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Dottie stayed in the closet, petrified with indecision as she thought about what she’d heard. She was sick with fear, and her legs felt paralyzed and too heavy to move. Her mind replayed the conversation and fear for Allison and her family mounted. Finally, Dottie stood, her legs shaking as she hoisted her body up and grabbed a wall shelf for support. She felt dizzy and giddy all over. She was getting old, but she refused to acknowledge that her eighty-third birthday was just a few short months away.
Dottie reached for the doorknob and snuck out of the supply closet. As she passed the staff kitchen, she heard female voices. It was the two front desk women. Tilda and the younger lady, the one with the baby whose name she couldn’t remember. She strained her ears to listen.
“Why haven’t you cleaned these dishes? It’s not like we’ve got a bunch of patients. What have you been doing?” Tilda asked in a low angry voice.
“Working. And where did you go?” the younger voice asked defensively.
Dottie could hear the anger in Tilda’s voice. She’s one mean woman.
“Were you out shopping again? I’m sick of all the perks you get and the rest of us don’t. It’s not fair,” the younger woman hissed. “We’re all thinking of talking to Dr. S. about it.”
“I had to go to Staples to get a few printer cartridges,” Tilda’s voice remained calm, but Dottie imagined she’d like to strangle the younger woman. “I’ve got to print the end of month reports next week.”
“Where were you? You weren’t at the office supply store,” Janie accused.
Tilda ignored her. “And, I suggest you talk to no one. Don’t forget, you all work for me first, then the doctor. You wouldn’t want to be fired now, would you?”
The young woman’s mouth fell open and then she clamped it shut.
“We could fire two of you in one day, no problem.” Tilda continued as Dottie stayed transfixed just outside the door.
“Is that what you did to Danielle? Did you fire her? What’s gonna happen to her now? Is she gonna disappear too? Or never be heard of again?”
“Shhh, be quiet, someone might heard you,” Tilda’s low voice commanded hoarsely.
The young woman continued as if she didn’t hear Tilda. “That lady cop, or whatever she is, I know she knows something.” The young woman’s voice had reached a feverish pitch. “Could you believe she bought that monster dog into the office? I just about died.”
“Hush,” the older woman cautioned sharply. “Lower your voice. These walls are paper thin,” and I don’t know who is still here.” Her voice was low and serious.
Dottie listened carefully. Tilda presented herself as very pious and religious. She was supposedly a super religious lady in the quilting guild. Dottie had purchased a hand-sewn quilt from her a few years ago, but she’d never liked her much. She thought the woman had an ugly streak. Tilda had mean eyes and a cruel smile.
“Dr. Smirkowitz is gone,” the young woman said as her voice rose as she challenged Tilda. “I saw him drive by the front window in his gold Porsche. The dental techs are cleaning supplies. It’s okay for us to talk.”
Dottie knew Tilda hated defiance, especially from someone she supervised. “I told you to quiet down, Janie. Now.” Tilda grabbed the younger woman’s upper arm and squeezed it hard.
Janie screamed at her, “Don’t you touch me and don’t you ever push me again.”
Dottie could imagine Tilda’s face suffused with anger.
“Shut up, you little fool. I’m not gonna ask again. You’re going to get us in trouble.”
“Suppose something happens to me? I resisted him when he came on to me. He’s a letch.”
“He was just teasing you, making you feel good and pretty,” she said.
“No, he wasn’t teasing me,” Janie said, her voice cracking. “He would have raped me, if you hadn’t come in, and you know it.”
Tilda laughed. “You have quite an imagination. It was nothing like that. Besides, if you don’t shut up, something will happen to you,” Tilda threatened.
“What? Who’s gonna take care of my baby? Nothing can happen to me.” Janie’s voice was frightened and hysterical. “And, you shut up. You’re not my boss.”
“Lower your voice. You’ll get in trouble for sure if someone hears you and tells Dr. S. Then you will disappear for sure, and to be honest, I’d help him do it.” Tilda’s voice was rough and abrasive.
“Let go of me, Tilda. That hurts,” Janie whined. “You’re mean and crazy. I believe what the techs say about you now.”
Oh my God. Tilda really is mean, much meaner than I thought. I’ve gotta get Mic to check on her. She could be part of Allison’s disappearance. Dorothy remained silent, sick with fear as she listened.
“And just what do they say?” Tilda mimicked
“That you’re crazy ...crazy and cruel. You hurt me, Tilda. It’s gonna be a bad bruise, and besides, it’s bleeding.”
“Shut up, you little wimp, and tell those stupid techs to be quiet if they value their jobs and life.” Her voice reeked of malice.
Dottie's heart beat quickly as she heard the water faucet and the clanking of dishes. She leaned her good ear against the wall but couldn’t hear anything else. She could picture the two women washing and drying cups, saucers, and glasses and placing them in the cabinet for the next day. Finally, someone cut off the water, and she could hear again. It was Janie.
“Well, I just don’t know. I’m gonna tell my husband about all of this tonight. He’s good friends with some Richmond police officers, and they can look into what’s happening’ here,” she said, her voice now a whimper.
“NO. Absolutely no,” Tilda hollered, her voice raspy and hoarse. “Keep your mouth shut, if you know what’s good for you.”
Dottie could imagine Tilda waving her arms, her face beet red with disapproval, and her face scrunched up in a scowl. Tilda was a tall, strong, formidable woman.
Tilda wasn’t done. “If you do say anything, I can guarantee that you’ll disappear and go the same route of Maria, Danielle, and most likely Allison.”
Janie was quiet for a moment and Dottie heard her choke back a sob. “So, what do we do? Aren’t we contributing to this if we do nothing?”
Tilda’s voice softened. “Not really, we truly don’t know anything. We just have our suspicions.”
Janie said nothing.
Tilda’s voice changed back to anger. “Did you hear me? We just have suspicions. That’s all. Besides, no one is hurting us or threatening us, are they?”
“That’s not true, Tilda, and you know it. We know Dr. S. tried to force himself on Danielle, and we know the Allison girl ran out of here crying yesterday. We know something is happening here, and it’s bad.”
Tilda said firmly. “We don’t really know about Danielle. We only know what she told us. For all we know, Allison could have run out crying because she didn’t get the job.”
“I don’t know how much longer I’m gonna be able to be a party to this. It’s keeping me up at night and I can’t sleep.” Janie voice was firm.
“You’ll be quiet for as long as it takes. That is, if you want to see your baby grow up,” Tilda snarled.
Dorothy’s heart almost stopped beating in the hall. She’s threatening her!
“Are you threatening me, Tilda? Are you involved in this nasty business with Smirkowitz?”
“I’m simply telling you what will happen, that’s all,” Tilda said, her tone superior and self-righteous.
Janie gaped at her, turned and left the room with tears in her eyes.
Tilda watched her from the window as she walked wearily to her old beat-up car in the parking lot. I’m gonna tell Dr. Smirkowitz, and he’s not gonna be happy. She smiled in anticipation of the conversation. Janie was a little pathetic baby and she was sick of her anyway.
Dottie stayed hidden outside as she processed the information. They’d have to investigate Tilda. She was looking more and more like a problem. I’ve got to call Michaela. I’ve got to call her now.