By Neonewman
Warning: The author has noted that this contains the highest level of violence.
It was a long walk home.
The moon hid behind the earth's shadow, allowing the stars to rummage through the darkness. A disassembled array of chatter cluttered the air, as nocturnal creatures conversed amongst themselves.
Mary ignored their nightly rituals, as she had an agenda of her own.
"Why?" she asked as her foot stomped the old dirt road."Why do I take this crap from him?" she wailed with contempt. "I deserve a man, a good man," she paused as her thoughts drifted to a better place. "But maybe not this man." Her jaw clenched as she mumbled.
"So why hold onto him? " The true question finally surfaced. She dabbed both cheeks with the right cuff of Jeremy's green flannel shirt. His scent still lingered, which gave her a false, sense of security.
"Dammit, Jeremy!" she smiled. "Can't help but love your dumb, hick ass."
With tear-soaked eyes, she peered over her left shoulder. About fifteen or so feet away, she noticed a large flat object in the middle of the road. Curiosity brought her a few steps closer. There on the ground, she noticed an old weathered envelope. Mary inched closer, then stopped. She became a bit confused. For she found what the envelope offered.
In large, bold print.
A single word displayed.
MARY!
Each letter printed in a black, calligraphy style craft. An old art form of print, almost extinct in this day and age. Startled, she spun towards the thick, wooded area that draped the old dirt road.
"Jeremy." She trembled as she whispered his name. The air about became deathly quiet. Even the chatter had ceased to exist.
"What the hell, Jeremy?" Mary scanned the shadows. "It's not enough you've verbally assaulted me, now you want to scare the hell out of me as well." Once again, silence filled the air. "Asshole," she nervously whispered.
Mary was slow to bend at the knee. Ever so vigilant, her eyes strayed not from the edge of the woods. She extended her right hand forward and scooped the envelope from its resting place. "I ought to shove this up your ass, Jeremy Wayne Lacey!" She voiced her anger.
"I'm not Jeremy," whispered a calm voice, which commanded the dark.
"I am here to take away your pain, sweet young Mary." A sympathetic voice soothed the air.
Mary was stifled with fear.
"You will suffer only," he paused as he presented himself to Mary, "But for a moment longer."
She gazed into the eyes of this man-like creature who stood before her.
"Now, now," he whispered. "It's going to be ok."
The stranger gently slipped his abnormally sized hand around Mary's petite neck.
She was almost comforted by his grip. She drew a deep breath as if she were about to swim across beaver's creek beneath the stagnant water, as she'd done on many occasions.
He lifted her above the ground, as he focused upon her eyes.
"My wife's name was Mary!" His voice fell heavy.
His grip tightened. Mary struggled as she stared into his dark, ominous face.
She found his eyes to be blacker than coal, yet alive with color and cold that rattled her bones.
With his free hand, he stroked her cheek. Tears fell from her saddened eyes.
Seeing this, the stranger pressed his own cheek against hers and whispered.
"Goodnight sweet Mary." He drew back a deep breath. "Your story will be told for an eternity, for I am the taker of breath and on this night, I shall take yours."
The pressure he applied was more than the poor girl could stand. Her feet flailed wildly as panic set in. She tilted her head back, trying to wedge her own fingers between his calloused hand. Her attempts to free herself were futile. She had proven to be less than a formidable opponent against her attacker.
His strength and desire had overcome her. Mary's body twitched as the last moments of her life faded. She drifted into unconsciousness. He removed his right hand from her collapsed throat, still holding her above ground with his left hand. A fierce roar, bellowed from within as he thrust his right hand beneath the flesh of her torso. He closed his eyes and sighed, then violently jerked his hand from within, allowing her entrails to spill upon the old dirt road. Her shoe fell from the right foot as she fell limp beneath his grasp.
He cocked his head sideways, as the sound of an oncoming vehicle beckoned. He stepped back into the edge of the wooded area as not to be seen. Mary swayed beneath his left hand, as the vehicle approached. A vintage Chevrolet pickup truck moving at high speed roared their way. A piercing growl exited his soul, then he tossed Mary's lifeless body in front of the oncoming vehicle.
