Death by Request (Caribbean Murder #11)

“Yes, of course she was,” said Dr. Padden startled, “no question about it.”


“There was a possibility Tara could have returned and lived a useful life?” Mattheus tried to absorb this strange fact.

“Who is to say whether a life is useful or not?” Dr. Padden was offended by the question. “That is not a judgment I would make, nor should anybody. Who is to say how long a person deserves to remain alive? Who is so wise to decide their moment of death? Still, some family members feel differently. They don’t want to risk having their loved permanently disabled. Some feel tremendously relieved when the patient passes away. Some actively ask the staff to help the person die.”

“That’s illegal in Jamaica, isn’t it?” asked Mattheus, looking at Dr. Padden carefully.

“Yes, euthanasia is illegal here,” Dr. Padden said, “we are not able to respect requests of that kind.”

“It must happen anyway, though,” said Mattheus, confidentially. “Doesn’t it?”

“I have nothing to say about that,” Dr. Padden said, professionally. “If it happens, I know nothing of it.”

“But when the toxicology results come back, like they did with Tara, it’s clear when someone intervenes,” Mattheus insisted.

“Yes, in Tara’s case, it was clear,” Dr. Padden commented. “Many families don’t request toxicology reports or autopsies though.”

Mattheus bolted up straight. “Who requested them for Tara?”

“I believe her brother, Hank, insisted,” Dr. Padden said, startling Mattheus.

“Her brother suspected foul play?” Mattheus asked.

A strange look came over Dr. Padden’s face. “Her brother suspected that someone intervened in Tara’s passing,” he replied methodically.

“Who did it? Who?” asked Mattheus, suddenly agitated.

“That question is not within my domain,” Dr. Padden remarked, “I look to you for that answer.”

“Help me out, give me some suggestions,” Mattheus wouldn’t back away.

“I can’t say who, but I will say one thing,” Dr. Padden relented, “there was a great deal of pressure on the hospital for this case to end.”

“Pressure on the hospital to let Tara die?” Mattheus was horrified.

“All kinds of voices were raised in the matter,” Dr. Padden replied, edgy. “Some insisted it was cruel to keep the patient alive. Actually, there was nothing cruel about it. Tara was in absolutely no pain. The ones who suffered most were the family who kept waiting for her to return.”

“What other voices were raised?” asked Mattheus?

“The paparazzi started camping out at our doors in increasing numbers every day,” Dr. Padden said frankly. “Hospital officials, patients and visitors found them invasive, intrusive and disturbing, to say the least.”

“I can only imagine,” said Mattheus. “What other voices were raised?”

“One newspaper article went so far as to suggest that Tara remained in a coma due to medical incompetency and error. They called for the hospital to be investigated,” said Dr. Padden nervously.

That was the first Mattheus heard of that.

“Of course Konrad, our hospital administrator, knew how to get around that claim. Up to now, anyway,” Dr. Padden continued.

“What’s changing now?” asked Mattheus.

“The pressure’s increasing since Tara passed away,” he said. “Many are convinced her husband is innocent. Owen himself has started a letter writing campaign. He’s in touch with Senators, reporters, you name it.”

“Unusual behavior for a grieving husband,” Mattheus commented.

“People grieve in all kinds of ways,” Dr. Padden replied.

“Are the press blaming the staff who cared for Tara, are they blaming you?” Mattheus could not hold back.

“There’s no question of blaming me at all!” Dr Padden’s face flushed. “If you check, you’ll see that I have an impeccable record. I, personally, have not made even one of the normal medical errors that naturally plague others.”

“Plague who?” asked Mattheus.

“All hospitals and physicians are subject to medical error,” Dr Padden suddenly became harsh. “That’s why we’re burdened with such huge malpractice insurance costs.”

“Yes, of course,” said Mattheus, suddenly wondering about the medical mistakes that went on at this hospital. This was something he definitely had to check out quickly. “I’m sure you’ve done a wonderful job, Dr. Padden” Mattheus turned to him warmly then and changed his tone. “And you’ve been incredibly helpful. I appreciate your time, I appreciate your expertise.”