Secrets of the Great Oak

Chapter 12

The next day, Anna and Jake headed to the office of the Tennessee Tribune for their meeting with the second reporter, Chuck Loughty. They ran through their list of supplies and questions once more before turning the recorder on and making their way up the path to the newspaper office.

Once inside, the young receptionist called for Mr. Loughty and he made his way through the glass doors to greet Jake and Anna. He was a tall, lean man. Towering over both Anna and Jake. His suit, a deep gray, and well-tailored. The only pop of color on him was his jade-green tie.

As they followed him back to his office, they noticed that this office looked and smelled similar to that of The Tennessean offices. But, Anna supposed that was to be expected since it was the same business, just different players. Mr. Loughty's office was small and dark. A black desk, a black office chair, no windows, and no personal effects on his desk. Anna noted that this guy did not seem very fun.

Jake was stiff as he sat in one of the plastic chairs in front of the desk. As if he was sizing up their interviewee.

Mr. Loughty hadn't yet said a word beyond the "Hello" and "Right this way" after Anna and Jake introduced themselves. Sitting in his office, Anna felt a chill and decided to not remove her coat.

"So, Mr. Loughty," Jake began. "We're here about an article you wrote six years ago regarding the Maggie Matthews disappearance." He went on to explain their school project and their reason for asking to speak to him. "It was just perplexing for us to find that all three newspapers that reported on the case wrote the exact same story. Do you mind if we ask you a few questions about it?"

"Please, go right ahead." Mr. Loughty sat with impeccable posture. He looked as if he'd never relaxed his shoulders a day in his life.

Jake and Anna took turns asking the questions this time. While Mr. Loughty answered as best he could. But, he had a vacant, glazed look come across his features whenever he was asked a question pertaining to the case. Anna and Jake exchanged a glance the first time it happened. It was identical to the one that Morgan gave them the day before. Once again, interesting.

"So, you don't remember why you didn't follow the story?" Anna pushed.

"It wasn't all that important. It was a party girl who ran off with some guy. Her parents thought her dead and were sorting through their grief. The story was only to be reported on once." Loughty answered, somewhat robotically.

"And who gave that order to only run the story once?" Jake asked.

"Well... I don't know... I guess my editor and I agreed on it. We had a lot on our plates at the time." Well, this sounded familiar.

The rest of his answers followed a similar pattern. How very odd.

"What type of cases tend to stick with you, Mr. Loughty?" Jake requested.

"The ones that keep me up at night usually involve children and have since run cold." Loughty supplied.

"But, even though the Matthews case fits that criteria, it didn't stick out to you?" Anna examined.

"As I said, there wasn't much to it. She was a party girl. It was easy to assume what happened."

***

Jake watched as hurt flashed behind Anna's eyes at the second dismissal of her sister. This was clearly going nowhere. He decided to go ahead and call it for today.

"Well, thanks for your time, Mr. Loughty. We really appreciate you answering our questions," Jake said.

"No trouble at all." Loughty stiffly said a farewell and Anna followed Jake to the car once more.