The Rivers Webb Read Online Free PDF Page A

we’re old friends and I haven’t so much as introduced myself.” She stuck out her hand in an oddly formal way, as if mocking the entire notion of introductions. “Annie Ruth Stovall. I was real close with your mother, once.”
    Realization, relief, and a strange blend of conflicting emotions ran through John’s mind as he took the offered hand, but he managed to recover quickly.
    â€œIt’s good to finally meet you. I’ve had the opportunity to read through several of your letters. Mom was quite fond of you,” John finally answered. Uncharacteristically, Annie Ruth blushed at the kind words.
    â€œI was real fond of her, too… I’m sorry to just jump on into your mornin’ like this.”
    â€œIt’s okay. I was just walking across the street to stretch my legs, when…” John nodded over to the peacock, still contentedly sitting on his hood.
    â€œYeah, we’ve had them around for so long, I guess I never realized how strange somethin’ like that would be if you weren’t expectin’ it,” she said with a slight laugh. Then she paused for a moment, getting a little more serious.
    â€œBut if you don’t mind, Detective Webb, there was a reason I stopped by.”
    Fifteen minutes later, John was in his car, now peacock-free, with Annie Ruth in the passenger seat. They were headed toward Mulfry, Georgia, where Annie Ruth would introduce John to one Doctor Posey, who supposedly had information about the case. Annie Ruth wouldn’t say any more, only that he was a distant cousin that she had known since she was just a little girl, and that he was trusted by every man, woman, and child in three counties
    When he asked her what sort of information he might have, Annie Ruth just smiled with a sense of old country wisdom.
    â€œDoc Posey knows everything.”
    John only had about another hour before his aunt would be sending the car for him, but Annie Ruth assured him that this would just take a few moments. And sure enough, before John could even register that they had left Sales City, they were driving down Main Street Mulfry. Annie Ruth pointed down one narrow dirt road that led to a modest little brick home just a hundred feet from the railroad tracks.
    â€œIs the man deaf?” John asked, only half-joking. Annie Ruth looked at him as if she didn’t understand, so John expounded.
    â€œThis close to the tracks, your Doctor Posey must either be deaf, or have the loudest radio in town.”
    â€œActually, I just know when the train’s coming, so I know when to make my trips into town,” came a booming voice from the front door. John turned to see a man that, despite the countless wrinkles and bleach-white hair, seemed to transcend age. There was a strange timeless quality to him that made John uneasy and wary.
    â€œAnnie Ruth, it’s so nice to see you. And this must be John…” Doc Posey stepped toward them robustly, despite the obvious limp that belabored his movements.
    â€œSam Posey. Good to meet you.” He grabbed John’s hand in a firm, strong handshake, then paused for the briefest of seconds. The moment was barely noticeable, but John saw something reflected in the man’s dark grey eyes that unsettled him. Without fully understanding why, John suddenly had the feeling that he had been judged—critically—and been found to be in need of something.
    Sam Posey led them into his home, and led them to sit at his kitchen table. John didn’t want to be rude, but he was in a bit of a hurry, and he hoped that the man would be forthcoming soon about why he had been dragged out here.
    â€œDoctor Posey…”
    â€œSam. Please. It’s one thing when the folk around here want to hang some kind’a title on me, but I’ll only give my arrogant pride so much room with strangers.”
    â€œSo, you aren’t a doctor?” John asked, beginning to wonder what kind of