Chapter 44

Brownson pulled the curtains over the cold wind that was slowly swirling into the room, he left the window side and downed the remaining glass of bourbon on the bedside table. The guest room wasn't glad as large as his room but it was spacious enough that he could pace about just like he did that evening. The bed was a queen sized bed and the floor was a flush cream rug. The twin bedside lamp were on despite the still bright evening, so was the chandelier overhead and he looked distractedly at the crystal lights for a couple of minutes, transfixed and his mind wandering. When would all this be over? He asked himself and then heaved a sigh as if he knew it was pointless to ask. This was a carousel of disappointment and bullshit and something told him the police couldn't help him at all. He poured another glass and downed it with a wince. Martha sat on the foot of the stairs leading to the huge living room, dressed in a sequined red dress, her hair neatly pulled into a chignon, her face