SYNOPSIS: Jason Franco is an aspiring novelist stuck in a dead end job working for a newspaper in a small town where nothing exciting happens until someone rapes and murders a young woman only eighteen years old. All evidence points to the woman's boyfriend who confesses to the crime. Jason is assigned to write a follow-up story for the paper and soon suspects that the local police are covering up for one of their own. Jason enlists the help from a high school classmate who works at the state crime and the two soon fall in love. Jason and his girlfriend, Tina, follow the leads, and Jason finds himself a target for the rapist turned murderer. An attempt on Jason's life puts him in the hospital as the alleged rapist commits suicide. An unexpected turn of events put Jason back in the cross hairs of a different killer.
Naomi Martini and Art Rudd, Siblings, Nine Years Earlier
Naomi called twice for Art to come down stairs, and when he didn't answer, she climbed the stairs up to his room. He was lying on his bed with his hands clasped on his chest. “Sup?” asked Naomi.
“Oh, nothing,” answered Art.
Naomi sensed something was wrong. She ambled over and sat on Art's bed next to him. “What's wrong? It's Saturday. Why aren't you hanging with Javier?”
“He's got a new girlfriend. They don't want me hanging around.”
“Well Javier's romances don't last more than three weeks.”
Art chuckled. “True. Why can't I find a girl. Everyone at school is hooked up except me.”
“I doubt that but don't worry, you'll meet someone someday.”
“But I want a girlfriend now. I have these urges.”
“I know lil' bro. That's normal at your age. Remember, the psychiatrist said this would happen. She told you what to do. Are you masturbating?”
Yeah, but that gets old too. The girls at school just don't like me.”
Naomi smiled. “You're a great guy, Art. You just haven't learned how to treat women yet. At our next session we'll talk to Dr. Petil about it. I'll help you too.”
Naomi leaned forward to kiss Art on the forehead. He slipped his arms around her back and pulled her down on top of him. “I want to have sex with you. No one will know.”
“Let go of me, Art,” said Naomi in a clear, strong voice. “It can't be like that between us. You're my brother.”
“I know. I know. I know a couple of guys at school who sleep with their cousins. One guy even gets blow jobs from his sister.”
“Let go of me, bro. I don't want to hurt you.”
Art loosened his grip, and Naomi sat up. She sighed and patted Art's chest. “I guess you're old enough to know truth. Sit up. I want to tell you something.”
Art got up and sat next to Naomi. “Why can't we have sex?”
Naomi sighed again and took Art's hand into hers. “Here's the thing, Art. I don't like guys. I'm gay.”
“What? I didn't know. Since when?”
Naomi laughed. “I guess since I learned the difference between boys and girls. Have you ever seen me with a guy?”
“No. I didn't know. Do you have a girlfriend?”
Naomi shrugged her shoulders. “Not a steady. Certainly not here in town. I have a couple of friends in Cheyenne. We hook up a couple times a month.”
“Oh. Does dad know?”
“No and I don't want you to tell him. You can't tell anyone.”
“Why?”
“Torrington's a small town. I'm a cop. It's a male dominated career field. They won't accept a lesbian cop. Might hurt my career. I'll come out one day but not now.”
“Okay. I won't tell anyone. I promise.”
“I'm trusting you with this. You're old enough now to handle it. I've always had your back and now I want you to have mine. Deal?”
Art nodded. “Yes. I do. I have your back.”
“Okay then. Come down stairs if you're finished with your pity party and let's make lunch. I thought I'd make pizza.”
They both started for the door. “Would it be okay if we ordered pizza? Your pizza sucks.”
Naomi laughed. “Let's not get carried away with this new level of sharing, okay? We'll order pizza.” They started down the stairs. “So why does this guy you know get blow jobs from his sister?”
“He said that she wants to practice.”
They both laughed at that.
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