The phone rings twice before someone picks up. "This is Wes."

You knit your brow. This isn't the warmest nor the most traditional of greetings, but it is before 10 in the morning. Maybe Mr. Everett hasn't had his coffee yet, and with that, you can wholeheartedly sympathize.

"Hello, this is Kendall Moore from the Dansville Daily. This is Wesley Everett?" You lift your own cup of coffee to your lips and take a bracing sip.

"You got him." The man doesn't sound like he's from Iowa. He has what your mother would have called a twang, but it's faint.

"Good morning, Mr. Everett. I hope you're well."

"I'm just fine," he replies, a question in his tone.

"Listen, I understand you're next up to be featured in our most popular column, Local Legends. I'm looking forward to coming to meet you."

There's a brief silence on the other end of the line. "I'm looking forward to the article," Wes says at last, "but I thought the gal who was coming was called Ivy something-or-other?"

"Oh, you've been in contact with Ivy?"

"Sure have. She called me last week and mentioned she'd get in touch to fix a date."

"And you haven't heard from her since then?"

"Sure haven't."

"Well, I'm afraid Ivy's—" The world's worst reporter? A poor excuse for a coworker? "...Under the weather. I hope you won't be too disappointed with me."

"Under the weather? Well, now. That's too bad. I don't think I'll be disappointed at all. I've just been waitin' for a call."

"I'm afraid I'm on a bit of a time crunch, Wes. We're eager to get your column into our next edition. I was hoping I might be able to catch you at some point today to do the interview."

"Today?"

You glance at the clock. "Yes, if we can make it work. I'm obviously happy to drive your way. Are you free this afternoon?"

"I had an appointment, but—" You hear a rustle on the other end of the line, then a sound like a car door closing. "I'll cancel it. No problem."

"Are you sure? I don't want to be a bother." Maybe he won't be able to fit you into his tightly-packed schedule of stocking frozen pizzas, opening cases of liquor, and replenishing beer coolers. What a shame that would be.

"Absolutely sure. You aren't a bother at all. How about 1:00?"

"That sounds great, Wes." It'll take you about 30 minutes to drive to Pepper Hill, and this gives you a little time to review your notes on Mathilda's case file and start working on your article.

"Sounds like a date. I'll see you then, Ms. Moore. You tell Miss Ivy I hope she gets well soon."

[[Go to Chapter 11.]]