He watched intently as the truck swerved violently to the right, then abruptly stopped as it plowed into the large oak tree before it. Smoke billowed from beneath the hood as liquids spewed and hissed. He strolled over to the scene of his crime and noticed a young man lying unconscious in the driver's seat. Blood splattered the contents of the truck, this comforted the stranger's soul.
He removed a piece of parchment from beneath his weathered cloak. He pulled a quill from his breast pocket and penned these words.
This morning as I awoke.
I became sorely nauseated
at the fact that I was still
capable of drawing a proper breath.
I made no attempt towards the bathroom.
Instead, I emptied my sour gut
into the pail, next to my bed.
Last night again I prayed for death.
Mary is the first of many!
The ominous figure reclaimed the blood-stained envelope, which had fallen from Mary's hand. He carefully folded the parchment and stuffed it inside. He shifted his gaze upon the wreckage once more, then released the envelope and disappeared into the night!
| Author Notes |
This piece will be up for review for a second time. It's been over a year ago I attempted to edit (which I am still a long way from doing well) and display for public review. I will be adding my chapters weekly until they have been completed. I am looking for honest feedback please. Not sure about the format, hopefully it will be easy to read. I have what I feel is a great story to tell, if you are willing to follow along.
Thank you for your time, and enjoy the horror. |
By Neonewman
Jeremy Wayne Lacey stood furiously in front of the refrigerator. Opening the door, he reached in and grabbed another beer.
"Dammit," he mumbled.
With a quick flick of his wrist the top flew from the bottle. He watched as it rolled across the kitchen floor. "A better man would go after her." he told himself as he lifted his beer. "A better man would." swallowing half the beer in one violent tilt of the bottle, then shattered it against the hardwood floor of his father's kitchen. "Shit." Jeremy spoke out of frustrtion as he turned to the counter top and grabbed the keys to his truck. "Hold on Mary." He said as the screen door slammed behind him.
"I will be a better man," he proclaimed, meaning it this time.
Jeremy stumbled off the rotted front porch, still a bit drunk from the night's unpleasantness, yet he felt as though he should drive. He slid into the driver's seat and inserted the key into the ignition.
"Why?" He muttered. "Why do I do this to her? Can't I be the man she needs me to be? A little effort here Jeremy." Scolding himself as he slammed the door and pressed his foot against the clutch. Jeremy ground the gears to the old Chevy as he forced the stick into first. He spun the tires across his daddy's front lawn and said. "Hold on baby I'm coming."
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Jeremy glanced at the odometer. With a mile behind him, he became concerned.
"Dammit!" He shouted. "Could she really have gotten this far?" He asked himself, as he brightened the lights. "I mean, how long ago did she leave?" He squinted through the windshield towards the edge of the road. "How long did I let her walk before heading out after her?" Jeremy bowed his head in shame. "You are definitely right Mary, I am an asshole!"
Lost in thought and the flow of alcohol coursing through his veins, only added to Jeremy's distraction. He had barely noticed the movement in front of the truck.
"Oh Shit!" He screamed, as he heard a thump. Something struck the front of his truck. Jeremy jerked the wheel to the right.
"Oh My God!" Echoed throughout the cab of the truck as he desperately tried to regain control of the Chevy. "No!" Jeremy screamed before he collided with the massive oak.
Jeremy lay unconscious between the steering wheel and the driver's door. Steam spewed from under the mangled hood, between the grill and the radiator. Fluids pooling beneath the old truck, pieces of the shattered windshield bounce across the hood.
Jeremy awoke to bright flashing lights. He blinked blood from his left eye as he struggled to focus on the events through the shattered windscreen. Panic set in at the sight of numerous paramedics surrounding him.
"Wha-what happened to me?" He said as he attempted to turn his head.
"My name is Jason." Came a soothing voice from his left. "I am with the Wharton county fire and rescue, you've been involved in an accident. so please, I need you remain still."
Jeremy did not comply as he struggled to move his legs.
