The Runaway Reporter (A Police Procedural Mystery Series of Crime and Suspense, Hyder Ali #3) by Thomas Fincham Page B

come earlier, but I didn’t know how.”
    Richler looked at him, confused.
    “It’s about Francine.”
    Richler nodded, as if understanding.  Francine Robeault was working under Richler when she’d had the accident.
    “I’m so sorry for your loss,” Hyder said.
    Richler frowned.  “Thank you.  It was unexpected, I guess, most accidents are, but we are doing our best to get over it.”
    Hyder could tell Richler had not gotten over it and wouldn’t be over it for some time to come.
    Hyder quickly got to the point. “Do you believe it was an accident?”
    Richler shrugged.  “That’s what the police say.”
    “Did you know what she was working on?”
    “Even if I did, you know I wouldn’t tell you.” Richler gave him a hard look.
    “I’m not here to steal a story, Mr. Richler,” Hyder replied.  “I’m trying to make sense of what happened to her.”
    Hyder told Richler his concerns about Francine’s death.  “All I want to know is if this had anything to do with any of her stories,” he concluded.
    Richler leaned back and closed his eyes.  He finally said, “Francine was secretive when it came to her stories, even with me sometimes. She mostly did her work from home. She believed it was best not to reveal anything until she was certain of it.  It had to do with protecting her sources.  I never pushed her because it gave me the opportunity to deny it if someone came knocking on my door.  Plus, she was the best, and I trusted her.”
    Richler looked away.
    Hyder realized it was time to go.
    He got up when Richler opened his desk drawer and pulled out a piece of paper.  He placed it before Hyder.  “I found this on her desk the day she died.”
    Hyder leaned over.  It was a promotional material.  “An Evening with J. Robert Munn,” the title said.  Munn was going to talk about his new book, Healing from Above .  At the top corner, handwritten, were the words, Will confront and ask questions .
    “Do you know what it’s about?” Hyder asked.
    Richler shook his head.  “I wish I did.”
    “Do you mind if I take this?”
    “No, go ahead.”
    “Thank you,” Hyder said, and left.
     
    TWENTY
     
    Nolan and Lopez arrived at the division. They were told to go straight to the meeting room.
    They found Halton and Pascale sitting on one end of the table. Across from them sat Captain Ross.
    Captain Rudyard ‘Rudy’ Ross was dressed in a black three-piece suit.  His hair was combed back and he looked like he always did.  Fashionably dressed and ready to take command.  But this time, though, it was his eyes that revealed the immense stress he had been under.  They were tired and weary, with heavy bags underneath them.
    Nolan went over and shook his hand.  “I’m so sorry, sir,” he said.
    “Thank you,” Ross replied.
    Lopez went over and gave Ross her condolences as well.
    Ross shook her hand and gave her a nod.
    Nolan and Lopez sat down.  Ross got straight to the point. “Is my son still the suspect in what happened on Riverfield Street?” he asked.
    His question was met with silence.
    Lopez, Pascale, and Halton did not know how to respond to the captain. Ross was their commanding officer, and one whose opinion many careers depended on.
    Ross turned to Halton, “Doug?”
    Halton coughed and said, “Yes, but we are waiting for the forensics report before we can confirm anything.”
    “What is there to confirm?” Ross said. “You already told me what you believe when we spoke, so is he or isn’t he a suspect?
    Lopez finally spoke. “Sir, I’m afraid he is.”
    Captain Ross had always been good to her and it hurt her to say those words, but he needed to hear them.  She had too much respect for him to bullshit him.  If Ross hadn’t taken a chance on her more than ten years ago, she probably wouldn’t be in the position she was currently in.
    Her parents had gone through something similar. It was something a parent never got over.
    Ross looked at her and nodded.  He then