The Trial of Dr. Kate Read Online Free PDF Page B

and she looked away. “What do you really want, Shenandoah? Why are you here?”
    “I came up here to write a story about your trial. Now I want to help you as well.”
    “Why?”
    “I told you up front. You were always nice to me when we were kids.”
    “That doesn’t give you a right to come in here and start giving me the third degree.”
    “Why are you so defensive?”
    “You’re a psychiatrist now?”
    “Whoa, slow down a minute. Let’s start over.” Shenandoah took a deep breath, reached across the table, and took Kate’s hand. “I’m not trying to be critical. I know you’re under a lot of stress. Give me a chance.”
    Kate shook her head as tears welled up in her eyes. “I’m sorry, Shenandoah. I am tense. This whole thing has me furious. I may spend the rest of my life in prison.”
    “That’s why I want to help. You’ve got to level with me, Kate.” Shenandoah reached over and wiped a tear from Kate’s cheek. She gave Shenandoah a wan smile.
    “Truce?” she asked.
    “Yes,” Shenandoah said.
    “Okay. What do you want from me?” Kate asked.
    “I want you to try to remember what happened that day. You don’t have to do it right this minute. Just think about it from time to time while you’re reading or before you go to sleep.”
    Kate said, “I work really hard to take care of these people. In this part of the state, patients who have money go to Nashville, and the local doctors are left with the ones who can’t pay. I’ve never been in it for the money. All I want is to take care of sick people. Now I feel that everyone thinks I’m guilty.”
    “You probably have more friends than you can imagine.”
    “I hope so.”
    “Any suggestions on who I should talk to?”
    “It’s probably best if you follow your nose. You are a reporter.”
    “I’ll get back here every morning and tell you who I’ve talked to.”
    Kate placed her right hand over Shenandoah’s and said, “I’m so sorry I was cross with you. And now that I think of it, you seem a little tense yourself this morning. Anything I can help you with?”
    Shenandoah sighed. “You have enough troubles without dealing with mine as well.”
    “Tell me what’s wrong, Shenandoah. Please.”
    “When I went out to get into my car this morning, all four tires were slashed. Flat as a pancake. Just bought four new ones.”
    “Oh my God. What’s that all about?”
    “I don’t know. I guess I pissed somebody off.”
    Kate took a deep breath and said, “Do you think someone is trying to get you to leave town—not to help me?”
    “Could be. I’ve got my share of enemies in Round Rock—always have. It could even be coming from Memphis. I’ve been investigating a colored man who runs a numbers racket. Big Al Bolton is not a very nice fellow.”
    “Have you said anything to Jasper?”
    Shenandoah laughed. “What good would that do? Bastard might be behind the attack himself. I sure wouldn’t put it past him.”
    Kate shook her head. “I don’t know what I was thinking. You’re right. You can’t trust Jasper. You might talk to Jimmy Joe Short, however. He’s the state trooper, and from what I hear he’s a straight arrow. And while you’re talking to people about me, you might be able to find out who’s got it in for you.”
    “I might do that. If anything else happens, I’ll talk to the trooper.”
    Just then the door swung open and Deputy Masterson walked in. “Time’s up, Miss Coleman. I’ll come back for you in a minute, Doc.”
    Kate squeezed Shenandoah’s hand and smiled. As she left the room, Shenandoah turned and said, “See you tomorrow.”
    Random thoughts ricocheted through Shenandoah’s mind as she descended the stairs. I can’t believe the whole county is against Kate. Kate is the only doctor for miles around, and people depend on her. I’m sure I can find some good character witnesses. I have to. And sure as hell I want to know who slashed my tires.
    At the bottom of the stairs, she went to