Read Online Twisted River by Siobhan MacDonald - Free Book Online Page B

flashed between him and Dana. He winked as if to let her in on a joke. Dana was getting under his skin. She was the outsider in the room. But if he was honest, he knew what was really pissing him off. He needed sugar. At this point in the afternoon, he always craved it. Like he could devour a Hershey’s bar in one single bite, and then another, and another. Instead, he’d send Dana out for a linseed snack bar and a fat-free latte. He couldn’t afford to feel bunged up. He was meeting Harry later.
    â€œThere was a lot of decay?”
    The woman looked at him, wide-eyed and relieved. He depressed the chair lever and slowly brought her into an upright position.
    â€œIt was in pretty bad shape, for sure.” Oscar pulled down his mask, allowing the woman to see him properly.
    â€œBut don’t worry. I’ve fixed it. That composite will last you a lifetime. Some dentists do a quick fix. Their fillings look good for a while, but a few years down the line they need to be replaced. I, on the other hand, stand behind my work—I’m confident you won’t have any more problems with that tooth.”
    â€œThat’s good to hear.” She edged out of the chair and onto her feet. “But just in case, I think I’ll go easy on the Twizzlers from now on!”
    â€œReally? You don’t look like a woman who splurges on candy . . .” Oscar towered over his petite patient.
    â€œWould you like to settle up at reception, Miss Housemann?” Dana shot him a look colder than a witch’s tit.
    Shit. He should be more careful. He was still learning. He hadn’t meant anything by it. But Dana knew how to keep him in line.
    With the room to himself, Oscar became aware that his shoulders and neck were tight now. He stretched an arm behind his neck, pulling back an elbow with his other arm. His triceps felt tight. He repeated the stretch on the other side.
    With the door to reception ajar, he watched as Dana took the patient’s insurance details, her heavy bosom resting on the counter.
    â€œThe other dentist gone?” asked his pretty patient.
    â€œThere’s no other dentist here, Miss Housemann.”
    â€œOh . . . but the last time I was here—a couple of years ago, I think, there was a female dentist—a tall, striking lady.”
    â€œI don’t know anything about that, Miss Housemann. Before my time.”
    â€œOh, I see . . .” The woman handed Dana a plastic card.
    â€œYou’re new here, then?”
    Jesus, the woman was a talker. It wasn’t just the nerves.
    â€œNot exactly. Been here two years.”
    Oscar smiled. The old battle-ax was getting tired of the questions herself. She wasn’t a warm woman and he’d be up the Swanee if he was relying on her to generate any new custom. It was just as well he had a solid network of his own.
    â€œThat must explain it,” said Miss Housemann.
    Oscar twisted from side to side, loosening out his back.
    â€œYou want to look at our revised insurance plan?” he heard Dana ask.
    She might not have been warm but at least she was good on the business side.
    â€œSure.” The woman took the leaflet. “So, that female dentist? She moved to another practice?”
    Oscar straightened sharply from his sideways stretch.
    â€œMa’am, she could have gone on the last Apollo mission for all I know. It’s just me, Mr. Harvey, and the hygienist.”
    â€œOh, I’m sorry . . . I didn’t mean to . . . Thank you, thank you very much,” said his patient, embarrassed, fastening her purse in a hurry.
    Oscar was gripped by unease. As he stood at the window watching the woman emerge into the busy street below, he wondered if she could be a journalist. A private investigator, even?
    Dana poked her head around the door.
    â€œAn extraction in another twenty minutes, Mr. Harvey.”
    â€œOkay, Dana. Thank you. Oh, and Dana,