The Bystander Effect

Havermouth, Present Time

Leighton Richard lived on a farm just outside of town. The high fences surrounding his property indicated that he kept deer, although the fields appeared to be empty, the deer obviously preferring to hide amongst the scrub to the rear of the property. There was a giant timber barn painted black with “Leighton Richard” in man-sized white lettering on the road-facing side and “Potter” in smaller letters.

A sign on the gate declared that they were entering the property of Leighton Richard, Potter, and editor of the Havermouth Expose. There was an honor box arrangement by the gate, where the latest version of the Havermouth Expose could be purchased.

Aislen snagged a copy and dropped a few coins into the slot whilst June opened the gate. She drove forward along a well-maintained driveway towards a tidy little house whose sandstone construction spoke of it being original to the area. Under the bullnosed veranda, a grey-muzzled old dog flicked an ear as much to shoo