100 Ways to Solve a Murder-Chapter 80: Darkness IV
Present-day
After looking back at the memory of two days ago Levi turned to Marco and said, "So, fine."
Marco grunted,
"Elle mentions Sam doesn’t go out nor see anyone and you say she’s fine?" he asked, taken aback.
Levi huffed annoyed at all the noise the bearded man was making, "She’s alive. So she’s fine." he replied lightly.
...
5 hours later, Sam’s flat
Sam stood by the kitchen sink, drinking coffee. To Marco, she looked like she was staring at the window, but he knew otherwise.
"Sam?" the bearded man called her attention, then her stiff shoulders relaxed visibly. She turned to the source of his voice, recognizing it immediately. She noticed it had a hint of gentleness on its edges, patience too, practiced patience dealing with the blond psychologist.
"Marco, what can I do for you?" she asked, holding the warm cup between her hands.
Marco scanned her,
"I just came by to see how you are doing. How are you?" he asked, feeling like he was walking on eggshells. He could see she was far from fine as Levi emphasized. She had obviously lost weight, and she seemed extremely tired. Her lips were chapped slightly, showing some signs of dehydration and may even be from poor nutrition. Is she even eating okay?
Marco knew she fired Elle, her nurse, and the maid. But the new house she was living in was clean, so he wondered if anyone came in to clean it. However, the question is what she eats? She can’t exactly cook her food. Or maybe she does, Marco thought after noticing her band-aid covered fingers.
Sam sighed,
"Elle sent you. Fantastic," she said filled with sarcasm, there was no humor in it.
"No, no, I really... me and Lisa had been wondering how you’re doing, even Mrs. Whitehall...and Levi." Marco trailed, lying through his teeth on the last bit.
"Hmm." she hummed unconvinced.
"I mean we’re all worried about you.... we tried calling, we even left messages but..."
Marco continued and paused when she interrupted.
"I appreciate the concern Marco, but I really need to be alone," she said dismissively, her expression was cold. She clearly didn’t appreciate his visit.
Marco approached closer, and with a gentler voice he said
"I know you’re having a hard time with this, but in my opinion alone is the last that you need right now."
"Thank you for coming over Marco. I’m fine. Send my love to Lisa and the baby." Sam said, and for a second Marco froze. He swore her eyes were meeting his, and it held anger. She left him there and he watched as she slowly, and carefully made her way to a hallway, her stick tapping on the floor, expecting him to leave.
Marco left adamantly, this was worse than he expected, this was a whole different person.
....
7 Eastbourne Rd.
"Come to report, Marco," Levi said, noticing Marco enter his flat while he watched crap telly. He was watching a show for a case, "research" he’ll say but if he was honest he enjoyed those reality shows.
The bearded man stood beside his seat, "She needs to see someone. Professional help." he insisted.
Levi’s eyes remained on the screen,
"Yes, so I heard," he said in a bored manner.
Marco scowled down at him, pissed.
"What’s with the attitude? Don’t you care about her well being? She’s depressed, Levi! It’s not healthy to be alone going through this. And we are her friends! Especially you! You are far closer to her than any of us!" he spat.
Levi turned and looked up at the lanky man,
"She got attacked, almost killed, her dog and dog walker was murdered in her own home. Her assistant Forensic Pathologist is the one that did it. Resulting in her losing her sight, she was forced to quit her job. Finding out her most trusted friend, and assistant is her estranged brother’s spy. And seeing 4 specialists who have no idea if her sight will ever return, all in a span of 3 Months. Marco, I think she has every right to want to be alone." he spat in one go, offended by Marco’s tone.
Marco reached for the sofa, and he collapsed on it. His eyes were wide open in shock.
"4?" He asked almost in a whisper.
"Yes," Levi said, eyes back on the screen.
"She quit her job?" Marco asked.
"Yes. Anna graciously informed me." Levi replied.
"Speaking of Anna? Did they find out what that drug was?" Marco asked.
"Not even their best chemist could figure it out. Whoever created it is a genius. SIS is actually trying to recreate it, as a weapon, and I wasn’t supposed to tell you that don’t share that to anyone" Levi informed him.
"She’s never gonna see again, will she?" Marco said, leaning on his seat almost out of breath.
"Only time will tell," Levi said. Marco watched him, anger was hidden behind his hazel eyes.
"Levi, what happened between you and Sam when you last saw her?" Marco asked, concerned.
A few weeks back Mrs. Whitehall had informed him of Sam’s regular visits with Levi, how she would bring the two tea. She did find the two silent whenever she came over, discussing something the older woman described as hush-hush. And how it oddly stopped all of a sudden. With it, his obsession with crap telly and reality shows started, and he wouldn’t eat like usual anymore.
The old flabby woman tried calling Sam when he started leaving without any notice and coming home late. She was worried he was back gambling.
And she couldn’t get hold of Sam, she wouldn’t pick her phone, and return her calls.
And Levi’s mood had changed as well, he became more impatient. She would hear him pacing from his room, talking to himself.
There was silence like he was deep in thought. Only the sound of the Telly in the background.
Levi looked thoughtful, recalling the redhead’s last visit.
"She basically said goodbye," he answered shortly.
’I’ll see you as soon as I can.’ She whispered to his ear, he could still remember the smell of her shampoo and the faint scent of sanitizer on her hand when she had it pressed against his cheek.
’I’ll see you, as soon as I can.’ The words echoed in his mind, waiting as he sat there on the sofa hours after Marco left.
He looked at his watch, 12:45 AM, he put on his coat, and walked out of his flat.
