Page 4 of Ride the Lightning
“This one is harder, but after listening to the kickass podcast, I think it’s something you and your friends will love to tackle since none of you can stand an injustice,” Marla said.
Intrigued, Jonah angled his body to face her. “An unsolved case? You have my attention.”
“In 1982, a dear friend was brutally murdered. The cops didn’t put much effort into solving Earl Ison’s case because he was a gay man and a part-time drag queen known as Lola the Ice Queen. I, along with some of Earl’s other friends, got tired of their bullshit and started harassing the police department, even though we knew we were putting our lives in danger. We staged protests and marches, knowing all along we were going to get arrested for stirring up shit, but it would’ve been a victory if one of those lawmen saw Earl as a human instead of a gay man who sometimes dressed in women’s clothing.” Marla grew quiet as she stared off into the night.
“Your plan didn’t succeed?” Jonah asked.
“Yes, but not in a meaningful way or how we wanted.” Marla pivoted in her rocking chair, angling her body toward Jonah and meeting his gaze. “In 1995, Bo Cahill, who was already on death row for another murder, confessed to killing Earl a week before his execution.”
Jonah tipped his head to the side. “I thought you said it was an unsolved case.”
“No,yousaid it was an unsolved case. I called it an injustice.”
“How so, if the killer confessed?” Jonah asked.
Marla rolled her eyes. “Child, please. You can’t believe every person who’s confessed to a crime really committed the offense.” Of course, he didn’t.
“You’re saying Bo Cahill gave a false confession,” Jonah said. “Why would he lie? I understand when the reverse happens, but confessing to a murder you didn’t commit doesn’t make any sense.”
“That’s for you to find out, honey. I didn’t believe his confession then, and I don’t believe it now. The cops and DA were all too willing to accept the confession and close Earl’s case, and my continuous harassment only spelled trouble I couldn’t afford. I promised myself I’d find the truth someday, and I think I was waiting all this time for you to come along. Earl’s killer is still out there, and I want to make this right for my friend before…”
She dies.
“This aging queen is asking a lot, but you promised me.”
“Yeah, I did,” Jonah said, nodding. “Tell me everything you know about Earl’s death and what was going on in his life at the time. I know it’s been almost forty years, but a minor detail could hold major significance.”
“I can remember it like it was yesterday.” Her dark eyes took on a faraway look. “Earl had started dating someone new and was really excited about it. The relationship wasn’t without big issues though. His boyfriend wasn’t out to his friends, family, or at work, and I don’t think Earl had revealed Lola to him yet. I tell you, baby, I knew it was a recipe for disaster. Earl was so happy and in love, so I bit my tongue.” Marla smiled wryly. “It was the last time I did so too.”
“Had Earl’s personality changed a lot after meeting this person? Were there any indications he was involved in an abusive relationship?” Jonah asked.
“He had changed a lot, but he hadn’t acted jumpy or scared. Earl had just pulled away from his friends and spent all his free time with his boyfriend.” Jonah heard a hint of bitterness in her voice which time, heartbreak, and loss hadn’t erased. Resentment was a foe he knew all too well. “Earl never had bruises or scrapes he couldn’t explain. He’d just turned dismissive as if he were too good for us once this guy noticed him. It also wasn’t uncommon for some queens to tone it down for a man.”
“Not you, I bet.”
Marla laughed. “Never, sugar. There are certain things I am unwilling to compromise and staying true to myself tops the list. Love me as I am or get the fuck gone. My plan might’ve backfired a bit since I will die single.”
Jonah hated how she could utter the hateful word with such ease. Marla was one of the most perceptive people he’d ever met, so it didn’t surprise him when she squeezed the hand she still held.
“I’ve never been one to hide from the truth. I’m sorry if I’ve upset you.”
Jonah’s eyes watered, and his nose started to burn, but he blinked the tears away before they could fall. Him giving in to his grief was not what she needed right then. “Never apologize for being you, Marla. You might die single, but you will be loved, and you won’t be alone. That’s promise number three.”
“I’d like to ask for a fourth, but I think I’ve already pushed my luck tonight.” Or maybe she realized Jonah would agree to anything and didn’t want to press her advantage. Jonah decided to push on with his questions so he could start looking into Earl’s case.
“Confessions without corroborating evidence aren’t admissible in court, so I’d like to think the cops working the case would go the distance to make sure Bo Cahill’s confession was legitimate before they closed the case. Did the chief or the investigating officers discuss why they so readily accepted the confession?”
“The detectives working the case, Milton and Morrisey, told me Bo Cahill gave them details of the crime scene that only the police and the perpetrator would know,” Marla replied. “I’d heard there was a GBI agent working the investigation, but I never met one.”
“What reason do you have to believe they weren’t telling the truth?” Jonah asked.
Marla tapped her temple, her heart, and then her stomach. “Instinct. I’m never wrong. I’m not saying Milton and Morrisey lied to me. Maybe they were nothing more than pawns, but something doesn’t add up.”
“You think someone fed information to Bo Cahill and walked him through a confession?”
“It’s exactly what I think. I just don’t know who.”
“Why would he agree?” Jonah said.