Sunsets

By Lyn Miller LaCoursiere

Lindy Lewis recognizes the deadly threat in the accused man’s eyes as she testifies against him in federal court. The spirited woman with a dubious past runs for her life after the court has found the man innocent of the murder she witnessed. A man she’d had a romantic dalliance with. And a case the FBI has intimidated her into testifying in, as the victim is one of their own.
Sunsets, the third of the Lindy Lewis novels, is set in Monterrey, Mexico where Lindy is plagued with nightmares and visions after an acquaintance is found murdered. As faceless men chase her in her dreams, she awakes terror-stricken and again cries, “Reed, help me!”
Reed Conners, a retired lawyer and an investigator, is caught between professional allegiances and the tearful plea of a college girlfriend. Before he can find peace in his home in the north, he must finally sever the strings that Lindy pulls to upset his life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lyn Miller LaCoursiere
• Release date: Dec 24, 2011
• ISBN: 9781466004160

Lyn Miller LaCoursiere

After writing poetry and then short stories, I wrote one that just wouldn't end and after urging from friends for more chapters I soon had a book. I called it Nightmares and Dreams.

Book preview

Chapter 1

A scream ripped through Lindy’s lips as she lay helpless in her bed at the hotel in South Carolina. The streetlight just outside her window glinted on the knife's blade and she raised her hands up to shield her face as the man held it over her. She was going to die. Now!

No please, she cried out and in an instinctive move twisted her body to the side just as the stiletto plunged into her pillow. Silence echoed in the room as attacker and intended victim stared at each other. Then she awoke from the familiar nightmare. Later, that morning when she took the stand as a witness for the prosecution she faced that man.

Miss Lewis, would you please tell the court what you saw when you looked out the porthole window of the boat while out on the ocean? the prosecutor asked.

All eyes were on her. Mario's expensive lawyers, his obvious followers, and the FBI. Her heart thundered in her chest. Her knuckles white as she clasped her hands together in her lap. This was the moment she had dreaded. Spent sleepless nights worrying about. But, this was what she had to do according to the arrangement Reed Conners had worked out with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The courtroom was deadly quiet.

I'll repeat the question, Miss Lewis. The prosecutor stood close. She glanced at Reed

Conners and saw his supportive nod. She sat up straighter. Damn, she would do anything to keep her money and she had plans. No one was going to take this away from her. She sucked in her breath, and said, I saw Mario D'Agustino shoot and kill a man!

Miss Lewis, would you please point out and identify the man who shot and killed that Federal Agent?

A chill moved slowly down through her body. Numbness followed in her limbs. Oh Lordy, this was so much worse than she'd imagined. She could feel the deadly gleam in Mario's eyes pierce the distance as he sat just a few feet from her. To think, when she'd welcomed and enjoyed their love making, it would turn out like this. Well, she didn't have a choice. The FBI had forced her to testify! She sucked in a breath over the lump of terror in her throat as she raised her hand, but she looked Mario squarely in the eye and said, That's the man, that's Mario D'Agustino!

The courtroom erupted in chaotic excitement as reporters called in the story to their newspapers on their cell phones. Tension raced across the planked floor as the attorneys faced each other. Days later, after they had rung every bit of information from her, she finally stepped down out of the witness chair.

Let's get out of here, Reed said and steadied her as he led her out into the South Carolina sunshine. He settled her in the rental car and drove through the bustling streets of Charleston until he found a restaurant. After the first bracing swallow of a brandy Manhattan, Lindy took a deep breath and sat back. She smoothed the skirt to her navy suit. Ran a shaky hand though her short blonde hair. For a few moments, her thoughts were still too jumbled to concentrate, and then finally, raising haunted eyes asked, Tell me, Reed, will the courts really put Mario away as the FBI promised, or will I have to live in fear forever now!

Oh, they'll get him this time, Reed answered confidently as he lit a cigarette. The bastard won't see the light of day for a long time. If ever!

For sure? I wonder! she said and studied his face. So why didn't she feel better hearing that?

