Speaker 1: Carmen was in love and there was nothing she could
do about it. She and Marshall had now been officially
dating for a year, and things couldn't be better. It
was the way Marshall treated her, the way he treated
Nicholas and made her feel. It was the way he
took care of her and made love to her. Oh God,
she shouted out loud as she stood at the kitchen
preparing a meal. She'd reached a point where she was
happy with life and just couldn't deny the way she felt,
and she opened up the refrigerator. She heard her cell
phone ringing. She dashed into the living room and picked
up the phone, which was sitting on an end table. Hello,
Carmen answered, Hey, babe, do you want me to pick
you up something to eat? Marshall asked, no, I'll have
dinner ready for you when you get here. You're putting
it down so well that you've got assist in the
kitchen cooking. Carmen joked, Now that's what I'm talking about,
Marshall said, Speaking of talking, there's something very important that
we have to discuss when you get here, Carmen mentioned, really,
is it serious? Is it that serious? Marshall asked, Yeah,
it's pretty serious, but if you're the man that I
know you are, you'll feel exactly the same way I do.
Carmen said, all right. Marshall paused for a long moment.
Don't try to figure out what it is. Just come
on by, Nicholas and I are on you. Carmen said, Okay,
I'll see you in a bit. I'm almost there anyway,
Marshall said before he ended the call. Carmen had prepared
some lasagna with asparagus and garlic bread for dinner. By
the time Marshall rang her doorbell, and she was placing
food on her dinette table for the three of them. Mmm,
smells good, babe, Marshall said as he came to the door. Hey, mysel.
Nicholas came running toward the front door, carrying Action figures
in both hands. Hey, Nicholas, Marshall said, as he stooped
down to pick him up. Have you washed your hands
for dinner yet, young fella? He asked now, answered Nicholas,
Then let's go take care of that, Marshall said as
he carried him into the bathroom. Once he and Nicholas
were done freshening up, they went and sat down at
the dinner table. So what do we need to talk about?
Marshall asked, I want you to eat first, Carmen said.
As she sat down after dinner, she offered him some dessert.
It's jello with fruit chilled on the inside of it.
Carmen said, it's real good. Carmen said, still tempting him unnecessarily. Okay,
you talked me into it. Carmen put some of the
jello in a cup and then walked over to Marshall
and sat on his lap. She scooped up a spoonful
and feed it to him. Baby, Carmen said, hmm. Marshall answered,
you said that we could always talk about anything, right, Yeah, baby, anything,
It doesn't matter what. I just lay it on me. Okay.
Carmen sat the cup down and then straddled Marshal so
that she could look into his eyes. Are you ready,
Carmen asked, I'm ready. Marshall answered, smiling. I'm pregnant, said
Carmen and studied his every expression. It took a slight
set and ford to register fully to Marshall for real.
Marshall had an undeniable excitement in his eyes and his
voice Carmen exhaled, relieve that his action was the one
she'd hoped for. Yes, maybe I'm for real, she said excitedly.
Well hot, damn, Marshall said, and he squeezed her with
all his mnd Ooh, I'm sorry. I don't want to
squeeze the baby too hard. You should be resting. You
should be you shouldn't be cooking for me. I should
be cooking for you. When are we do? What did
you just say, Carmen asked, I said, when are we do?
That's what I thought, she said. Carmen was referring to
the fact that he said we I don't know. I
still have to go to the doctor, so that can
be determined. Okay, I'm going with you. Just let me
know when you want to go. There's so much we
have to do. We have to sign up for Lamas class,
get some prenatal care. I have to build some babies.
I gotta build some stuff in the baby's room. I
gotta build a baby room. I gotta build a baby's room.
I mean. Carmen could see Marshall's mind racing with things
that needed to get done. Oh, and the most important thing,
said Marshall, What's that baby, Carmen asked, full of joy,
we have to shop for a wedding ring so that
we can get married. I'm not into that baby daddy thing.
Carmen's emotions took over her and she hugged Marshall tightly.
