As Time Goes By by Mary Higgins Clark Page A

Grant had been sleeping. In your expert medical opinion, was the injury you observed consistent with the victim being struck in the back of the head with this type of object?”
    â€œYes. The injury I observed could have been caused by a pestle of this size or other similar object. Let me explain. If the victim had been struck by a larger, heavier object, such as a hammer or a baseball bat, there would have been much more severe external injury and substantial bleeding. An injury from a much smaller object, such as a pestle, will cause internal injury to the brain, but often there is no external bleeding.”
    â€œWas there any external bleeding here?”
    â€œNo, there was not.”
    As the questioning went on, Delaney tried to analyze the reaction of the jury to the testimony they were hearing. She noticed that the eyes of several of them shifted to look at Betsy Grant. Tears were slipping quietly down her cheeks as she absorbed the reality of the blow to her husband’s head.
    Delaney listened as Robert Maynard asked just a few questions of the medical examiner. It was clear to her that the witness had undoubtedly established that Edward Grant had died from a blow to his head, not the result under any circumstances of an accident.
    When questioning of the witness ended, it was nearly one o’clock. Judge Roth turned to the jury and told them that it was time for the lunch recess. “Ladies and gentlemen, we will resume at two fifteen. During this break do not discuss the testimony among yourselves or with anyone else. Have a very pleasant lunch.”
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    When the proceedings resumed, the prosecutor called Frank Bruno, the lawyer handling Dr. Grant’s estate. Approximately sixty years old, with a reserved and serious demeanor, he explained that after the death of Dr. Grant’s first wife, their son Alan Grant had been the sole heir to his father’s estate. Dr. Grant had revised his will after he married Betsy Ryan, then designating both as equal co-heirs except that the home and its contents would solely remain with Betsy. He had also provided that if he ever became incapacitated, Betsy Grant would have power of attorney to make legal, financial and medical decisions for him.
    Under further questioning by the prosecutor, he testified that the current value of the estate, apart from the home and contents, was about fifteen million dollars. He further stated that two non-family members, Angela Watts and Carmen Sanchez, had received bequests in the will. Each was left twenty-five thousand dollars. Bruno did not know if either was aware of her bequest before Dr. Grant died.
    Robert Maynard then began cross-examination.
    â€œMr. Bruno, how old is Alan Grant now?”
    â€œHe is thirty-five years old.”
    â€œAnd would it be fair to say that for various reasons he has had over the last many years severe financial pressures?”
    â€œI would say that that is accurate.”
    â€œAnd is it fair to say that his father gave him a great deal of financial assistance?”
    â€œYes, he did.”
    â€œIs it also fair to say that a little over a decade ago his father had become very impatient with his lifestyle?”
    â€œYes, he had. His only employment was as a commercial photographer, and it was not very steady.”
    â€œDo you know if Betsy Grant expressed an opinion on this scenario?”
    â€œYes, she did. She felt strongly that his annual gift or allowance should be limited to one hundred thousand dollars a year, which was less than half of what he was used to receiving.”
    â€œDid the doctor make that change?”
    â€œYes, he did.”
    â€œIf you know, what was Alan Grant’s reaction?”
    â€œHe was furious and barely spoke to his father for months after that.”
    â€œWhat were his feelings toward Betsy?”
    â€œHe blamed her for his father’s decision and immensely resented her.”
    â€œMr.