That was when Doreen sauntered over, hips swaying, and plucked the phone right out of his hand with a coy smile. "Oh, come on. It was just a party dare, a little joke. Is that really worth calling the cops over?"
She tilted her head, all sweetness. "You medical folks are always wound so tight. Would it kill you to loosen up once in a while? Have a laugh?"
She gestured toward me with an air of magnanimity. "Mrs. Abbott didn't mean any harm. She gave you all a good laugh, so why not let it slide this once?"
Then she winked at me, as if to say: You're welcome. Now thank me.
I nearly blacked out from rage.
By now, the scene had grown ugly enough that a few employees finally stepped forward.
"Secretary Stephens, this is a matter of life and death. There's a time and place for jokes."
"Exactly. Look at Mrs. Abbott's mother. Does that look like an act to you?"
"Secretary Stephens, a word of advice. If you keep stalling and something happens to her, you could be looking at a charge of intentional homicide."
"…"
"Shut your mouths." Doreen planted her fists on her hips and snapped at them, then turned to Arnold with a wounded pout.