“You’ve been saying that too much lately.”
“I’ll talk to you soon,” he said before hanging up.
China put her phone down. “So? What the hell was that all about?”
Before Elizabeth could answer they heard Marilyn scream from the front of the office. “E-liz-a-beth!”
China jumped. “Well crap on a stick. I don’t think I’ll ever get use to that damn cackle.”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “I have received my summons.”
Picking up her large purse and her files, she began to leave Elizabeth’s office. Lifting up her free arm and waving it like a bird’s wing she said, “Ca-caw!”
After letting out a giggle, Elizabeth sighed and stretched out her neck before meeting Marilyn in her office. Knocking her knuckle on the door a few times, she peeked her head in. Thankfully, Peggy wasn’t around. She wanted to speak with Marilyn privately.
Looking up from the mess on her desk, Marilyn gave Elizabeth a slight smile. “Come on in, Elizabeth.” Her face was fresh but looked tired from being in court all morning.
Grabbing the door to close it, she asked, “Do you mind?” Marilyn peeked over her wire-rim glasses and nodded her okay. She shut the door and took a seat in one of the leather chairs opposite her boss. Normally, being called into her office would call for a Valium, but Elizabeth kept telling herself she didn’t do anything wrong. This time.
Marilyn set down her pen and removed her glasses from her face, placing them on the file she was currently working on. “Peggy told me about the blog post in the Tribune.”
Taking a quiet deep breath she replied, “Well, I assumed that’s what you wanted to talk to me about.”
“One of the things I wanted to talk to you about. Honestly, Elizabeth, I read the post and I can understand why Peggy was concerned.”
It was typically unlike her to question authority, especially Marilyn’s, but this time Elizabeth stood up for herself. “Marilyn, I really don’t know why Peggy is up in arms about this. This isn’t the first article the Tribune has written about this office. I explained to her my conversation with Pam DeFranco and she blew me off. Not only that, she sent me home for the day not even realizing the day I had, with every intention of leaving early anyway. I’m a little upset at her lack of empathy and how she handled the situation, frankly.”
Marilyn sat quietly for a moment gathering her thoughts.
Before she could respond, Elizabeth continued. “What surprises me the most about this is that you, of all people, know how media can twist words to make something out of nothing to sell a few more papers or get a couple more subscriptions. I don’t feel guilty or bad about what I told Pam. It was the truth. Her husband committed a crime and he had to answer for it. Hence, the whole ‘bull by the horns’ metaphor.” She paused and looked into Marilyn’s concerning eyes. “I can only be responsible for what I say. I am not responsible for how it’s interpreted or misinterpreted for that matter.”
Sitting back in her chair and crossing her legs she said, “I see where you are coming from. I do. But in our line of work, we really do need to be careful how we say things and to whom. Now, Peggy may not have handled it exactly how you would like but at this point in time she is your superior. She is in charge of your unit now, Elizabeth. I know you and China are not liking this change but it’s one you’re going to have to learn to live with.”
Shifting uncomfortably in her seat, Elizabeth knew what she was saying was true. Well, part of it anyway. Superior, pfft. Superior bitch, maybe. “I’m not sure it matters now anyway. Martinez just called me and said they found Pam DeFranco’s body this morning.”
“Oh, dear. I’m sorry to hear that.” She leaned forward and picked up her pen again, placing the end between her teeth as if it helped her think. “Any suspects yet?”
“I have no idea. He just said he would be tied up all weekend due to the investigation.”
“Of course.”
There was a strange silence between them before Marilyn chimed up again.
“I heard about what happened with the hearing, Elizabeth. I am so sorry.”
“I guess I just wasn’t meant to be there.”
“I’m afraid that’s the other issue I wanted to speak with you about.”
Elizabeth stared curiously into Marilyn’s aging eyes. “It was just a miscommunication. I didn’t want to go. Martinez somehow talked me into it.”
Her words were as slick as her dark hair pulled into the bun behind her head. “Martinez meant well and had you spoke at that hearing, it would have been good for you and probably… I’m sure it would have swayed the boards decision.” Sitting forward in a caring manner, she folded her hands on top of her desk. “There’s no easy way to say this, Elizabeth, but I wanted to tell you as soon as I got word.”
The hair on her neck stood up and her pupils dilated in fear. Her heart began palpitating at the words she anticipated would leave Marilyn’s lips next. Grabbing onto the arms of the chair she asked, “They’re letting him out, aren’t they?”
She nodded her head. “He’s due to be released next Friday. I’m so sorry, Elizabeth. I wish I could have done more.”
Her heart beat faster and stronger and she struggled between breaths. This – this can’t be happening. Though it was difficult, she mustered a deep enough breath to ask, “I thought – they - had 30 days - to decide?”
“Up to 30 days. Are you okay? You’re not looking so good, Elizabeth.”
Her brain was on information overload. She felt a tingling sensation through her body as she tried to stand. Still trying to breath, her tan skin became a pale white before everything went dark.
When she came to, she felt a pillow under her head and saw Mildred’s face. She
