Murder in a small town pt5

(Timeline: Pilot episode moments before the bombs)

Gray was sat on the decking, he had spoken to his lawyer in Denver, and he was coming into town in the morning, Gray liked to be in control, he liked to have a handle on the situation.

Gray had hired a good lawyer.

Looking at the Koi pond, watching the fish and the insects flying around, he was reminded of the river, where he and Beth had spent warm summer evenings planning their future.

How could a place hold so many happy memories, and such an horrific moment?

Gray was still determined to win the election, he would stand up for the rights of the citizens of Jericho, it was the right thing to do.

When things got tough, Gray trusted his instincts, to do the right thing.

Just like he had 5 years ago.

Whilst Gray sat there, wondering what the future would hold.

In the skies above Denver a mushroom cloud slowly began to rise.

(Timeline episode2: Fall out)

Inside the mine.

The stress in the air was palpable, people were looking around, not knowing if the rain would soak through, or if they would ever be able to get out safely.

Gray had joined in with Heather and some of the others trying to keep everyone calm, the events of the last few days seemed a distant memory.

Scott was freaking out and beginning to scare the people around him.

Shep and Gray took Scott into a quiet part of the mine, Shep wanted to give Scott some more space, away from the crowd.

“So this is it, now the Sheriff’s gone, you’re gunna bury the truth” Scott was panicking

“Take it easy Scott, they’ll get us out as soon as the rain stops” Shep was trying to calm Scott

Scott lunged forward, Shep pushed him back, Scott fell against the wall unconscious.

Gray checked Scott’s pulse, it was fast and shallow. He turned to Shep and shook his head.

Shep turned away, Gray pinned Scott down, Scott’s eyes opened as he tried to struggle, Gray covered his mouth, so Shep wouldn’t hear, Scott stopped struggling.

Gray once again checked his pulse, and listened for any signs of breathing.

As Shep turned around, he saw Gray was still checking the body.

“I only pushed him Gray, I was trying to keep him quiet” said Shep.

“That’s ok Shep, it was an accident, no ones going to blame you” Gray trying to calm Shep

“Scott was my friend, I can’t believe….” Shep trailed off

Putting an arm round his shoulders “Don’t worry Shep, it’ll be our secret” said Gray

(Timeline: episode 11 Vox Populi)

As they slammed Jonah’s body onto the back of the truck, Gray climbed on the pickup, crouching down and taking hold of Jonah’s collar, “I’ll need a minute here, boys” the men backed up “ok Jonah, where’s the bullet casing?” he hissed into Jonah’s ear.

“I didn’t kill Gracie,…it wasn’t me, that’s the truth” Jonah gasped

“These people don’t want the truth, they want revenge, a kill for a kill, and you’ll do just fine”

“Ok Gray, call these guys off, the casing in my pocket, call them off Gray” Jonah pleaded

Jonah fished out a casing, from his jeans, and gave it to Gray.

“How do I know, this is the one?” asked Gray

“You’re gunna have to trust me man” said Jonah

“Unfortunately for you Jonah, I’m all out of trust, take him in boy’s” Gray jumped from the back as the men jumped back in and forced Jonah down.

Gray sat on the decking, smoking his last good cigar, taking stock of his situation.

The Sheriff and Riley were missing presumed dead, Gray had found and destroyed the Sheriff’s files, Scott Rennie was dead and now Jonah knew enough not to come back to town.

Gray had trusted his instincts and they had paid off, just like they had five years ago.

As the Nation struggled to recover from this disaster, the new Country would need leaders, who could trust their instincts, someone willing to bend the rules and smudge the line between black and white, who knew the difference between legal justice and true justice.

The Nation would need leaders like Gray Anderson.

A small smile flickered across his face as his cigar smoke rose into the night sky.