“I’ll wait,” the ambassador said.
Halston went into the white building with too many windows and over to the directory.
Fifteen minutes later, the dentist was wrist-deep in Halston’s mouth.
“I’m not seeing anything,” she said. “Which tooth is it again?”
Halston pointed. “The pain was here. Any chance it could be my jaw?”
“Are you carrying around any tension?”
Halston cracked a smile. “There’s some of that.”
“When was the last time you had a cleaning?”
“It’s been a minute.”
“Let me see if my hygienist can?—”
“That’s okay,” she protested. “I need to get back to work.”
“My lecture on dental health is longer than the cleaning.” With a kind smile, the dentist left. A moment later, she returned with another woman.
“I’m Debbie, the hygienist. Come with me.”
Once in the hygienist’s chair, Halston texted her boss.
I’m going to be a while. I’ll catch a ride
Are you ok?
Looks that way
See you back at the office
She saw the text from Gabriel.
I miss you. Next time, you’re coming with me
I would love that! I miss you too. Be safe.
Fifty-minutes later, Halston left feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. She hadn’t had her teeth cleaned since before her assignment in Russia. On the street, she caught a rideshare, hurried into the embassy, and into her office.
The ambassador sat waiting in her guest chair.
This isn’t good.
“Minka, we need to talk.”
“Yes, sir.”
“The dentist called me. Your teeth were fine. In need of a cleaning, but otherwise healthy.”
“She thought the pain could be from tension radiating into my jaw. I’ve been getting used to life in America, trying to manage my new responsibilities and do an excellent job for you. I’m not sleeping well.”
I hope he bought that.
“Did you try to login to my laptop?” he asked.
