Chapter One: The Silver Streak

"Hey! Hey!" Kimberly called me from her desk. "Get over here now!"

"I know I'm late-"

"It's not about that. Big news! I have two!" She looks overly enthusiastic.

"Okay..." I took a seat next to her.

"First of all, Mr. Beck is letting a few people go." She whispered.

There have been rumors that half of the people in this office will be let go. The Sunrise Time Tribune isn't doing well. Nothing dramatic ever happens in this town. Only the little insignificant repetitive things and sadly, such doesn't make for interesting news.

I sank deep into the seat with a sudden damp mood. "Oh dear."

What do they say when it's time to lay people off in companies and in this case newsrooms? Last one in, first one out?

I am among the newest employees. I am among the last batch Beck Hall hired. I have worked here for two years. The first year, I was everyone's intern. I carried out all the little tasks nobody wanted to do in the office. I have fought hard to be called a reporter even if all I do is break little stories. It's too soon for me to be shown the boot! I haven't made a name for myself!

"You better start looking for a new job!" She carried on in her usual insensitive way.

"Did you hear something? Am I on the list?"

"I'm just saying." Kimberly shrugged. "You are too new honey. The chances of your name being on the list are high."

I am not going to argue with that.

Feeling too upset to listen to anything else she has to say, I went back to my desk and sat there hopelessly staring at the blank little board in front of me. There are no story idea. There's nothing to show for the two years I have been here.

What will I do if I lose my job?

It is not like anyone is hiring! At least not at a magazine or newspaper! I just took out a loan after not qualifying for two years! I just bought a cute little VW bug to make my mornings a less sweaty affair! I was just thinking to myself that gone are the days of arriving to work sweaty because of chasing after buses and being late. What curse is this?

I looked around the office.

Everyone seems fine. No one looks as disturbed as I am. Have they gotten the word that half of us may not be here next month?

Next month!

It will be a cold winter!

I grabbed the calendar to count down the days. Fifteen days left. Fifteen and it's over. I am supposed to sign a new lease for that new place with a view by the lake! I have been eyeing one of those little houses since I was in high school. The plan was to move out of my mother's house! My face fell flat on the desk. I want to sink and disappear. Better yet, I want to press rewind and start my life over. Nothing is going as planned.

How will I get out of this?

I forced myself out of my frustrated and doomed state. I need a plan. I am looking at three possibilities. One, getting laid off without anything to fall back on. I already see the cons side of the sheet full of problems that can only be resolved by money. Two, getting laid off and possibly getting a second job. I will have to settle for something that possibly pays less and not in my area of expertise. Beggars are not choosers. The cons list is shrinking. Three, not getting laid off because I am valuable to the Tribune. Yes! I need to prove myself too valuable to be disposed of.

"Miss Nolan!" My boss called me from the entrance of his office.

I don't know why but I looked at Kimberly and she shook her head in a sad way. I trust that what she thinks is true. Every time Kimberly has news, there is at least 90% chance that it is true. This once, just this once, I hope its's not.

I got up from my chair and glanced at the door. If I run away, I won't have to listen to Beck Hall firing me. If I didn't hear it, it's not to take effect, right?

My treacherous legs made their way towards him. He stepped aside for me. When he closed the door, the ringing phones and chatter ceased. It is quiet in his office.

"Have a seat Clara."

"Why? Standing is comfortable."

The tall lanky man usually rides on short fuses. One look from him and I quickly sat down on the hard old chair facing his desk.

"There is no easy way for me to say this but I have sold the Tribune and the new owner is making changes that don't include half of the people outside this door." Kimberly was right.

"Why... why am I here?" I fought the violent thudding of my heart that is making me tremble.

"I'm sorry Clara. You won't have a place here come next year."

"But... I am a hard worker. I am useful. I adapt. You can't... You need me."

"I know you are a hard worker but the new owner doesn't care."

"Who wouldn't care about people? We are people with debts and bills to pay. It is unfair to be thrown out just like that!"

"Clara-"

"Who is the new owner?"

"That is not your concern. You will receive a severance check for the time you have worked. I am grateful for your services. You can go."

Even when he said I should leave, I could not move. It took me a moment before my mind screamed at me to get up. I did so fast, nearly tripping on the legs of the armchair near the door. I rushed out and I could not see anything but the path ahead of me.

I think Kimberly tried to call me but I did not stop to answer.

Just when I think I have it all together my life comes crushing down around me.

I took the stairs up to the roof. The Sunrise Tribune is in a three story building without much of a view. We are smack in the middle of the town with other short buildings without any ambition. There is a bakery across the street. I could use a sinfully delicious chocolate cake right about now.

I leaned on the railing keeping me away from the street below. What bad news so early in the morning!

I stared at my little purple bug parked downstairs in front of the entrance to the building. I have only had it for two days. I took it to see the city over the weekend. I met up with an old friend and we christened the back seat in a dark parking lot. Only three days of owning my first car and I may as well lose it. I can't keep it when I have bills to pay.

The sight of a swerving silver sports car suddenly caught my attention. Is the driver drunk? It swerved from one side of the street to the next. It hit a truck outside the barber shop before it sped off and took my side mirror with it.

"Hey! You bastard!" I screamed from the top of the building.

