Freezer Burn: A Maggie Mercer Mystery
Page 24
We were supposed to double date with Rick and Lancy for Valentine’s Day, but circumstances dictated otherwise, so Rick postponed it until the end of March, maybe April. I’ll let you know how it goes. I have this ‘sense’ that somebody’s going to end up with a little more bling than they started out with.
Not me. Already got mine, thank you very much.
As a hockey fan, I have to insert this tidbit: The Pittsburgh Penguins acquired a new coach, and have gotten their second wind. They’re running gung-ho towards the Stanley Cup. To me, they look unstoppable.
Go, Pens!
* * *
UM, okay.
Couple deep breaths.
I got most of this information from Dodge Peters, since I wasn’t there to witness it firsthand.
Wyatt, Ricky, and the brothers did find Sybil. Did catch up with the truck she was in.
Her brothers, in defiance of Wyatt’s order, passed the police department SUV and tried to run the suspect’s truck off the road. They got in front of it, but were no match for a full-sized 4X4. All they managed to do was get their own car flipped and slammed against a tree. Wyatt pulled up to the smashed car and jumped out with Rick to make sure the brothers were okay. They were, more or less. Bruises, abrasions, and some contusions.
The truck slowed, the driver side window slid down, and that bastard raised a rifle.
Wyatt yelled for Rick to fire off a few warning shots at the idiot’s tires.
The moron takes a few shots of his own, hitting Wyatt, three times. Almost fatally. Rick takes off on foot towards the guy, firing a couple more shots—one of which shattered the windshield—just as the imbecile spins out. The back bumper caught Rick’s hip as the truck fishtailed, bounced him against the back quarter panel, and then flung him to the ground.
According to Dodge, the truck had a lot of trouble getting traction on the hard-packed snow cover, and was swaying/swishing around and weaving erratically. He said it looked like Sybil was fighting to get out, too, and her assailant was trying to keep her in.
Then the passenger door flew open, and centrifugal force pulled the girl right out.
The rescue squad arrived within minutes of my call, saving Wyatt’s life before he could bleed out, and keeping him alive until they could get to the hospital and into emergency surgery.
Sybil wasn’t so lucky. She died on impact with the road, and was pronounced DOA at the emergency room.
Rick suffered a broken collar bone, chipped right hipbone, multiple scrapes, bruises, and abrasions, and needed almost thirty stitches to close a gash on his right thigh—from sliding over a rock when he was thrown by the truck.
The brothers, as I mentioned earlier, were battered, contused, and bruised, but otherwise fine. They were released after a few hours, with warnings to rest.
Wyatt was in surgery for seven hours, and it was touch and go for another 72 in the ICU. Five weeks later he was sent to a rehab center for a few more weeks, and has been home—under my mother-hen care—for just over two.
He’s still not a 100-percent, of course, but is doing much better. Those backyard outings with the boys has helped him heal and build back his stamina. Doc Weston hasn’t cleared him to drive, or return to duty.
Let me tell you, my emotions have been through the proverbial wringer, and I’m not back to normal yet, either.
Wyatt’s mother and dad stayed at his house until he was out of danger. We all bonded over the worry, and eventual relief.
Rick was released three weeks after the incident, with orders to use the crutches for another three, and then a cane. He’s up to walking without a limp, mostly. He’ll always have the scar, of course.
Poor Lancy was a Nervous Nelly until she could pick him up from the hospital. She had a hard time dealing with his bruised and bloodied self, but they seem stronger than ever as a couple. I do know they had a big discussion about him being in such a dangerous profession. We’ll have to wait and see what develops in that arena.
The borough council brought in some temporary officers to handle anything that came up while Wyatt and Ricky were ‘indisposed.’ A couple of them have been hired on as part of the project to expand our police department. I’m actually glad to have them on board.
The investigation into the shootings continues. Wyatt, with the help of a couple of avid hunters, figured out the trajectory and distance from the spot where Gage was hit. They tromped through the woods—despite my protests that Wyatt not go out there in his condition—all the way over on the other side of Grand View Lake. Not only did they find the site where the shooter stood, they were able to spot a couple of shell casings. Remarkable, right? Especially after all this time.
Pretty dumb of the shooter, too, if you ask me.
Wyatt sent the casings off to the forensic lab in Waynesburg, along with the bullets from his wounds, and the one from Gabe’s shoulder, for analysis.
We’re keeping our fingers crossed.
Wyatt’s recovery had a setback because of it, too. Male macho idiot.
A grieving Jarrod, William, and Abel returned to Cleveland with their sister’s body. So very sad.
Before they left, a standing invitation was issued by our Miss Annetta, for them to visit their nephew, any time. I think it helped temper some of their pain.
I was right about them and their loopy psycho-sister—may she rest in peace—not being involved in any way. And that lunkhead Luther wasn’t even a contender, not seriously.
Wish we’d hurry up and figure out who this guy is. Along with rage and frustration, I’m really getting paranoid.
The weather patterns, though sporadic, are improving. There are still intermittent fragments of time where the temperatures drop below freezing, and the snow falls.
But then the sun comes out and winter coats are replaced by spring jackets.
I saw a daffodil yesterday.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jill is the eldest of four children born to Christian parents in East Central Pennsylvania. It took a while, but the rebel within finally broke free. After shocking family and friends by enlisting in the U.S. Army, then marrying—not much of a shock—birthing three sons, and getting divorced—again, not much of a shock—she's now living in the great State of PA ... at least until the next adventure.
She began writing nonsense stories for her siblings and friends while in grade school, probably from the time she learned cursive. Her writing has improved since then. Thank goodness. With time, maturity, and persistence, Jill continues to hone her craft in a variety of genres.
Taking up the challenge to write outside the box, Jill’s story “How Do You Do It, Mr. Sullivan?” was accepted for the anthology Midnight Movie Creature Feature 2 . She also co-authored "S.P.Q.R.” with Rob M. Miller for the anthology Fifty Shades of Decay . Her newest short, “Whiskers” was accepted for the anthology From Dusk Til Dawn .
Currently, she’s working on the third installment of her “Mossy Creek” trilogy (a cozy romantic-suspense), and other projects.
Do visit her at www.therebelwriter.wordpress.com
ALSO BY JILL S. BEHE
Available Now Book 1 In the Mossy Creek Series
Coming Soon!
ALSO FROM DEVILDOG PRESS
www.devildogpress.com
Zombie Fallout By Mark Tufo
* * *
Burkheart Witch Saga By Christine Sutton
* * *
The Hollowing By Travis Tufo
* * *
Chelsea Avenue By Armand Rosamilia
* * *
Revelations: Cast In Blood by Christine Sutton, Jaime Johnesee & Lisa Lane
* * *
THANK YOU
Thank you for reading Mossy Creek 2: Freezer Burn. Gaining exposure as an independent author relies mostly on word-of-mouth, please consider leaving a review wherever you purchased this story.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Acknowledgments
Dedication
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
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
About the Author
Also by Jill S. Behe
Also From DevilDog Press
Thank You
Table of Contents
Copyright
Acknowledgments
Dedication
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