Letters

Front Pages

A/N: Willow's reply will be to Steve's last letter but it's dated for a month later because, I'm assuming the postal service was a bit slow back then and the letter was traveling pretty far. How do you guys like the edit I made? I think it's cute. :)

"Four murders." Someone said, dropping a file down on Willow's desk and startling her. Looking up, Willow found her boss Wallace standing above her.

"Well good morning to you too Sir." Willow said with a smile. Wallace snorted and sat on the edge of Willow's desk. Pushing herself back from her typewriter, Willow get ready to listen.

"Four murders, possibly more. The police are baffled. There's no MO on this guy."

"How do you know it's a guy?" Willow questioned.

"Please, a women couldn't take down a 6 foot tall black man."

"So teamwork. The average man couldn't possibly do that either." Wallace said nothing, just stared at her. Willow smiled. She knew she had gotten him thinking about the subject.

"Four victims, all with similar patterns of bruising and needle marks covering their bodies. They look like damn pin cushions." He exclaimed.

"You want me to interview the families? Police?" Willow asked, gathering her papers and recorder.

"Yes. Start with the police. I want this story as tomorrow's front page." Willow nodded her head, standing. "When you get to the station ask for.."

"Jeffry, I know Sir." Wallace humphed. "Well, go on then." He said, motioning towards the door. Willow nodded again and grabbed her bag, putting it around her shoulder.

"Willow, did Wallace just give you the murder case?" Mary-Anne asked, stopping her on her way out. Willow smiled.

"Yes, he did." Mary-Anne frowned.

"I wish he would give me exciting stories like that. All I keep getting is the fluff ones about dogs saving little boys." Mary-Anne said with a sigh. Willow put her hand on her friend's shoulder.

"Those are important pieces Mary-Anne. The world is a scary place right now. We don't need more stories about death and destruction with the war on. We need your pieces. They're important. They boost the morale of the country." Mary-Anne smiled.

"Oh you really think so Willow?"

"I know so." Mary-Anne smiled and rushed off. Personally, Willow wished she could write stories like that. Problem was, Wallace trusted her so well to get the story, put it in print and get it on the paper, that she wasn't able to pick up small pieces like that. He always said she was one of her best reporters and people liked her because she was nice, sympathetic and pretty. Willow sighed.

----

"So you have no witness and no suspects?" Willow questioned. Jeffery sighed.

"Afraid not Ms. Peterson. The bodies were dumped in the middle of the night and taken around that time as well."

"Somebody had to have seen something. I know for a fact that down on Main street, an old man lives in the alley just across from where the second victim was found." Jeffery cocked his head.

"How would you know that?"

"I give him money everyday at the entrance of that alleyway. He's a begger. Not very noticeable but he's a good man." Jeffery stood quickly.

"This is good. This is really good. Willow, come on. I think we've just found ourselves a lead."

"You want me to come with you?" Willow asked perplexed as Jeffery put on his jacket.