Just a short time ago, she'd been in Newport, Rhode Island, dreaming of a new exciting life. Then she'd seen those ghosts in the Ashton mansion, started having psychic thoughts and visions, and then the nightmares began.

She raised the Manhattan and took another sip of the potent drink. And what about them, now that the trial was over? Up to now their conversations had only been about the upcoming event, her testimony and how she should conduct herself. Thoughts flew around in her head as she swirled the ice cubes in her glass.

Reed’s lean body had filled out over the years and his fair skin was dappled with freckles and fine wrinkles. His sandy hair was mixed with gray. Could their being together now develop into a relationship again? She did feel a niggling suddenly for the safety and protection of a man. She sat quietly and savored the remembered warmth. Could it happen again? It had been so long since they'd lived together back in those college days.

It was late afternoon and the place was beginning to fill up with the cocktail crowd, their appearance and attire chic. The sound system purred with a familiar blues song. Now that the brandy had relaxed Lindy's jumping nerves and a sandwich had warmed her tumultuous stomach, she began to feel better. The horror of the last few weeks began to fade as she glanced out the windows.

How she loved the South. The palm trees and blooming azalea bushes. And best of all, the beautiful gardens with gaily colored pansies and the kale with its ruffled leaves turned up to the warm sunshine.

Startled out of her reverie as they sat in the dimly lit restaurant, she turned her full attention to Reed as he said, Here’s the plan Lindy, the case should go to the jury now, and as soon as they come back with the conviction we’ll leave!

Sometimes she forgot it had been twenty some years since they had been together in college until she’d catch a reflection of them and see the new lines written on their faces. He continued, When we get back to Minneapolis Lindy, we'll go straight to the Federal Bureau and finish up the necessary paperwork to finally and forever close the case. Then it'll be over! He raised his glass and nodded convincingly.

Hmm- maybe not yet, Lindy murmured doubtfully. For some reason, it sounded just a little bit too easy!

Chapter 2

"You were led to believe the words of an arsonist! A woman who burned her home to collect the insurance, arrested for fraud after being on the run from the law, while living big on the stolen money. A woman with no permanent address who lives out of suitcases!

Are you going to believe the testimony of someone who has no conscience? No morals? Mario D’Agustino’s attorney paced back and forth in front of the jury, making eye contact with each one. His voice echoed in the packed courtroom.

Reed had to admit as he sat in the courtroom, the guy was good!

After hours of intense summations from the attorneys, the judge instructed the jury and they filed out. Now, it was time to wait for their decision, whether it took hours, days or weeks.

Would Lindy's testimony be enough to prove that the notorious drug lord had killed that Federal agent? Or, would they decide she lacked credibility and find him innocent due to lack of evidence. Reed nodded to acquaintances and left the courtroom.

It was late in the afternoon, the day following Lindy's testimony. He'd taken her back to the hotel after she'd had several drinks the evening before and encouraged her to rest. She had been dead on her feet from nerves. When he'd left the downtown Charleston hotel this morning, after knocking on the door of her adjoining room, peeking in and seeing her still asleep, he’d left a note and encouraged her to enjoy the day.

He found a restaurant, bought a paper and ordered a sandwich and coffee and settled in to wait. An hour went by as he read about the local color and tried to relax. He ran a hand over his forehead. Now that the trial was over the stress of the last few weeks began to take its toll. The gunshot wound to his shoulder had healed but a headache continued to grind sometimes to the point of his wanting to punch someone. He consoled himself with the fact he'd be back home shortly. He'd take a long vacation.

As he sat ruminating, his cell phone rang. He threw some bills on the table and stood up. Goddamn, the jury was already in! It could mean only one thing. They hadn't needed any time to deliberate. Lindy's testimony had done it!

As he made his way back to the courtroom, he nodded to several people and took a seat as the judge stepped into the room. As the jury filed in, not a sign of their decision showed on their sober faces. The foreman handed the judge the paper with the verdict written on it. Even though Reed had experienced this moment countless times in his law career, he still felt the tug of his heartbeat increase as he waited. The judge read the note and handed it back.

