NIP 16

“Stop. This can’t be right. My parents were killed in a car accident.” I mutter. “In 1983.”

“Was your father’s name Evan?” slowly inquires Brad.

“Yes.” I whimper.

“Sari.” Brad kneels down. We are face to face. “It appears you have been lied to.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa. You nutjobs have been watching too much boob tube.” Sam looks at us like we have lost it.

“Sam, enough of your mouth.” Snaps Brad annoyed at Sam’s interruption. “This is serious.”

“I’m just sayin’.” Sam rolls his eyes. “I mean what the fuck…Sari’s whole life is a lie. Come on. That’s whack.”

“We are going on the air with this.” To my surprise, my voice is flawless. I am calm. “I am calling William.” I am white as a ghost but makeup will conceal my horror. I am confident my pissed off producer will be convinced once I give him the facts of this case. I am the exclusive.

My whole life has been a lie. A lie to protect me from what…a homicidal father? I shiver. My father is Ed Hayes not Evan Clarke. What??? I cannot comprehend this. And I am so sick of trying. The lump in my stomach is becoming bothersome. My heart I numb, my soul blank. From this point forward all I can do is vow to get this story. I am out of emotions. Please let me be out of emotions.

“Hold up before you going running to your producer. I’m checking in with the station to figure out where Ed Hayes is.” Brad runs his fingers through his light hair. For the first time I notice how nicely it waves.

“Good idea detective.” Sam is purposely being snarky. “Details.”

“Sam, do you not see these facts right in front of your face?” I question. “This is your wet dream.”

“Sari, not at your expense it’s not.” Sam says with true compassion in his eyes. I’m genuinely touched.

“Thank you.” I whisper.

“Ya need to call Mark. Find out what stepdaddy has been hiding.” Sam hops onboard.

“Yes I do. It is strange he never mentioned it, right?” It’s more of a rhetorical question. “I mean, he may not have recognized me but he surely recognized Aunt Clara.”

My palms sweat knowing my dear Aunt is somehow party to all of this. Like Sam said, at my expense. But why, Aunt Clara, why? I guess I’ll never know since you have been silenced forever.

“Mark, it’s me. Call me. You are not going to believe what I found. It’s unbearable…it’s…oh Mark. Please call me. I need to talk to your stepfather. I love you.” No answer.

“Sari…” I turn to face a breathless Brad.

“What?” My facial muscles brace to keep a straight face. Because good news is not written all over Brad’s face….quite the contrary.

“Ed Hayes was released from prison yesterday.” Brad pauses for my reaction. I give nothing. “He has not reported to PO.”

“Holy shit.” Quickly escapes Sam’s mouth.

“Oh my god. This is really happening.” I try not to panic. I will not. “This is real. Did Mark’s stepfather know?”

“Sari, you know Dan Stanley is retired.” Brad speaks with caution.

“Oh right…” Finally…a sigh of relief.

“Mark is Ed Hayes’ attorney of record.” Brad clicks his tongue.

The vein in my forehead pulsates.

“Whhhhh…” My lips freeze unable to make words.

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Marcy rubs her eyebrows. Sari is calling. Marcy cannot bring herself to answer her call. Mark is not in the office and Marcy cannot fathom talking to Sari right now. Poor Sari losing her sister and aunt. Marcy rapidly taps her right index finger on the desk.

Marcy presses her shoulders back and sits upright. Courage. Trust. There is no way on earth Ed Hayes is responsible for this. Impossible. She exhales.

Her shoulders once again slump forward. She inhales and slowly releases. Ed was supposed to come straight to her house after being released from prison yesterday. The tickets to Maine are still laying dormant on her dresser. That was their plan…runaway to their happy ending. They discussed it just 2 days ago. Well, actually, they have been discussing it for the last 15 years. So why didn’t he show? Marcy’s left foot quickly taps the floor. Ed is not responsible for this. There is no way.

Marcy was Dan Stanley’s legal secretary before she was Marks. It was sheer luck that Mark was given Ed’s case. Marcy was so happy when she found out. She skipped the entire way to the prison visiting room. Making routine monthly client notes was the only way she could visit Ed. Ed was elated as well. She’ll never forget how his eyes twinkled like emeralds when he saw her through the plastic partition.

‘Ed loves me.’ Marcy sighs. ‘How can this be happening? Where are you?’ Marcy is trying her best to keep it together. She would lose her job if anyone knew she had an intimate affair with a jailed client. But it is worth the risk, she loves him too. This is not an affair! This is a relationship. She longs for him in her bed. His touch, his kisses, his embrace. She has patiently and faithfully waited all of these years for him.

Marcy believes Ed, believes in him. He did not murder Sarah or Evan. It’s true, the circumstantial evidence was convincing but Marcy can read Ed’s soul. The murders were so brutal only true passion could be the motive. Ed did not have true passion for Sarah at the time for her death. He never did.

Sarah was in love with Ed and she was devastated by their split. Not the other way around. Ed said it was a typical hero/victim saga. He saved Sarah’s life and no woman could resist that kind of romance.

Ed, on the other hand, did enjoy her praise and servitude but after awhile it grew tiresome. He wanted to be challenged. He wanted to be aroused. He wanted his life back. But he also wanted his daughter, Amanda. Sarah made damn sure Ed would not get what he wanted. If Sarah had to suffer then so would Ed. Herein lies the drama leading up to the time of Sarah’s murder.

Marcy will never forget the first time she met Sari Clarke. It felt like the wind had been knocked out of her. 'What a surreal moment,' remembers Marcy. Sari walked the most friendly of walks right up to Marcy. She extended her right hand to greet Marcy with her perfectly wide smile. Sari’s eyes shined like emeralds and in that moment Marcy knew she was face to face with Amanda Hayes. Those eyes, her beautiful blonde curls, her amazing soul. Marcy nearly fainted.

Could this all be a coincidence? Marcy stops fidgeting...completely.

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