Seven Days to Darkness / Chapter 4: Grief and Suspicion
Seven Days to Darkness

Seven Days to Darkness

Author: Harold Hayes

Chapter 4: Grief and Suspicion

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She lowered her voice: “Far as I know, this motel doesn’t keep any meds on hand.”

She glanced at the motel manager, who was hovering in the hallway, looking like he’d rather be anywhere else.

“That so?” I nodded, making a mental note to check the supply closet and talk to the cleaning staff myself.

Lauren added, “Sawyer, can we keep today’s matter between us—don’t tell Mariah. Even after all these years, she can’t accept my relationship with Mr. West.”

She looked away, her voice barely above a whisper. Old wounds run deep in a town like ours.

I sighed, thinking of Jim Westbrook. “Lauren, don’t worry. I’m not one to meddle.” Then I turned to Marcus: “You check the victim’s ID yet?”

I tried to keep it all business, but the history between us was thick enough to choke on.

Marcus pulled up info on his phone. “Yeah. The victim is Carl Donovan, 52, runs a building supply company.”

“He checked in with his girlfriend, Julie Torres.”

“Julie’s in for questioning.”

He looked uneasy, glancing down the hall where Julie sat, wrapped in a motel blanket, staring at the floor.

...

After the quick rundown, I went over the scene again, gave a few orders, and left.

I took a last look at that pill bottle—something about it didn’t fit. The air in the room felt heavy, like it was holding its breath.

“Marcus, come back to the station with me.”

I kept my voice low, not wanting to draw attention.

In the car, I took the front seat and asked, “You know that rideshare driver from earlier?”

The engine hummed as we pulled away. Marcus gripped the wheel tighter than usual.

“Yeah, that’s Ethan Monroe. We were high school buddies—known each other forever. Best friends.” Marcus sounded nervous, like he was hiding something.

He kept his eyes on the road, refusing to look my way.

I didn’t push, just kept going: “How’s your relationship?”

I watched for any flicker of hesitation.

“Pretty good, we hang out a lot.”

He started drumming his fingers—a tell I’d seen a hundred times.

“Did you tell him about the Maple Grove case?”

Marcus sat up straight. “Captain, I know the rules. I wouldn’t spill case details.”

His voice was defensive, a little too quick.

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