Fifteen Minutes of Fame
by
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Clint stopped to talk to a frazzled motorist who seemed eager to describe what he had seen and whine about the crushed back bumper of his silver BMW. His car had been in the middle of what looked like a chain reaction of 15 or 20 cars that had all swerved or braked hard and immediately to avoid the 18-wheeler that had suddenly gone out of control and started weaving all over the westbound side of the expressway. The BMW owner, a middle-age, full of himself financial advisor with a Minnesota accent, said he had seen the truck rear end at least two cars before flipping on its side, smashing into a bridge support, and then careening back into the middle of the expressway. The dark-haired man informed Clint that the sight of all the action in front of him had almost caused him to pee in his expensive Armani suit.
Clint’s amusement at the man’s near-loss of control of a major body function was cut short by a demand that rang out loudly, even above the blend of noises. “If you don’t get that camera out of here, I’m gonna to stuff it up your ass!”
“Oh crap.” Clint mumbled, turning around to see Stan Oliver about 10 yards away, still snapping his camera as rescue workers struggled to pull open the door of a small yellow car half buried under the destroyed trailer.
Clint sprinted toward Stan and jerked him away an instant before a fireman’s gloved backhand swished through the space where the photographer’s jaw had been. Clint forcibly pulled Stan out of sight of the fireman, who immediately went back to help his comrades.
“Idiot. The body count out here is high enough without you getting your name added to the list. That fireman could have chopped your head off with an ax and no jury would convict. Justifiable homicide,” Clint screamed at Stan.
“You made me miss the shot,” Stan screamed back. “There was a body in that car. In a couple of minutes, they would have been pulling it out. The wire services would have loved that photo. Do you realize how many newspapers would have run it, damn it?“
“Don’t know, don’t care. You were in their way. What if the person in that car is still alive?”
“That would make the picture even better. I’m going back…” Stan turned and took a step, but Clint grabbed - barely - the back of his jacket.
“You’re not going anywhere. Calm down and tell me what happened,” Clint ordered.
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About the Book
Should a journalist ever become a participant in the story he is covering? That’s the ethical dilemma facing Clint Stockton in “Fifteen Minutes of Fame,” the exciting first novel by Gary Watson.
Clint, top reporter for the Advocate, a second-rate daily newspaper in Atlanta, is already at odds with his wife over his job when he begins following two murder investigations - the beating of a homeless man on a downtown street, and the shootings of three big-rig truck drivers. As his workload mounts and his personal life becomes even more stressful, Clint uncovers information about the killings that brings him to a choice. Does he remain merely a reporter who covers the news, or does he get involved and end up making the news? His career, his relationships, resolution of the crimes and even life and death are on the line as Clint struggles to make his decision.
About the Author
Twenty years of journalistic experience helped Gary Watson craft “Fifteen Minutes of Fame.” A 1971 graduate of West Georgia College with a degree in English, Watson worked for several small newspapers in Georgia, reporting on thousands of colorful people and interesting situations, some of which helped shape the characters and plot of “Fifteen Minutes of Fame.” Even though he changed careers in 1989, Watson never lost his zeal for writing and his desire to be a novelist. Publication of “Fifteen Minutes of Fame” fulfills a lifelong dream for Watson.
The author lives in Villa Rica, a growing community 37 miles west of Atlanta with his supportive wife Suzanne, grown, independence-asserting children Kelli and Hayley and three precious kitty cats. Watson takes enough time from his writing to serve as director of public transportation for Douglas County, Georgia.