Corruption in the O.R by Barbara Ebel

Author:Barbara Ebel [Ebel, Barbara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barbara Mary Ebel
Published: 2019-10-04T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 18

Viktoria stood in line at the coffee shop. Since it was her first Saturday in Masonville, now she knew what to expect. Locals, serious about the start to their weekend, treated themselves to robust morning coffee. Conversation buzzed around her and the baristas tended to the drive-through line as well as the customers inside.

Linda waved a hello from her post where she conjured up orders and delivered them to the pick-up counter.

“What’ll you have?” asked a young man wearing a baseball cap featuring the store’s logo.

“Hot and frothy, I’ll take a grande vanilla cappuccino.”

“Coming right up,” he said pleasantly. He wrote her name on the cup as she handed him a fifty-dollar bill.

“You don’t work in a coffee shop, I can tell. I’ll have to rob a bank to give you change.” He smiled as he counted out her change.

“Thanks for the change and your happy attitude.” For sure, she appreciated his good-nature. After all, twelve hours ago she had held up a dead doctor.

Linda peered over as she measured out a capful of vanilla syrup. “Is Buddy outside?”

Viktoria pointed out the window. “He sure is, and he’s on very good behavior today.”

“Strays saved from the street are the best. Are his stitches out yet?”

“No. Sometime this next week.” She reached for the cup Linda handed over and added, “Your double braids are exquisite today.”

“They last a few days, you know, but like a fresh loaf of bread, I whipped them up this morning. You should try it sometime.”

“I’m overdue. Thanks. Today may be the perfect opportunity.” She followed a couple out the door and slid in the chair beside Buddy. With his leash tied to the black fence and his eyes focused on Viktoria, heads turned to acknowledge him.

Viktoria first enjoyed the cappuccino, the beautiful weather, and the smiles which appeared on peoples’ faces as they peered at Buddy. When she finished, she opened up messages on her iPhone. Nothing from her husband.

“What’s the weather like on Long Island today?” she texted. Mid-morning on a Saturday, she figured, she stood a fifty-fifty chance of hearing back from him by noon.

She threw her cup away and untied Buddy. The dog’s eyes beamed at her, and she snapped a picture. He gave her a nudge, and they walked briskly back to her unit. But before she figured out what to wear for the wedding, she played an exhausting game of ball with her border collie. She finally needed to stop because his energy was inexhaustible.

-----

Viktoria settled on a quick nap and woke up wondering about what to wear. She hoped she wasn’t going to make a mistake by going because during the whole last week, not many people had made her feel welcome. However, Dr. Benson did seem adamant that her presence would be absolutely fine. Plus, if there was a big crowd, her presence would not make a dent.

She poked her head in the closet at the smooth, wrinkle free, and nice clothes she’d hung up, much better than anything she’d thrown in the drawers.

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