"Can you tell me your name?" The paramedic asked.
"Yes!" he said. "Of course I can, my name is Jeremy Wayne Lacey." Confused as he recognized Jason's voice.
"But!" Jeremy paused as he wiped the blood from his eye."You already know this."
"Yes, I do." He said. "I just needed to hear it from you." He spoke with a compassion.
"You have a nasty little gash and goose egg on your forehead, needed to make sure your thoughts are clear."
"What did I hit? " he asked. "I mean I see the tree in front of me, but." Again he paused as he tried to remember the moments leading up to hitting the tree. He looked up at Jason and said. "I think I hit something else. In the road, I think."
"You don't worry yourself with that right now, let's get you onto the ambulance. You can talk to Sheriff Lloyd after we get you checked out."
"Sheriff Lloyd?" he asked. "I don't understand. Why Sheriff Lloyd?" Jeremy questioned once more while trying to bring himself into the upright position.
"Whoa! Hold on there buddy." The paramedic said with his hand firmly against Jeremy's chest. "You've had a little to drink tonight right?" He questioned.
"Wait just a damn minute there!" Jeremy said with his eyes half opened. "I haven't had that much to drink here Jason." Now searching for the right words. "I mean I have had a couple beers but not enough to cause an accident." He shifted his eyes towards Jason. "I've driven many times in a worse conditions than this."
"What do you remember before the accident Jeremy, where were you going?" Jason politely asked.
"Mary and I had another fight. Stupid really, but a fight none the less. I was going after Mary when...." He stopped, stared out of the broken front window of his now totaled pickup. "Wait!" He cried. "Oh my god, Mary." Jeremy becoming distressed.
"Please Jason, tell me I hit a deer or a coyote, or maybe a dog."
"PLEASE JASON NOT MY MARY."
"Hold on." Jason fumbled with the needle cap. "This will help you calm down until we get you to the hospital." He injected Jeremy with a mild sedative as he struggled. "Please relax Jeremy, We need to get that blood pressure of yours under control."
Jeremy's eyes began to tear up as he asked Jason the question he already knew the answer to. "I hit her didn't I?" Jeremy's voice quivered as his eyes took on a glazed look. "I hit her, I hit my sweet Mary, didn't I?" He whimpered.
As he closed his eyes a tear drifted down his left cheek. Jason closed the ambulance door and tapped on the wall, instructing the driver to go.
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Lloyd scanned the wreckage for answers.
"Sheriff." Deputy Stevens summoned.
"Yes Jesse." Lloyd replied.
"What do you make of this mess?" He removed his cap to scratch his head. "I mean did Jeremy, you know, run her over?"
"It's too early to tell Jesse." He said as he shook his head. "I know them both too well to believe it was intentional."
"Right!" He replied.
"Sheriff, Look at her face!"
"I see it ."
"She looks," Jesse struggled to capture the right word. "Well, terrified. Not like an accident victim to me, you know what I mean?"
"Yes I do. Lloyd bowed his head "Jesse." Lloyd said looking intently around him.
"Yes Sheriff." he perked up.
"Scour the scene, see what you can come up with." Lloyd lifted his chin and scratched at his neck.
"What are we looking for Sheriff?"
"I don't know," He said." Maybe her purse, or cell phone or anything that might help make sense of this whole damn mess. Maybe figure out why Mary's intestines are in a pile forty feet from the wreckage."
"Do you think there is something else out here Lloyd?" Jesse asked as he looked toward the ground.
"I don't know. Just look around will you?"
"Yes sir." He replied. "Will do." He grabbed a couple of men and started the search.
"Sheriff?" voice spoke from behind him.
Immediately Lloyd knew by the strong deep voice that the man who stood behind him was none other than Theodore Brandt.
A tall heavy framed man,clean cut and always smelled as if he hadjust walked out of the shower.
But then again, Lloyd thought coldly. If I was a coroner surrounded by death on a daily basis, I think I would opt to shower a little more frequently than most.
"It's been a long time." He said extending his right hand outward, connecting with Teddy's.
