Winter Chill

by Joanne Fluke

  “I know.” Dr. Hinkley looked old and tired. “I don’t like it, either, Pete, but there’s no other way. We had to do it for Marian’s sake. Think of how we’d feel if he spread that crazy story around town. Marian’s been hurt enough.”

  “I guess you’re right, but that doesn’t make me feel any better. Nine o’clock tomorrow?”

  The doctor nodded. “We’ll go together. It’ll be easier that way.”

  “We’d better get over to that town meeting.” Sheriff Bates checked his watch. “I hope Jim kept a tight rein on that crowd.”

  “We don’t need any more trouble, that’s for sure.” Dr. Hinkley shook his head. “I think Nisswa’s had its share for the next ten years.”

  “Come on, Marian!” Edith hesitated at the open doorway. “I can see the crowd from here. It looks like they’ve got him cornered over at the Conoco station.”

  “I’ll be there in a minute.” Marian watched the door close behind Edith. She didn’t want to go, but she knew she should. She was the one who had started all this. It was her responsibility to see it through to the end.

  She was the only one left in the building. Marian got stiffly to her feet. She didn’t want to see Jake cornered and scared. She didn’t want to hear the mob of people shouting. But her legs carried her to the door and out, across the cold street to the ring of people surrounding Jake Campbell.

  “Come on, Jake. We just want to take you to the sheriff.” Jim was still trying to reason with him. “You like Sheriff Bates, don’t you, Jake?”

  “Get away! I’ll kill you!”

  She could see Jake now, cowering against the cinder-block building. He thrashed out wildly with his arms, and Jim went down. He was like an animal in a trap, fighting for his life. For a moment Marian thought she was going to be sick.

  The men in the front were moving now, circling around their wary prey. Jake’s head was swiveling. He knew he was surrounded. Marian prayed that he’d give up quietly and let them take him to Sheriff Bates.

  “You’ll never get me alive!” His voice was crazed. Flecks of foam spattered from his mouth as he shouted, and his lips were drawn up in a frantic snarl. Jake was not going quietly. He was standing there, outnumbered fifty to one, but he wouldn’t give in.

  “We’re going to have to rush him. Come on! On the count of three . . .”

  As Marian watched, the men surged forward. Jake held them at bay, screaming threats. Another man went down as Jake swung desperately. He was holding his own, but it couldn’t last long.

  Where was Sheriff Bates? He must have heard this commotion. Marian stared up the dark street, hoping to see his squad car.

  Jake was still defending himself, kicking out and swinging his powerful arms. No one wanted to get close enough to chance getting hit. Marian hoped the crowd would stay out of reach until Sheriff Bates got here.

  Jake’s movements were getting wilder. The huge man was getting tired, but he wasn’t giving up. The expression on his face was one of pure terror. Marian didn’t blame him for being afraid. The people she lived and worked with were turning ugly out here in the dark.

  “I’ll take you bastards with me! Don’t come any closer!” Jake brushed Tom Woolery out of the way.

  One of the men brandished a plank. Gus Olson had a brick in his hand. Something glinted in the moonlight, and a tire iron waved above the heads of the crowd. Marian swayed slightly. She felt faint. The snowbanks were whirling around her, and it was all she could do to stay on her feet.

  They were advancing now, tightening the circle, closing in for the kill. There was a rhythm about it: advance two steps, fall back one, advance two more, fall back to regroup. She could still see the tire iron slashing against the air. Suddenly it crashed down. There was a hollow, crunching sound and a hideous scream.

  “Murderer!” It was Donna Fischer’s voice above the shouts of the crowd. “He killed my baby!”

  “Killer!”

  “Get him! Don’t let him get away!” Gus Olson was shouting now. Marian saw the brick being raised and lowered again and again.

  “Hit him again! He’s getting up!”

  They were all screaming, high-pitched wails of terror from the women mingling with the shouts of the men. The sound built into something so loud and fearful that Marian reached up to cover her ears.

  Then she was shouting, too, one thin voice raised in fearful protest. Stop! They had to stop! Dear God, they were killing him. They were bashing and battering and tearing him apart!

