Murder in a small town pt2

**(flash back)**

A sunny summer’s day, a dusty station wagon, travelling down sun bleached roads, the windows open and music coming from inside.

“Gray, honey can we turn the music down, I’m getting a headache” says a blond in the passenger seat

“Sorry Beth, I’m just so happy, don’t you feel it” asked a happy smiling Gray Anderson

“All I feel is this heat” replied Beth taking a drink of water.

“Just look around you Beth, the open country, the opportunity” said Gray as they approached the town of Jericho, soon to be their new home.

“All I see is corn, dust and flies” Beth was unimpressed with the small rural town

Gray reached across and took hold of one of her hands “this is a new start for us, Beth, we’ve had some tough times but this is a fresh new start, I love you Beth”

Turning towards him with a smile “I love you too Gray”

(One week before the bombs)

Gray Anderson headed back into town, He’d been away on business, but was now heading to Baileys tavern, driving down the same roads, as he had all those years ago, although now they didn’t look so full of promise and opportunity, now they were just roads.

 As he entered Baileys the sounds, heat and smells of the place filled his senses, he made his way to the bar, Eric was leaning against the far side talking to Mary, and Stanley was watching a sports event and shaking his fist at the screen.

Mary walked over, “Hi Gray, to what do we owe the pleasure?”

“Just stopping by on my way home, a light beer, please Mary” he answered

 He paid for his drink “say you seen Bill tonight”

She nodded towards the pool tables, where Shep, Ridley, Bill and Jimmy were playing.

“Send four beers over, would’ya” he asked her as he walked over.

Gray walked across and leant against the railing, trying to look casual.

“Here you go fella’s, courtesy of Gray” said Mary setting down her tray.

The four guys looked up and thanked Gray, Bill and Shep came over to make some small talk.

“Bill I’ve been getting some strange calls from Scott Rennie” said Gray casually

“You want to file a complaint” asked Bill finishing his beer.

“No, not really,..it’s just well I’ve been outa town a couple of days and I was wondering if Scott may have mentioned something or has he been acting weird” Gray try to keep his voice light and casual, shrugging his shoulders

“Scott’s a good man Gray, if you want to talk to him, just go and see him” Shep joining the conversation “I saw him..erm..Monday he seemed fine then”

“he didn’t say anything?” asked Gray

“err..wait now you mention it he came by to see the Sheriff yesterday” said Jimmy joining the in, “he had a whole bunch of paperwork with him”

“Do either of you guys know what all this is about?” he turned to face Jimmy and Bill

“No, the Sheriff’s dealing with it all, maybe ask Riley, he was sent out, just after the meeting”

Jimmy and Bill, thanked Gray for the drink then resumed their pool game.

That night, Gray had the dream again, the first time in 2 years.

It had taken him many months of counselling to come to terms with her loss.

-Slowly walking down the corridor, the Sheriff by his side, a medical staff member walked ahead, Gray slowly walked along, until he got to the room, the doctor was there standing by the gurney, the sheriff asked Gray, if he was ready, Gray couldn’t talk he felt too sick, his throat dry, he felt light headed, he nodded

The doctor pulled back the sheet, Beth his wife’s face was pale, with a slight blue tinge, her hair was tangled and dirty, how that would have upset her he thought, to be seen with dirty hair, the Sheriff put a supportive hand on Gray’s shoulder.

“Gray” prompted the Sheriff

Gray nodded “yes it’s her, that’s my Beth”

The doctor nodded, and pulled the sheet back over her head, exposing her pretty feet and painted toenails.

The sheet around her mouth moved, “I love you Gray”

Gray woke up in a cold sweat, his heart pounding, he got out of bed and walked to the window, the glass of water in his hand trembling, he looked out to the garden, and could hear the faint trickle from the fountain in the koi pond.

Hi Chris,

I like the dream too. I almost expected Melinda of CBS's Ghost Whisper series to be in the next paragraph; that's how realistic that dream was to me.

Can't wait to read the next part.

Gwen