"It has Sheriff, I was surprised to get a call from you personally. We haven't had a death outside a home, or hospital in, oh I'd would say in nine, maybe ten years now." He spoke while scratching his thumbnail against his chin.
"It's been ten years." Lloyd said. "Since the Sims brothers found themselves smack dab in front of that semi-truck. "God what a horror show that was." Lloyd said with a grimace.
"As is this Lloyd." Teddy was quick to answer. "Is that Mary over there?" He asked. "Is that Mary Sims, their baby sister?" He asked once more. He was pretty damn sure he already knew the answer.
"It is." Lloyd replied as he removed his hat. "Get her to your lab, I would like a full autopsy ."Nausea crept into Lloyd's gut at the thought of the process. "As soon as possible please.Things may not be as they appear I'm afraid."Lloyd said looking into Teddy's eyes. "Tell me Teddy." he paused. "How in the hell do I tell Sam and Doris Sims they've lost another child?"
"Sheriff!" Jesse's voice interrupted the conversation. "We have something over here." Jesse waved his arms in the air.
"It looks like it might be a letter or something and it has Mary's name on it." Jesse looked down at the object. "It hasn't been opened Sheriff."
"Great job deputy. Bag it, I'll examine it at the station."
"Will do!" Jesse said. "Let's get this mess cleaned up boys."
"Oh and Jesse."
"Yes Sheriff."
"I'll see you at the hospital." Lloyd spoke as he retrieved his phone from his car. He pressed number three on the speed dial.
"Wharton County general, Debbie Wall speaking how may I direct your call?"
Debbie, a mousy little intern always chewing gum and talking with a hard Texas drawl. Lloyd could hear her popping that gum over the phone.
"Good evening Debbie, Sheriff Lloyd here."
"Hey Sheriff!" She perked up. "What can I do you for you handsome?" Debbie flirted with Lloyd, as she does with any man in uniform.
"Well Debbie, you can stop popping that gum in my ear for starters."
She giggled. "Sorry Sheriff."
"Has Jeremy Wayne Lacey arrived yet?" He asked.
"Yes sir he has, about thirty or so minutes ago."
"Is he conscious?" Asked Lloyd. "Yes sir he is. The whole darn hospital can hear him yelling. Something about Mary. That's still Jeremy's girlfriend, right Sheriff?"
"Debbie, I need you to talk to Dr. Davis for me, ask him to keep Jeremy coherent until I get there." Lloyd could hear her excitement as she continued to smack that gum. "Debbie can you do that for me?" He asked.
"I can." She said.
"Sheriff."
"Yes Debbie."
"Did something happen to Mary?"
"Never you mind that young lady, I'll be there soon. If you can pass that message to Dr. Davis for me please, I would appreciate it." Lloyd pressed the end button without waiting for Debbie to respond.
Dr. Davis pulled the curtain back startling Jeremy. "Mr. Lacey, I'm Dr. Davis." He said staring at his clipboard. "Looking over your X-rays, I find that you area remarkably lucky young man."
"Thank you, I guess." seemed to be the appropriate answer at the time.
"You have a few minor lacerations and nine stitches to the forehead. You also have a pretty nasty concussion that will require you to be an overnight guest, just for observation." Dr. Davis winked at Jeremy. "Other than that, like I stated before, you're quite the lucky man."
"Thank you Dr." With a concerned look upon his face Jeremy asked. "Is sheriff Lloyd here?
Reckon he's going to want to speak with me at some point. I would kind of like to know" His voice cut out as he choked on his words.
"I, well you know, I need to know what I hit tonight." Jeremy looked away as he spoke.
"Well, Jeremy," he said softly. That will be between you two. As far as I know, he has not arrived as of yet." Dr. Davis looked over his glasses at Jeremy.
"But I understand he is on his way until he gets here young man, you really should try to get some rest." Dr. Davis smiled. "And if it comforts you in any way, you are the only patient we have received through these doors tonight."
He was relieved to hear this news. "I guess it's the drinking and driving he will want to talk about them." Jeremy looked nervous.