I take it that means you'll marry me. Marshall asked,
I don't know. You may not be my type. Carmen giggled,
what's so funny. Nicholas walked into the room and came
over to Marshall and Carmen. We're going to be a family,
Marshall said as he rubbed Nicholas's head. Carmen was at
Marshall's house picking up his car. She was heading to
her old Hyde Park community to visit her hairstylist. Had
to drive Marshall's car because hers was needing service, which
Marshall was taking care of for her. Here tossed us
into the glove compartment. Marshall handed her a community newspaper.
She looked down at the address label, which said resident
and just listed Marshall's address. Why are you keeping this,
she asked. I need the newspaper for Lovey when I
pick him up from the vet. This afternoon. Marshall explained,
Oh okay, well call me when you and Nicholas get
to the repair shop and let me know how much
I'm going to be in for now. You know you
don't have to worry about that, Marshall said as he
kissed her. I know, baby, but I'm the type of
woman who likes to pay her own bills, she said,
as she fired up Marshall's car and pulled away. She
blew the horn as she drove off. Parking in high
Park was difficult because there were not very many parking spaces.
As a result, Carmen had to park a block away
from the salon. As soon as she got out of
her car, a homeless person spoke to her. Carmen refused
to acknowledge the crazy looking man and began walking away
from him at a very brisk pace. You've known't had
to love from me, the homeless man said, come back,
Why won't you talk to me? As soon as Carmen
entered the salon, Mary, her hairstyl has greeted her. Hey, Carmen, girl,
some crazy homeless man was following me, Carmen said as
she approached Mary. What Mary said? Surprised that someone would
follow her. Yeah, girl, the man looked crazy as hell.
At that moment, the homeless man knocked on the door
and tried to gain entrance. Carmen turned. That's him, girl,
that's a fool who was following me. Carmen said, a
bit alarmed, that girl, his ass is crazy. That fool
comes around here begging money and talking to himself all
the time. He's a certified nut job. Mary said, get
away from my door before I call the police. Mary
shouted at the man. I need to use the bathroom,
said the man. There are no public restrooms in here.
Mary shouted back across the store. The homeless man glared
at Carmen for a long moment before he turned and left.
What was that about. Why was he looking at you
like that? I wonder, Mary asked, Shit, girl, I don't know.
People are just crazy nowadays, Carmen said, as she took
a seat in Mary's chair. Carmen left the hair salon
feeling and looking like a million bucks. She couldn't wait
to see if Marshall would like the way she'd gotten
her hair styled. As she walked back to the car,
she noticed that the window had been smashed out. What
the hell. Carmen hollered out. When she arrived at the car,
she saw a bloodstained bricks sitting on the driver's seat.
She immediately phone Marshall to let him know what happened.
By the time Marshall was able to arrive, Carmen had
already called the Chicago Police Department, who were taking a
property damage report. Marshall got out of the car and
hustled over to Carmen and embraced her. I dropped Nicholas
off with Quentin. Are you okay, baby, Marshall asked, Yeah,
I'm fine, Carmen said, I'm just a bit confused as
to why someone would smash out the window and not
take anything. Well, ma'am, said the officer. Sometimes these homeless
crackpots just do random crimes for no reason at all. Baby,
What happened, Marshall ast? When I parked here, there was
this homeless guy who followed me to the shop. Follow you?
Why would someone follow you? He was probably some low
life person, ature, Sir, said the beat officer. He wasn't
too bright though. He left bloodstains and the brick that
he used to smash the to smash out the car window.
I had one of the lab boys come down and
take it in for fingerprints and DNA tests. Chances are
this low life has a record, and if he does,
we'll issue an arrest warrant, say, asked Marshall, turning to
the officer. Is Detective Mike Taylor still around? Yeah? Detective
Taylor's a good friend of mine. In fact, I just
saw him down at the station, no more than twenty
minutes ago. Do you know him, asked the beat officer. Yeah,
I know him. Carmen, why don't you take your car
and head home. I'll drive my car back. I want
to stop and talk to Detective Taylor for a minute.
