No doubt about it. Matt Cochran lived to play football. He loved everything about the game. In his room, on every available inch of wall he had, he plastered posters of all his favorite players including Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. Matt even slept with a football. Hugging it tightly as he slumbered away.

To say football consumed Matt was an understatement. It was his most favorite activity of all. He even played for the Texas Junior Football Organization's Astatula Stallions.

Matt willingly completed extra chores around the house. He also remained on especially good behavior most of the time. Just so he would be allowed by his father to keep playing the game he loved.

Quarterback was the only position Matt played. Even in the neighborhood pick-up games the boys of Astatula roused up. We would choose sides and were contented to play all day. For this game Matt wore his Tony Romo jersey since his favorite team was the Dallas Cowboys. In his mind Matt could play as well as all the big named NFL Quarterbacks.

Since Cody's arrival in Astatula, Matt always made sure he was always on his team. Quickly Cody became Matt'ss primary receiver. That morning was no different. Tackle was the only variety of the game the boys ever played. No two-hands-touch-below-the-waist sissy stuff was ever allowed in their games. It was more like "kill the man with the ball!"

After departing his house Cody headed straight for Lapore Park. Located on the eastern side of Astatula the busy Community Park always had something going on. In one area you could feed bread to the mallards that swam around Sullivan Lake if you wanted to.

Of course beyond that watering hole was the dangerous and strictly Off-Limits Miller's Cave. Cody and Matt had, against specific instructions, explored the cave on many occasions. If Sheriff Daniels knew he had done that Cody would be grounded for life!

Lapore Park benches were typically full of mothers with young children in strollers enjoying a day's outing. Dog walkers of all shapes and sizes also frequented the park. Cody met Matt and the other boys who were going to play football that morning in the grassy knoll just beyond Sullivan Lake.

While the boys were playing Deputy Taylor patrolled Downtown Astatula the old-fashioned way. He walked it. This area consisted of the Cattleman's Bank and Trust, the courthouse square, and several small shops scattered around a six-block area. Merchants in these stores were growing antsy. The Astatula Assassin was all they talked about.

Sheriff Daniels decided increased law enforcement presence would go a long way in reassuring them everything was being done to capture the deranged madman before he could strike again. Therefore, he wanted Deputy Taylor on foot patrol.

That morning there was something on the Deputy's mind he wanted to scope out. Friendly exchanges with merchants were secondary. So far the robberies and murders gripping the town had all occurred in the Mid-Town Business District. None had happened Downtown.

Prior to leaving the Sheriff's Station Deputy Taylor received a telephone call from Mayor Christopher Duncan that a Task Force was being assembled to assist Sheriff Daniels with this investigation. Deputy Taylor was not happy with that decision. Or the Mayor's interference in the case.

He turned left at Mason's Hardware on the corner of Mersalis Street and Third Avenue. Then walked two blocks to Pam's Party Rentals and turned right. Deputy Taylor was fighting an urge. Across Cassandra Boulevard he spotted Tammy Jo Snyder his on-again, off-again, depending on her mood at the moment, female companion.

Deputy Taylor draped his left arm around the back of Tammy Jo's neck and squeezed tightly.

"Where's my money?" was all she asked the Deputy.

Knowing Tammy Jo was not much more than a gold digger Deputy Taylor handed her an envelop he pulled out of his pocket.

"It's all there," he told her.

They walked on to the Hammock Five and Dime.

Tammy Jo told Deputy Taylor, "You keep the cash cow coming and I'll stay quiet."

"You're bleeding me dry with all this blood money of yours, Tammy Jo," Deputy Taylor told her in no uncertain terms.

"Not my problem," Tammy Jo retorted, "collecting the green is."

"Some day that color ain't gonna look pretty on you," Deputy Taylor coldly remarked and there was no misinterpreting his meaning.

"Are you threatening me?" Tammy Jo demanded just as icily.

Without another word Deputy Taylor turned sharply onto Mesa Drive. The corner they stood on. Tammy Jo stormed off heading down Travis Street.

As far as Deputy Taylor was concerned time for talking with Tammy Jo was rapidly running out.