Booktree.ng_Forgotten-Witness

Judge Iona, but last I heard she was retired and living in
Vermont with her daughter. There is an initial that I imagine to
be a doctor’s, but that’s really all the information I have. I will
have to assume that this assessment was acceptable to Judge
Iona, and that Ha Kuna House was deemed an appropriate
venue. Do you have some reason to believe that it is not an
acceptable place for the lady?”
“We have seen the facilities and everything seems to be in
order,” Stephen answered. “However, we are concerned about
the lack of on-site medical assistance. Should weather turn, it
would be impossible for Ha Kuna administrators to get doctors
in from Maui or, if a specialist was needed, from the mainland.
Mr. Reynolds was unwilling to provide even the slightest
information regarding the condition of Emily Bates while we,
who had only seen her for less than an hour, were aware that
there are certainly mental difficulties. Ms. Bates is concerned
there might be physical consequences to this condition. We do
know that she is medicated twice a day, but we are not privy to
what that medication is or what particular ailment it
addresses.”
Stephen skirted the issue of how they knew Emily was
medicated twice a day, deeming this the improper time to
bring up Amelia. There was a fine line between appropriate
concerns and conspiracy theories.
“There are only two aides to care for four patients at the
facility. Add to this that Emily Bates has been missing from
her family for twenty-seven years, and I’m sure you will agree
that there are medical issues afoot. No one would voluntarily
remain away from a loving family as Emily Bates has. There
had to be a concrete reason for this behavior which was
aberrant based on all accounts.”
“All accounts being those of Josephine Bates, your client,
isn’t that correct, Mr. Kyle?”
“Certainly correct, Your Honor, since we can imagine no
better witness to the state of Emily Bates’ mind before her
disappearance than the daughter she doted on. As with