Page 58 of Dead Air
"Too much?" Claire echoed the phrase.
"I've said more than I intended already." The keyboard clicking stopped. "Family matters remain private despite public interest."
"Your brother confessed to murdering Detective Landry." Fiona's statement hung in the air between them. "Yet, evidence suggests his suicide was staged."
"Dangerous speculation, Ms. Stevens." Hutchinson's response came too quickly. "I'd caution against publishing unsubstantiated theories about an active investigation."
"The timing raises questions." Claire adopted her cross-examination tone. "Your brother dies hours after being identified as romantically involved with Monica Landry. Evidence suggesting murder disguised as suicide emerges. Meanwhile, a podcast with connections to your firm controls the public narrative."
"Coincidences appear significant until proven otherwise." Hutchinson's response sounded rehearsed. "Raymond's death represents tragedy, not conspiracy."
Lawson studied the laptop as if it might reveal Hutchinson's facial expressions. His voice carried a subtle tension beneath his practiced casualness. The lawyer answered questions while revealing nothing substantive—professional misdirection elevated to an art form.
A door opened on Hutchinson's end of the call. A muffled female voice spoke urgently in the background. "Sir, I apologize for the interruption. She found the second recording."
Papers shuffled. A chair creaked. When Hutchinson returned to the call, his voice carried tightly controlled alarm. "Ladies, I apologize for the abrupt conclusion, but an urgent client matter requires immediate attention."
"We have additional questions about your brother's connection to departmental corruption." Fiona attempted to extend the conversation.
"Perhaps another time." Professional politeness barely masked his desire to end the call. "I trust this conversation addressed your immediate concerns."
"Mr. Hutchinson?—"
"Again, your condolences are appreciated during this difficult period of personal grief." The words were rushed together. "Good day."
The call disconnected as silence filled Claire's beach house kitchen.
"Well, that was abrupt." Fiona stared at her laptop screen. "Second recording?"
"Whatever it is sent him running." Claire tapped her fingers against the counter. "Something more important than controlling his brother's narrative."
Lawson processed the conversation while nursing her coffee. Hutchinson had revealed little beyond careful denials and vague references to his brother's "troubles." Professional crisis management applied to personal tragedy.
"He was nervous." Lawson broke her silence. "Controlled, but definitely nervous."
"Agreed." Fiona made notes on her tablet. "Especially when his assistant interrupted about finding a recording."
"What recording would warrant that reaction?" Claire frowned. "Something connected to Ray's death?"
"Or Monica's murder." Lawson set her empty mug in the sink. "Blackwell mentioned unnamed sources providing sealed evidence. What if Ray recorded something before he died?"
"Insurance policy." Fiona nodded slowly. "Protection against whoever was pulling his strings."
"Which his brother's firm is now desperately trying to contain." Claire completed the logical progression.
Lawson's phone vibrated with a notification. Dead Air Productions announcement:Episode 6: "The Second Recording" broadcasting LIVE tonight at 6 p,m, Truth that someone killed to suppress.
She showed the screen to Claire and Fiona. "Seems Blackwell found whatever Hutchinson's assistant was panicking about."
"Live broadcast." Fiona's eyebrows rose. "Breaking usual podcast release patterns. She's afraid someone might stop her."
"Or capitalizing on dramatic timing." Claire's skepticism remained intact. "Maximum audience engagement through artificial urgency."
"Either way, she has something Hutchinson wants contained." Lawson scrolled through additional notification details. "Something worth killing his brother to protect."
Fiona gathered her equipment with practiced efficiency. "I need to get back to the Tribune. Prepare coverage for whatever bombshell drops tonight."
"Stay here." Claire's suggestion carried undertones of command. "It’s safer to work remotely until we know what that recording contains."