  Now there was another sound, a sound that drowned out the screaming crowd. It was a siren. Sheriff Bates’s car came around the corner, red lights flashing against the banks of snow.

  Suddenly it was quiet. The crowd was frozen as the siren cut off and Sheriff Bates got out of the car.

  “What the hell’s happening here?” His voice was loud and demanding, but no one answered. The men who had been shouting moments before were silent and motionless now. It was as if time had stopped and everyone was caught in a freeze-frame forever.

  The spell was broken. Dr. Hinkley came forward. There was a shuffling of feet as the crowd moved aside for the doctor. Through the break in the crowd Marian could see Jake on the snow. There were dark blotches of blood all around him. His body was crumpled and still.

  Dr. Hinkley bent over him for a moment. The crowd waited. No one said a word.

  “He’s dead.”

  The doctor’s words hung in the cold air. For a moment there was no sound at all, and then everyone started yelling at once.

  “He was hanging around the school last night, right before Sally was killed. He murdered her!”

  “He killed Jenny Powell, too! We all saw him at the sledding party.”

  “And he was talking to Becky Fischer the day she died. He must have waited for her in the icehouse.”

  “We were going to bring him to you, but he attacked us. He’s guilty, Sheriff. He’s the killer!”

  Sheriff Bates did not raise his voice, but everyone heard him.

  “Jake was at the school last night. That much is true. But I locked him up in jail to keep him from freezing. I waved at Sally when I took him away. She was in her classroom, just as alive as you or me.”

  There was nothing to say. The crowd shifted uneasily, and several women began to cry. Donna Fischer was sobbing openly now, and Earl put his arm around her shoulders. Marian could see Jim Sorensen’s face. He was white and shaking.

  “Go home now.”

  Sheriff Bates moved to stand in front of Jake’s body.

  “Go home and try to sleep.”

  One by one they moved, dark shadows with heads bowed. They were all looking down at the snow, afraid of meeting their neighbors’ eyes. It took only a minute and the area was deserted except for three silent figures outlined against the stark building. Dr. Hinkley and Sheriff Bates. And the body of Jake Campbell.

  CHAPTER 29

  Dan tried to think of another way. In the agonizing hour that had elapsed since Joyce’s call, he had gone through many possibilities. Only one remained. And that was so hideous, his mind balked. He loved her so much. Why did it have to happen this way?

  Was his way kinder than theirs? Oh, he had no doubt that someday they would learn the truth. But by then it would be too late. There would be more suffering, more horror, and he could end all that now, if only he had the courage. Marian would be here soon, and then it would start. It was the only way to stop this horror.

  There was paper and a pen in the drawer of the bedside table. Dan’s hands were shaking so hard, he could barely form the letters. A note from Laura. It was the only way. Marian would believe a note from her baby.

  Dan willed his hand to be steady. Images were flashing through his mind, wonderful memories of the joy they had shared.

  Marian, radiant and smiling, dressed in bridal white, a look of expectant joy on her face, floating down the aisle of the flower-decked church to be his wife.

  Marian, learning to drive the stick-shift van,
the funny way she crinkled up her nose when she concentrated on finding second gear.

  Marian, colored lights mirrored in her happy eyes, a strand of tinsel glittering in her hair, sitting cross-legged under their first huge Christmas tree.

  Marian, pale and ethereal in a hospital bed, with baby Laura nestled in the crook of her arm.

  Marian, serene, Madonna-like, baby at her breast, slowly rocking to lull Laura to sleep.

  Marian in the fall, laughing and playing in a pile of colored leaves.

  Marian in the winter, leaning against the snowman they’d built, reaching up to tip the hat at just the right angle.

  Marian in the spring, planting their garden, marking the rows with the pictures of seed packages, a smudge of dirt on her cheek.

  Marian in the summer, posing at the lake in cutoff jeans, a flopping sunfish held gingerly by the very end of the stringer.

  Dan looked down at the note in his hand. It was finished at last.

  Mommy, I need you. Please come here. I’m sad without you.

