Her movements in bed became more restless as the fluid started to bubble up, turning the white surrounding snow into the same vibrant red liquid, oozing from the ground, growing, conquering the beautiful white winter wonderland until all that was left was ugly and foreboding. 

Libby put her hands together in the same gesture she had shown Claire before, Help.  She repeated the gesture and pointed to her chest, signing Help me.  Standing in the middle of the rusty red muck, she started to sink.  Quicksand-like in texture, it was consuming her at a frightening pace. 

Helplessly, Claire watched as the rose tattoo on Libby’s ankle disappeared in the abyss first.  She let out a small, almost silent cry as Libby’s legs vanished in the liquid, then her hips, as the onslaught continued, marching up to engulf her torso, her neck, and finally her face.  Horrified, Claire let out a series of soft mewing sounds, kicking at her covers as the scarlet mud devoured Libby, but not before capturing the absolutely terrifying panic in her eyes.  It was a look that would haunt Claire for the rest of her life.

 

* * * * *

 

The investigation into the death of Art Cane at the Landry Trucking Company office lasted until the first rays of sunrise could be seen hovering over the horizon, ready to announce the beginning of another day in all its blazing glory.  Due to the warming temperature, fog was projected to hang around until midmorning and this would stunt the impact of the always beautiful sunrise.  In time, it promised to dissipate and let the sun have its day. 

The anticipated warm weather that the forecasters had predicted earlier in the week was finally arriving.  It prefaced a melting of the ice and snow cover that had hung around the vicinity for the last few days. 

People living in southern Indiana were pleased to see this much-needed break in the temperature.  Roads were still covered with dangerous patches of ice that had left well-worn ruts, difficult to transverse, often ending in tracks that foretold of slide-offs on the sides of the roads.

Marvin Hennessey looked up at the morning sky and heaved a sigh of relief, maybe by the time I wake up this afternoon, I can look forward to walking down to get the mail without the fear of falling on the ice!  He could only hope that Mary would feel sorry for him and let him sleep that long.  If not, it’ll be a long day. 

He tried unsuccessfully to stifle a yawn and thought, I should probably check in at the office first and see if Clark left anything for me. 

The second time it happened, he couldn’t stop the yawn.  I’m not as young as I used to be.  These all-nighters take their toll on me now.

He smiled at a thought, I’m supposed to be retired and yet still worried about how I’m going solve this crime! 

He got in the patrol car and felt the weariness overtake him.  But, if I’m going to be involved in the case, I need to go home and get some sleep…or I won’t be worth much to anybody! 

He started the car.  Plus, I owe it to Mary to go home and explain what’s happening.  She’s probably sitting at the kitchen table right now, sipping her coffee…and stewing!  He chuckled at the picture that his mind’s eye conjured up for him.  Nope, she won’t be happy. 

He knew that there was something else tugging at the perimeter of his brain, but exhaustion was keeping it a secret, and as the tiredness invaded his body at break-neck speed, he couldn’t for the life of him remember what it was.      

    I’ll remember this afternoon…nothing is too important that it can’t wait a half-day longer.