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that to her? Why did they want her blood? Marshall shut off the water and dried himself with a thick towel.
    It was clear the police weren’t going to do any more than announce the “official” cause of death. If anyone was going to find the truth, it had to be him. He decided that the next morning he would hit the pavement and visit the scene where Barbara had died. Maybe there would be something there that would provide another piece to the puzzle. Maybe someone had seen something.
    Marshall put on his pajamas and got in bed. It was a restless night. As soon as Marshall did fall asleep, however, he wished he hadn’t.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 5
     
     
    He woke before his alarm clock. Sitting bolt upright in his bed, he tried to remember the nightmare that had plagued him all night long. It remained just out of reach. Marshall glanced at his alarm clock: it read six o’clock. The sun was just lighting the dark sky and Marshall decided to get up rather than try and fall back to sleep. From waking to sitting in his car took no more than thirty minutes.
    George sat beside him as the two pulled out into the chilly morning. Marshall had decided to first go to the police station to ensure that the case was, in fact, closed, and see if he could talk to the detective in charge of the case. The two roommates pulled up to the precinct. Marshall strapped on George’s black leather leash and they climbed the steps of the building. The precinct was a large gray building located in the center of downtown. You could tell efforts had been taken to make the place look inviting; there were flagpoles, statues, and a fountain in the front. But they had all failed—the building was still as intimidating as ever.
    Marshall opened the door and made his way through the halls to Lieutenant Tom Lloyd’s desk. He nodded and smiled at numerous officers he had come to know and respect during his time at the Hermes . Soon enough he caught sight of the burly middle-aged officer sitting at his desk, drinking coffee and glancing through the morning paper.
    Tom put down the paper and didn’t even bother to rise from his chair. “Marshall.”
    “Tom, you don’t look too happy to see me. Look, I even brought George today.” George wagged his tail and took a few steps over to the man, inviting a few pets.
    Tom managed a smile but didn’t reach out to play with George. “You’re here about the girl, aren’t you?”
    Marshall nodded.
    “I told you, Marshall. It’s been solved. Stay out of this one. She was hit by a car and dragged down the road. I have the official coroner’s report here on my desk. It was a hit and run, case closed. Look for yourself if you don’t believe me.” Tom handed a manila folder to Marshall.
    Marshall took the folder and thumbed through the report. Everything was just like both Joseph and the Lieutenant had said. The case was closed and the official coroner’s report said that Barbara Summers was killed by the impact of a vehicle.
    “You’re right, it’s all there.” Marshall handed the folder back to the Lieutenant. “Who was the detective in charge of the investigation? I mean, that has to be some kind of record, right? A case opened and closed in one day?”
    Tom gave him a disapproving look but finally admitted defeat. “Okay, I can tell you’re going to keep this up until you do your own personal examination, so I’ll tell you. Detective Lanner was given the assignment and closed the case.”
    Marshall’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. Detective John Lanner had been suspended from work for alcohol abuse and was widely known for his temper and unconventional means of upholding the law. “He’s back? I mean, from his leave?”
    Tom nodded.
    “Well, okay then, Tom. Thanks for the help.”
    “Marshall, are you sure you’re not doing this because this young girl was close in age to—”
    “No, Tom. I’m not. This has nothing to do with her.”
    The uncharacteristic edge in his