Gin Jones - Helen Binney 01 - A Dose of Death by Gin Jones Read Free Book Online Page B

said, “but there’s more to the situation than appears on the surface. There’s a power dynamic here, between nurse and patient, that’s clearly being abused.”
    “ Not a bad argument,” the judge said. “I might have bought it if your client’s actions hadn’t made it clear that she dislikes everyone in this town, not just her nurse. She’s been living here in Wharton during the summer season for as long as I’ve been on the bench, and she’s never so much as said hello to any of the local citizens before today. I’m sure our esteemed reporter, Mr. Loring, will confirm that fact.”
    Helen turned around to see the reporter nodding in response to the judge ‘s statement. He was also keying notes into his smartphone furiously, apparently trying to record every single word spoken.
    The judge continued, “I seem to remember that another local reporter tried to interview her a couple years ago, and the next thing he knew, he was being called in to have a chat with his boss about being demoted to writing obituaries.”
    “ That’s not in evidence,” Tate said.
    “ I’m taking judicial notice of a commonly known fact,” Judge Nolan said. “Your client doesn’t like anyone, so it’s hardly surprising she dislikes this particular person she’s complaining about.”
    “ Hermit or not, Miss Binney is entitled to privacy in her own home,” Tate said.
    “ Only from governmental intrusion. Not from other citizens, by way of a restraining order.” The judge looked at Helen, adding, “Not unless she’s afraid of her nurse.”
    Helen stiffened. She wasn ‘t afraid of anyone. She was angry and frustrated, not scared.
    After a moment, the judge focused on Tate again. “All you’ve shown me is that Ms. Binney is annoyed with her nurse, who may have overstepped her boundaries somewhat. You haven’t offered me any evidence that the nurse offered Ms. Binney any physical harm, and I’m quite sure that Ms. Binney won’t perjure herself by saying she’s afraid of Ms. Shores or anyone else.”
    The judge turned to Helen again. “Well?”
    Helen suppressed a sigh. Too bad Judge Nolan hadn ‘t risen higher in the judiciary, leaving this job to someone who would have rubber-stamped the request for a restraining order, someone who wouldn’t have put Helen in the untenable position of having to admit—in front of the note-taking reporter, and thus, indirectly, in front of the entire town—that she’d been bullied by a silly woman wearing clothes embellished with children’s toys. Helen’s nieces would never let her forget it.
    “ I’m not afraid of Melissa,” Helen told the judge. “I just want her to leave me alone. That’s the whole point of restraining orders, isn’t it?”
    “ You’d think so,” Judge Nolan said as she gestured for the clerk to hand her some paperwork. “But you’d be wrong. I don’t even have to take this under advisement. Sorry to ruin your courtroom winning streak, Tate, but the request for a restraining order is denied.”
    Tate waited until the judge had left before saying, “I did warn you the odds were against you.”
    “ So what do we do now?”
    He picked up his magazine and stuffed it into his briefcase. “Now I go back to my woodworking shop, and you go stay with friends for a few days while you negotiate a termination of Melissa’s contract to visit you.”
    “ According to the judge, I don’t have any friends. I hate everyone.”
    “ That may have been a bit of an exaggeration,” Tate said. “I’m sure you’ve got friends somewhere.” 
    She used to, Helen thought. Back before she ‘d thrown herself into supporting her husband’s career and hadn’t had time for them. She needed to make amends or find some new friends. As soon as she got rid of Melissa.
    “ I won’t be chased out of my own house. I’m going back there now, and she’d better be gone.”
    “ Or what?” he said. “No, don’t tell me. Just promise me you won’t kill her, and you