So, after originating the idea for organ regeneration,” said Rosen, still seated at the end of the judges’ desks, “you went to Africa to work with a UN mercy mission.”
“That’s correct,” Jesse replied.
“And you did not work on the organ regeneration program at Omnitech’s Grenford Laboratory?”
“I did not.”
“Not at all?”
“Oh, I talked with my brother about the progress of his program when it first got under way, but by the time I got back from Africa he had already put together a team of Omnitech employees and medical consultants from several hospitals and research centers.”
Rosen seemed to think that over for a few moments, hands pressed together prayerfully before his face. Then he asked, “Did you receive any financial remuneration from Omnitech Corporation?”
Jesse grinned at him. “Not one penny.”
“Did you ask for compensation?”
“No. Why should I?”
“Again I ask,” Arthur called from his seat on the front bench, “what does this have to do with the scientific facts?”
Jesse turned in his chair to see his brother. Arthur was clearly angry, his face a storm cloud. “Does it really change the scientific data if someone was paid by Omnitech or not? Are you implying that the scientists who worked on this program biased their results according to who signed their paychecks? That’s monstrous!”
Graves reached for gavel, a pained look on his face. Rosen gave Arthur a wintry smile.
“Dr. Marshak,” said the examiner, “you are the one who has used the word ‘biased,’ not I.”
“If you’re implying that my staff people deliberately altered their research results to suit some corporate objective, I’ll sue you for libel!”
Jesse had never seen Arthur so boiled. He almost laughed out loud; Arby never let his emotions show like this. Rosen must really be getting to him.
The chief judge was pointing his gavel at Arthur, saying, “This is not the proper forum for such an outburst!”
Arthur got his feet. “This isn’t the proper forum for smearing honest, dedicated scientists!”
“Dr. Marshak, sit down and be quiet!” Graves screeched.
“I will when you instruct that inquisitor to stop maligning my staff scientists!”
Rosen, still in his chair, raised both his hands, palms outward. “I assure you, Dr. Marshak, that I have no desire to malign anyone.”
“Then retract your insinuation,” Arthur snapped.
“I made no insinuation. I merely asked if your brother received any compensation from Omnitech. If you like, we can have the clerk read it back from the transcript.”
“The implication was clear,” Arthur said. But he sat down.
Jesse turned back toward the judges and the examiner. Wow! he thought. Arby’s going to pop his cork before this is over.