The Rivers Webb Read Online Free PDF

expert help this man might have to offer.
    â€œCertainly not! I barely made it through grade school, let alone college and medical school. No, ‘Doc’ is purely honorific. It’s just somethin’ they pinned on me years ago.”
    â€œStill, I’m sure your wife is very proud,” John said, noting the many pictures on the mantle of a fair-haired, beautiful woman. At this, Sam went a little stiff.
    â€œNo, I’m afraid I never got married. Came close once. That’s Eleanor in the pictures. I was all set to propose thirty-seven years ago. Had the ring and everything—but I just couldn’t go through with it.”
    â€œThirty-seven years, and you still have her picture up? Seems like maybe those fires are still burning, if you don’t mind me saying. You ever hear from her?”
    Sam got up to pour himself another cup of coffee. John’s trained eye couldn’t help but make note of the way his hand shook as he did.
    â€œNo,” he said flatly. “No, she died six months later. Her heart gave out on her.” Sam seemed to lose himself for the briefest of moments, as his glance fell on to one of the many pictures of Eleanor. It should have been an awkward, uncomfortable moment, but something in the wistful longing in the old man’s eyes placed that odd drama in a light that was above such childish emotional displays. It was almost a disappointment when he broke off and returned his gaze to John.
    â€œWell, I know you got the funeral, and you probably are wondering what kind of thing Annie Ruth would have dragged you out here for…so let’s get down to the point, huh?”
    John could tell that the man desperately wanted to change the subject, and since it got him what he wanted, he was happy to oblige.
    â€œYes, sir. Anything that you know could be very helpful.” John had his little notepad out, and was already writing down the man’s name, the date, and the time.
    â€œWell, first off, you’re gonna have to work out your feelings about Roy. Nothing’s gonna happen if you aren’t able to put some o’ them demons to rest.”
    â€œI’m sorry…” John held up his hand and put his pencil down.
    â€œDon’t think of it as me gettin’ into your business, it’s just that we’re dealin’ with a lot o’ them mixed up feelin’s—that’s just gonna get in the way.”
    Sam’s gaze was level and unrelenting, as if he had just issued a statement of inescapable fact. Sighing heavily, John closed his notebook and returned the man’s look without even a hint of blinking.
    â€œMr. Posey, I don’t mean to be rude, so if it comes out that way I apologize, but I thought I came down here for information, not a counseling session about my father.”
    There was a moment of very palpable silence as both men looked confused, and Annie Ruth looked guilty.
    â€œAnnie Ruth?” Sam asked sternly, “What, exactly, did you tell Mr. Webb you were bringing him here for?”
    â€œI didn’t have a choice, Doc. I knew if he met you and heard what you had to say…”
    â€œWhat is going on here?” John demanded.
    â€œMr. Webb…John, I think you’ve been brought here under false pretenses, and I am sorry.” Sam set his coffee down on the table, as if signaling that this meeting was, indeed, concluded.
    â€œWait just a damn minute, here. You’re telling me you have no information about Carl Rivers’ death, whatsoever?”
    â€œWhat I am telling you is that the information I have, you may not want.”
    â€œAnd why is that?”
    â€œBecause what I know, I saw…in a dream”
    John didn’t quite know how to respond to that.
    â€œIt was three nights ago, under a full moon. I was watching your uncle walk across the Parrot river bridge, and then it went dark like the blackest Georgia night you ever saw, but I could still