How do you find? The judge’s voice echoed in the silent room.

The foreman declared, We find Mario D'Agustino, not guilty!

For a moment the courtroom was absolutely still as the full impact registered in the minds of the onlookers. Mario's face had been devoid of any expression and suddenly as the words flew across the masses; his stunned expression broke into a sly smile.

Reed swore under his breath in unbelief as he watched Mario shake hands with his attorneys and walk out, followed by a flock of men who clapped him on his back. He stood by helplessly as the prosecutor and the FBI gathered their files and papers. Their faces grim and their lips pressed in tight lines as they murmured, We'll get him yet! He hurried out to his car and headed back to the hotel, dreading the message he'd have to deliver. Just how the hell was he going to explain to Lindy what happened?

Chapter 3

Lindy stretched out on the bed in her room, clad in the white terrycloth robe furnished by the hotel. She felt rested and invigorated after a swim in the indoor pool and a soak in the Jacuzzi. It was late afternoon and the day sunny. She turned on the television. As soon as the jury came in with the verdict, her and Reed would leave Charleston and go back to Minneapolis. She'd be cleared of those nagging fraud charges, and she’d pick up her car and go get her money in Rhode Island. After the harrowing experiences she had just been through, now life would be good. She'd been able to sleep last night without any nightmares and she hadn't had any frightening visions today.

Her rambling thoughts occupied her mind when suddenly the words of a newscaster on the TV caught her attention. She sat up and gaped at the screen. Today the courts found Mario D'Agustino, innocent of murder! The jury only needed several hours to deliberate. It is rumored the evidence was inconclusive. The D'Agustino brothers, Mario and Andre, have been on the FBI's list of ten most wanted. Oh Lordy, Lindy wailed as she sat, her eyes riveted to the television. The commentator continued on about how the brothers were thought to be notorious drug dealers with world wide connections. How the FBI had discovered a witness to the murder Mario was said to have committed.

Lindy sat thunder struck as a picture of her spread across the screen. Motionless as thoughts whirled. This meant Mario would be free! Free to get her, just as his vengeful glare had promised when she'd been on the witness stand the day before.

How could everything go so wrong? So fast! Then her breath caught. Since the FBI hadn't been able to prove their case, it certainly meant they wouldn't reimburse the insurance company for the settlement they'd paid out to her. Or erase those fraud charges. The deal that Reed had worked out with them would be nil.

She threw off the terrycloth robe, dressed in the same blue suit she'd worn the day before and within minutes, was outside the hotel and in a taxicab.

Where to? The driver asked as he glanced back over the seat.

A short time later, Lindy snapped on the seatbelt and her jet sailed off into the sunset.

Chapter 4

Lindy, I'm back! Reed called out as he knocked on the door that led into her adjoining room in the hotel. As much as he dreaded telling her the alarming news, he had no choice. He'd seen and felt her fear of the man she'd testified against, and now D'Agustino would be back out on the streets! He knocked again and stood uncertainly. After a minute, he opened the door. The room was empty! And he assumed she'd more than likely gone out for some fresh air. He turned back to his own room, slipped off his shoes and sat back on his bed.

The downtown lights of Charleston glimmered in the distance through the windows as he turned his bedside light on, found the television remote and settled back against the pillows. A brunette newscaster’s face lit up the TV screen as she began the evening news. Her voice, pleasant, as she exclaimed about the early signs of spring. How the weather had been unusually mild for the months they called winter. How the foliage had begun to explode in riotous color.

Goddamn, Reed muttered as he tried to relax. He'd tell Lindy the bad news tonight and tomorrow, bright and early, they'd catch an early flight back to Minneapolis. He punched a pillow in frustration at how things had turned out and turned toward the TV screen as the anchor woman's voice caught his attention.

And now, we repeat the breaking news released earlier today. The South Carolina court has found Mario D'Agustino, not guilty of murder! He was released this afternoon after the latest efforts of the FBI failed to convict him for the murder of a Federal Agent. Mr. D'Agustino is allegedly believed to be heavily involved in drug trafficking. The cameras caught Mario and his brother Andre, getting into a black limo and driving off.

