By Stoney M. Setzer
“Are you kidding?” barked Reynolds, the editor of the Gazette as he looked up from the tablet. “I send you to get photos of the Flag Day ceremony, and you give me a conspiracy theory?”
Gavin shook his head. “Not theory. Fact. You see her?” He zoomed in on a short lady with thick glasses and a long brown braid tossed over her left shoulder. Despite the summer heat, she wore a business suit and overcoat.
“In the ADA section? Yeah.”
Gavin pointed. “You see her writing in that notebook while everybody else is looking at the mayor?”
Reynolds frowned. “So? Is she with the Bugle?”
“No!” Gavin exclaimed. “She’s the constant!”
“The constant what?” Reynolds’s nostrils flared, signifying that his already thin patience was waning.
“The constant whenever disaster strikes! Whenever she shows up, something happens two days later.” He pulled up another image. “This was two years ago, when Brinkman was running against Howard for the Senate and he had a rally here. You see Brinkman on stage with his entourage. That lady is right there, same access, writing in that notebook. You remember what happened two days later?”
“Yeah, he died. Hit-and-run accident.”
“That’s right!” Gavin cried. “And they never caught the perpetrator. That was his last big public appearance before he died.”
“So? Somewhere had to be his last stop,” Reynolds snorted, nostrils flaring.
“You need more?” Gavin tapped another image. “What about Lee Beckwith?”
“The guy who wanted to start up that group? Business leaders against crime or something like that?”
“Yep, him. Here he is, speaking at a city commissioners meeting.” With trembling hands, Gavin practically shoved the tablet into Reynolds’s face. “Who do you see standing right there, just at the edge of the shot?”
“Looks like the same woman…”
“Because it is the same woman! She’s the constant! Then you remember what happened two days after that? Beckwith dies. Cable on an elevator snaps with him in it.”
Reynolds sneered. “Remember? Kid, I wrote the article!”
Gavin grabbed his editor by the shoulders, shaking him. “Don’t you see? Every time she shows up, somebody dies! He pointed to today’s photo on his tablet once more, zooming out to show the entire tableau. “And look at the stage. There’s Mayor McAlpern, and standing right beside him is Walker, who’s already thrown her hat in the ring for next November. Give it two days, and mark my words, we’ll be running her obituary.”
The editor took a deep breath. “Okay, let’s pretend—key word—that this lady really is some harbinger of doom. Why?”
“You don’t see it? Chief, every one of the challengers that died was running on a platform of cleaning up corruption and taking down organized crime! Implying that the incumbents haven’t done anything about it because they’re involved!”
“Are you implying that Mayor McAlpern and Senator Howard are criminals?”
“More like the criminals control them! Maybe the Grieves family has dirt on them…”
“The Grieves family?” Reynolds blinked. “What?”
Gavin laughed nervously. “Don’t act like you haven’t heard of them!”
“Heard of them, yeah. Everybody knows that if you cross a Grieves, you end in up the morgue, assuming your body is found.”
“So suppose they have dirt on McAlpern and Howard, something that can be used to manipulate them. Whoever is behind it would want to keep them in office at all costs, to have power through them. Don’t you see?”
Reynolds shook his head. “I see you grasping at straws for a story. What do you think she has to do with it?”
“I noticed her today. There really is something physically wrong with her… She limps, and one shoe looks like it might be some orthopedic contraption. I think she uses that to get ADA access and get as close to the stage as possible. She takes notes and then relays them–probably somebody else in the Grieves family who does the dirty work.”
“You’re saying she’s a Grieves?” Reynolds looked pale.
“Why not? If they’re behind it, then it would fit. Even if she’s not one of them, she’s the—”
“The constant.” Reynolds groaned. “All right, hotshot. Then tell me why two days go by before anything bad happens.”
“I haven’t completely worked that part out yet. Maybe, somewhere in between, somebody tries to get them to drop out of the race, and then if they refuse…” He made a slashing gesture across his throat. “What do you think?”
“I think you need some rest, maybe a couple days off,” Reynolds said. “Hang up all this about conspiracy theories. Then when you get back, I’ll move you to covering something a little less stressful. Maybe high school sports.”
“What if I don’t want to do that?” Gavin exclaimed. “What if I want to unravel what I’m working on here?”
“I’d say you’re already coming unraveled. Now go home. Take the rest of the day off at least.” Reynolds made it sound more like an order than an offer.
“But…”
“Now!” Reynolds barked. He had already turned his attention elsewhere, typing on his phone.
Gavin stalked to the employee parking lot, fuming. Why had he expected Reynolds to take him seriously? Reynolds had no vision, no willingness to take a risk to get the big story. How had he even gotten to such a position on the Gazette, anyway?
He was getting into his car when something caught his eye. Gavin looked again and froze.
There she was, the short woman in the suit, jotting something down in her notebook—and looking directly at Gavin with piercing eyes.
Gavin tried to control his trembling as he approached her. “What do you want?”
“I’ve been wanting a second insider at the Gazette,” she rasped. “I’d like to make you an offer, and I’ll even give you two days to consider it.”
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Clever use of Ethel’s character. I suspect Gavin’s going to join her–though he won’t like it.
Probably so! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thank you!
Despite this story being almost all in dialogue, it moved. You could see how Gavin’s suspicions made sense. The woman must’ve noticed the conversation, because instead of Walker being in danger, Gavin is.
Thanks! It was a little more challenging to write because I knew it would be “dialogue heavy.” I’m glad you enjoyed it!
I knew where this was leading, mostly because I knew Ethel’s character, but the last scene is effectively chilling.
Thanks, I appreciate it…especially coming from you! I enjoyed your take on her character as well, and I’m looking forward to reading your new novel!
So obviously Ethel isn’t involved in all these deaths. Brinkman died in a hit-and-run, remember? Couldn’t possibly have been Ethel. With her limp, Ethel ain’t doing any running.
Lol! Well, yes, there is that…
What?? Whoa! Loved the perspective the story was told from and that it was mostly dialogue. What a great story!
Thank you! I’m glad you like it! I wasn’t sure about going “dialogue heavy” at first, so I really appreciate the positive feedback on that!
I loved the scene at the end that pulls it all together! Ethel was a suspicious character from the start, but great way of drawing Gavin into her web.
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
This reminded me of Ray Bradbury’s story “The Crowd,” but with a twist!
Oh wow, Bradbury is one of my all-time favorites! That is a really high compliment! Thank you!
Now, Ethyl needs to make her way to the Daily Planet and work her magic on Clark Kent. I think She could take on Superman in a heartbeat. Great story! It was gripping and kept me engaged the whole time.
I’m sure she would try it! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thank you!