Jasper

 The green digital display read 6:40.

Jasper tried to ignore the din of the nearly full diner. He liked to come here to work on his articles as he nursed the bottomless cup of coffee that wasn't bad. He'd order some food off and on throughout his time at one of the little tables by the window. He could spend time thinking of the words to use and turning the leads he'd uncovered over in his mind as he stared blankly into the street. 

The deadline for this article was quickly approaching and Jasper still needed a final confirmation from another source before he could send it to his editor. The old desk sergeant from downtown always had trouble with the simple cellphone Jasper had gotten for him to keep in contact more discreetly. It was always down to the wire with that guy but he was the most solid source Jasper ever dealt with. 

He fidgeted with the keyboard. Moving a word here and there and deleting a comma he knew his editor would add back in later. But it helped to pass the time as he waited.

Jasper was drawn out of his focus by the half-heard conversation from the next table. He shook his head as he assessed the situation at that table. That poor bastard was about to get dumped and he was totally unaware that was even a possibility. Poor bastard. 

The phone buzzed and Jasper impatiently let it ring three times before answering. He tried to get to the point quickly but knew the old sergeant needed a moderate amount of coaxing before giving a definitive answer. 

Jasper clicked the send button on his screen and sat back with a sigh. He saw the flash but never heard the shattering glass.