"Try and get some rest, Mr. Lacey, I will check in o you later."
"Thank you, Doctor." whispered Jeremy as he closed his eyes.
"Good evening, Debbie," Lloyd said.
"Hey, Sheriff." She said, still smacking her gum. "And howdy to you Mr. Deputy man!" She teased Jesse.
"We're here to see Jeremy Wayne Lacey. Can you tell me where I might find him?"
"I sure can Sheriff. He's just down..."
"Good evening sheriff!" Dr. Davis interrupted from behind.
"Good to see you again, how's Grace and the kids?" Lloyd asked while shaking Dr. Davis' hand.
"Doing fine Sheriff, doing just fine."
"Can we speak in private, Richard?" He said.
"Absolutely!" Davis directed him over by the water fountain.
Lloyd looked to his left. "Sit tight Jesse." He commanded. "I'll be back shortly." He smiled at the deputy.
"Will do Sheriff. He said as he took a seat.
"How is Jeremy?" Lloyd asked.
"He will be fine, a mild concussion, some stitches, and a few abrasions, but fine none the less." He paused.
"Jeremy believes he may have hit something before he slammed into that tree, and Lloyd I sense he doesn't think it was an animal."
Lloyd shook his head. "That's because itwasn't Richard. We are still looking into the accident, but it does appear he may have run down Mary Sims."
"Oh lord, his girlfriend?" Dr. Davis asked.
"I'm afraid so."
"We need to keep this news from Jeremy, Lloyd. at least for tonight."Davis said. "He could very well go into shock with the concussion and all. Best this is left until tomorrow. I can tell him that I turned you away tonight because he needed the rest, he thinks you want to talk to him about the drinking and driving thing."
"I do." said Lloyd eagerly. "I definitely want to talk to him about that. But there was something else at the scene that I wish to take a closer look at first."
"What would that be Lloyd?" He inquired.
"Uh!" Lloyd paused to gather his thoughts.
"Let me look into it first Richard.Thank you for your help, I will be back up here first thing in the morning."
"Alright Lloyd, good night!"
"Good night Richard!"
| Author Notes |
O.K. The second chapter has been revised and is ready for review. I am still learning the editing and formatting process. I am looking for feedback which may enhance this process.
I hope you find it to be an enjoyable read. It's not as intense as the first chapter. Thank you for taking the time to read my work. |
By Neonewman
Warning: The author has noted that this contains the highest level of violence.
Sam bolts from his slumber gasping for air, startling his wife.
"What's wrong Sam?"
"I don't know Doris." Sam trembled.
"What do you mean, you don't know?" taking hold of his hand. "I'm worried Sam, I can't remember the last time you called me Doris... You dream about the boys again?"
"I'd rather not speak of it, mama."
His feet firmly on the floor, he stood up.
"Where are you going, Honey?"
Sam ignored her and began walking towards the kitchen, grasping the coffee pot, placing it on the stove.
"Samuel Nathan Sims, just what may I ask do you think you're doing?" she spoke, placing both hands on her hips. "It's 1:55 in the morning, what has you brewing coffee at this ungodly hour?"
"Where's Mary?" he mumbled. "Where's my baby girl?" while looking back at the stove, checking to see if he'd lit the burner. "Not like her to be out this late without calling."
"Now Sam, you know that girls got it bad for that Lacey boy. They're probably just sitting on his Daddy's front porch swing making eyes at one another!"
"Yea I suppose, mama."
The sound of car doors shutting brings a smile to Doris' face.
"Looks like that Lacey boy done brought your baby girl home, now maybe you can turn that old coffee pot off." she said, running her hand across his back.
"Oh, my." She jumps at the sound of knocking at the front door.
"Baby, you want to get the door?" she says, laughing.
He turns, walks out of the kitchen and into the living room. He stops mid-step as two men's shadows come into view. Quickly turning his head towards the living room window, he could see both the Sheriff and deputies squad cars.
"Doris." he grunted, his knees becoming weak.
"You better get in here, the Sheriff's at the door."
