Manhunt, an original audio drama podcast, written, produced, and narrated by
Earl super Luther was speeding down Highway fifty three in a rush to get back
home from Woodfield Mall. He and Carmen had spent the entire day there shopping
and enjoying each other's company. Luther raised his wrist a bit and checked the
speedometer, which was holding steady at eighty miles per hour. He momentarily focused
on Carmen, who was in the passenger's seat. She had led her seat
back to rest her weary eyes from the glare of the bright sunlight. He
loved her more than he loved himself. In his mind, there was no
doubt about it. Without her, he was nothing. She was his reason
for living, and he felt so blessed to have a woman like Carmen in
his life. It was she who had saved him from simply existing without a
purpose in life. He hated himself for not being forthcoming about what he'd done.
He couldn't tell her out of fear she'd leave him, or, even
worse, encourage him to turn himself into the authorities. At this point,
there was no way in hell he'd ever do that, As he fought to
hide the memories of running down Lena. Other disturbing memories from his past began
surfacing. Memories of his troubled youth invaded his thoughts without warning. They moved
through him like death, choking every morsel of breath from his body. His
mother, Sugar entered his thoughts. Now. She was a bony, short
haired, double talking, dope attic whose only purpose in life seemed to be
getting high at any cost. He hated his mother. Luther closed his eyes
for a brief moment and pushed the image of Sugar out of his mind,
willing himself to not think about her, especially not now after he'd come so
far and was doing so well in spite of the shitty way she'd abandoned him.
Luther attempted to fight off yawning, but as he tried to suppress it,
his mouth opened wide and he released a mellow roar. The sound of
his yawning caught Carmen's attention. She let her hand and search for the seat
release, then brought the seats back to an upright position. Do you want
me to drive, Carmen offered, No, I've got it. Where are
we? Carmenesked stretching out her body. She took a sip of soda she'd
brought along with her from the mall. We passed North Avenue a minute ago.
Just as Luther flashed his turn signal to switch lanes, he saw flashing
lights in his rear view mirror. Oh shit, Luther's heart began to race.
What is it? Carmen esked, A state trooper is pulling me over?
Luther began to panic. Any run in with law enforcement made him paranoid.
The first image that formed in his mind was the hit and run accident.
For an instant, he contemplated trying to outrun the officer. Well,
pull over, Carmen said, as she opened the glove box compartment. I
have my insurance papers in here somewhere. She pulled out a small stack of
papers that contained bank statements, junk mail, and other miscellaneous bills. Hmm,
if anyone ever broke into this car, they wouldn't have any trouble finding
out where you lived. Luther said. He was extremely anxious and couldn't decide
what he wanted to do. I know, I've got to get better about
keeping this thing cleaned out. Carmen heard the squad car siren and looked up
at the road. For a moment, Luther stopped playing around and pull over.
Okay, Luther answered, breathing heavily with nervous anticipation. Nothing is going
to happen, he told himself. I was doing eighty in a fifty five
mile an hour speed zone. That's the reason that I'm being stopped. Luther
pulled over to the right shoulder and brought the car to a stop. He
lifted himself up up and reached into his back pocket for his driver's license.
Oh, okay, here it is, Carmen said, here's my proof of
insurance. She handed the car to Luther, who was busy looking out of
the rear view mirror at the tall, dark skinned trooper approaching the car.
Luther twisted around in his seat and looked up over his left shoulder at the
officer. Do you know why I pulled you over? The officer's breath renked
of alcohol. The stinch of it was very apparent. Luther glanced down at
the trooper's name badge, which read M Turner. No, sir, I
don't, Luther answered, politely, Ah, clare you doing eighty? And
fire? The officer slurred yes. Sir, Luther was being careful not to
tip the trooper any further over the edge than he already was. I need
to drive his license proof of assurance. I'm going to issue you with side
citation. Luther handed Marshall his information, and Marshall walked back to his cruiser.
Man, I think that trooper has been drinking, Luther told Carmen.
Are you serious? She said, isn't that against the law? The last
time I checked it was. Luther was very puzzled about the trooper. We
should call it in and report it. Carmen search for her cellular phone.
No, Luther said quickly, I don't think we should. Why not?
I mean, drinking and driving is very dangerous. He could actually hurt someone.
Carmen, I said, no, I have my reasons, Luther said.
As he studied his rear view mirror. The trooper looked very familiar to
him, but Luther couldn't remember where he'd seen him before. He was desperately
searching his memory, trying to recall where he'd seen the man's face Luther.
Carmen persisted, sh he said, I'm thinking When Luther saw Marshall stepped back
out of his car and approached them, he got a better look at the
trooper's face. Loch, I'm going to let you off for the one This
time, Luther looked up over his shoulder again and suddenly realized who the man
was. It was the father of the little girl he'd run down. Luther's
heart and mind began racing at a feverish pace. Never in his wildest dreams
did he expect to come face to face with Marshall. You have a good
driving record, Marshall explained. Luther could still smell the strong presence of alcohol.
Just be careful, okay. Marshall handed Luther back his information and then
returned to his police cruiser. Luther, we need to report him. Carmen
was now agitated. Did you get a good look at his name or his
badge number? Shut the hell up, Carmen, Luther barked, glaring at
her with daggers in his eyes. He wanted her to be quiet and stopped
talking. Excuse me. Carmen was shocked by the in his eyes and the
tone of his voice. She never heard him use that tone with her.
I'm not reporting him, all right. Luther put the car in gear and
ease back out into traffic, then sped off. Why not, Carmen wanted
a good explanation. He gave me a break. Okay, I look like
a real asshole if I turned him in, Luther said, as he tried
to quell a mild panic attack. Look at you. You're all sweaty,
are you okay? Maybe you should let me drive. Carmen, just shut
up, please, Luthor bark louder. You don't have to yell at me
like that. I'm only trying to help. What the hell has gotten into
you? Carmen asked, turning around in her seat to look back at the
state trooper who had sat down on the ground near the guardrail and coiled his
knees to his chest. I think something's wrong with that officer. We should
go back. Carmen was now concerned about the man's well being. No,
I'm not going back. Luther pressed down on the accelerator harder. Luther slowed
down, she shouted, and stop acting like you're a fugitive trying to avoid
the law. Now, why won't you go back and let me check on
the man. You can get off the express rate right here and look back
around. We don't have time for all of that. Luther once again pressed
the accelerator harder. Fine, we don't have to go back, but I
am going to call in about it. Carmen removed her cell phone from her
purse and phoned in her concerns about the troopers well being