A Winter to Remember!

By Sandi Lorraine

When Deputy Tyler Patterson was falsely accused of rape, little did he realize that it was a crooked senator with ties to the mafia that he would have to pursue to clear his name. He had gotten caught up in a tangled web of sex, lies and deceit and now it was up to him to find his way out, or go to prison. His only hope was that Noreen Carpenter, the lawyer that he had been referred to, was as good in the court room as she was sexy and enticing.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 9, 2012
• ISBN: 9781479741113

Sandi Lorraine

I grew up in the Midwest farming area, married my high school sweetheart, and moved to the big city, where our three children were born. Later we moved back to that same rural community so our children could grow up in a smaller school complex. Living in two different worlds taught me not only how to accept the different aspects of people that surround me but how necessary it is to do so. I was fortunate enough to work in a food management position for many years, giving me insight in working with all ethnic groups. After retiring, my husband and I operated a hunting and shooting preserve and had the opportunity of hosting hunting dog trials, getting to meet people from all over the world. I enjoy writing about everyday people in everyday situations. One doesn’t have to be a millionaire to experience a good romantic relationship. You just follow your heart.

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Copyright © 2012 by Sandi Lorraine.

Library of Congress Control Number:       2012920176

ISBN:         Hardcover                               978-1-4797-4110-6

                   Softcover                                 978-1-4797-4109-0

                   Ebook                                      978-1-4797-4111-3

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

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Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

About The Author

I thank my husband, Donnie, for his continual support and input; my kids and grandkids for their moral support; my friends and family who hide behind a pew in church so someone doesn’t ask them if we are related; my sister, Shelva, who gives me too much credit; and my good friend, Bev, for being the best local advertiser.

CHAPTER ONE

DAMN! I HATE CALLS LIKE this!" Carroll County sheriff, Steve McCoy, swore as he hung up the phone. He walked to the window and stared out at the heavy white curling snow blowing outside. All of his deputies were out on the roads, trying to help stranded motorists. Now, he was going to have to pull one of them in just to deliver a bad news. Usually, Steve was the one to go tell a family member of the death of a loved one, especially one such as this. But because of personal reasons, he decided it would be best if he sent one of his deputies.

He knew the best deputy for this feat was Chief Deputy Tyler Patterson. Tyler was the one that he trusted the most, and he was the one that would keep his mouth shut no matter what the circumstances. He was a six-foot-one-and-a-half-inch stalwart deputy that had served eight years in the marines and now on the police force for over eight years. His dark blue eyes were always sparkling with mischief, and the sly grin that usually creased his square jaw bone could sometimes give a person the wrong impression. One never knew just what the man was thinking. He could be just as tough as needed with no mercy, and at the same time, Steve had seen him be just as gentle as a newborn kitten if the situation called for it. He always kept his dark brown hair cropped short, just like it was while he was in the marines, and Steve had to constantly scold him for not wearing his hat while on duty.

Patterson, where are you? Steve broke in on the two-way radio.

Just turned off Highway 141 and headed north toward Glidden, Tyler replied.

Good! Trying not to reveal how he was feeling and what was running through his mind, Steve said, Call me right back on your personal cell phone. I’ve got a special mission for you.

Tyler wondered what this could be about, as he pushed the speed dial directly to the sheriff’s personal cell phone. This could only mean that it was strictly confidential. Otherwise, he couldn’t think of anything that Steve would be calling him personally about on a busy night like tonight.

Hey! he said as soon as Steve answered.

I’ve got a hush-hush mission for you to take care of right away, Steve started in. Senator Martin Connelly has been involved in a bad accident. They say he’ll be okay, but his wife was killed. Anyway, since most of the state boys are out like you, they’ve asked that we be the one to go notify the senator’s next of kin. And since the weather is so bad, they’ve asked that we personally deliver the emergency contact directly to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. Then you can let the troopers take care of things since it involves a state senator.

How does it happen that I’m the one to do your dirty work? Tyler frowned.

Just lucky, I guess! Steve replied in a wry tone.

You realize this calls for a rib eye steak and a case of beer, don’t you?

I figured as much! Steve gave a slight chuckle, still not expelling how he was feeling inside. Then he gave Tyler the address. Since you are close, it shouldn’t take you very long to find it. Just keep me informed of what’s going on, and be careful out there. It looks like it’s getting pretty bad!

You’ve got that right! Am I supposed to bring the contact back too, or what?

I suppose it depends on what you find and what the troopers want you to do. I don’t know for sure if you’ll even find a relative at home.

Sounds like you know these people, Tyler replied.

I’ve heard of them. That’s all, Steve responded.

Tyler punched the address into the GPS system and found that he was about four miles from it. However, when he found the blue 911 address sign in the every-so-often whiteout conditions and turned into the long driveway, his headlights shone on a life-size statue of a cement horse with a sign that read Fisher Ranch on it. He wondered all the way up the driveway if he had been given the right address. This said Fisher, and Steve had said Connelly.

