Page 58 of Body of Evidence (Marcus Douglas 2)

“How’d they died?”

“Winston was poisoned. Grimes was hit in the head.”

“You mind if I make a copy of this?”

“Not at all. Like I said, she dead. Ain’t gonna be making no bank charge stick to her now,” Johnson said and took the file from Garrett.

While Johnson left to make copies, Garrett called Marcus. He quickly recapped the conversation he had just had with detective Johnson. As he expected, Marcus was glad for the news, especially after Panthea’s alibi went south. Marcus suggested that, in the interest of time, that Garrett go to Dallas, while Olivia headed for Chicago and see what more they could find out. “This is great work you’re doing, Garrett. I want you to know how much this means to me,” Marcus said and Garrett looked at his cell phone strangely.

“Sure Marcus no problem. You know me, big dog, whatever it takes to get the job done. I think with all the evidence that we’ve accumulated and with Silver working to make up for him dropping the ball early in this thing, we just might pull this thing off,” Garrett said as Johnson returned with copies of the important, but non-sensitive documents in the file. “When I hang up with you, I’ll call Olivia and get her in motion and I’m gonna head out to Dallas.”

“Sounds good,” Marcus told him and Garrett pressed end.

“This should be all you need, but if you have any questions you feel free to give me a call,” Johnson said.

“Thanks for the tip.” Garrett got back in his car and called Olivia.

27

Panthea sat thinking about the state of her life and how she had arrived at such a miserable place. She was miserable because she couldn’t spend endless hours in Marcus’s strong embrace. No other man had loved her quite the way he had. She wanted happiness, true happiness, and there was no doubt in her mind that she felt Marcus was the only real key to that happiness.

She sat in her bedroom contemplating whether to call Marcus and meet for a quick rendezvous or just wait and pretend like she could resist the spell he had over her.

She glanced over at her cell phone and willed it to ring. Hoping he’d be on the other end, begging to see her, pleading to spend a few stolen moments in her arms. But that never happened. The phone haunted her as she moved around the room, restlessly.

“I should just call him,” Panthea said aloud, standing in front of the mirror.

She looked up at her reflection, telling herself it wasn’t like they were teenagers taking part in puppy love. This was the real thing with her and Marcus, the real thing that deserved a fighting chance.

“Nah, I’ve never had to beg a man before, and I don’t plan to start now,” she said, determined that she was simply not going to call him. Panthea strolled into her massive walk-in closet and looked around. As she looked at the clothes and shoes staring back at her, she shrugged her shoulders and decided what the hell.

She stormed out, picked up the cell phone and dialed his number. She nearly tossed the thing against a wall after getting his voicemail.

Why the hell isn’t he answering the phone? She wondered, Panthea was extremely pissed off about being ignored.

She began to pace her bedroom again, wearing a trail through the thick carpet and a scowl across her face.

Just as she was about to go and take a drive to clear her head, the cell phone shrilled to life, lighting up as it rang. Panthea’s heart nearly skipped a beat. After checking her caller ID, she smiled and pulled it up to her ear.

“Hello?” she grinned.

“Hello yourself,” Marcus’s voice rang out.

“I’m so happy to hear from you,” she sang. “I’ve been thinking about you and us. And I just—”

“Panthea?” Marcus interrupted.

; “Yes, darling?” she cooed.

“Is everything okay?”

Panthea pondered his question before she answered. Let’s see, she was separated from the man she loved, forced to remain a prisoner in her own home, her body all but ached for a touch that seemed to elude her. No, everything was not okay, nowhere near being okay actually. But she didn’t dare say that.

“I think we should meet somewhere,” Panthea offered excitedly.

“Panthea, I think we need to be careful, maybe even back off a bit,” he said, his voice shaky and sounding quite unsure.