Page 7 of Unexpected Danger (Mountain Justice #2)

The creaking sounds of the old apartment failed to help her insomnia.

The questions raged through her mind.

How could he have gotten her personal number? Why was he harassing her? Would he take it a step further than texts, visits, and now calls?

How could one man be so upset over a medical bill? Of course, these days, people got upset over far less.

Regardless of BJ Nuss’s thoughts about her, he would have had to search to find her phone number and her residence.

These days, it was easy to find just about anyone. Londyn tossed and turned as a thought planted itself in her mind. She wasn’t sleeping anyway, so she might as well see what she could find out.

She slipped from bed and traipsed into the kitchen.

An efficient perusal of the street told her no one lurked outside.

She flipped on the light above the kitchen table, opened her laptop, and turned it on.

In the search bar, she typed Londyn Siegler .

There shouldn’t be too much about her, seeing as how she’d never been famous, won any awards, or committed any crimes.

Eight results popped up, including variations of the spelling of her name and her first name in conjunction with other surnames. It was easy to narrow down in less than a minute.

Aside from the social media accounts, one of which was hers, Londyn clicked on a result that touted itself as an address and telephone number database.

There were four Londyn Sieglers listed. One lived in Maine, one in South Carolina, and two that were her.

She clicked on the first of the two, which revealed her name, her Pronghorn Falls address, age, and those affiliated with her, which included her mom, three of her mom's ex-husbands, her dad, Logan, and an unknown person that was probably an error.

The second listing provided her name, current address, and cell phone number.

She clicked on the other non-social media result, and it disclosed her phone number on the first line. It also listed a former phone number from over four years ago.

Not too challenging to have ascertained the information her stalker needed.

This must have been how BJ Nuss located her phone number. If he texted the wrong person, it was no big deal, but if he texted the right person, he would have achieved whatever goal he was trying to accomplish.

She cringed. Few things were hidden anymore. If anyone wanted to find someone, they could do so rather easily. She straightened in the chair. After discovering this most recent turn of events, it was doubtful sleep would come, even though she had a busy day tomorrow.

Londyn typed in the name BJ Nuss. Several results flashed on her screen.

If the websites were accurate, Mr. Nuss’s criminal activity punctuated his background.

There was also a notation from the local Rowland newspaper indicating he’d been arrested for embezzlement, a DUI, driving too fast for conditions, and driving with an expired license.

Further searches showed he typically worked in construction and had been through a divorce.

It stated his age as thirty-eight and also listed his phone number, which didn’t match the numbers that had been texting and calling her.

No surprise there. Burner phones were easy to purchase.

Desperate to refocus her attention, Londyn needed a diversion. She typed in Pronghorn Falls Daily Newspaper.

The tabs along the top of the publication included community news, sports, national, obituaries, and a photo gallery. Londyn clicked on the news. The first article was one with a photograph of Brodie and Chief Neeley.

Local Law Enforcement Sponsors Second Annual Adoption Fundraiser

She scanned the article.

It’s nearly that time of year again when members of Pronghorn Falls Law Enforcement sponsor an adoption fundraiser at the popular non-alcoholic establishment, Jimmy’s Lounge.

With a goal of raising $20,000 this year, the event will host a live auction, pizza-eating contest, line dancing, pool, and music by the Pronghorns.

The money will benefit families seeking to adopt, whether locally, nationally, or internationally.

“Adoption is near and dear to my heart, and I encourage us, as a community, to assist those in the process of adopting and giving children a forever home,” said Sheriff Brodie Brenneman.

Jimmy Malstrom, the owner of Jimmy’s, added that it’s an honor to be able to host fundraisers. “This is our second one this year. We are honored to be able to give back to a community that has so warmly welcomed us.”

Many of the area’s law enforcement personnel will be on hand, including Chief Neeley. “My wife is attempting to convince me to compete in the pizza-eating contest. Not sure I’ll be doing much line dancing after that,” he said.

