Page 42 of Dead Air
Lawson thought of Monica's files. The list of corrupt officers. Hutchinson's name circled with a question mark. The surveillance photos proving someone had discovered their relationship.
"Reputation." Lawson paced along the windows. "Ray Hutchinson works Narcotics. Access to major cases. Connections to high-level investigations."
"And his brother represents clients who might benefit from such connections." Fiona completed the thought. "Corporate clients with potential legal exposure."
"Or clients looking to protect investments." Claire added another possibility. "Hutchinson & Associates specializes in crisis management for companies facing criminal investigation."
The implications expanded with each observation. Ray Hutchinson positioned inside law enforcement while ThomasHutchinson managed damage control outside. Perfect symbiosis for clients needing protection from prosecution.
"I need to know which investigations Ray Hutchinson touched." Lawson pulled out her phone. "Which cases he might have influenced."
"That requires department access." