The Silent Reporter (A Police Procedural Mystery Series of Crime and Suspense, Hyder Ali #1) (23 page)

“This paper needs young men and women like you,” he continued.  “You are the future, and if we don’t tap into that we will become obsolete.  As you are fully aware, the news industry is going through massive changes.  Print media is on the decline, and some commentators have even gone so far as to predict our death.  I think our demise has been greatly exaggerated. I do agree that papers like ours are going through a shift. In fact, I will be blunt and say that we are losing money, but I believe the end is not near. I think we can still change the course.  And people like you, Hyder, are the ones to do it.  I know talent when I see it, and it is why I would like to offer you a position back at the
Daily Times
.”

Hyder thought he would faint.

“Now, I don’t want to pressure you,” he said.  “I know it must have been difficult to lose your job, but what I am saying is, we want you back, and I am willing to offer you a permanent position as the lead city reporter.”

Hyder swallowed. He wasn’t sure what he was hearing. But then he thought of something, “But Veronica Ainsworth is the lead city reporter.” Veronica was his friend, and Hyder would never take her position. “What would happen to her?”

“I wouldn’t worry about her. With the editor position now vacant, I’m sure we can put Ms. Ainsworth somewhere.” He winked.

“Wow,” Hyder said.  “I don’t know what to say.”

“Say yes, and be part of the
Daily Times
family again.”

This was happening too fast, Hyder thought.  His head began to spin.  He was not only going to be permanent, he would also be lead reporter.  This was everything he ever wanted.

“Just think,” Kroft said. “One day,
you
may have a story that could be on that wall.”

Hyder looked at the wall again. A smile crossed his face.

SEVENTY-TWO

“How can you be so certain he doesn’t have the file?” Scott asked.

Charles smiled.  He stood up and went over to a shelf.  He pulled a latch, and a section of it came forward.  Behind it was a combination safe.  Charles entered a four-digit code and then pulled it open.

“I’m certain he doesn’t have it, because I have the original,” Charles pulled out a brown folder and held it for Scott.

“You didn’t destroy it?” Scott’s eyes were wide.

“I kept it in case we needed it.”

“I don’t get it,” Scott said.  “That file has incriminating evidence against us.  Why would you keep it?”

“There is more at stake than just TriGate,” Charles replied.

Scott’s face was full of shock and confusion.  “You assured me the file had been disposed of.  You told me you didn’t have it anymore.  You told me not to worry.”

The truth dawned on Scott.  His face hardened. “You were keeping the file so you could use it as leverage.  You were afraid that if the police did succeed in finding out the truth, this would be your get out of jail card.”

Charles said nothing.

“You knew that file contained names.  Politicians, civil servants, union execs, management of certain corporations; they’re all mentioned in that file, and if the police got their hands on it, it would do very serious damage to important people.  This meant the police would be willing to cut a deal with you to get those individuals.” Scott was furious. “Our names are in that file…
my
name is in that file.”

“You have it all wrong,” Charles claimed.

“Do I?” Scott snapped. “Tell me that I am overreacting. Tell me that you destroyed all the contents in that file.”

Charles’ face showed no reaction.

“The reason you didn’t shred that file, the reason you kept it in own your possession, was so that you could use it as a bargaining chip.”

“It’s not a bargaining chip for the police,” Charles said.  “It’s a bargaining chip against
you
.”

“What’re you talking about?” Scott was confused.

“I was keeping it as leverage in case you got any funny ideas,” Charles said.

“You didn’t trust me? I would never betray this company,” Scott said.  “I’m as in deep in this as anyone else.”

“It can all change if the right pressure is applied,” Charles said.

“I would never give in to the police.”

“You would if you were looking at a long jail sentence.”

It was Scott’s turn to go silent.

Charles continued, “We’ve worked too hard to make this company what it is.  We
damn
well won’t let it go down because someone got cold feet.”

“What do you mean ‘
we’
?” Scott’s eye narrowed.

The door swung open.  Ian Marshall entered.

“My son and I will make certain nothing happens to our family.”

Scott was speechless.

SEVENTY-THREE

“So, what will it be?” Kroft asked. “Do you want to join us again?”

Hyder beamed. “Of course, yes, thank you.”

“But there is one request I have,” Kroft said.  “I hope you’ll be able to fulfill it.”

“Yes, absolutely, just name it.”

“Will you cease to publish anything regarding the unfortunate demise of Eric Freeland?”

Hyder was confused.  “How did you know…?”

“Dunny told me you were working on this story, and that you believed it has to do with a conspiracy of some sort.”

“It does. Freeland didn’t commit suicide, he was…” Kroft put his hand up, stopping him.

“Hyder, this newspaper could drown under heavy litigation if you choose to follow that path.”

“I’m not sure what you’re saying.”

“Your conspiracy involves important people, and if we name those people, then we may open ourselves to legal actions. It is better that we steer clear of this matter completely.  Agree to come back and I will have you working on bigger and better stories.  What do you say?”

A realization struck Hyder.

“You are involved in all of this,” he said, giving Kroft a hard look. “If I remember correctly, this building was built by the TriGate Management Group.”

Kroft said nothing.

