Page 31 of All My Witches
“Why would they call a medical board hearing right after a death?” Landon asked as we followed Clove down the hallway behind the nurse’s station. “Usually these things need an investigation and sworn statementsfirst.”
“It’s asoap.”
“That seems to be your excuse foreverything.”
“I don’t know what you want me to say!” I snapped out the words with more vitriol than I intended. The look on Landon’s face told me he didn’t appreciate my tone. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be so …mean.”
Landon ran his tongue over his teeth, debating. “Sweetie, you can’t let this get to you. That’s what she wants. I know it’s easier said than done, but this is all her being … well,her.”
“I didn’t mean to snap at you. It’s not your fault every woman in this world goes crazy and rips your shirtoff.”
“Yeah, what’s thatabout?”
I shrugged. “Just Aunt Tillie’s sense of humor rearing its conical hat … and then laughing at us fromafar.”
“Well, it’s getting old … andfast.”
“Yeah.”
Clove seemed to know where to go, so we followed without complaint. When we walked into a wide conference room with a rectangular table in the center, I knew things were about to getinteresting.
Three people – three women, in fact – sat behind the table. All of them wore doctor’s coats and looked stern as they stared at Sam. For his part, Sam’s color was back, but he looked oddly uncomfortable as he sat in a chair in the middle of theroom.
“What’s going on?” I asked, my eyes drifting to the doctors. “Why are Mom, Marnie and Twilahere?”
“I don’t think it’s really them,” Sam replied. “They keep asking me about being a brain surgeon on weekends and whether it’s fulfilling. They’re also interested in free legal advice, because it seems Winnie is a beauty company executive on the side and she’s looking toincorporate.”
“And I’m a ventriloquist,” Twilaadded.
“Oh, well, that seems to fit,” Imuttered.
“I’m also a mime.” As if to demonstrate, Twila started moving her hands while she pretended to be trapped in an invisiblebox.
“Very authentic,” Thistle noted. “What are we doinghere?”
“We’re here to see if Dr. Wharton will be allowed to keep his medical license,” Marnie said gravely. “He made several errors in surgery and a man died. We can’t simply overlookthat.”
“Oh, well, that makes sense.” I shook my head. “I’m sure Sam – I mean Dr. Wharton – is willing to give up his medical license if it means he can get out of here.” I looked to Sam for confirmation. “Right?”
Sam nodded vigorously. “Absolutely!”
“Now, don’t be hasty,” Clove countered. “I’ve always wanted to have sex with adoctor.”
“He’s not really a doctor,” I pointedout.
“Closeenough.”
“I’m starting to feel unloved, Clove,” Sam snapped. “I thought you were happy with our lifetogether.”
Clove balked. “I am. It’s just … haven’t you ever had a certain fantasy? I want to play doctor before we leave. Sueme.”
“Fine. Then you have to dress up like a naughtynurse.”
“Done.”
Apparently Sam wasn’t expecting Clove to capitulate so easily, because his eyebrows practically flew up his forehead. “Okay. Well … um … what were we talking about again?” He flicked his eyes to the table and found Winnie, Marnie and Twila glaring at him. “Why does this feel sofamiliar?”
“Because Aunt Tillie enjoys having fun at our expense,” Landon replied. “As for this … meeting … we need to get through it. I guarantee we won’t find that diamond in thisroom.”
