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

as the dog weaved between his legs.
    “We’re about finished but we saved you some,” Casey said, as he stopped scraping the grill clean.
    “Thanks,” Danny said. His heart quickened when he focused on Sara. “Hi Sara, it’s nice to see you.”
    “You too, Danny,” she said. He showered her with a spirited smile and she noted his genuine rapport with Dakota.
    “Hey Dad,” Nancy said. “We’re coming over this weekend.”
    “Good. I hope you don’t mind that Julia will be here, too.”
    “That’s big news, Danny,” Mary said. “Don’t you think we need to get a little prepared? Babies need special things, you know.”
    Danny shot a wistful glance at Sara. “I know, I’ve had experience.”
    “Dad,” Annabel said, “there are a few old things in the basement at the house. You and Mom were a bit like pack rats.”
    Danny looked at Sara. “That’s fine with me,” Sara said. “You girls can bring over any baby items you find.”
    “I’ll help you buy anything else, Danny,” Casey said.
    “Thanks.” Danny took the platter which had the last kabob and pushed the meat, onions, and peppers off the skewer. Mary went in the house for another wine glass, and placed it in front of him.
    “Annabel has good news,” Sara said.
    Rotating her head to show everyone, Annabel raised her upper lip as much as she could.
    Nancy shook her head. “What is that supposed to mean, you idiot?”
    Annabel shot her a fiery glance. “Why don’t you car wash the inside of your mouth!”
    Casey went over to Annabel from behind and gently gave her a head lock. Annabel reached up and pushed his arm away. “When are you getting your braces off?” Casey asked. “You haven’t even had them on that long.”
    “In time for the wedding.” Annabel beamed.
    “The orthodontist said she didn’t have much of a bite issue,” Sara said. “The crooked tooth has straightened and aligned with the others.”
    “Congrats on that,” Danny said. “That’ll shave time off your teeth cleaning.”
    Annabel shook her head. “At least I won’t look like a dork in the wedding pictures.”
    “Who says?” Nancy said.
    “Come on girls,” Mary said, before they lit into each other again. “Let’s clear the table. Your Dad can finish eating.”
    Sara went to get up. “No,” Mary said. “You finish your wine.”
    Mary, Annabel, and Nancy went in the house with dirty dishes. Dakota watched but stayed alongside Danny.
    “I’ll be back,” Casey said, following them, “with another bottle of wine.”
    After putting his fork down, Danny moved his chair closer to the iron table. “I’m glad you stayed for dinner, Sara. We don’t get to talk one on one.”
    Sara felt comfortable after taking a few deep breaths, enough to look at him, especially after the wine had taken the edge off. They didn’t have difficult divorce matters to contend with now, so she needed to relax.
    “But I’m here for other reasons, Danny.” Sara opened her palm, splaying her fingers to suggest a handful of reasons.
    “I know.” Danny allowed a silence, enough to let him concentrate on her orange-ginger aroma from her hair products. “You look so pretty right now. You usually do. I never used to tell you that often enough.”
    “Danny, please don’t.”
    “Okay, but it’s true, and it’s how I feel. I wasn’t too bright but I did make an excellent choice for a wife. And the girls have the best mother.” He smiled but then the smile dissipated from his face as he looked into her eyes. “Sara, I miss you. I really do.”
     
     
    Chapter 4
     
    Except for Matthew Jacob, the newest and youngest surgeon of The Neurosurgical Group of Middle Tennessee, Bruce, Danny, and Harold had full office schedules on Wednesday. It started out partly cloudy as Danny left the big house, but by mid-morning the steady rain outside the office windows amplified the weather channel’s dreary updates.
    Danny finished seeing a regular patient for intracranial