Bite Harder by Anonymous-9

Author:Anonymous-9
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Blasted Heath Ltd
Published: 2014-07-24T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Taking Marilyn Marshall's porch steps two at a time Doug notices signs of the strain the family has been under since Dan's death—little details left undone because one widowed parent with four children can't handle it all. The garden hose is a mass of kinks and knots, lying off its hook. Garbage cans are filthy—no one's hosed them off in a long time.

Knock knock. A feminine voice calls to come in. Marilyn's watching a news report on TV. Doug's throat constricts a little. Has the press already got hold of Drayhart's jailbreak? But it's not that. An on-camera reporter stands in front of a concrete overpass with Ambrose Malalinda's painted portrait. Already graffiti has been added.

Viva Ambrose

Bring his murderer to justice!

LASD Racists

The commentator speaks excitedly into a handheld mic, "As you can see, the local community is already responding to these portraits that sprang up overnight across south Los Angeles and Long Beach..."

Marilyn mutes the sound and wipes a tear away. She's about thirty-five and very tired looking. She was pretty before the tragedy. "Hello, Mrs. Marshall."

"Can't you stop this? They're making Dan's killer out to be some kind of martyr."

"I just heard about it," he murmurs.

"It's a lie. Ambrose Malalinda is a murderer."

"He's also Dean Drayhart's victim, remember."

"Ambrose made my husband a victim first. Drivers like him created Dean Drayhart." She grimaces at the TV. "You can't do anything about this?"

"The portraits will be removed but in the meantime they're connected to the murder investigation." Doug is suddenly aware of all the pictures of Dan Marshall around the room. A reminder to tread carefully—feelings are still raw here.

Marilyn restively crosses and uncrosses her arms. There was a time when life made sense, boundaries were clear. Police were there to help. Bad guys got what they deserved even if it took a while. But since Dan's death nothing is straightforward. Serial killers are supposed to be bad guys. Then one solves your husband's murder and offers you the justice police fail to deliver. She turns her heartshaped face up to Doug's. "I know I already told you about the day he called me."

"You mean Drayhart? Yes, we went over it. Do you remember anything else?"

"I imagine him sitting alone in his wheelchair placing the call... in that chair because a hit-and-run driver put him there. Same as my husband. I remember picking up the phone when it rang...

"Mrs. Marshall? Marilyn Marshall?"

In the kitchen she's about to press 'start' on the dishwasher but holds back.

"Yes?"

"You don't know me but I want to say how sorry I am about your husband. I feel your loss..."

She freezes in front of the dishwasher, pressing the phone hard against her ear. On the other end of the line there's faint street noise in the background. It's a man calling and he doesn't sound like a curiosity seeker. He sounds sincere and genuine, like someone worth listening to after hours of superficial platitudes from investigators, the press...

"Mrs. Marshall, would it give you some peace if they caught the man who killed Dan?"

A gasp flies out of her throat.

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