As he pulled up in the circle drive located in front of the huge mansion, he was wondering whom he would be confronting about the situation and what their reaction would be. Lights were lined all the way around the drive, casting a beautiful glow on the house, as the white snow glistened like falling diamonds in the air. He had driven past this estate many times during his career and had seen the cement horse. He had often wondered who lived there and had always been told that it was old man Bernard Fisher and his daughter. They were probably one of the richest families in the county due to the old man’s business of raising thoroughbred horses and racing them all over the US. So he wondered what their connection was to the senator.

Before he climbed out of his Ford Explorer, he called back to let Steve know that he was at the address that he had been given but was still wondering if it was the right place. Steve assured him that it was.

Okay! Tyler sighed as he rang the doorbell. Here goes!

A cute little blond that he guessed to be in her early thirties opened the door. She was dressed in the layered look of a tank top, hooded sweatshirt, and tight-fitting, hip-hugging blue jeans. Her long, straight hair was pulled up high on the back of her head in a ponytail, and her turquoise blue eyes sparkled when she opened the door. She stood about five three, maybe five feet, four inches tall.

Tyler could tell that she was surprised to see him when she jerked the door open.

Oh! I’m so sorry! I thought it was my husband coming home! she stammered. And I couldn’t figure out why I had to open the door for him.

Tyler wanted to grin. I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I’m looking for the next of kin for Senator Connelly.

I’m Allison Connelly, the senator’s wife, she replied.

You are? I mean… , he stammered and stopped, inhaling a deep breath before continuing. I’m Deputy Tyler Patterson from the Carroll County sheriff’s department.

The scowl on her face quickly changed to a look of despair. Has something happened to Martin?

By now, Tyler was completely confused.

About that time, a little blond-haired girl, about four years old, came running into the large room behind them. She came right up beside her mother and took a hold of her hand.

Allison Connelly looked straight up at Tyler and, with searching eyes, started asking those unspoken questions. He hesitated as to just what he was supposed to tell her. She claimed to be the senator’s wife. Yet the word was that his wife had been killed in the accident. And this woman looked too young to be a senator’s wife.

Well, ma’am, he said the best way he knew how to break the news, Senator Connelly has been involved in a car accident in Des Moines. He heard her gasp and saw the fright in her eyes. He’s going to be okay, ma’am, he finished.

Oh! Thank God! She sighed.

He couldn’t bring himself to tell her about the wife that had been killed. I’ve been instructed to take you to the hospital in Des Moines.

Frowning, she asked, How bad is he hurt?

I don’t know, ma’am. I was just instructed to take you to Mercy Hospital.

I need to call Dominic in to watch Wendy, she stated as she wheeled around and went to an intercom system located right on the wall in the gathering room. Dom, can you come here and stay with Wendy? The senator’s been in an accident, and I need to leave for Des Moines right away.

Tyler glanced all around the large foyer, as she knelt before the little girl to explain that her daddy had been in a car accident. It had to be the most elaborate house he had ever been in. It was totally awesome, with its marble flooring, huge rooms, beautiful paintings, decorations, and furnishings.

He felt for the little girl, as she clearly showed her fear and disappointment with her tears. As Allison gave her a big hug, a small-featured Hispanic man in his middle fifties walked into the room. He came straight to the little girl and picked her up, and Tyler could tell by the way she put her arms around him that the two of them had a very close relationship.

Tyler helped Allison with her coat, then held on to her arm to help steady her, as they walked through the strong wind and blowing snow to his truck. He wasn’t looking forward to driving in this storm for a long, fifty-plus-mile trip to Des Moines. As soon as they were situated in the vehicle, he radioed in again to let Steve know that he had Mrs. Connelly and was headed out for the long dangerous trip that lay ahead. He wasn’t sure but thought he could tell by the way that Steve took the message that he was not only surprised, but also relieved. He told Tyler to be careful out there, as the DOT was thinking about calling in all the state trucks and troopers due to the never-ending, horrific snowstorm. Once you get there, stay put until we give you the clearing to come back home, he instructed.

It started out to be a long, quiet, grueling drive for Tyler. The only voices taking place in the Explorer were those of the other law officials calling back and forth on the mobile unit. That was fine with him, as he had all he could do to concentrate on keeping the Explorer between the ditches of the highway that lay ahead of them. He was thankful for the GPS system that kept him warned of corners and stop signs that were almost impossible to see, let alone get slowed down for.

They were about halfway to the hospital when Allison broke the silence between them by asking, Are you married, Officer Patterson?

Surprised by the question itself, he answered, No! Why?

Do you have a girlfriend?

Again, he was surprised by her boldness. Yes! Why?

Just curious as to how she was taking you being out in this weather. Does she worry about you?

Yes. Sometimes too much! he replied.

Does she have a reason to worry?

He grinned. He wasn’t sure where this conversation was leading. She knows what I do for a living, and it worries her. But she knew about it before we started going together.

