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don’t understand small town dynamics,” she informed him, annoyed that he thought he could just drive in from the city and pick up where The Sugarcomb Gazette had left off.  “People here don’t just want to read the news – they want that home town charm, that familiarity.  You’re not from here so you can’t possibly understand.”
    He shrugged.  “I’m just here to do my job.  Did you know Jed Black personally?”
    “No.”
    “You didn’t know him at all?” Parker tried again.  “But it’s such a small town, and he was the mayor.  Plus you were a reporter!  Surely you must have known him – or his family – a little,” he pressed, unwilling to take no for an answer.
    “Only in passing,” she shrugged, uninterested in continuing the conversation. 
    “Well can I interview you?” he asked.
    “Sorry, I’m busy.”
    “Doing what?”
    Clarissa’s eyebrows shot up.  “What do you mean?”
    “Well you don’t look very busy,” Parker pointed out, not incorrectly.  “You were just standing there eavesdropping on those women.”
    “I was not!” Clarissa insisted indignantly.
    “It’s okay.  I was eavesdropping on them too.  It’s hard not to when they talk so loudly, isn’t it?  So what do you think, is Jed Black’s wife actually involved in his murder?  That’s what those two ladies seem to think, isn’t it?”
    “Why don’t you go ask them?  I’m afraid I’m too busy to talk,” Clarissa said stubbornly.
    “What are you so busy doing?” Parker asked again.
    “Who asks that?!” she demanded in indignation. 
    “People who don’t believe you’re actually busy,” he replied with a wink.
    Feeling her face redden, Clarissa crossed her arms.  “I am very sorry but I cannot help you,” she said in far-too-formal language, mincing every word.  “I have to go now.”  With that, she turned on her heel and stormed away.
    Who did Parker Tweed think he was?  How dare he strut into town and try to fill the void that had been left when the local paper had shut down?  She wasn’t having it.  As she stomped back home, a plan was already forming in her mind.
     

Chapter 04
    The banging on Clarissa’s front door nearly made her jump out of her skin.
    “Hang on, I’m coming!” she called, reluctantly stepping away from her computer.  She shoved her feet into her slippers and tried unsuccessfully to tame her uncombed hair.  Then she shuffled over to the door and found Liana standing there impatiently.
    “Why aren’t you answering your phone?” Liana demanded, not bothering to say hello.
    “I didn’t hear it.  Why, what’s wrong?  It’s the middle of the night, is everything okay?”
    Liana smirked.  “It’s not the middle of the night.  Look outside, silly.  It’s morning!  And you’re a mess – you know I’m just telling you because I love you.  I hope you haven’t left the house looking like that?  You’re never going to find a boyfriend if you go out in pajama pants and with your hair looking like, well, like that .”
    Clarissa rolled her eyes.  “You’re the one who’s obsessed with finding a boyfriend, not me!  But for the record no, I did not leave the house looking like this,” she said, glancing down at the ratty – but very comfy – oversized t-shirt she was wearing. 
    Liana had tried to make her throw away that worn out, faded t-shirt countless times back in college, but Clarissa had always rescued it from the trash.  Why was it that the ugliest clothes were always the comfiest? 
    “Let me guess:  you were up all night again.”
    Sheepishly, Clarissa nodded.  “I guess I was.”
    “What caught your attention this time?” Liana asked knowingly.  Clarissa had a habit of losing track of time when she was particularly engrossed in something.  Back when the two had been in college Clarissa had frequently pulled all-nighters! 
    “I had a great idea!” Clarissa exclaimed enthusiastically. 
    “Okay...do I have to guess