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Marion began to shake when she heard that.She lifted her head, her eyes wide as though a veil had just been lifted from her eyes.“Oh God.What have I done?I never… It was just… I just wanted to have fun.”

“Where were you on the night of November eleventh?”Michael demanded.

“I was with my husband.That’s his mom’s birthday.We always visit his mom on his birthday.I can show you a picture on my Instagram.”

“Show me.”

She complied, her hands trembling so badly that she nearly dropped her phone.Michael sent himself the image and said, “I’m going to confirm that this image was taken at the date and time stamped to it.If I find out it’s been tampered with in any way, I’m going to come back, and I’m going to be a lot less nice.Do we understand each other?”

“Yes,” she whispered softly.

“Good.”He stood.“Do your husband a favor.Leave him.Unless he’s a real piece of shit—which you say he isn’t—he deserves to marry a woman, not a spoiled, stupid brat who thinks murderers are sexy.”

He left the house without waiting for an answer.He was angry not just because Marion was a spoiled, stupid brat but also because after talking with her, he no longer thought she was the murderer.She was an idiot, but she didn’t seem violent to him.He would confirm her alibi just in case, but he knew already that this was a dead end.The Messenger Killer was still out there.

And until she was caught, they weren’t safe.Ellie wasn’t safe.

He sighed and put his car in gear.He wished more than anything that Faith was here to help him.

Actually, she had helped him.She had given him the tough love he needed to hear.He couldn’t do this on his own.It was time to get help.

CHAPTER NINE

Marcus and Faith approached Eric Davidson’s residence with guns drawn.Turk trotted next to them, padding silently like a wolf as they ascended the stairs to the second floor.Eric was in apartment two-twenty-three, a modest one-bedroom in a six-story medium rise.

Marcus knocked loudly.“Police!Open up!”

No answer.

He knocked again.“Police!Eric Davidson, open up!”

No answer.

Marcus looked at Faith and took a deep breath.“One more time, then we go in?”

She nodded and positioned herself on the side of the door, ready to cover Marcus if he needed to break the door down.Marcus knocked one more time.“Eric Davidson, this is the police!Come out with your hands where we can see them!If you do not comply, we will force the door!Do you understand?”

No answer.Marcus nodded, squared his shoulders and lifted his leg.Just before he kicked, the door to the unit next to them opened, and an elderly woman called, “Excuse me?”

Marcus and Faith looked at her.“Yes?”

“If you’re looking for Eric, you won’t find him here.He’s very ill.He’s staying at the VA hospital.”

Faith blinked.“How long has he been there?”

“Oh, weeks now.He got sick before Thanksgiving.”

Faith looked at Marcus.The big detective lowered his leg.“You’re sure of this, ma’am?”

“Well, I live next door to him, don’t I?”the woman said, miffed.

Faith sighed."Yes, you do.Thank you, Miss…"

“It’s Mrs.Delilah Sanderson.And you’re welcome.I understand you have jobs to do, but if we can avoid making a commotion, that’s ideal, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Yes,” Marcus replied.“We apologize for the intrusion.”

“That’s all right,” Delilah said, closing her door.“Good luck, Detective.”