What does she do? Allison asked.

She’s an emergency room nurse at the hospital in Carroll. She sees so many accident victims that come in, so naturally, it worries her.

Is she working tonight?

No, she got off duty at six o’clock. She’ll stay at the hospital though, just in case someone can’t make it in to work their shift or in case of a real emergency.

What’s her name? Allison continued with the questions.

Monica, Tyler answered, wondering if she was ever going to stop the interrogation about his personal life.

There was silence for a little while before she spoke again. Marty has always scolded me for worrying about him being out late at night. He doesn’t understand that it’s not just me that worries. It’s Wendy too. She thinks the world of her dad.

Does your husband drive back and forth to Des Moines while Congress is in session? he asked.

No! He has an apartment there. Therefore, Wendy doesn’t understand why her dad doesn’t come home more often.

Tyler had all kinds of things running through his head about Senator Connelly and the relationship with his wife. This was beginning to make more sense as to why everything had to be hush-hush.

They seemed to be the only ones out in this mess, and for that, he was thankful as he maneuvered the vehicle through the blinding whiteout. Then Steve’s voice came through the airwaves, breaking the silence.

What’s up? Tyler answered.

Where are you? Steve wanted to know.

Tyler told him what mile marker he had just passed on the highway.

What’s taking you so long? Steve teased.

Tyler just grinned. He wouldn’t respond to that since there was a lady present.

When you get to the hospital, ask for State Trooper McDonald or Vance, Steve told him. One of them will be waiting for you to get there.

As Tyler ended the conversation, Allison said, I know Trooper McDonald.

Good! You can look for him then. Tyler grinned.

Well. She cast a sly smile at him. I don’t know him that well. I just know that he’s been at our house for several functions.

After being on the road for almost one and a half hours, they finally reached the hospital. Before he could get out of the truck, she was already out and headed into the hospital. Even though he stood not quite a foot taller than her, he had to really hurry to catch up with her.

She went straight to the information counter to ask about her husband. Where do I find Senator Connelly? she asked.

The woman behind the desk wanted to know who was asking.

Allison Connelly, his wife!

The woman frowned. There must be some mistake! We have his wife in the…

She stopped when Tyler interrupted. We need to talk to Officer McDonald. Do you know where we can find him?

The receptionist looked totally confused. She stared at Allison, then at Tyler. I’ll be right back. And with that, she left her desk and hurried down the hall.

What did she mean there must be some mistake and they have his wife? What was she talking about? Allison was demanding to know.

We’ll find out when she returns, Tyler replied, trying to avoid answering what he already knew.

When the receptionist returned, she refused to say any more; and Allison started getting upset, showing just how much of a temper she could have. So Tyler took her by the arm and said, Why don’t you and I go over here and sit down where it’s quiet and we can talk? Officer McDonald should be here shortly!

I don’t want to go over and sit down! She jerked her arm out of his grasp. I want to know about my husband! What’s going on?

Tyler took a firm, hard grasp of her arm again and said, Well, if you’ll behave and be quiet, I’ll try to tell you what’s going on.

She shot daggers at him all the way across the lobby, as he halfway dragged her to a quiet corner. He forced her to set down and squatted right in front of her so he was at her eye level.

Looking directly into her eyes, he explained to her, I didn’t want to be the one to tell you this, but I guess I have to. Your husband had a woman with him in the car at the time of the accident. She was killed. Everyone assumed it was his wife. Then with more compassion, he said, I’m sorry!

As she continued to glare at him, she asked, You mean you have known this all the way down here and didn’t have the guts to tell me?

I wanted to let the troopers tell you what was going on, he quietly answered.

She sat there staring at the floor like she was too stunned to say anything, and Tyler swore it took forever for Trooper McDonald to find them. As the state trooper started to introduce himself, Allison bitterly snapped, I know who you are!

First, let me tell you that they just took the senator into surgery. His voice was tender. They don’t know yet if he has any internal injuries. But we can expect him to be in there for at least a couple of hours. He heaved a big sigh and then continued, Now, I don’t know how much Deputy Patterson has told you, but we need your help. They can’t find any identification for the woman that was with the senator. That’s why everyone assumed it was his wife. But you and I both know better. I know I’m asking a lot out of you. But do you think you could identify her for us?

Why me? She frowned.

Because we don’t know who to contact. I was hoping you could give me some idea, Trooper McDonald said. Will you help me out?

He took a hold of her hand and helped her stand up, then led the way to the morgue. She silently followed behind him, and Tyler walked along.

When they reached the morgue, McDonald warned her that it was going to be a gruesome sight to see. He asked her again if she thought she could do it, and she nodded her head. When he pulled the cape back, she gasped, but knew instantly who the woman was; and it didn’t surprise her.

The woman’s husband was the CEO of Cooledge Law Firm. They were one of the largest law firms in the city of Des Moines and one of the state’s largest contributors to Martin’s political party. Allison