She races past Sam scolding him for not answering the door. She reaches for the doorknob. Doris finds herself reluctant to open it remembering the last time the Sheriff came to her door.
"Sheriff," she politely nods as the front door swings inward. "Deputy."
"May we come in Mrs. Sims?" Lloyd asks removing his hat.
"Oh, where are my manners? Of course, and please call me Doris." stepping aside allowing them to enter.
"I have to tell you, Sheriff, I'm just terrified at the thought of what brought you boys to my front door at this ungodly hour."
Sam's knees buckled, his legs slip out from under him making an awful noise as he crashes to the floor.
"Sam." she cries as she rushes to his aid, placing her hand beneath his head, kissing his cheek.
"Sheriff, you come here to tell us something about our baby girl?" her lips are quivering. Lloyd is lowering his hat to mid waist, clutching it tightly.
"Yes, ma'am," Lloyd spoke, fighting the tears back.
Deputy Stevens began walking away.
"I can't do this sheriff," he yells back as he bows his head. "I am very sorry Mr. and Mrs. Sims," Jesse's voice trembling. "I truly am."
"Well, Sheriff." Doris bravely said as her husband lay broken on the floor.
Lloyd draws a deep breath, his hands crushing his hat.
"There's been an accident."
"Accident?"
"Yes Ma'am," lifting his head. "I'm afraid Mary didn't survive." He said, choking on his words.
"Oh God!" Sam is screaming from the floor. "Oh God no, not my baby girl."
Doris, ignoring her husband's cries, raises her head and looks straight at Lloyd.
"That Lacey boy involved?" her hands are now trembling. "Was he drinking, Lloyd?"
"I'll kill that son of a bitch," Sam spoke, scrambling to his feet. "I will kill that boy as sure as I'm standing here. You hear me, Sheriff?" shaking his index finger at Lloyd.
"Sam, please? We are investigating her death." Lloyd is easing towards the couple. "We're not sure exactly what's happened as of yet."
"What do you mean?" Doris asked, regaining her composure.
"I mean it appears he may have struck her with his truck."
"Oh my God," Doris interrupts, clutching Sam's arm.
"Are you telling me he ran her down?" she says, removing her hands from her husband's arm. "God knows I can handle an accident, Lloyd, but not murder."
"He's as good as dead." Sam's voice heavy with conviction.
Lloyd is shifting his eyes towards the irrational father. Sam's holding his 20 gauge Remington shotgun, stuffing it full of shells.
"Think about what you're doing Sam."
"Oh, I know what I'm doing, Sheriff," locking eyes with Lloyd. "I'm thinking clear as a bell."
"Jesse, you get over here." Lloyd's eyes still focusing on Sam.
"Now boy!"
Jesse's adrenaline spikes and he's quickly at Lloyd's side.
"What do you need me to do?"
Lloyd shifts his eyes from Sam to Jesse.
"You stay with Doris," Sam, taking advantage of the situation begins running towards the back door. "I'll go after Sam."
"Just let him go, sheriff." Doris, shuffling side to side, trying to get around Jesse.
"Let him go, Sheriff!" she screams.
In an instant Sam takes a dive, sliding across the gravel driveway slamming into the side of his pickup.
"Holy Hell," he says as he notices blood flowing from his skinned forearms.
The shotgun bounces into the bushes nearby and fires. Half the pellets strike Sam in the left arm, waist, and leg, while the other half spray bed of his truck. His screams tear through the night air.
'Let me go." Doris said breaking free from Jesse.
"Sam," she squeals as she runs to his side. "You old fool, you better keep yourself breathing, I can't deal with you leaving me too."
The pain is too much for Sam; he slips out of consciousness.
Jesse radios for an ambulance then calls the hospital, immediately thinking they need to post a guard at Jeremy's door.
"How are we going to contain this mess, Lloyd?"
Lloyd places his hand on Jesse's shoulder.
"I need you to follow Sam and Doris to the hospital; we need you to make sure everything remains copasetic."
"Where are you going Sheriff?"
"Back to the office, I need to tie up some loose ends."
