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

plastic spirometer in her hands alongside Michael’s bedside. “I’m trying to get your partner’s young patient to use this as vibrantly as he probably plays on a basketball court.”
    “We’ll talk about that, then,” Harold said and introduced himself to Michael. “You were almost my patient so I’m glad to take care of you this morning for my partner.”
    The youngster’s head was still wrapped and his eyes still glazed, as if anesthesia still hung on to him. “Oh,” he said. “Where are my Mom and Dad?”
    “They’ll be in a little later,” Peggy said, putting down the spirometer.
    Michael fumbled for the wash cloth, brought it to his mouth, and expelled saliva which kept accumulating unnecessarily.
    “He’s a wet one, Dr. Jackowitz,” Peggy said.
    “If those secretions are coming from your throat,” Harold said, looking closer at Michael, “it’s best to keep practicing deep breathing with this plastic bedside breathing machine.”
    Michael blinked his eyes in acknowledgement. Harold leaned in with his stethoscope. “Take a good breath,” he said. Michael inhaled and slobbered more on his washcloth, Harold, and his stethoscope when he exhaled.
    Harold wiped his hands on what he hoped was the clean part of the cloth from Michael and then handed it carefully to Peggy. She brought another one from a fresh linen pile.
    “We’ll keep our eyes on your lungs,” Harold said. “They’re clear right now.” Harold examined the wrapping around his head; no blood stains, pus, or bulging. “Dr. Tilson will see you next time. You’ll be back on a boat or on a basketball court before you know it.”
    Michael scrunched his eyebrows. “I’m groggy, but I know I don’t play basketball.”
    Harold smiled at Peggy as Michael closed his eyes. “Let’s go see Mr. Neal,” he said.
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    Troy Neal had his bed inclined just enough so he could stare at the liquid breakfast that sat on the tray before him. “Good morning,” Harold said when they arrived. “I’m Dr. Jackowitz, we’ve met briefly before.”
    “You work with Dr. Tilson. I hope one of you will let me go home soon.” Troy scratched the unshaven stubble on his chin and looked pleadingly at the both of them.
    “Except that you’re still running a fever, Mr. Neal. Dr. Tilson thinks that cleaning out the abscess yesterday went fine and it won’t need to be done again. He’ll get you discharged one of these days, I promise.”
    “Actually, Dr. Jackowitz,” Peggy said, “Mr. Neal had a higher temp last night.”
    Troy gestured for the hand towel near Harold as he contorted his face and vomited a small amount of fluid. Harold slid his hand and the towel underneath his chin. “I’m sorry,” Troy said. “I didn’t know that upchuck was coming until it was too late.”
    Peggy grabbed the cloth, gave him a new one, and stepped to the sink to wash her hands with Harold.
    “Accidents happen,” Harold said, returning to Troy. He listened to Troy’s chest and wrapped his stethoscope back around his neck. “Dr. Tilson will see you the next time. For today, you’re not going anywhere.”
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    That evening, Danny’s ex-wife, Sara, felt ambivalent about going to the original Tilson’s family residence. The girls were also coming. Mary wanted to show Sara bridal magazines so they could pick out Sara’s maid of honor dress. Sara figured the chances of Danny being there were fifty-fifty. She had avoided any lengthy time with him except when it came to matters of their daughters, Annabel and Nancy, and legal matters were pretty much in the past as well. Danny’s affair had marred her femininity. She thought they had a solid marriage but the end of it signaled to her just how fickle life really was. His infidelity stung like a wound that had healed but the scar still remained.
    Since Danny appeared to be getting his integrity and professionalism back the last two months, he also seemed willing to help her more often with the