I want to see if he can speed up the
testing process. I think I'm just goining to go back
to your place, Carmen said. Do you want anything in
particular for dinner? Carmen asked, not willing to allow this
little wrinkle to destroy her day. You don't have to cook.
I'll pick up some Chinese food on my way in.
I'm just going to run to see Detective Taylor real quick,
and then I'll be home right away. Okay, Carmen said,
and then left. Luther now knew why he wasn't able
to find Carmen. She'd moved to oak Park, Illinois. He
found out when he smashed out the car window and
took the village newsletter with her address on it. Luther
had also taken several dollars of change out of the
coin tray. With the money, he had paid for his
fare and hopped on a bus and then a train
that would take him to Oak Park. When he arrived,
he asked someone to point him in the direction to
the street where Carmen lived. As he walked towards Carmen's house,
his mind began to tell him that she'd welcome him
back into her life with open arms. She looked at
me funny at the beauty shop because she didn't recognize me.
That's all, is what his twisted reasoning told him. When
he got to the address and saw the large, stately
home sitting on a corner lot, Luther's heart began to soar.
He quickly envisioned himself living in the Victorian style home.
He saw himself mowing the lawn and trimming the hedges.
He saw himself with Carmen, barbecuing in the backyard and
making love all over the house. His delusional and twisted
mind was telling him that Carmen needed and wanted him
in her life, and the only thing that he had
to do was show up. May love to her, apologize
to her, and tell her everything. She will understand. I
know that she will, he thought to himself. Luther entered
the backyard gate and walked up to the back door.
He wasn't thinking logically. He put his hand on the
doorknob and tried to turn it, but it was locked.
He looked down at the doorknob and saw blood on
on it. He looked at his hand and noticed his
sliced open skin for the first time. He was so
preoccupied with his thought that he hadn't realized he'd cut himself.
He didn't care, though he had to get inside. Carmen
would have bandages for him. He could take care of
himself on the inside. He tried to force the back
door open, but it wouldn't move. Luther looked for another
way to gain entrance, but he didn't see one. Luther
looked around for something he could use to smash open
the door. As he searched, he saw a sledgehammer resting
against the side of the house. Perfect just what I need,
Luther uttered as he retrieved the sledgehammer. He walked over
to the door and swung the sledge hammer mightily against
the door. It took seven or eight hits before the
door finally gave way. Before entering the house, Luther surveyed
the surroundings to make sure that the loud banging didn't
alarm any of the neighbors. Confident that no one noticed him,
Luther entered the house. He stepped inside of the kitchen
and closed the door as best as he could. I'm home,
he spoke out loud. I'm finally home. Marshall entered the
police station and ran into Detective Taylor as he was
exiting the washroom. Detective Taylor, you're just the man I
want to see, Marshall said as he approached him. Hey Marshall,
Detective Taylor smiled at him and shook hands. How have
you been my friend? As Detective Taylor, I have been good,
Marshall answered. Life is being good to me again. I'm
about to get remarried and have another baby early, Detective
Taylor said, genuinely happy for Marshall. Yes, it's taken me
a long time to put my life back in order,
but better late than never, right, Marshall joked, I wish
I had more news for you about Lena's investigation, but
I'm afraid the trail has been cold for some time.
Now I know. Let's not go down that road right now.
Marshall said, okay, so what brings you by? Ask Detective Taylor.
Someone broke into my car this afternoon and the lab
tech brought in some evidence for DNA and finger testing.
I wanted to see if you could talk to the
boys down in the lab and have them look at
it right away. Well, the DNA test has to be
sent out, but fingerprints can be lifted and I can
do an initial check against the database files for you.
If you could do that, I'll owe you big time.
Marshall said, don't worry about it. It's the least I
can do. Taylor said, come on, follow me. Detective Taylor
found the lab work for Marshall and told him to
sit tight. Forty five minutes later, Taylor returned and told
Marshall to follow him into another room. I've got something
interesting here, Marshall, Detective Taylor said, as he sat down
at a computer that had images of fingerprints on the screen.