Lloyd opens the door to his cruiser, looking back watching as they close the ambulance door.
"This is going to be one hell of a long night." He mumbles.
****************************************************
While driving down Highway 59, Lloyds wrestles with all of the possibilities this case presents, the envelope lying next to him catches his eye. Curiosity got the better of him, "What do you have to say to Mary," he thought while pulling onto the road's shoulder.
Grabbing a pair of latex gloves his thoughts ran wild. "What am I going to find in here?" He secures the gloves then removes the envelope from the evidence bag. Lloyd breaks the seal and reveals its contents.
He reaches inside and removes a folded piece of parchment; it appeared to be old, supporting a strange form of calligraphy. He fumbles above him and presses the button; the light reveals the scripture.
This morning as I awoke.
I became sorely nauseated at the fact that I was still capable of drawing a proper breath.
I made no attempt towards the bathroom.
Instead, I emptied my sour gut into the pale next to my bed.
Last night again I prayed for death.
Mary was my release.
"What the hell... is this murder? Jeremy Wayne Lacey, you son of a bitch."
Lloyd immediately pulls back onto the freeway and began to speed towards the hospital.
"Holy shit," grabbing his cell, he calls Jesse. "come on Jesse, answer the damn phone."
The phone continued ringing. Now angry, Lloyd throws the phone into the floorboard.
"Dammit!"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The ambulance arrives at Wharton County General Hospital at approximately 2:58 AM. Jesse pulls in next to the ambulance. He jumps out of his car and heads into the emergency room. Rushing over to the receptionist, (a healthy senior woman) he quickly asks.
"Jeremy Wayne Lacey, is there security for Jeremy Wayne Lacey?"
Without looking up, she gives him the thumbs up.
"Thank you, ma'am," Jesse says with a tip of the hat and moves steadfastly towards Jeremy's room. He approaches the guards and whispers. "Keep a close eye on him, his girlfriend's parents have just arrived and are apparently dangerous."
The paramedics unloaded Sam as Doris cries hysterically at his side. They wheel him through the emergency room door making it known they have a gunshot victim. A medical team quickly assembles, and they shuffle him off to the back.
The nurse asks Mrs. Sims to follow her; she needs her to fill out some paperwork.
"But," she said holding her hand in her husband's direction. "I, ah."
"It'll only take a minute, Ma'am," she smiles. "he's in great hands."
"I know," she says. "but we just lost our only daughter, and I don't want him to be alone." She finds herself pleading with her eyes.
"Okay, ma'am," she nods. "I'll be here when you get back."
"Thank you." she says and rushes to catch up with Sam.
*************************
Nearly twenty minutes later, Lloyd arrives at the Hospital. He sees the illuminating screen on his phone blinking in the floorboard. He knew it was Jesse from the ringtone.
He fumbles with the seat belt then rapidly retrieves the phone.
"Hello, You there Jesse?"
"Yes sir, you called?"
"Yeah, we have a huge problem!"
"I'll say. Mary's parents just arrived, and everyone's on edge."
"It seems we might have a murder on our hands." Lloyd broke the news.
" Murder?"
"Yes sir, I will fill you in soon, meet me outside of Jeremy's room, I am on my way in." Lloyd hit the end button and asks the receptionist where he might find Jeremy Wayne Lacey.
"They moved him to room 203 for observation." she speaks without making eye contact.
Lloyd makes his way down the hall towards Jeremy's room, where he finds Jesse sipping from the water fountain.
Jesse catches Lloyd out of the corner of his eye. He immediately stands up wiping the water from his chin.
"Hey," Jesse pointing at the fountain, "I was just getting a drink of water."
"Let's find a private room, Jesse." Lloyd directed.
"I know where we can go, Sheriff," waving him forward. "Follow me."
Lloyd is looking back at the guards in front of Jeremy's door signaling them to stay put.
As they enter the empty waiting area, Jesse spins around looking puzzled.
"So what's going on, Sheriff?"
Lloyd handed Jesse the envelope.
"Take a look inside and tell me what make of it."
