Sawbones Read Online Free

desperate need of women to make their homes. Camille did more to save women from prostitution than any missionary I ever knew, and for that she earned my respect. As a result, as my society practice increased and I whittled down my patients on Twenty-Seventh, only Joe Fisher’s remained.
    “Please don’t suggest I answer some ad to be a frontier farmer’s wife.”
    “I was going to suggest a miner, actually.”
    I saw the humor in her eyes and knew I was forgiven. I managed a laugh.
    “There are an increasing number of ads in the paper for doctors in the West. Towns are desperate for them.”
    “Are you suggesting I pretend to be a male doctor on the frontier?”
    “Not a bad idea, Catherine. I wish I had thought of it. Be a midwife for a few years, until Catherine Bennett is a distant memory. Move to a larger city and put up your shingle. I have contacts who could help you.”
    “Let’s hope I don’t need them.”
    I twisted my hands together and paced, deciding to finally voice an idea that had been nagging me all day. “Camille, do you think my attack last night had anything to do with George Langton’s death?”
    The madam lounged back on the divan and studied me for a full minute. Finally, I continued. “I know it sounds ridiculous, but how coincidental I am attacked for the first time on the street the same night I’m accused of murder.”
    She lifted one eyebrow. “You’re right. It does sound ridiculous.” Camille stood and walked to me. She stroked my hair and turned my face to inspect her handiwork. “Catherine, you knew the risk you took walking alone at night. The streets are full of toughs. You just so happened to cross paths with one.”
    There was a knock on the door, and Maureen entered looking scandalized and very cold. She held her shopping basket close to her chest.
    “Maureen, give me that and come by the fire,” I said.
    I took the heavy basket from her hand. “What do you have in here?” I lifted the towel covering the basket and found apples, nuts, and potatoes. “What are you carrying this around for?” I placed the basket on the hearth.
    “Katie,” Maureen whispered, “what is this place?” She eyed Camille with a good deal of suspicion.
    Camille smiled. “I’ll leave you alone to talk.”
    She glided across the room and left, closing the door softly behind her.
    “Is this a house of assignation?”
    “Yes, Maureen. It is.”
    Maureen crossed herself. “Katie, how could you come to a place like this?”
    “Can we talk about that later, please? What did you find out?”
    “No, we will talk about it now. How do you even know these people?”
    “They are patients of mine.”
    “Patients!”
    “Yes, patients. If it were not for these women and others like them, you and I would have starved a few years ago. Now, please tell me what James said.”
    I could tell from her expression that we would revisit this conversation at a later date. She pulled a note from her coat pocket and handed it to me. There was no greeting or salutation.
    You must leave town at once. A $500 reward for your capture will be in the evening paper.
    Camille entered the room, holding the offending paper.
    “Master James told me to go to the house and get whatever valuables I could carry and to get to you at once. He also said I was probably being followed. Which I was.”
    “Were you followed here?” Camille asked.
    “’Course not. I went to five-o’clock mass, then asked to see the priest after. Slipped out the side door.”
    Camille gave me a significant look and a coy smile. “Clever woman.” She handed me a broadsheet, wet from snow. “You have made the evening paper.”
    FEMALE DOCTOR MURDERS PATIENT’S HUSBAND
    ******
    BLUDGEONED TO DEATH WHEN HE ENDED AFFAIR
    ******
    DOC IN HIDING
    REWARD
    $500
    My portrait was underneath the headline. In it I stood stoically next to a table of medical instruments. I threw the paper on the sofa. “I always hated that photograph. Next time I am