DARK BOUNDARIES

Kaleidopy

Chapter Ten

"My kids? Where are my kids?" Marilyn screamed, fighting against brother's embrace.

The door opened and several nurses rushed inside.

"It's alright," Kermit growled, stopping the group from approaching the bed. "Marilyn, listen to me," he said softly, relaxing her with his reassuring words. "Jason and Mitch are fine. They're safe and are with your neighbor."

Marilyn sighed, calmed by the knowledge that her children were okay. She relaxed, and Kermit released his hold on her.

"If you would step back, sir," the doctor asked, and waited until Kermit moved aside before he examined Marilyn.

Marilyn watched her brother move reluctantly to the foot of the bed, and allowed the doctor a chance to examine her. "When can I get out of here?" she asked, when the doctor finished his observation.

"When he releases you," Kermit answered, folding his arms tightly around his chest, "and not a second sooner."

"I don't recall him asking for a second opinion," Marilyn said, shooting her brother an angry glare. Her point made, she turned back to the doctor. "I have two children who no doubt are scared and worried about me. I have no intention of spending anymore time in this place than I have to, so please give me an exact time."

"Tomorrow, noon, if there are no further complications," the doctor answered, removing the stethoscope from his ears.

"It's just one night, Marilyn," Kermit added before she could protest. "Providing you take it easy and get some rest. I've already told you the kids are safe and with your neighbor."

"As much as I trust Ashley, she isn't the mother of my children," Marilyn protested.

"I've got several officers watching the house," Kermit said, reassuring her. "There's no reason for you to leave tonight."

"Now that that's settled," the doctor said as he left the room, "I'll check back on you in a few hours."

Alone with her brother, Marilyn got comfortable in the small bed and waited for the one question she knew Kermit would ask.

"Who did it, Marilyn?" Kermit asked, wasting no time getting to the point. "I've got a good guess who it was, I just want you to verify it."

"And what happens when I do?" she asked, watching her brother closely for any indication of his intentions. "What will you do?"

"You just let me worry about that," Kermit answered, not bothering to hide the meaning in his voice.

"That settles it," she said firmly. "As much as I want the man behind bars, I will not risk losing my brother in the same deal."

A cocky grin firmed across Kermit's face, and Marilyn realized she had made a mistake—she just revealed her attacker was a male. She turned on her side, intentionally blocking her view of her brother. She didn't trust herself under Kermit's scrutinizing stare.

"Marilyn," he warned, "If you don't name your attacker, he may come back and finish the job."

She rolled over, determined to stand her ground. "You said you could protect…"

"I can protect you and the kids, but I want the jerk's name."

"Will you arrest him or kill him?" she asked. "Answer the question, Kermit, or I won't tell you his name."

"I'll find him," Kermit promised. "With or without your help."

"You may bully everyone else, but you can't do it to me," she replied, seething at her brother's arrogance. "Flip the light switch, and don't let the door hit you on the way out."

Kermit angrily walked to the door. "I'm going to the precinct and pick up Peter. If you want to talk, you know how to reach me."

"I'm not going anywhere," she replied, and turned back on her side to stare at the wall when he left. Alone, she closed her eyes, and prayed someone captured Erik Montgomery before Kermit found him.

Bristol

Peter drove around the outskirts of Bristol for a while to make sure the sheriff hadn't ordered a patrol car to follow him. Convinced he wasn't being tailed, he drove back into town, taking the first side road that led away from the police department.

Confident the local police were in Erik's pocket, Peter decided to try a new approach. Experience had taught him that locals always had a different view of the so-called outstanding citizens.

He slowed the car, searching for someone who might be willing to provide a little information without the fear of retribution.

He started to turn down another side road, but something darted across the street in front of his car. He slammed on the brakes and nearly collided with a large dumpster.

Peter exited the car, his gun in hand, and took off after the object that had crossed his path.

"Don't shoot," a tall slim figure said. He emerged from the dark alley with one hand held high and the other clasping a beer bottle. "I want to speak with you."

"About what?" Peter asked suspiciously, pointing his weapon at the man. As he approached, it became apparent the individual was the town drunk. The man's clothes were wrinkled, dirty, and torn, and judging from his appearance, Peter guessed the man hadn't eaten in a few days.

"I saw you and Gryder standing inside the building, and neither one of you looked happy," the man said, slurring his words. "Gryder watched you drive out of town. I thought you had left until I saw that fancy car of yours a moment ago." He was slurring his words so badly that it was difficult to understand. "If you got the sheriff worried, then you've got a target on your back, just like me." In a sad voice, the drunk added, "I use to be somebody until…"

Peter reached inside his pocket and pulled out his wallet. He found a twenty-dollar bill and gave it to the man. "Go buy yourself something hot to eat," he said, walking back to his car. "I've got a house to investigate."

"The Montgomery home."

Peter spun around. "How did…"

"I was standing in the bushes beside the police station," the man admitted. "After you left, I crawled over to the sheriff's window. Gryder always keeps it open. He called someone and promised to send a patrolman to the Montgomery house in case you decided to show up there. I know he was talking to that Montgomery kid."

"You know Erik?"

"The devil's spawn, that one is," the man answered bitterly. "He destroyed everything I had—my job, my reputation and my life."

"Why would he do that?" Peter asked.

"Believe it or not, I use to work for the county coroner's office," the man said, explaining his situation. "About two years ago, the candidate running against Sheriff Gryder was found dead, but no wounds were discovered on the body. Gryder refused to investigate, claiming it was suicide."

"What does this have to do with Erik?"

"Let me finish," the man said. "Anyway, I got suspicious, so I did an autopsy and found the victim had been poisoned with water hemlock. Apparently, someone tricked him into believing he was eating parsnip. It wasn't a secret that Erik had an extensive knowledge of plants, so I put two and two together and took the evidence to the sheriff." The man took a deep breath and sighed. "Next thing I knew, I was thrown in jail and charged with obstruction of justice and corruption. Three days later, Gryder dropped the charges and released me from prison. I soon found out that I no longer had a job, and a reputation had been ruined. It was my word against Gryder's and Erik's, and nobody was stupid enough to challenge their authority."

"I'm a cop, but not local," Peter revealed, watching the man relax after his admission. "I came to Bristol as a favor to Patrice Montgomery. She was worried about her father, and feared her son murdered him. The sheriff and his deputy told me Ben Montgomery was murdered by an intruder."

"Intruder, ha! His own grandson killed him and their next-door neighbor, too. I overheard two deputies talking the other night, and they had orders to remove the bodies." The man continued in a sorrowful voice, "Ben Montgomery didn't deserve to die like that. He gave that boy everything."

"I'm afraid I have to tell Patrice the bad news."

"Poor woman," the man replied remorsefully, and then started staring at Peter strangely. "You sure you've never met Erik? You kinda favor him."

"No, I've never met the man," Peter answered, choosing to keep his relationship with Erik to himself. His half-brother had caused enough grief for the man, and Peter didn't want to add more to it. "Can I give you a lift somewhere?"

"No, but you best watch yourself," he warned, moving back into the shadows. "Strangers have a way of disappearing around here."