I hurried down using the fire escape that took me to the back of the building. The driver was long gone by then. I picked up the crashed mirror. I think this is just the beginning of my bad day.

I checked on my car. There is an ugly graze on the side. A streak of silver paint is left on the perfect paint job of a brand new car.

"Great!"

I crossed the street to the barber shop where Mr. McGregor is standing. "Did you see that maniac who was speeding?"

"I did." He doesn't seem as bothered as I am even if his car is more damaged.

"Can you offer a description of the car? He hit my car." I pointed at the purple bug.

"I would drop it if I were you. It's nothing a little paint and tape won't fix."

"How will tape fix this?" I waved the crashed side mirror. "You may not care about your old truck but I sure as hell care about my new car."

"Take it up with the Bancrofts." He informed me.

Sunrise Cove is a small town. When a big name like Bancroft is thrown around, people tend to pay attention. The people close by are in deed listening in. News of this will spread fast!

"Was the driver a Bancroft? Did you see the plate? Is it a Bancroft?"

"I don't have to see a plate to know that the only people who drive fast European cars are from that family."

I drive a European car but it's not like anyone is noticing.

"I don't know about you but I am getting paid for my broken mirror and scratched car." I stormed off in a fit.

It occurred to me that I am skipping work when I was speeding away to the Bancroft estate which sits at the end of town. "I'm getting fired anyway so it doesn't matter." I told myself.

"Many people say that Bancrofts are the founders of Sunrise cove and that they own most of the lands here. The Bancrofts and the Carmichaels are the oldest families in town. The latter only come to town in the winter. The rest of the year, they live in the city.

They are both private families. In a small town where we all know each other's businesses, they have managed to completely steer clear of bad press and scandals. If their name pops up,it's because they have done some 'benevolent' deed. But it is possible to live privately when your house is at the end of a town with nothing but water surrounding three sides of your compound. No one ever comes here unless they live here, are delivering something, are invited or is coming to demand compensation like me.

The house sitting on elevated ground boasts of presence. It's hard to ignore such dominance. People say that the Bancrofts raised the land so that their gothic mansion can be seen as far as the town center. I think it's true because the terrain in this town is relatively flat.

Show offs!

I stopped the car at the tall iron gates. I hooted twice before a guard took notice of me.

"How can I help you?"

"I am here to see the Bancroft who drives a silver Porsche."

"I am sorry but I can't confirm your statement. Is there someone in particular you're looking for?"

"The Bancroft who drives a silver Porsche." Can I possibly be more clear than that? It's the only silver Porsche in town!

"Ma'am, I'm afraid I can't assist you. Please leave. You're blocking the gate."

My heart picked up the pace as a black SUV neared the gate from the inside. It came to a stop and flashed it's light at me. I gripped the steering wheel tightly. I just got this car and I will damned if some reckless rich entitled ass damages it before I do!

The guard came back to the side of my car. He looks irritated and impatient. "Ma'am, move your car."

"Tell whoever drives a silver Porsche to come out and talk to me." I trembled with a mixture of fear and rage. "If not, no one is leaving!"

I rolled up my window and he had no choice but to go to the driver of the SUV. After a long conversation, he made a phone call. He better be calling the owner of the silver Porsche. I hope I am not mistaken that the perpetrator lives here because the outcome of this will be nothing short of thoroughly embarrassing.

It wasn't long before I heard police sirens. In a matter of moments, the sheriff's car pulled up behind me. This is a classic boot and ant technic. He knocked my window.

Disclaimer alert!

The Sheriff and I are not friends. It has a lot to do with him constantly bursting me in places I should not be and possibly turning him down when he professed love to me. Who suddenly says 'I love you' without a background story that involves dating and getting to know each other? It's darn right creepy! Need I mention that he is almost twice my age? Ew!

He tapped my window.

I lowered it just a little.

"Miss Nolan, what are you doing?"

"Demanding simple justice for my bug."

He stepped back to look at the scratch as well as the missing mirror. He came back to lean on the car. "Listen carefully missy. You are keeping some very important people from leaving their compound over something small. If you follow me to the garage, I will make sure your car is fixed, free of charge."

"Nothing is free with you. Instead of making me offers you should be in there apprehending the reckless driver who could have killed someone today. Hint, that person is a Bancroft and he or she drives a silver Porsche."

"Miss Nolan, move your car." He looks pissed.

"Tell whoever is in the back seat of that car to come out and tell me to move my car."

He clenched his jaw. "I will have to arrest you for obstruction."

"Arrest me? What about the speed demon driving the silver Porsche? I am the victim here!"

"They are the victims with you obstructing their gate!"

"You're just sucking up to them because they line your pockets with their dirty money!"

"That's it missy!" He left and came back with a craw bar. "Get out of the car or ill smash your window open!"

"Smash away Sherriff! You're just scared they will think you got overpowered by-" I screamed and covered my head when the crowbar smashed into the window. In a matter of seconds, he slammed me against the car and cuffed me. He shoved me into the arms of another officer and he moved my purple bug out of the way.

The SUV drove past me without slowing down. The dark tinted windows kept me from seeing the passenger but I hope they could read my lips as I cursed away at them.

Never did I think this day will play out like this. It was supposed to be the perfect day. I have... I had a brand new car. I was going to have a great day. Now I'm in the back seat of the Sherriff's car and my little bug will be impounded.

Today, I lose.