Tuesday, August 14, 2012

The Gasp

"Yes. I know them.  I am one of 'em."

The silence was deafening.  You could hear a pin drop. 

Suddenly a young man appeared.  Tall, slender, well spoken.

"Ms. Stillwell, do you have a moment?"

"I do...I...I...am on duty."

"That's okay.  My family is paying for this.  It's okay  By the way, I am Henry David Appleton. It is kinda funny, I was named after the transcendentalist writer by my late Mom."

"Come, into the den.  It is quieter there.  I have something to tell you."

Beth found a seat on the leather sofa.

"I've been working as a reporter on The Herald here.  Please don't blow my cover.  The editor is my friend.  He wants to disclose some of the things that have been happening.  Frankly, it is making me physically ill.  I mean...I am about to burst, can't take it any more.  No one speaks up.  This corruption is everywhere.  D.C., hospitals, the financial industry, small towns.  It is money, money, money.  I'm sick of it!"

Beth's face softened.  She moved closer to Henry.

"Yes, it is.  What do  you want to do about it?"

"Look, we are the sum total of our efforts in this life. I'm not so sure I can change it all, but I know who ended her life.  I mean, I saw it."

Beth was speechless.  Her head tilted toward Henry.  Her hands opened. 

"Have you talked to the D.A. about this?"

"That is another problem.  He got paid for his silence.  But, in my position, I can expose things.  I don't care about the money.  I am not dishonoring myself.  And, well...ahhh...I am going public with the story tomorrow. I also know that some of the holdings in our family belong to you.  That is why I had to speak up now."

Beth gasped.

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