Authors: Robin Hathaway

Scarecrow (24 page)

BOOK: Scarecrow

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“Good-day,” said the Scarecrow, in a rather husky voice.

“Did you speak?” asked the girl, in wonder.

“Certainly,” answered the Scarecrow; “how do you do?”

“I'm pretty well, thank you,” replied Dorothy, politely; “how do you do?”

“I'm not feeling well,” said the Scarecrow, with a smile, “for it is very tedious being perched up here night and day to scare away crows.”

“Can't you get down?” asked Dorothy.

“No, for this pole is stuck up my back. If you will please take away the pole, I shall be greatly obliged to you.”

Dorothy reached up both arms and lifted the figure off the pole; for, being stuffed with straw, it was quite light.

“Thank you very much,” said the Scarecrow, when he had been set down on the ground. “I feel like a new man.”

â
from
The Wizard of Oz

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

As always, I am deeply grateful to my editor, Ruth Cavin; to my agent, Laura Langlie; to my doctor-husband, Bob; to my daughters, Julie and Anne, and my son-in-law, Jason, for their tireless help and loyal support.

The idea for Jo Banks, the motel doctor, came to me one evening at the kitchen table while talking to Bob over a few beers. She began to really come to life as the foam settled on the third (or was it the fourth?). I don't usually resort to drink for inspiration, but every now and then it activates those tired brain cells, loosens those creative juices. Hey, now they even say beer is good for your health! A beer a day keeps the doctor away? Well, not in this case. In this case, the beer brought the doctor right to my door.

Jo Banks and Andrew Fenimore, the hero of my other series, are both in the medical profession, but they are very different. Fenimore, a middle-aged cardiologist of the old school, practices solo from his townhouse in Philadelphia and still makes house calls. On his days off, instead of heading for the golf course, he solves crimes. Jo, a modern, twenty-something family practitioner, provides medical services to motel guests and employeesâmost motels have a doctor on callâand makes her doctor visits on a motorcycle. If a crime happens to come her way, which it often does, she is more than happy to tackle it.

Besides sleuthing, these two doctors have something else in common: They both prize their independence and refuse to become slaves to “the establishment.”

I hope you'll enjoy Dr. Banks as much as Dr. Fenimore. Who knows, maybe one day their paths will cross! At a medical convention, perhaps? What a perfect spot for a murder. They may even compete to see who solves the crime first. (Always thinking!)

ALSO BY ROBIN HATHAWAY

The Doctor Digs a Grave

The Doctor Makes a Dollhouse Call

The Doctor and the Dead Man's Chest

SCARECROW. Copyright Â© 2003 by Robin Hathaway. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For information, address St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.

THOMAS DUNNE BOOKS.
An imprint of St. Martin's Press.

www.minotaurbooks.com

Book design by Nick Wunder

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Hathaway, Robin.

Scarecrow / Robin Hathaway.â1st ed.

p. cm.

ISBN 0-312-30851-5

1. Women physiciansâFiction. 2. Migrant agricultural laborersâCrimes againstâFiction. 3. New JerseyâFiction. I. Title.

PS3558.A7475 S28 2003
813'.54âdc21

2002024532

First Edition: April 2003