Silent Fear, a Medical Mystery Read Online Free PDF Page A

The founding partner of their group looked the same as he did for last year’s birthday. He was aging like a shiny dime.
    “Celebrations suit the staff,” Bruce said. “It breaks up office monotony and gives them festivity. I’m celebrating this weekend with my wife and we’re going out of town. You’re in charge but I’ll have my cell. Harold is on call.”
    Bruce lingered. The visit seemed to be Bruce’s way of giving him a vote of confidence. He felt more at ease with his senior partner than he had in a long time and believed Bruce considered him a better surgeon than Harold and Matthew.
    “By the way,” Bruce added, “the business books are looking good. We have a slightly higher percentage of unpaid statements that billing is working on, yet income is up.” Bruce got up and tapped the desk with approval.
    “We have excellent people here, Bruce.”
    “There’s always room for improvement.” Bruce’s long stride had him out of Danny’s sight as soon as Danny got up and grabbed his stethoscope.
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    One thing Rachel liked about a ten-hour week was the distance she maintained from operating room politics. The charge nurse left her alone, too, because she was “only a part-timer.” Again, she’d played her cards just right. The day passed effortlessly, preparing and assisting with instruments in three surgery cases from an elective appendectomy to a melanoma removal. She looked forward to seeing Julia when she got off, less so for Leo.
    After Rachel drove home, slipped her key into the front door, and entered, she caught Leo coming up from the basement steps in work-out clothes and a film of sweat. Other than the TV volume being low, she didn’t hear Julia.
    “Hey, babe,” Leo said. He walked straight over to her, wrapped his arms around her shoulders, and placed a kiss on her lips. “Hey, don’t look so glum. Bad day at the office?” He tilted his head and smiled.
    “It could always be better.”
    “I’ll cheer you up.” Leo ran his fingers through her hair. “If anyone gave you trouble today, tell me. They’ll have to answer to me. I could switch their medication when they come in with a script.” He laughed and leaned in again for a possible kiss. “I tell you what, I’ll give you a break tonight and diaper Julia all the way to bedtime.”
    “That’s considerate of you, Leo.” She immediately regretted her tone. After all, there were good things about him. “Is she taking a nap?” Rachel managed a smile and kissed him back.
    “That’s more like the Rachel I know,” Leo said letting her go. “I put Julia in her playpen when I went downstairs to the gym.”
    “Thanks, I’m lucky to have such a contented baby. I’ll go see her.”
    Rachel went into the bedroom where the playpen sat near the wall and adjacent crib. Colorful toys dotted the bottom. Julia was stomach down fast asleep. She still wore the body suit Rachel had dressed her in that morning. Leo must have done a good job with her. Julia was sleeping peacefully. However, Rachel knew it was best to wake her now so that she would sleep better throughout the night. She turned her over and picked her up.
    When Julia snapped out of her sleep, her little face registered alarm. “What?” Rachel said inquisitively.
    At the doorway, Leo had followed her. He stood against the frame like a sports clothes model, suited in a muscle shirt and gym shorts. The drawstrings dangled down the front of his lower abdomen and a lighted cigarette dangled at his lips. He exhaled into the bedroom.
    Rachel focused on Julia, who immediately started squirming in her arms.
    “I know you don’t like the baby around my smoking,” Leo said. “I won’t even come in. It’s kind of sexy seeing you two there.”
    Rachel cuddled the baby and patted her back but Julia wiggled even more and began to cry. By bedtime, Rachel realized that despite her best attempts, Julia was having a bad evening. She was grateful that Leo did the last diapering