The Runaway Reporter (A Police Procedural Mystery Series of Crime and Suspense, Hyder Ali #3) Read Online Free

victim who had called 9-1-1 asking for help.  So all signs are pointing to the Captain’s son.”
    Halton walked around the scene with his hands on his hips.  “It looks like a murder/suicide,” he said.
    “It does,” she agreed.
    Halton sighed and rubbed his face.  “I’ll have to inform the Captain.” He sounded like he wasn’t looking forward to it.
    Pascale entered the basement and said nothing.  He just crossed his arms and leaned on the wall.
    Halton turned to Lopez. “Detective, make sure it’s done by the book.  We don’t want any loose ends.”
    Lopez understood. Any detective who messed this investigation up would be out of a job. She also understood that Pascale and Halton got along well.  Halton was letting her take the lead in case there was someone to blame later on.  God forbid if Halton’s golden boy ever has to take the heat , she thought.
    An officer stepped into the doorway. “Sir, the media have gathered outside the property.” He informed Halton.
    “How the hell did they know about it?” Halton snapped.
    No one said a word.
    Halton looked like he would have an aneurysm.  “Tell them we’ll make a statement shortly, but mention no names. We’ll release them later.”
    When the officer was gone, Lopez said, “Thank you for protecting the Captain’s privacy.”
    Captain Ross had always been a staunch defender of her and in some ways, she felt obligated to protect him.
    Halton glared at her.  “I’m not doing it for the Captain, I’m doing it for me.  We make a mistake here, you better believe it, heads will roll.” Halton looked around.  “Where’s Nolan?”
    This time Pascale spoke up. “He’s not here.”
    “Where is he?” Halton asked Lopez.
    “I don’t know,” she replied.
    The entire department knew that Nolan and Lopez were a couple.  There were those who were in favor of it, there were those who were against it, and there were some who were completely indifferent about it.  Unfortunately, Halton, like Pascale, fit in the second category.
    “Get your boyfriend here ASAP,” Halton said.
     
    SEVEN
     
    Detective Tom Nolan took a sip from the glass and made a face.
    He sat at the end of the bar looking agitated and miserable.  He wore a dark-colored suit jacket, light khaki pants, and loafers with no socks. His normally unruly hair was combed today, and his face was clean shaven.
    Ever since he had started seeing Lopez, he found himself wanting to look respectable for her. It wasn’t anything that she had asked of him, it was something he wanted to do on his own.
    After the death of his wife, Nolan had devoted his days and nights to heavy drinking. But now, things were different.  Even though he was in a bar, surrounded by alcohol, he was sipping soda water; and hating every minute of it.
    Damian, the bartender, came over and placed his palms on the bar.  “Why are you even here, Tom?  Aren’t you trying to stay sober?” he asked.
    Nolan shrugged.  “I love the comfort of this place.  It’s like my second home.”
    “You look depressed.”
    Nolan shrugged again.
    Boris came over and sat next to him.  Boris was over six-five and the owner of the bar. “Did you know that I was once an alcoholic?”
    Nolan looked at him and shook his head.
    “It’s true,” Boris said. “But one day I said ‘no more’ and now I’ve been sober for over twelve years.”
    “Really?” Nolan’s eyes widened.  “But aren’t you tempted?”
    Boris shrugged.  “Temptation is everywhere.  Just look at the ads on television.  They never show fat and ugly people sitting in front of their TVs drinking beer. They always show good looking young people running around drinking and having a good time.  Alcohol is so glamorized in our society that one cannot move five steps without being bombarded with how wonderful and amazing it is.”
    Nolan’s mouth dropped.  “I… I never knew you were so deep .”
    “I have a degree in sociology, you know.”
    “I