Read Online The Silent Reporter (A Police Procedural Mystery Series of Crime and Suspense, Hyder Ali #1) by Thomas Fincham - Free Book Online Page A

In this we had a noose.” He paused to let this information sink in.  “Also, we found a suicide note.”
    He opened the file and pulled out a sheet of paper.  He slid it across to Jessica.
    She read without touching it, looked up at Hyder. Her eyes were moist.  He pulled the sheet closer and read it himself.
    “I’m sorry,” Nolan said.  It was never easy for the victim’s family.  None of the answers they ever received were satisfactory.  If someone was murdered, then they wanted to find out who did it and why.  When someone committed suicide, they wanted to find out if there wasn’t someone else who pushed them to do it.
    “It’s just not possible,” Jessica said, still not believing it. “My dad would have never killed himself.”
    “Is that his signature?” Nolan asked, pointing to the blue scribble at the bottom of the page.
    She examined it.  “I think so.”
    “Then we will assume it is.”
    She got up.  “I have to go.”
    Nolan stood up too.  “Again, I’m sorry.”
    She left the room.
    Hyder followed after her.
     
    TWENTY-ONE
     
    Nolan felt terrible for Jessica Freeland.  He wished he could have given her better news.  Suddenly, his thirst for alcohol was somehow mitigated.  He no longer felt like going and getting a drink.
    He went back to his desk and placed the file before him.
    It was now or never, he thought.  If he didn’t start work on the file right this minute he may never close it.
    Nolan desperately wanted to be done with it and move on.
    He flipped through it and quickly realized that pages were missing.
    “What the hell?” he muttered.  Where was the coroner’s report?  Even though it was a suicide, the coroner had to examine the body and verify that it was so.
    He grabbed the file and left the division.
    The coroner’s office was only two blocks away, so Nolan decided to walk.  He figured it would do him some good. 
    Nolan was fully aware the lifestyle he had chosen now was not conducive to good health.  He didn’t care, or maybe he didn’t have anything to care for.  Regardless, it was taking a toll on him.  The walk, which wouldn’t have taken him long before, was now becoming tiresome.
    When he reached the granite building, he found himself out of breath.  His collar was sticky to the touch and he saw stars in his eyes.  He leaned on the wall and composed himself.  He either had to cut back on his drinking or take the car the next time he came here. 
    He went inside and took the elevator to the basement.
    The coroner’s office was a dingy looking place.  Most found it suffocating.  Nolan was indifferent to it.  He had quickly realized that it wasn’t supposed to be bright and welcoming. 
    This was where the dead were brought to be cut up and dissected. It was a serious place that provided a serious service.
    There was no one behind a desk to greet visitors.  There was a ledger where each visitor was required to sign in and sign out.
    Nolan scribbled his name and entered a set of doors.
    He went down a short hallway and peered inside a room.  He spotted Dr. Herb Lafferty at work on a cadaver.  Lafferty was in his sixties.  He was bald, slightly overweight, and he walked with a limp.
    Over the years Nolan had gotten to know Lafferty and during one visit Nolan had found out that Lafferty had had a skydiving accident that had shattered his left leg in multiple places.  His leg had been put back together, but it was never the same as before.
    Nolan tapped on the door.  Lafferty looked up and waved him over.
    Nolan entered the cool room and a chill went up his spine.
    Lafferty smiled. “Well, look who’s here?”
    “Doc,” Nolan replied with nod.
    “What brings you into my establishment?” Lafferty said.
    “I missed seeing dead bodies so I figured I’d see if you could hook me up with one.”
    Lafferty laughed.  “I see you haven’t lost your sense of humor.”
    Nolan adjusted his dark glasses.  The room already had less lighting