Lindsey's Nightmare Read online

  Lindsey’s Nightmare

  © 2008

  By Renee Larsen

  This book is dedicated to all the people that have encouraged me to write, listened to my ideas, and given me valuable feedback when I asked for their opinions and even when I didn’t.

  © 2008

  All rights reserved. No part of this book can be reproduced or transmitted in any form.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and any resemblance to any persons either living or dead, events or localities are entirely coincidental.

  Chapter One

  The wind howled through the tall pine trees surrounding the small house. The electricity was out and the only light in the room came from the fireplace. Lindsey was curled up on the couch asleep covered with the feather comforter from their bed. The storm was bad and had already dumped more than twenty inches of snow. Danny was late; he was due home hours ago.

  They had moved to Montana during the summer when Danny had accepted the job of sheriff. Danny had purchased their little home before he had ever seen it. It was in the middle of nowhere and about twenty miles from town. Lindsey wasn’t sure she liked living in the boonies; she felt so isolated. Thank God they had gotten Riley to keep her company when Danny was at work. Riley was a two year old chocolate lab that was orphaned when his owner died. It took them all several months getting use to each other, but now they were a family.

  Lindsey awoke around midnight and tried turning on a lamp. The power was still out. She sat up pulling her bathrobe tighter. Riley sat up looking at her. “I know Riley, it’s frigging cold, let’s throw some more wood on the fire and find the oil lamp,” she said standing up.

  Riley followed her to the fireplace watching as she threw a couple of logs onto the fire. “Come on Riley.”

  Lindsey walked into the kitchen with the almost dead flashlight. She opened the pantry and after moving several cans of soup and the crock pot out of the way she found two oil lamps and two bottles of lamp oil. “Thank God,” she mumbled as she carried the lamps and oil to the counter. She quickly filled the first lamp and as she lit it the flashlight died.

  “Riley I’m really glad you’re here, I’d be scared being out here alone. Damn I wish deputy dog was home.” She picked up the oil lamp and walked into the living room setting it on the end table beside the couch. Lindsey crouched in front of the chest they used as a coffee table; she lifted the lid and began rummaging through its contents looking for the corded phone she had put in chest when they unpacked their belongings from their New Jersey apartment. She found the phone, and pulled it from the chest.

  Lindsey lifted the oil lamp and set it on the table near the window so she would be able to see. She plugged the phone in and lifted the receiver from its cradle. “Riley, we have a dial tone,” she said as she dialed the phone. The phone rang three times and then she heard Danny’s voice.

  “Sheriff Becker, can I help you.”

  Lindsey smiled, “Hi honey, are you coming home soon? Riley and I miss you.”

  “I miss you too. I’ve got a couple of things I need to do yet, but I should be home within an hour. What’s the snow like outside?”

  Lindsey looked out the window, “The snow’s drifting pretty high. It looks like it’s up to the window sills.”

  Danny looked around the office and then looked outside. They had nearly white out conditions. “Lindsey, I’ll be home as soon as John gets here. He should be walking in any minute. He can finish what I was working on. What’s the TV saying about the storm,” he asked.

  Lindsey laughed, “Danny, we haven’t had electric since about seven o’clock.”

  Danny frowned. “Lindsey, why didn’t you call me? We have a generator. I could have come home to set it up. What have you been doing all night?”

  Lindsey shivered. “Damn it’s cold by this window. Riley and I have been napping waiting for you and that four wheel drive truck of yours to come down the lane. Hold on a minute. I need to get a blanket.” Lindsey set the phone down and walked to the couch pulling the afghan from the back of the couch and wrapped it around herself. She walked back to the phone and picked it up. “Much better, is John there yet?”

  Danny looked outside. “He’s walking in right now. As soon as I fill him in on everything I’ll be on the way. Call my cell if you want in about fifteen minutes.”

  Lindsey smiled. “Be careful driving the roads are very bad.”

  “I will. See you in about forty five minutes.” Danny replied.

  Lindsey looked down at Riley. “Riley, do you suppose there’s a perking coffee pot somewhere in the kitchen? Danny will be cold when he gets in.”

  Lindsey rummaged through the cabinets searching for the old stove top coffee pot. She found it in the cabinet beside the stove. After washing it out she added water and coffee and put it on the stove and turned the gas on.

  Lindsey gazed outside through the big bay window. The snow was really coming down; she estimated there was at least fifteen inches on the ground with really high drifts. She stood for several minutes then walked back into the kitchen. She turned off the gas and poured herself a cup of coffee. Damn I wish he’d come home sooner she thought to herself as she walked back into the living room and sat on the couch. She set the coffee cup down and pulled the blanket around herself.

  ***

  Lindsey awoke shivering from the cold. She looked at the coat rack; Danny’s coat was not there. She went to the window to see if his truck was there, but all she saw was snow. She lifted the phone from the cradle and dialed Danny’s cell. It rang and went to voice mail. “Danny, where are you, you should have been home hours ago, call me, I’m worried.” She set the receiver on the cradle and then lifted it again and dialed the sheriff’s office.

