from their own husbands or mothers,” Arch said. “So while in principle I believe we should defer to the judgment of expert medical professionals, I don’t think it’s appropriate for Congress to just stand aside and let such a sensitive matter be settled with cold reason rather than compassion.”

“Dr. Baird, fifteen seconds,” the journalist said.

“You’re right about one thing, Mr. Creigh,” Baird said. “You’re not an expert.”