"I thought she was out of town," Jack said, trying to hide the annoyance in his voice.
Pepper frowned. "That's what she tells everyone who has problems."
"How many people have problems?"
Pepper’s eyes grew large, and she gave an ominous nod. "A lot.”
Jack grimaced.
Pepper cringed apologetically. "Most people's symptoms resolve in a couple of days. She figures she can wait it out.”
"Doesn't sound like she’s a very good dentist to me. Maybe we’re dealing with a disgruntled patient.”
Pepper’s face scrunched up. "Let's just say there have been a few that have been…disappointedwith the work."
"How does she have such a great reputation?" JD asked. "She gets five-star reviews online.”
Pepper couldn't help herself. She burst into laughter. "Those are all fake. You don’t believe those, do you? She paid some guy in India $50 bucks for those.”
Jack's face grew red. "But, she does everybody on the island?”
Pepper shrugged.
"So, let's talk disgruntled clients," I said.
Pepper’s cheeks puffed up as she thought about it, then she blew out a breath. "I'm not sure where to start.”
JD and I exchanged a look. This wasn’t making him feel any better about his tooth.
"We had one patient last month that had a bad experience with a crown—throbbing, aching, ulcerated gums. It may have gotten infected. He came back a couple of times, but there was really nothing she could do. She referred him to another dentist. He needed a root canal. I think she sent him to Dr. Stockton. I'm not sure what happened. Needless to say, he doesn't come back here.”
"What's his name?”
"I'm not supposed to divulge patient information.”
"Sure. I understand. But this is a murder investigation.”
She cringed. "I'm just not sure what I'm legally required to do in this situation.”
I asked Pepper to step into Dr. Latham's office so we could have some privacy. I didn't want the fact that Rachel and Becky were standing nearby to influence her answers.
I closed the door behind us after we entered.
Jack interviewed Rachel and Becky separately.
I asked Pepper, "Did Dr. Latham have any enemies besides disgruntled clients?"
"Well, you know she's going through a divorce right now. So, I don't think she's on the best of terms with her husband.”
She had my curiosity. "Do you know the reason for their divorce?”
"I don’t want to get too personal, but I guess it doesn't really matter now, does it?"
"Anything you tell me could be helpful for the investigation.”
Pepper frowned. "I'm not talking badly about Dr. Latham, but she wasn't exactly faithful.”
I lifted a curious eyebrow.