  He placed the note on the nightstand, where Marian would be sure to see it. What if he lost courage? What could he do? It would be so easy to relent.

  The bottle of tranquilizers Dr. Hinkley had left was in the drawer of the nightstand. Dan shook out two and swallowed them. He would be sleeping when she came home. It was better that way.

  His eyelids grew heavy as he waited. Merciful sleep was almost here. Just a few minutes more and it would be over.

  She was here. Dan heard the front door open, heard the hangers rattle as she hung her coat in the closet. Now. It was time. Now.

  She came in the door, brushing snow from her hair. Dan thought she had never looked more beautiful. Her back was to him, and her lovely dark hair curled in damp little ringlets on the nape of her neck. He remembered kissing her there, placing his lips against the warmth of her neck and breathing in the sweet scent of her.

  I love you, Marian, he said in his mind.

  She was so dear, so beautiful, he almost relented. His wife, his love, the only woman he’d ever really wanted. For a moment he almost convinced himself not to carry out his hideous plan. But there was no mercy.

  She was turning toward the bed now, and Dan closed his eyes. He felt her lips brush his cheek. He had to stay quiet so she’d think he was asleep. It was the hardest thing he’d ever done.

  There was a rustle of paper as she picked up the note. Dan could hear her sharp indrawn breath.

  “She needs me!” Her voice was soft with joy. “My baby needs me!”

  She was leaving now. Dan could hear her footsteps climbing the stairs. He had an almost palpable urge to call her back, to tell her that it had all been a lie. Then sleep came with a rush, and it was finished.

  Marian flew down the hall to Laura’s room. Her baby needed her. Laura needed her mommy!

  “Are you here, baby?” Marian’s voice was full of excitement. “I’m ready, Laura. Tell me what you want.”

  She listened carefully, nodding her head from time to time. Yes. It made perfect sense. She didn’t know why she hadn’t thought of it herself.

  “Yes, darling.” Marian began to smile. Then she laughed, a joyous sound of happiness. The sound of her laughter echoed and filled the room with gladness. It was a sound of celebration. Everything was very clear now.

  She had to hurry. Marian didn’t want to keep her baby waiting. Laura had waited much too long. Only a few more moments and she would be ready.

  Laura’s new blue coat was hanging in the front of the closet. Marian folded it carefully over her arm and carried it down the stairs. She was so happy. Laura wanted her!

  It took only a moment in the kitchen. Marian looked at the thermometer hanging outside the window. It was twenty-four below. That was very cold. It was a good thing she had remembered Laura’s coat.

  The snow stung Marian’s face as she stepped out of the house. The wind blew with blizzard force, and she had to fight her way through the drifts to the deserted cemetery. Laura was waiting for her there; she was certain. Laura was cold, and she had brought her new blue coat to keep her baby warm.

  The sky was dark, and Marian heard the wind howl past the headstones as she knelt at Laura’s grave. It was a lonely place for such a little girl. Marian was so glad to join her.

  “Here, baby.” The tears froze on her cheeks and stuck to her eyelashes. “I brought your coat, honey. Your new blue coat.”

  She was terribly tired. Marian sighed as she bent down and forced her numb fingers to spread out the coat. It covered the small grave like a blanket, warm and soft and comforting.

  Now she was ready, at last. Marian dropped to her knees, listening for the sound of her baby’s voice. She had to be very quiet and listen. Laura would come to her very soon now.

  A smile spread over Marian’s face. There was a cry in the wind, a high, hollow voice that she knew so well. Yes, Laura was calling for her, and she would come.

  The wind blew so hard, she could not open her eyes. The bitter cold chilled her bones, and her fingers burned like fire. Marian was so sleepy that she barely felt the pain. She had to rest for a moment and then listen again. She had to sleep and wait for Laura’s voice to free her.

  There was a smile on her face as she fell forward. She was warm now, warm and at peace in her baby’s love. It was so pleasant, cradled in the soft white snow. At the last moment, she saw Laura’s dear face behind her frozen eyelids.