Last month, we got a Jane Doe phone call. We
found the body of a woman who had a locket
in her hand. We lifted the fingerprints off the locket,
but we didn't do anything because we got a medical
examiner's report that said the woman died of a massive stroke,
so that meant there was no foul play involved, and
we closed the case. Okay, I'm with you so far,
Marshall said, hang on, man, it gets weird. The fingerprints
on the rock matches the fingerprints on the locket that
the Jane Doe had. Whoever this guy is new Jane
Doe and was around when she checked out. Well, run
more extensive search on the fingerprints and see what you
come up with. Marshall said, that's what the computer is
doing over there right now, come sit with me. It
should just be a few more moments before it's done.
The two men walked over to the computer terminal, which
was finishing the search. The screen began displaying information indicating
that it had a match to the information that Detective
Taylor had plugged in. Horror came over Marshall's face when
he saw what came up. Oh my god, said Detective Taylor.
The computer was flashing the words exact match to the
fingerprints lifted off the tools found in the car that
hit and killed Marshall's daughter Lena. At that very moment,
the Detective Taylor's cellular phone rang. Yeah, this is Taylor.
What you're bullshitting?
Speaker 2: Mate?
Speaker 1: What interrogation room is she in? Okay, I'll be right there.
You have to go now, Marshall asked, feeling his emotions
swell up. He couldn't believe that this guy who killed
his daughter had smashed out his car window. Marshall, come
with me. Something very interesting just happened. We may have
just stumbled upon a very big break in your daughter's case,
explained Detective Taylor. Marshall and Detective Taylor walked down to
an interrogation room where Detective Downs was in the middle
of another investigation involving illegal activity at Big Daddy's inside
of dance club. Detective Downs brought Marshall and Detective Taylor
up to speed on his investigation. You're not going to
fucking believe this, he said. Do you remember that guy
Packer we bought in for a questioning about his stolen
SUV and the hit and run accident. Yeah, I remember
Packard very well. Detective Taylor and Marshall were both waiting
with bated breath for information. He's now saying that he
knows the perpetrator who stole his car and killed the
young girl. Why is he confessing now, Marshall asked, feeling
himself getting angry because we've got the son of a
bitch on narconics charges and a connection to a murder
that dates back twenty years. He's trying to cut a
deal to save his ass. How did all of this
come about? Marshall was still trying to piece together everything.
Come down here with me to another interrogation room. Marshall
and Detective Taylor followed Detective Downs into another interrogation room.
They saw a young woman with her head held down
in salving Nikki. This is Trooper Marshall and Detective Taylor
announced Detective Downs, I want you to tell him what
you told me. My sister want my sister, NICKI cried uncontrollably.
Speaker 2: You said that someone would help me contact her. I
need my sister. Oh God, I've been such a fool.
Speaker 1: And we're going to do that. Detective Down said, but
I need you to tell me again what you know.
My sister's homeless ex husband Luther came into the club
a few weeks back talking about some woman named Sugar
had died over in an abandoned building on Prairie Street.
I guess the woman who died was his mother or something.
Luther says that he knows about this murder, that Packard
was involved him twenty years ago. It was a murder
of Anthony Baker, my father. When Marshall hurt this, his
heart damn near stopped.
Speaker 2: I'd been sleeping around with the son of well bitch,
you murdered my father and didn't even know.
Speaker 1: I blamed everything on my sister.
Speaker 2: I made her feel guilty about his death, and I'm
I was wrong for that.
Speaker 1: Nikki fell apart again. Come on, let's step outside. I'll
tell you the rest. Set detective downs. The men stepped
outside of the room. After girlfriend learns of what Packard
has done, she decides that she's going to make Packard pay.
So she calls me up and tells me that she'll
provide me with whatever information I need as long as
I make sure he's convicted. So we put a special
ops team on it for a couple of weeks and
with her help, got enough on Packard to put him
away for a long time, but now he's trying to
cut a deal by saying he'll give up the name
in the case of your daughter's hit and run driver
set detective downs. We don't need the full name, said
Detective Taylor. We've already got it. It's Luther Luther Parker
my soon to be wife. Her ex husband Marshall uttered
with disgust.