Hyder continued.  “You knew what TriGate was up to, their illegal business tactics and how they purchased their contracts.
You
had Dunny fire me when she told you that I was looking into Freeland’s suicide. You knew it linked to TriGate and you feared it might somehow link back to you.” Then something else occurred to him.  “But you couldn’t just fire me without any cause, so you had illegal material planted on my laptop. When the FBI got involved—and it was you who had contacted them anonymously in the first place—it made it that much easier to get rid of me.  You thought by letting me go you could squash the story and
silence
me.”

“You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“I see it now,” Hyder continued. “But Dunny never agreed with your decision.  She did it because you forced her to.  She had second thoughts and had called me to tell me the truth. She wanted to do it that night at the pier, but…” His eyes widened in disbelief.  “You had her killed.”

Kroft face betrayed him.

“You did, didn’t you?”

Hyder then felt something cold against his neck.  He turned and the color drained from his face.

The killer was behind him.

Hyder looked at Kroft.  He refused to meet his eyes.  “I’m sorry,” he said. “You should have let it go.” He looked at the man behind Hyder.  “Grant please make Mr. Ali disappear, and do it quietly.”

“Get up, Ali. We’re going for a walk,” Grant ordered Hyder.

SEVENTY-FOUR

“You can’t do this!” Scott yelled. “I won’t let you do it.  I’ll go to the police.”

“And tell them what?” Ian said.  “You’ll be incriminating yourself as well.”

“I don’t care. If I go down, you’ll go down too.”

“Don’t be foolish, Terry,” Charles warned him.  “Remember what happens to those who get in our way.”

Scott was horrified.

“Nothing has changed, though,” Charles added, trying to calm him.  “We can still continue as if it is business as usual.”

Scott didn’t respond.

“Just think how much money you’ve made with us,” Charles said.  “If you keep quiet about all of this, you’ll continue to make more money.”

“What about the file?” Scott said.

“What about it?” Charles said.

“Will you destroy it?”

Charles hesitated.

“With the file in
your
possession, I will always be at a disadvantage. This file holds evidence that can ruin our lives, it would be better if no one had it.”

Charles thought about.  He looked over at Ian.  He was thinking it over too.

“If you want me to trust you, then you have to trust me. The only way this will work is if that file is no more.” Scott demanded.

“Alright,” Charles finally conceded.  He waited for Ian to protest. When he didn’t, Charles said, “I’ll burn it right in front of you, so that we can all know that it no longer exists.”

Ian walked over and grabbed a metal dustbin

Charles pulled a drawer from under his desk.  He retrieved a lighter.  He ignited a flame and held it for Scott to see.

He brought the file close to the fire.

“To our continued success,” Charles said with a smile.

He was about to light the contents when the door swung open.  Nolan entered with his gun drawn.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Nolan said.

“You can’t barge in here,” Charles said. “You’re trespassing.”

“Call it whatever you want, but I’m the one holding the gun.  And I’m asking you to give me the file.”

Charles’s face hardened.  “What if I don’t?”

“Then I’ll shoot you,” Nolan said calmly.

“No, he won’t,” Ian said.  “He’s a police officer.  He doesn’t have it in him.”

Nolan turned the gun on him.  “Really? You want to bet?”

Ian swallowed.

“Don’t be hasty, detective,” Charles said.  “We’re all civilized here.  I’m sure we can come to some agreement.”

“I’m okay with that,” Nolan shrugged. “Why don’t you agree to give me the file?”

Charles didn’t move.  “You won’t shoot me.  You could lose your job.”

“I’ve already lost everything,” Nolan said.  “Do you think I give a damn about my job?  And, if I remember correctly, you had something to do with that.”

“I’m not sure what you’re talking about,” Charles said.

“Really?” Nolan walked to the side of the room. He lifted a napkin from the tray that was placed there earlier by Charles’s butler.  Underneath it was a cell phone.  “I put it here,” Nolan said. “It recorded everything that was said in this room.”

Charles’s face was in shock.

“Oh, and don’t blame your butler,” Nolan continued.  “He had no choice in the matter.  Now, please give me the file or I will take it with
force
.”

Charles hesitated for a millisecond before he finally dropped both the lighter and the file onto the desk.

Nolan walked over to the desk and grabbed the file.

“So, all this trouble was for this one thing?” He held the file in his hands.  “Oh, by the way, this is for my wife.” Nolan hit Charles in the face with the butt of the gun.

Charles jerked back, holding his nose.  Blood gushed down his chin.

“Dad,” Ian moved forward.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Nolan warned him, “unless you have the desire to look like your father.”

“You won’t get away with this,” Ian grumbled.  “This is assault.”

“Well, sue me,” Nolan shrugged.  “On that note, you’re all under arrest.  You can call your lawyers from the station.  You can also advise them of police brutality.  I don’t know if they would care too much once they hear what you boys had been up to.”

Ian, Charles, and Scott looked defeated. 

SEVENTY-FIVE

Grant led Hyder down the hall.  It was empty.  Hyder quickly realized why he hadn’t seen Kroft’s secretary at her desk.  They didn’t want any witnesses.

Grant held the door open. Hyder went in.  It was a private washroom  used by Kroft and his guests.

“Get down on the floor,” Grant instructed.

Hyder got on his knees.

“Please don’t do this,” Hyder said. 

“You weren’t supposed to be part of this,” Grant said.  “Had you not stuck your nose in, you would’ve never been in this situation.”

Grant pointed the gun between Hyder’s eyes.

“Can I at least take off my glasses?” Hyder asked.

Grant thought about it, nodded.

Hyder slowly pulled his glasses off.