Death Devil (9781101559666) by Jon Sharpe Read Free Book Online

years of hard study she earned her degree.
    â€œIt wasn’t easy,” she concluded. “And I don’t mean just the schooling. I was the only woman in my class, and I was ruthlessly teased.”
    â€œIsn’t ruthless a little strong?”
    â€œOne time they stuck a cadaver in my bed. Another time they hid my instruments so I would miss important surgical practice. They constantly needled me. And when I bore it in good stride and didn’t report them, guess what? Did they accept me? No. It made them angry.” Belinda paused. “I’ll never forget the night four of them cornered me behind the lecture hall and groped me and stripped me naked and then sent me on my way with a smack on my fanny. And do you know what?”
    â€œNo. What?”
    â€œWhen I finally went to the dean, they were given a three-day suspension. That was their punishment. They deserved a lot worse.”
    â€œWhat brought you to Arkansas?”
    â€œOpportunity. Ketchum Falls advertised for a physician. I answered and they accepted, and I’ve been fighting for acceptance ever since.”
    â€œIt’ll come.”
    â€œI’m afraid my faith in human nature isn’t what it once was,” Belinda said. “I no longer care if it comes or not. I do this for me, not for them.”
    â€œThem” turned out to be the three hundred and twenty-seven people who called Ketchum Falls home. The settlement got its name from a small creek with a ten-foot waterfall that fed into a shallow pool.
    In the heat of the afternoon the streets were quiet. Most everyone was indoors. A dog sprawled in the shade of a water trough raised its head to watch them go by. A pig with piglets grunted.
    Belinda asked Fargo to take her to the livery. It was at the far end of the main street. They were climbing down when a heavy man carrying a pitchfork came out and grunted much as the pig had done.
    â€œDoc,” he said simply.
    â€œMr. Simpson, I’ve had a mishap.”
    â€œA what, ma’am?”
    â€œAn accident. My buggy has overturned and a wheel is broken. I’d like for you to fix it.”
    â€œNo, ma’am,” Simpson said.
    â€œBut you’re also the town blacksmith, are you not? And I understand you’ve fixed wagons for others.”
    â€œThat I have but I won’t fix yours.”
    Fargo had been listening with half an ear but now he turned. “Let’s hear your reason.”
    â€œI don’t need to give one,” Simpson said. “This is my business and I can do as I damn well please.”
    â€œNot you, too, Mr. Simpson?” Belinda said. “I thought you accept me for what I am.”
    â€œI tolerate you, ma’am,” Simpson said. “And only because my missus makes me.” He smirked. “And you forget, ma’am. Orville and them are kin and he and Artemis were by here earlier.”
    â€œSo that’s it,” Belinda said. “But I need my buggy. I can’t make house calls without it. How about if I pay you twice the going rate?”
    â€œHead over to the county seat,” Simpson suggested. “Could be you can find someone to repair that wheel.”
    Belinda was crestfallen. “Why, it’s a day and a half there and back. And how am I to get there without my buggy?”
    â€œI’ll rent you a horse.”
    Fargo had reached his limit. “I have a better idea,” he said. “Gather up your tools and be ready in fifteen minutes and I’ll be back to take you to her buggy.”
    Simpson tilted his head. “Mister, if I won’t fix it for her, what in hell makes you think I’ll fix it for you?”
    â€œYour teeth,” Fargo said.
    â€œWhat about them?”
    â€œEither you fix her buggy or you gum your food from here on out.”
    â€œWas that a threat?”
    â€œIt sure as hell was.”
    Simpson held the pitchfork so the tines were pointed at Fargo’s chest.