5: Saturday

Sarah Walker = The reporter

Bryce Larkin = Sarah's editor & co-reporter

Morgan Grimes = The best friend

John Casey = Hazard Sheriff

Skip Thompson = Hazard deputy

Diane Beckman = Judge

Jill Roberts = Paper Copygirl & Ex Head cheerleader

Ellie Bartowski = Traumatised sister

Well Friday night was interesting, first she got suckered into a dinner date with the town sleaze, Morgan Grimes, then she ended up drinking cocktails late in the night with her waitress Ellie Bartowski. It was after two in the morning when she crossed the street and went home to bed feeling buzzed from the alcohol she'd consumed.

Saturday morning was supposed to be her sleep in but lying in bed she was feeling unsettled. She didn't know why but her instincts were saying something wasn't as it should be. Especially when she had Bryce knock on her door half an hour before her weekday alarm was due. Sarah got out of bed and quickly wrapped her dressing gown around her as she made her way to the front door.

"We have a big story, out on Crawford Road. A couple of deaths" he managed to get out; he was practically out of breath.

Sarah thought that he was in a mild panic so she let him in and offered a glass of water. While Bryce slipped at his water, Sarah raced off to get dressed as quickly as possible, she forego her usual shower, and put on a pair of cargo pants with a plain blouse and jacket. She walked out to find Bryce by her sink, he noticed her and poured the last of the water out and put the glass in the sink and then they both hurried out to Bryce's car.

Crawford Road was three miles out of town, it was a gravel road that intersected the highway. As Bryce slowed down so he could turn, Sarah could see in the distance the flashing emergency lights. Bryce took the turn and as his car got closer to the flashing lights Sarah noticed three patrol cars, a firetruck and an ambulance. Deputy Thompson stepped forward and directed the reporters where to park.

"What's the situation we have here?" Bryce asked the deputy as both reporters exited their car.

"We have one deceased in the back yard with a gunshot wound and the Sheriff is currently talking to a suspect!"

The trio walked around the side of the house to the back yard where they were able to see a sheet placed over a body on the grass. The body of the deceased was covered by a white sheet. It was ten to fifteen yards from the back door, the victim seemed to have tried to flee. There between the body and the back door of the house was a shotgun lying on the ground. Sarah had her phone out and started to take photographs of the scene. Neither of the reporters wanted to contaminate the crime scene so they stayed with the deputy. Even though they were outside they both could hear the raised voice of the sheriff inside the house. Sheriff Casey was forcefully yelling at the unseen suspect to confess. Sarah was glad she was outside as the sheriff would have intimidated her.

The verbal continued for several more minutes before they heard the Sheriff say to an unknown deputy to take him away. Bryce knew from experience that the suspect would leave via the front door so he ran around to the front and took a series of photos as the law enforcement officers put the suspect into the back of a patrol car.

As Sarah caught up to him he smiled at her.

"I've got a great shot of him looking straight at my camera."

Later back at the office the two reporters were working on the story at Sarah's desk. As Bryce put it, you write and I'll edit. While Sarah tapped away on her keyboard Bryce went to the kitchenette and came back with two coffees. He sat with her as she typed away sipping his coffee. When she was done they swapped seats and Bryce took over. Just as well Sarah liked her coffee black, as it was still hot when she took her first sip.

It was a good opportunity to watch how Bryce worked, for Bryce spent most of his time in his office and Sarah spent her time roaming the town for stories. Bryce would move his lips as he read, he would read a passage then edit it for typeset. After about twenty minutes of this the article was ready for print.

Bryce smiled at Sarah,

"Congratulations Sarah, your first front page."

"Um, Bryce, A woman died. She was murdered."

"Allegedly" he corrected her. "Now there is an arrest we can't use that term. We can't influence the trial."

Sarah raised an eyebrow and knew he was right, the last thing she wanted was to give the defense attorney reason for a mistrial.

"Anyway I'm hungry, I could do with a bite to eat. Would you like to join me, I'm paying."

"Okay."

Sarah as hungry, all she had that morning was the coffee that Bryce had made her, she was also curious on where he would take her without the presence of his office flame Jill Roberts.

Bryce took her to lunch at the Goldsteins Café. The café was small but they did have a few tables outside taking advantage of the midday sun.

"Bryce, it's such a nice day why are we sitting inside when we could be outside enjoying the weather?"

"There is someone I want you to meet!"

A waitress came over to take their orders, a blond waitress with a Karen nametag.

They both ordered open sandwiches with a glass of fresh apple juice and Sarah also asked if they could move outside.

Karen took the orders and said of course you can and that she would bring the food outside, she would find them.

As they walked outside to sit at an empty table Bryce asked her,

"Did you notice the other waitress working here today?" Sarah as she reached the table replied.

"Which one?"

"The Brunette!"

Sarah turned her head as the brunette waitress walkout front with drinks for a another table. She recognized her from last night, she should as she had a nightcap with her.

"Yeah we met last night. What about her?"

"Oh, That's Ellie Bartowski." Bryce suddenly lost his train of thought; Sarah saying she knew who she was wrong footed him. So he opted to zip it.

Ellie came over and said "Hi". She put her hand at the back of Sarah's chair as she did it.

"So what happened out on Crawford Road this morning?"

Bryce and Sarah both looked stunned at her. Sarah looked at Bryce, trying to see whether he would say anything, Bryce returned the look

"The whole town is a buzz talking about it." Ellie followed.

Bryce spoke in a low vioce,

"Unfortunately there has been a fatality. A young woman has died."

"Greta."

Bryce stared at Ellie.

"Everybody knows there is only one house on Crawford Road." Ellie continued and Bryce knew she was right.

"What caused it? Overdose?"

"Shotgun!" Bryce almost whispered it.

"Bet he was out of his head, Woodcomb was always an arsehole! Poor Greta"

Sarah couldn't believe the exchange between her boss and her neighbour. She knew Hazard was a small town , and she found that the townsfolk seemed to know everybody elses business unnerved her.

Sarah listened to Ellie and Bryce's conversation, it appeared that a local junkie was also a crystal meth maker and seller, Devon Woodcomb had come from a long established family around town, did well at school, won a scholarship and went off to college. He returned from the big smoke with an 'Ice' habit that he couldn't or didn't want to break and started to manufacture the drug.

"He was high as a kite when the sheriff disarmed him!"

Ellie moved away and Bryce seemed to lose his appetite. He just picked at his sandwich and finished his drink.

Do you know who Ellie's brother is?

"No?"

"He's the Hazard River killer. He killed his girlfriend down on the banks of the Hazard River. Ellie can't accept it. Ellie tried for years to get someone to take another look at the murder but has been unsuccessful. Ellie believes her brother is innocent."

"Wow."

Sarah watched the waitress check on her allocated tables, she had a good look at the sister of the Hazard River killer in the brightness of day, she noticed that Ellie would be an very attractive girl with her brown hair and brown eyes, Sarah had noticed that worry lines that was present on her face that weren't noticeable in the dullness of last nights lighting.

This was an individual with the worries of the world on her shoulders, she was too young for that sort of responsibility. Was there something about this town that had managed to beat the life force out of her, shame her and make her more like a wallflower.

After lunch Sarah asked Bryce a question.

"Can I have the keys to the office!"

"Why"

"I want to do some research."

Bryce gave her the keys, he would drop by tomorrow after church to retrieve them.

AN: The plot has advanced a little more. Please review.