Read Online The Runaway Reporter (A Police Procedural Mystery Series of Crime and Suspense, Hyder Ali #3) by Thomas Fincham - Free Book Online
Authors: Thomas Fincham
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said, “I would prefer this information does not go public, at least for now. Vivien and I are dealing with it the best we can. If she found out what we know, it would devastate her.”
Halton spoke, “We are keeping a lid on it, but… we won’t be able to hide this forever, sir. Sooner or later the press will demand answers.”
“I know,” Ross said. “If you are absolutely certain my son is guilty, then you may release it as you wish. But until the investigation is complete, I would prefer it stay within the department.”
It was a known fact that there was friction between Halton and Ross. Halton felt that Ross protected too many officers, especially those Halton did not agree with.
Nolan was high on that list.
It was also a known fact that Nolan and Halton never got along. Had it not been for Ross, Halton would have fired Nolan months or even years ago. But Ross believed in him and he made sure to bring him back when all Nolan wanted to do was drink himself to death.
Halton had his orders now, and there was no way he would go against them. “Yes, sir,” he finally said, and got up.
Everyone began leaving the room.
“Tom, I would like to speak to you.” Ross said.
Nolan stayed behind.
When it was just the two of them, Ross asked, “What exactly happened in that house?”
Nolan wanted to tell him everything in detail, but he knew it would be too gruesome for a father to hear. “Sir, I would tell you if I knew. But trust me, we are looking into it.”
Ross nodded. “Rudy Jr… he was the youngest of our three boys. As a child, he was bright and caring. He always tried to make everyone laugh. He was a good boy, Tom.” Ross’s eyes welled up. “I can’t say I was a very good father, though. I was too involved in my career and I was hard on the boys when they were young. I wanted the best for them, of course, but I was never there for them.” He looked away. “Somewhere along the line, Rudy Jr. got involved with the wrong crowd. He started doing drugs, skipping school. He even got in trouble with the law. I’m sure it couldn’t have been easy having a father on the force. But somehow he managed to change his life around. He was off the drugs, he was back in school, and he was even in a relationship… and then this happened.” He shook his head. He then looked Nolan directly in the eyes. “I’m ready to accept that my son was the one who committed this crime, but what I want to know is why .”
“Sir, I will get to the bottom of this,” Nolan said. “You have my word.”
TWENTY-ONE
Hyder was at his desk, searching the Internet on his laptop. He had already gone through the Franklin Police Department’s website, and so far he had not been able to match up the name. The officer list was comprehensive, but Hyder was certain he could find it.
“What if it’s someone who is no longer active on the force?” Felix suggested.
Hyder thought about it. “Could be, but still, it wouldn’t make sense not to disclose someone who was retired,” he replied.
“Maybe they are protecting them,” Felix mused.
Hyder’s eyes narrowed. “The only time the police department hesitates to release names, is when they feel doing so would jeopardize their case. Three young people were brutally murdered. How can knowing their names be of importance?”
“Maybe the victim is the son of someone high up,” Felix replied.
Hyder’s eyes widened. “Why didn’t I think of that?” He turned back to his laptop. “I’ve been searching in the wrong place,” he said. “The name did not match anyone on the front lines, but maybe it will match someone in upper management.” A few seconds later he exclaimed, “Got it!”
“Who?” Felix said.
“Captain Rudyard Ross,” Hyder said. A photo of Captain Ross in full uniform was on the screen. “I knew I remembered the name.”
“What do we do now?” Felix said. “Do we print the
Halton spoke, “We are keeping a lid on it, but… we won’t be able to hide this forever, sir. Sooner or later the press will demand answers.”
“I know,” Ross said. “If you are absolutely certain my son is guilty, then you may release it as you wish. But until the investigation is complete, I would prefer it stay within the department.”
It was a known fact that there was friction between Halton and Ross. Halton felt that Ross protected too many officers, especially those Halton did not agree with.
Nolan was high on that list.
It was also a known fact that Nolan and Halton never got along. Had it not been for Ross, Halton would have fired Nolan months or even years ago. But Ross believed in him and he made sure to bring him back when all Nolan wanted to do was drink himself to death.
Halton had his orders now, and there was no way he would go against them. “Yes, sir,” he finally said, and got up.
Everyone began leaving the room.
“Tom, I would like to speak to you.” Ross said.
Nolan stayed behind.
When it was just the two of them, Ross asked, “What exactly happened in that house?”
Nolan wanted to tell him everything in detail, but he knew it would be too gruesome for a father to hear. “Sir, I would tell you if I knew. But trust me, we are looking into it.”
Ross nodded. “Rudy Jr… he was the youngest of our three boys. As a child, he was bright and caring. He always tried to make everyone laugh. He was a good boy, Tom.” Ross’s eyes welled up. “I can’t say I was a very good father, though. I was too involved in my career and I was hard on the boys when they were young. I wanted the best for them, of course, but I was never there for them.” He looked away. “Somewhere along the line, Rudy Jr. got involved with the wrong crowd. He started doing drugs, skipping school. He even got in trouble with the law. I’m sure it couldn’t have been easy having a father on the force. But somehow he managed to change his life around. He was off the drugs, he was back in school, and he was even in a relationship… and then this happened.” He shook his head. He then looked Nolan directly in the eyes. “I’m ready to accept that my son was the one who committed this crime, but what I want to know is why .”
“Sir, I will get to the bottom of this,” Nolan said. “You have my word.”
TWENTY-ONE
Hyder was at his desk, searching the Internet on his laptop. He had already gone through the Franklin Police Department’s website, and so far he had not been able to match up the name. The officer list was comprehensive, but Hyder was certain he could find it.
“What if it’s someone who is no longer active on the force?” Felix suggested.
Hyder thought about it. “Could be, but still, it wouldn’t make sense not to disclose someone who was retired,” he replied.
“Maybe they are protecting them,” Felix mused.
Hyder’s eyes narrowed. “The only time the police department hesitates to release names, is when they feel doing so would jeopardize their case. Three young people were brutally murdered. How can knowing their names be of importance?”
“Maybe the victim is the son of someone high up,” Felix replied.
Hyder’s eyes widened. “Why didn’t I think of that?” He turned back to his laptop. “I’ve been searching in the wrong place,” he said. “The name did not match anyone on the front lines, but maybe it will match someone in upper management.” A few seconds later he exclaimed, “Got it!”
“Who?” Felix said.
“Captain Rudyard Ross,” Hyder said. A photo of Captain Ross in full uniform was on the screen. “I knew I remembered the name.”
“What do we do now?” Felix said. “Do we print the
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