  CHAPTER 30

  There was no sound in the house when Dan awoke. It was nearly midnight by the clock next to the bed. He had been sleeping for over two hours.

  He sat up in bed and winced. His mind felt sluggish and fuzzy. For a moment, he scarcely knew where he was.

  The pills. He remembered now. He had taken two of Dr. Hinkley’s pills. No wonder he was having trouble waking up.

  “Marian?” he called out in sudden panic. “Marian!”

  It was then he remembered. He had written the note. She had read it. Marian was gone!

  Dan groaned once, a full-throated sound of agony. He had sent the woman he loved to her death. How could he live with that guilt?

  No. He mustn’t think that way. Marian was a killer. She was insane. He had done the right thing. But even though he knew he was right, it was no comfort. Marian was dead, and he had killed her.

  Dan closed his eyes and prayed to his God to forgive him. He had taken a life, the life of the woman he had sworn to cherish. Was she at peace now? Did she forgive him?

  He tried to make himself believe Marian was happier now. She was with Laura. There had been no peace for her without her baby. But wasn’t that the very kind of thinking that had pushed her into madness?

  Dan coughed once, and tears ran down his face. Something was wrong with his eyes. They were so heavy, so terribly heavy, and his lungs felt as if they were bursting.

  The gas! Dan’s eyes flew open with shock. The gas was on. He could smell it now. It was coming from the kitchen stove.

  The pitcher of water crashed to the floor as he pushed himself up and onto his side. Then he rolled, using his arms for leverage. There was a moment when he teetered on the side of the bed, and then he was falling out with a thump to the floor.

  It was slow and painful pulling himself forward by his hands, his useless legs dragging out behind him. He had to get to the kitchen somehow and turn off the stove!

  The heavy dresser helped. Dan grabbed the legs and pulled himself past it, sliding his body along the floor. He could smell the gas strongly now as he came to the doorway. There was still the length of the kitchen floor to crawl.

  Dan pushed up with his arms and fell forward. The slippery linoleum was slowing him down. He wiggled and pushed with his hands, sweaty palms sliding against the smooth surface. Only a few more feet to go. He could make it. He had to shut off the gas!

  The burners were up too high. He couldn’t reach them. Dan pulled himself up on the oven door, but it was no use. There was no way he could shut off
the gas.

  Trapped! He was trapped! Dan’s head hit the floor with a sudden jar. He was growing weaker now. His muscles weren’t working. He was going to die!

  Dan’s eyes closed. A frightful weariness came over his senses. His hand brushed something. A piece of paper. He drew it nearer and opened his eyes for the last time.

  Marian’s handwriting. He knew it so well. A note from Marian. Dead Marian.

  Darling, Laura needs her daddy, too.

  Please turn the page for an exciting sneak peek of Joanne Fluke’s

  DEAD GIVEAWAY

  coming soon from Kensington Publishing!

  PROLOGUE

  The meeting took place in a high-rise office building, twenty stories above the Vegas Strip. The five men wore fashionably cut business suits. There wasn’t a bodyguard in sight, the strains of an Italian aria did not fill the air, and no one’s name was Guido.

  The tanned, blond man looked uncomfortable as he addressed the senior member of the group. “I’m sorry it has to be this way, but our only option is to take a hard line.”

  Reluctantly, the older man nodded, perspiring heavily. “I know, I know. She thinks she’s in love and she won’t listen to reason. She doesn’t realize he’s playing her for a fool.”

  “She’s already talked too much.” The short, thin man frowned. “We managed to take care of it this time, but we can’t take another chance.”

  The older man peered into their faces for some sign of compassion, but no one would meet his eyes. “But she’s my daughter! There’s got to be some other way!”

  The fourth member of the group, a heavyset man with a ruddy complexion, sighed deeply. “You know we’re reasonable men. If there’s another solution, we’re willing to consider it.”

  “What if I personally guarantee her silence? Put a guard on her day and night?”

  There was silence for a long moment and then the heavyset man shook his head. “We know your intentions are good, but you can’t control her forever. She’ll manage to slip her guard sooner or later and then . . .”