Jesse pulled the parchment from its sheath and began reading it, Shaking his head in disbelief.
"Well?"
"Holly shit! Do you think this is Jeremy's doing? I mean, why would he leave a note?"
"I don't know!" Lloyd said.
"I'm perplexed by the whole thing," Lloyd pauses. "However, I've been in this business long enough to know this is murder."
A loud crash interrupts the men, followed by a horrific scream. The two bolt towards the ruckus, finding a mess of medical equipment on the floor and Doris Sims wielding a surgeon's scaffold.
"Step back boys," she orders. "let me at him!"
"Doris," Lloyd speaks with empathy. "Put it down and take a step back, please."
"I don't think so Lloyd, I have lost too much to stop now," Doris is waving the blade back and forth. "Had you not chased Sam to his truck, he might not have fallen, and Jeremy would already be dead."
"Doris!" Lloyd is commanding her attention. "Just listen to what you're saying, you're not thinking clearly."
"Oh, on the contrary, Sheriff, I am thinking clearer than I have ever thought before," she lunges forward. "I aim to gut that pig" She shouts. "He will pay with his life for what he's done to my baby girl."
Lloyd draws his weapon.
"What you gonna to do Lloyd, you gonna to shoot me?"
"I would rather not, Doris...But if I have to."
"Just look at that boy, Sheriff, what a coward you are Jeremy Wayne Lacey, all balled up in that corner, scared of a little old woman."
"COWARD!" she spat at him.
"I didn't know Mrs. Sims, I promise you I didn't know."
he claims, sobbing and begging her forgiveness.
"How could you not know you killed my Mary?" Jesse taking advantage of her weakness wrestles the scaffold from her.
"You'll get yours, Jeremy Wayne Lacey. I can assure you that much, just you wait and see!" she says, turning her attention to Jesse.
"You feel good about yourself Jesse, manhandling a poor old helpless woman like that?"
"Do I need to take her into custody Sheriff?"
"Get your hands off of me deputy." Slapping at him as if she were scolding a child.
"Turn her loose," Lloyd said out of frustration. "Doris," Lloyd faces her. "are you done with these shenanigans?"
"Well, I do suppose I need to go and look in on my husband." she proudly held her head high.
Lloyd knew that look well. He'd witnessed it many times before from the independent women in Wharton County, one being his mother.
A tall, meaty woman who on occasion took enough of Lloyds father's drinking and sent him off to the pokey to sleep it off.
"I guess that's a yes?" Lloyd nods.
.
"I reckon it is Lloyd, for now."
"You ought to get someone to look in on your boy you know, get him ready for prison and all," nodding as she heads down the hall away from the crowd, which by now had reached an impressive 18 people.
"Oh, and Lloyd, you might want to tell these kind folks to stop looking my way now and get on back to what they are paid to be doing."
"You heard the lady, back to work folks, nothing else to see here."
"Sheriff." a sobbing voice came from the room.
"Yes, Mr. Lacey," Lloyd said shooting a look of disgust at the boy.
"I don't know," he cries. "You have to believe me, sheriff. I would never hurt my Mary, never on purpose."
Turning towards Jesse, Lloyd said, "Cuff his ass to the bed!
"You can't do that, Sheriff," Jeremy screams, panicking, looking for an escape route.
"And as soon as Dr. Davis signs his release forms.... Arrest the man, on suspicion of murder and show him to his new quarters."
"She'll come after me again, and, and,"
Jeremy, looking for anyone to aid in his campaign. "She'll kill me, Sheriff, she'll kill me sure as I sit here, won't be able to defend myself, Sheriff!"
"Shut up, Jeremy. You don't have the luxury of talking to me about what that family is going to do to you. It's now my responsibility to keep that from happening." Lloyd stops and turns back towards him. "And Son, you might pray harder than you've ever prayed before," Lloyd lowers his head still looking at him. "that I'm able to do just that."
And with those final words
Lloyd takes his leave.
| Author Notes |
Thank you to all who have been following this story so far. I have enjoyed reading all the reviews and appreciate the help provided.
God bless! Steve |
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