(SA) Flaming Circle

Tonight's story by Ron Evans deals with the crime of passion. He calls it the flaming circle. In the cool of an early florida morning a 10-meter motor launch

slipped its moorings and headed out of the harbor. It turned south and towards the string of small islands known as our line keys. The sea was calm and there was a promise of a warm day to come. Steering the launch was Sam Godwin, a very wealthy young Englishman who'd gained the reputation locally of a carefree playboy. The

fact that Sam had worked like a slave for fifteen years and had a business sense that bordered on genius tended to be ignored by his critics. He'd sold out at the age of thirty-five and was now determined to live life to its fullest while there was plenty of time left to do so. Two days previously he'd been acquitted of a first degree murder charge

through lack of material evidence, and this fishing trip to Arline Keys was intended to help him forget this traumatic experience. Accumining him was Tina Lindley, his girlfriend, credited to be one of the most beautiful girls in the American South, and she'd won a dozen or more beauty competitions to prove it.

Sounds idyllic, doesn't it? But it wasn't. That fishing trip turned out to be the most terrifying experience Sam Godwin's life. You're up a little Sam, it's over now. You can forget about it. I'm doing my best, Tina. When I've fished in a few big ones, I'll feel better.

How long will it take to get there? About two hours, I'd say. Why go so far? I've heard the fish is good just off the shore. I just feel like getting away from town a long way.