Jimmy’s has been a popular hangout for families, couples, and singles since it opened in Pronghorn Falls three years ago. It prides itself on being a fun place to gather without the need for alcohol. Earlier this year, Jimmy’s hosted a fundraiser to raise funds for a local man battling cancer.

Further information will be forthcoming. Be sure to keep your event calendar open.

Brodie smiled for the camera, the dimple in his right cheek prominent. His rugged good looks and kind eyes had drawn Londyn to him as a friend long before she’d begun to have feelings for him.

Feelings she was better off suppressing.

Her text notification sounded. Londyn startled and sat motionless as the second hand on the clock above the mantle ticked by. Part of her wanted to ignore the text, but a larger part of her wanted to know…was it the same person who had previously texted her?

Slowly, cautiously, she slid the phone toward her. On the home screen, it showed the number and the first few words of the text.

Once again, a number she didn’t recognize.

Her hand shook as she lifted the phone and entered her password. The text icon showed an unread text. Holding her breath, she clicked on it.

FIND ANYTHING INTERESTING ON THE INTERNET TONIGHT?

Londyn dropped the phone as though it were on fire. She gasped and gripped her forearms with her shaky hands.

He, or she, was out there. But most likely a he. Most likely BJ Nuss.

He was watching her. Knew she was on the computer. He was that close.

Did he have that much of a detailed view that he was able to see that she was searching the internet?

She shuddered, the sweat dripping unmercifully down her back. She swept a hand against her cheek. Her heart pounded so loudly in her chest that she heard it in her ears.

Lord, please keep me safe.

Londyn stood, her legs wobbled, and she clutched the table. Steadying herself and praying for protection, she stumbled to the front door.

No one on the street.

Next, she lowered one of the slats of the blinds and peered out the front window.

No one as far as she could see.

Where was he?

Londyn stared, although not really seeing. She blinked, cleared her vision, and inspected the area in front of her apartment from the hopefully safe confines of her living room.

Nothing.

Her leg muscles rebelled, and her knees buckled as she shuffled to the bedroom. She closed the door behind her, locked it, and slid down, her back against the bed frame.

Was it all just a ruse? Or would whomever her stalker was determine that the mere act of texting was only the first step?

Brodie parked his truck in the garage and closed the door.

A domestic dispute call resulting in an arrest kicked off the day, and the calls continued at a steady pace.

He was still amped up from the high-speed chase yesterday.

That was the thing about law enforcement work.

It kept your adrenaline hyped long after the fact.

He kicked off his shoes, changed his clothes, and eased into his recliner.

He thanked God for keeping him and his deputy and those on the Pronghorn Falls police department safe during the chase, as well as the innocents on the road at the time.

He never could understand the thought process behind driving so fast and putting others at risk.

The guy hadn’t even been chased when he was first discovered driving and clocking in at upwards of eighty miles an hour before increasing his speed.

Of course, after the chase, it was discovered that he had several outstanding warrants.

When he flipped the vehicle and succumbed to his injuries, it hadn’t been an easy thing to see.

But it never was. The suspect's mangled body and loss of life stuck in Brodie’s mind as he attempted to wind down for the day.

Where was the guy now spending eternity?

As mentioned in Second Peter, God wanted none to perish.

The suspect's poor decisions cost him his life and could have cost a whole lot of others their lives as well.

It was days like these that reminded Brodie of his dad. A dedicated sheriff, his life had been snuffed out when someone chose to drink and then drive.

Brodie leaned back in his recliner, attempting to halt the thoughts that rammed through his mind.

There were times when he fell asleep on the chair, then subsequently attempted to fall asleep in bed with no success.

Tonight might be one of those times. Thankfully, crime in Pronghorn Falls was minimal compared to some towns and cities.

That was one of the factors for Brodie remaining in his hometown.

But the most important reason was that this is where his family was.

Where they had settled generations ago and ranched.

And while Brodie had chosen a career in law enforcement, he still assisted on the ranch.

His family was the most important thing to him after his Savior.

He hoped someday to marry and have children of his own and carry on the Brenneman legacy.