We had him with Lindy's testimony! Reed raged at the bare-walls. Couldn't the jury see through the bastard’s high-priced lawyer's attempt to discredit her? He swung his feet over the side of the bed and stood up.

Did he feel just a little bit of jealousy, knowing Lindy had had a romantic relationship with the asshole? Goddamn, he huffed, where the hell is she? He began to pace around the hotel room as he grumbled.

Evening had approached and with the darkness a sense of uneasiness. He walked back and forth across the small room, his long stride accompanied with cussing for the failure of the system to put the bastard in jail for life.

Where the hell was Lindy? She should have been here waiting for him! He settled back on the bed and tried to concentrate on the television. Several hours went by as mindless sitcoms attempted to entertain, but failed miserably to take his thoughts away from the situation. Unable to stay in the room any longer, he went downstairs. He checked out the cocktail lounge and the dining room for her and finally in frustration stepped outside and stood under the canopy and smoked a cigarette.

Good evening, Mr. Conners, the doorman said as he turned from helping a man with a cane get into a waiting taxi. A fine night we're having.

Reed nodded a greeting and looked off in the distance at the pedestrians coming and going, up and down the busy streets.

Do you need a cab, Sir? The doorman asked as he came and stood next to Reed. We've got a convention coming in tonight so in a half hour or so, we'll have gridlock for sure.

Thanks, but not now. You got a busy spot here. Reed tossed his cigarette to the curb. By any chance do you remember seeing a woman leave, probably late this afternoon? He reached in a pocket and took out a twenty dollar bill and put it in the doorman's hand. She's blond, about five foot five, a hundred and twenty pounds maybe and probably wearing something short; a blue suit maybe. He searched his mind and tried to remember any other description that might jar the doorman's memory.

Of course, Mr. Conners, I remember the beautiful lady, he said proudly. It's my business.

Reed snapped his lighter open and closed several times. I'm worried about her; she should have been back hours ago.

Excuse me for a moment, the doorman said and rushed over to open a car door for an arriving couple. Blow his whistle for a valet to park the car. Reed stood patiently and waited for him to return amid the throng of people that had begun to gather in front of the huge hotel entrance.

Sorry, Mr. Conners, the doorman hurried back over to his side and said. The lady you mentioned left around four o'clock in a taxi. I heard her tell the driver to take her to the airport.

Reed stared at him. You sure?

I'm sure, Mr. Conners. Heard it clear as day. Just then a stretch limo pulled up at the curb and the doorman turned his attention to the incoming crowd.

Reed stood stone still. Of course, she'd seen the news! Knowing Lindy and her past, he knew she was gone. For good! He turned to go back inside the hotel. He needed a drink. May as well join the boisterous party goers at the bar, he mumbled. His cell phone buzzed in his pocket as he headed in the direction of the music and overflowing exuberant out of towners celebrating in the lounge.

Conners, Ed, his boss from First Federated Insurance boomed in his ear. I just got the news!

You heard? Reed straddled a bar stool. I'm stuck here in the middle of a goddamn carnival or something.

Get back here right away, I've got a twenty million dollar investigation coming up. It can't wait! True to his habit, Ed banged the receiver down in Reed's ear.

What would you like to drink? a bartender asked.

Bring me your best whiskey. Reed grumbled and eyed the bare long legs of the woman as she reached up to the top shelf.

He was pissed!

Chapter 5

Lindy forced herself to sit back in her seat. She hadn't eaten a thing all day and her stomach growled in protest. She'd slept late, and then indulged herself in the hotel's amenities and then the news had come on the television. Safely now away from Charleston, fear still edged itself into her thoughts as the plane slid into the clouds.

Where was Mario now? Had she gotten away in time?

She sat up suddenly and peered anxiously around at the passengers. There were men in business suits engrossed in papers. A little elderly lady with her head on a pillow and glasses barely hanging on the end of her nose sat across from her. A mother with a sleeping child on her lap, and next to her, a man slumped down in the seat with a toothpick in his mouth and a