The Witching Hour

[Part 4] The Beginning of the End

Marvin Dewitt arrived home late that evening. The tires of his police car seemed to be dragging through molasses as he parked in his spot next to Grace's Infinity. He turned off the car and let his head fall back on the headrest, closing his eyes. That smell seemed to be stuck in his sinuses, he couldn't get away from it. It had given him a massive headache on top of the waves of nausea. He didn't understand why it smelled so bad. A body that was that old and decomposed shouldn't smell so awful. It didn't even smell like rotting flesh. It reminded him of sulfur or rotten eggs. He sighed heavily, then hoisted himself up and out of the car and headed inside.

Grace was in the kitchen just finishing cooking supper. Marvin called her earlier and let her know he was going to be home late and let her know what was going on. She heard him come in, so she turned down the volume of the CD player which was playing a hymn CD her husband had bought for her. He didn't come into the kitchen as he normally did to give her a kiss, so she went to him in the living room.

"Hello honey." She smiled brightly as he hung his coat in the closet.

He sighed heavily again, and mumbled, "Hello Darlin.'"

Grace's smile faded, "Is something wrong Marvin?"

"No, nothin' is wrong. I just don't feel too well tonight. I have a headache."

"Oh, would you like some medicine?"

"That'd be mighty nice." He smiled weakly and gave her a kiss.

He sat down heavily into his brown leather lazy boy and folded his hands across his lap, staring off in thought.

Grace retrieved a painkiller and a glass of water and brought them to him. There was something about the look on his face that made her uneasy.

"Here you go, dear." She said, handing them to him.

"Thank you."

He gulped down the pill and then gave the glass back to his wife. She took it and then stood there, waiting for him to say what was on his mind.

After a long silence, he finally spoke, "There's somethin' really strange 'bout this one, Gracie."

"What do you mean?" Grace asked, gently.

"Well, the body wasn't buried under the house, like I thought. The floor was covered with so much dirt, that we didn't see it 'till after we removed the body. The person died alone in the cellar, and I don't think it was an accident. The foreman was saying the cellar door was locked from the outside with chains."

"Oh no." Grace gasped, "You don't think- How could someone do such a thing?"

"I don't know." Marvin shook his head. He could hardly believe it himself, "But this is turning into a murder investigation. In our town."

Grace was speechless. Fear swept over her as she began to wonder who in this tiny town could do something so awful.

"Don't worry, Gracie." Marvin assured her, taking her hands in his, "The Lord has this under control. He'll help us get to the bottom of this, and He's 'gonna keep us safe."

"Maybe we should pray." Grace suggested.

Marvin agreed then took both her hands in his and said a prayer over the investigation. He prayed for protection for, not only his family, but also for the rest of the town. He prayed for justice to come to the victim, whoever they were. He also prayed for wisdom and discernment in tracking down the evidence. The last thing he asked for was peace in the midst of such terrible circumstances.

When they finished praying, Marvin felt a little bit better. The rancid smell finally left his nostrils and in poured the savory aroma of hearty beef stew and cornbread. For the first time all evening, he smiled.