  “Sheriff’s office, how can I help you?” “John, this is Lindsey, is Danny there?” She listened as John told her Danny had left around one in the morning.

  “John, he never came home last night, it’s seven in the morning and he’s not here,” the panic evident in her voice.

  “Lindsey, calm down, I’ll get in my truck and come out there. Maybe he’s stuck in the snow, I’ll be there in a little while.” he said calmly.

  Lindsey frowned, “Hurry okay?”

  Lindsey quickly put logs and kindling into the fireplace and started a fire. She looked at Riley, “Come on Riley, I’m going to get dressed and then we’re going out to find Danny.”

  ***

  Lindsey opened the door and stepped outside followed by Riley. “Riley, come,” she called as she made her way to her truck. She pulled open the door and Riley jumped in settling down on the passenger seat. Lindsey climbed into the truck and shut the door. “Damn it’s cold,” she mumbled as she started the engine of her steel gray jeep. After the truck had idled for a few minutes she threw it into four wheel drive and made her way slowly up the driveway through the deep snow. She turned towards town figuring she would meet John half way.

  They were about two miles down the road when Riley started barking frantically. Lindsey looked at him. “Riley quiet!” Riley continued to bark and started pushing on the window with his head. Lindsey carefully edged the truck to the right and came to a stop. She grabbed her gloves and opened the jeep door. Riley pushed past her and ran towards the woods barking. “Riley, wait!” she called as she closed the car door and started after him. She walked a few feet into the woods and saw Riley digging madly. “Riley, what is it?”

  The dog looked up at her and then returned to his digging. That was when Lindsey saw the red taillight of a vehicle. She took her cell phone from her pocket and dialed John’s cell. “John hurry, I’m in the woods on the left side
of the street. I can see my jeep from where I’m standing. Riley’s found a car buried in snow,” she said and closed the phone putting it in her pocket. She joined Riley and began to dig.

  Soon Lindsey could see the windshield of the vehicle and dug faster. When she had cleared a section large enough, she looked into the car. Danny was slumped over the steering wheel. “Oh God”.

  She looked up and spotted John’s truck. “John, over here.” she called waving her hands. John sprinted into the woods and peered into the section windshield that Lindsey had uncovered. He pulled his radio from his belt and called for an ambulance then joined Lindsey digging out the area by the door. “Lindsey, move, I think I can get the door open.” John said as he stepped in front of Lindsey. He grabbed the door handle and pulled. The door didn’t budge. “Damn, it’s locked” he mumbled.

  Lindsey fumbled in her pocket, “Try these, one of them might fit,” she said handing him her key ring. The first key didn’t work, but the second did. As John pulled the door open they could hear the scream of sirens as the emergency vehicles approached. John leaned into the car touching Danny’s neck looking for a pulse. Lindsey stood silently holding her breath, praying silently.

  John turned to Lindsey, “Lindsey, I’m sorry.” he said in almost a whisper. John watched as she sank to her knees in the snow wrapping her arms around Riley’s neck resting her head against him. John knelt beside her, “Lindsey, its freezing and you’re six months pregnant, let’s go sit in the jeep.” he said gently as he loosened her grip on Riley and helped her to her feet. He led her out of the woods and up the small embankment to her jeep and opened the passenger door. He helped her into the Jeep, closed the door and walked to the driver’s side and climbed in. Lindsey sat shivering, her body shaking. She stared outside not saying a word with tears running freely down her cheeks.

  Lindsey watched in silence as the paramedics made their way to the vehicle buried in the snow; she watched them put Danny on a stretcher and watched as they zipped the black bag closed. Her sobs filled the early morning silence. She looked at John, “How can this be?” she said numbly.

  John pulled her into his arms, “We’re here for you Lindsey,” he said as he held her.

  Chapter Two

  The next few days were a blur. John and his wife Susan helped her through the necessary arrangements.

  Today was the funeral. It was to be a small service at the church and then Danny would be cremated. Lindsey dressed slowly pulling her long coffee colored hair back with a clip. Riley had not left her side. He sat next to her on the floor watching her every move. “Riley, what are we going to do? We have a little money in the bank, and the baby’s due in a couple of months.” she said as fresh tears welled in her eyes. Riley nudged her and rested his head on her lap. Lindsey rested her hand on Riley’s head. “I guess we’ll figure it out. We better go downstairs; John and Susan will be here to pick us up any minute.”

  ***

  John and Susan escorted Lindsey into the small church leading her down the isle. Riley followed cautiously. Lindsey sat down and Riley lay at her feet. She looked at Riley, “Stay here, I’ll be right back.”

  She stood up and walked up to the flower draped casket. She knelt beside it and looked at Danny.

  “Danny, you look like you’re asleep… you’ll never get to see our baby …” she stared into his face and reached out touching his cheek. “You’re so cold…Danny how am I going to survive?” she sobbed resting her forehead against the casket. Riley ran to her side and nudged her resting his face against her arm.

