Just Gold

Chapter 1

     Nathan leaned back in his chair, his legs crossed and propped against the desk, with a newspaper resting in his lap. He lazily flipped through the pages, looking for something of interest in the news. He stopped on a page, as an article caught his attention.

'Local Boy Found Dead Outside of Well Known Family Diner'

A body of a young child was found outside of a well known family diner, by a boy and his parents. The young boy was leaving the birthday party of 10-year-old Jackson, when he and his parents spotted what looked like a child sleeping on the sidewalk.

"We didn't know why the child would choose such a place to sleep. I thought it was odd, so I told my wife and son to stay at the door, as I checked on the child." The father told police. "That's when I realized he wasn't sleeping. He was dead."

Authorities have identified the body as that of 9-year-old Billie Milan. Billie was said to have been wandering town, after having not been invited to his friend's birthday party. His death was ruled as a homicide when he was asphyxiated outside the family diner with a plastic bag.

There were no witnesses when the incident occurred, and there have been no clues to the killer's identity.

"I can't believe something like that could happen right under our noses, and no one knew anything about it!" The mother of Jackson stated.

"We are so devastated that a young life was lost. But we hope to get the murderer off the streets, before someone else dies." The lead detective reported.

Police ask that if you know anything of this crime, please report to them immediately.

      "This can not be happening!" The young CEO snapped, slamming the paper down on his desk. The door to his office opened, and a young woman with amber hair, and bright blue eyes peered in.

      "Is everything alright Mr. Brown?" The woman asked. She flinched upon the stern glare from her boss, and smiled nervously. "I take that as a no." She said.

      "You're right. Nothing is okay. A boy was murdered outside of my diner!" He said, standing. "Do you know what this could do for me, Amber?!" He snapped at the woman. He stepped around his desk, and pushed past her, stepping out of his office.

      "N-No sir, I don't know what this could do." She frowned, turning to face her boss.

      "I could go out of business!" He turned, staring her down. "Everything can go belly up! Who wants to eat at a diner where a boy was murdered?! Do you know the reputation that my diner can get from that?" He sighed, and threw his hands up in defeat.

      "I don't know what to say sir.. But I'm sure things can't be that bad. It wasn't an employee, or Golden Freddy." She said, watching him. "Besides, the only three people at the diner are the two chefs, and the cashier. I'm sure all of them were accounted for. After all, there was a birthday party there."

      He stopped where he stood, a foot already out the door to the hallway. He pulled his foot back in, and turned slowly, to face his assistant.

      "You, Ms. Sutherland, have made a great point! If I can prove all four of them were where they were supposed to be, I can save my business!" He smiled widely, and turned, swiftly exiting the room.

      Amber stood, her hand raised to ask him a question, before the door was slammed in her face.

      "I take it, I can't assist you..?" She sighed, to the empty room.