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

Felix was also a student in one of Professor Eric Freeland’s classes.  Professor Freeland was Hyder’s mentor. Hyder took some time to share and compare stories about Freeland with Felix.
    Hyder then took Felix around the Daily Times .  He introduced him to the people in the various departments and also gave him a tour of the building.
    They stopped by the cafeteria, which was located on the ground floor, and Hyder bought Felix a coffee and bagel.  Felix looked surprised that Hyder was not buying anything for himself.  “I am fasting for Ramadan,” Hyder explained.  Felix nodded.
    “Sorry about the left hand handshake,” he apologized when they headed back to Hyder’s cubicle. “I know your faith finds that, um, off putting.”
    “Thank you. I appreciate your apology, but I know now you had no choice,” Hyder replied.
    “What’s that?” Felix asked once they were settled back in.
    A month old newspaper clipping was tacked to Hyder’s cubicle wall.  It was about the death of a reporter from the Franklin Herald . The reporter had lost her grip on her bicycle and had slammed into the back of a van.  The driver was never charged, but she had died on impact.
    “I don’t know why I have it,” Hyder replied. “But something about the story still bothers me.”
    “Like what?” Felix asked.
    “I had met Francine Robeault at a barbeque and we had hit it off.  We both shared the same desire for finding out the truth.  Francine was an experienced bicyclist.  She had ridden in several marathons.  In fact, I had once joined her on a marathon for a local charity.  I barely got through it, vowing never to do it again,” Hyder continued, a wry smile briefly creasing his face, “but Francine had completed it without even breaking a sweat.  She knew herself and she knew her body.  On the day she died, the weather was clear and there was no indication that her bike had malfunctioned. Plus, Francine would have never ridden her bike if she wasn’t feeling well.  So I’m…”
    Hyder’s voice trailed off for a second. “…you know, kind of shocked by what happened.” He concluded.
    “Do you think she was murdered?” Felix asked.
    Hyder snorted.  “You make it sound like a conspiracy.”
    “Hey, Professor Freeland always said to look beyond the story.”
    Hyder’s eyebrows arched. “He did, didn’t he?”
    Felix nodded.
    Hyder sighed. “Well, I’m sure it was just an accident.”
    Felix fell quiet. Hyder stared at the photo of Francine Robeault.  She was smiling for the camera in a formal portrait taken at a studio.
    Veronica came over.  “I’ve got a story for you.  It’s a triple murder on Riverfield Street.”
    Hyder jumped up from his chair.  “I’m on it.”
    “Why don’t you take Felix with you?” Veronica suggested.  “It’ll be a good crash course.”
     
    NINE
     
    Pascale and Lopez were going through Rudy Jr.’s apartment.  From the looks of it, it didn’t look like anything was out of place.  There was no indication of a struggle.
    Lopez noticed a computer monitor turned on.  She went to it, found that a program still running and a clock was running at the bottom of the screen.  Just above it was a message that said: ‘ Nataly hung up at 1:32:25 minutes ago .’
    “Do you see his phone anywhere?” Lopez asked, looking around.
    “I’ll check the bedroom.” Pascale disappeared.  He returned holding a cell phone. “Nataly Stomonski,” he said. “Could be his girlfriend.”
    “Rudy Jr. must have been talking to her when the murder happened.  We need her address.”
    “I’m on it,” Pascale said, playing with his own phone.
    “We’ll also bag the laptop and take it to the IT unit for further review.”
    Pascale nodded.
    The door swung open.  Nolan entered.
    Pascale looked up from what he was doing, frowned.  Nolan gave him a sour look right back as Lopez felt the room go cold.
    “Thanks for coming,” she said, attempting to stay professional.
    Nolan