In a Dark Place

Hando sat in back of the police vehicle handcuffed and quiet. Seemingly composed his head was about to explode in pain. He sat there while Marce’s body was hauled into the ambulance and taken away. The pain spread deep inside him as he tried to take in what had happened. Somebody had killed her and he had been arrested. Whatever vestige of trust he had for the Sheriff was gone.

He leaned back on the seat and closed his eyes, he would never see Marce again.

Once at the police station questions came at him fast and hard, he barely heard them…he had nothing to say. He had no answers for them simply because he didn’t know what had happened. He was aware however and when Richie Roberts showed up and got him out of jail he went with him quietly to the boarding house. He still had nothing to say when Richie talked Steve into renting him a room and escorted him up the steps.

Richie followed him in the room and closed the door. "Hando I hope you understand they had to take you in for questioning. I know you had nothing to do with Marce’s murder. I’m sorry for what happened to Marce and to you. You didn’t deserve this…nobody does." Richie ran his hand through his hair and walked over to the door. "I trust you won’t take off Hando…stay here for the night and get some rest."

Hando sat on the side of the bed listening to Richie but not responding…he had nothing to say to anybody. After Richie left he got up and went to the window staring out into the darkness.

It was just after 4:00 in the morning when he silently let himself out of the room.