She'd been hounded by reporters from Atlanta, as well as the local papers. The Macon Telegraph had treated the case as local news, since Florence was only thirty miles away. Someone in the police station when her attacker had been taken in, had run with the story. Sunday papers plastered his picture on the front page. Sunday afternoon Julie called from her mobile phone. "Brittany Marie, you call me! I can't believe I had to read the paper to learn my best friend was attacked. I should've stayed with you." "If you had, he'd have hurt you. I didn't realize the papers would cover it, since no one called me until this morning. I wouldn't tell them anything. I called my folks as soon as I got the pests off the phone. We had to leave my phone off the hook and use my cell." "You didn't call me, though." "I tried but couldn't get through. What could you have done, anyway? You needed that time with Jesse." "I'm so sorry." "I know, I know. At least you were safe." "Oh, I forgot to tell you. The picture of the man who attacked you looks a lot like the man I told you about, you know, the shy guy from the grocery store." "Damn!" "I'm on my way back." "I take it you had a good time." "Oh, God, you won't believe how wonderful Jesse is.
