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

“Please take the elevators up to the eighteenth floor.”
    Hyder watched as a hotel staff member escorted him into the elevator and then all the way up to his floor.  When he got off, he wasn’t sure if it was appropriate to tip him. Instead, he thanked him and quickly walked away.
    The meeting room was grand. Hyder estimated it could hold close to a thousand people.  Even though he was early, it was almost full.
    A woman in a suit came up and said, “Your invitation, please.”
    “I wasn’t sure I needed one,” he said. “I actually came because of this.” Hyder held out the advertisement.
    “That is the invitation,” she said with a smile.  “Mr. Munn will be arriving shortly.  If you haven’t done so yet, you can purchase his latest book over there.” She then leaned over and whispered, “I’ll tell you a little secret.  The doctors had diagnosed me with breast cancer, but after reading Mr. Munn’s book and using holistic treatments instead of the chemo or drugs the doctors wanted me to, I am now in remission.  Mr. Munn is a Godsend.”
    Hyder wasn’t sure whether to believe her or call her crazy. How could someone miraculously get rid of cancer?
    He politely walked away.
    Prior to coming here, Hyder had done some research on J. Robert Munn.  His background was as mysterious as the man himself.
    Ten years ago, Munn woke up enlightened one day. After his awakening Munn began a spiritual journey.  He had since written a dozen books about love, life, happiness, loss, depression, and even success. Munn’s teachings revolved around the belief that the universe was a magical place that wanted nothing but health and wealth for everyone.  It was just a matter of tapping into the bountiful resources of the universe and absorbing its benefits and gifts.
    Hyder wasn’t sure if he believed a word of it, but he had to hand it to Munn. Munn had managed to create a million dollar empire out of nothing.  From talks, to retreats, to books, to DVDs, to audio tapes, to tours, he had his hand in everything.  He had even jumped into natural or holistic products, or as he loved to refer to them, “The universe’s remedies.”
    Judging by the crowd that had gathered, it seemed to Hyder that whatever Munn was doing, it was working.
    There was a buzz in the room, as if everyone was eagerly awaiting their savior. Hyder found himself feeling eager too. Why? He didn’t know.  Maybe it was the anticipation of finding out more.
    Did this man really have all the answers?  Was he genuine or fake? Is the universe really looking out for our wellbeing? Hyder mused silently.
    As a reporter, Hyder had learned to be a skeptic. It was what good journalism was about.  You never believed what you were told, you went out and confirmed it.  There was always a hidden agenda behind every action.  It was what made humans different than animals.  Humans did things because they wanted something in return.  It didn’t have to be monetary, it could just be a positive feeling.
    Right now, everyone in the crowd was willing to hand over their money in order for this man to make them feel better about their lives.
    Munn looked no different than any other self-help spiritual guru out there.  Hyder had interviewed a few and he had found nothing special about them.
    Suddenly there was a hush.  Hyder looked around to see what was going on, but then someone next to him whispered, “He’s coming.”
    Everyone’s attention was focused on the door in the corner. A few minutes later, a man walked out.
    He was flanked by men wearing suits.  He was considerably shorter than the men.  He was bald with signs of a beard underneath his chin.  He wore round glasses and over his dress shirt he wore a vest.
    He carefully made his way to the front of the room.  He then motioned to everyone to have a seat.
    For the next hour, J. Robert Munn gave a speech which sounded more like a sermon.  He spoke about the universe, then about humans, and how