Читать онлайн «Whisker of Evil»

Автор Рита Мэй Браун

Contents

Title Page

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Cast of Characters

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

Chapter 52

Letter to the Reader

Books by Rita Mae Brown

Copyright Page

Dedicated to

Judy Lynn Pastore.

Thank you for taking

in all those homeless

animals, including this stray.

Acknowledgments

Not being a medical person, I relied heavily on my far more intelligent friends who are trained in the medical arts.

Martin Shulman, V. M. D. , Christopher Middleton, D. V. M. , and Lauren Keating, D. V. M. , provided guidance and information about rabies in the animal kingdom.

Dr. Anne Bonda, along with keeping my horses healthy and happy, also provided rabies materials. “Dr. Anne” is both a gold mine of information and a godsend to humans and horses.

Dr. Mary T. O’Brien supplied facts, figures, and gruesome examples, bringing me up to speed concerning rabies in humans. It is, indeed, a dreadful disease and I am indebted to the good doctor for taking so much of her time to work with me.

Mrs. Jeanne Pitsenberger, a nurse with her own research firm, Foxdale Enterprises, piled folder upon folder on my desk.

I have never worked with a researcher as organized, careful, or cheerful as Jeanne. No matter how absurd the question was I lobbed at her, shortly the answer was lobbed back.

Any mistakes in this book are due to my shortcomings and none of the above.

And concerning all of the above individuals, it is my privilege to know them. Apart from being good to me, these people cement together the communities in which we live. Our nation is filled with wonderful, giving people but it’s the bums that get the headlines.

Cast of Characters

Mary Minor “Harry” Haristeen The postmistress of Crozet, Virginia, is curious, sometimes bull-headed, and often in the midst of trouble. Her life is changing and she’s struggling to change with it.

Mrs. Murphy Harry’s tiger cat accepts change better than her human does. She’s tough, smart, and ready for action and she’ll always take a little catnip, too.

Tee Tucker Harry’s corgi bubbles with happiness and bravery in equal measure. She loves Harry as only a dog can love.

Pewter Harry’s gray cat affects aloofness but underneath it all, she does care. What irritates her are comments about her plumpness and her hunting abilities.

Mrs. Miranda Hogendobber Miranda observes a great deal but keeps most of it to herself. A widow, she’s a surrogate mother to Harry and the relationship means a great deal to both women.

Susan Tucker Harry’s best friend has been putting up with her friend’s curiosity and attraction to danger since they were children. They have their ups and downs like most friends but they stick together.