  The priest walked over to Lindsey and knelt next her gently lifting her chin. “My child, God works in mysterious ways. You have friends here and we’ll all help you through this. It’s time…” he said, his voice trailing off into silence. She looked into his kind face and nodded. She stood up and walked back to her seat following by her loyal companion.

  The service was meaningful; John gave a beautiful eulogy telling of how Danny and Lindsey had moved here in the summer and in the short time they had been here Danny had made quite an impression on everyone. John talked about Danny’s dry sense of humor, his love for Lindsey and his excitement about the baby that would be coming in March. He told of the countless people Danny had helped in one way or the other and asked the community to help support Danny’s widow in any way they could.

  As the priest started to lower the lid on the casket, Lindsey jumped up and ran to the Alter, “Father, wait one moment please.” she said as she leaned into the casket and pressed her lips to Danny’s. “Danny, I loved you,” she whispered and then kissed his cold lips in a final goodbye. She couldn’t watch them close the lid; she knew it would drive her mad. She looked at the priest, “Father, please, let me go out before you close it,” she said fighting the dark despair that was engulfing her.

  Father O’Brien nodded taking her hands in his. “Lindsey, I’m here for you, any time, day or night. Go, get Riley and have John and Susan take you home. I’ll stop by later to check on you.” he said gently as he led her to John and Susan. He looked at John, “Take Lindsey home,” he said, letting go of Lindsey’s hand. John and Susan stood up and led Lindsey from the church. Outside, the walkway was lined by law enforcement officers from the area.

  Once Lindsey was settled in the back seat with Riley, John started the car. A long procession of police vehicles made their way to the house Danny had bought for his family. When they arrived, again the police lined the walkway as Lindsey was escorted into the house.

  Susan’s mother was there and had set the table with flowers, dishes, cutlery and glasses on one end and all kinds of food on the other. On the breakfront was a wide variety of desserts and in the center was a beautifully framed photo of Danny in his dress uniform, smiling happily.

  After hours of greeting and talking to all the people paying their respects Lindsey looked at Susan. “Susan, I need to lie down, can you handle things for a little while?” she asked.

  Susan nodded, “Go lie down, everyone will understand.” she said, giving Lindsey a hug.

  Lindsey walked slowly up the stairs into the bedroom and stretched out across the bed pulling Danny’s pillow from under the bedspread. She closed her eyes and for a brief moment she felt close to him.

  Lindsey didn’t hear Susan enter the room or feel the afghan as Susan covered her. Susan checked the fire in the fireplace and added wood then turned and quietly left the room. She walked down the stairs to see John looking at her. “She’s okay, she’s sleeping,” Susan said as she took a seat next to John.

  Father O’Brien looked at Susan. “I don’t think she should be out here alone right now, is anyone willing to work out shifts for a few days?” he asked.

  Susan’s mother spoke up. “I’m the only one here that has lost a husband; I’ll stay with her as long as she needs me. It’s a shame that these two kids have no other family.” she said as she looked around the room. Her eyes met John’s. “John, you need to get the pension paperwork going for her and see what kind of life insurance he had. You need to get what ever forms are necessary and order copies of the death certificate for her. Then we’ll help her get all that settled. The sooner that stuff is out of the way, the sooner she’ll be able to begin the healing process. Thank God, once the baby comes she’ll have a piece of Danny to shower with love.”

  John smiled at his mother-in-law, “Helen, you are one amazing woman. I’ll get on it as soon as I get back to the office. I guess we’ll have to advertise for a new sheriff… Damn, Danny was so good. Now we have to find a replacement.”

  ***

  Lindsey awoke to a silent house, all the murmuring had stopped. She opened her eyes surprised to find the room dark except for the glow from the fireplace. She sat up hugging Danny’s pillow. “Danny, your pillow still smells like you.” she said setting the pillow down and standing up. She walked into the bathroom and washed her face and removed her clothes putting on sweat pants and one of Danny’s sweat shirts. “Riley, let’s go d
ownstairs and I’ll feed you. I’m sure there’s a mess to clean up,” she said as she pulled the bedroom door open.

  As she started down the stairs she heard the TV from the living room and then she heard Helen’s voice. “Lindsey, it’s Helen, I’ll be staying with you tonight and for as long as you need me.”

  Lindsey walked over to her and leaned down hugging her, “Thank you Helen. I couldn’t bear to be alone tonight.” she said as new tears pooled in her eyes. She sat on the couch and wrapped the blanket around herself. “I hate this, I don’t know what to do, I don’t know how to survive this.” she sobbed.

  Helen got up and sat next to her taking her in her arms. “I know. Cry honey, let it out,” Helen said as she held her.

  ***

  The next few weeks were a total blur. Lindsey remembered signing her name to a half a dozen forms, people visiting, and the comfort of having Helen there to guide her. She really had no idea of what she had signed, but Helen had told her it was okay and necessary for her survival.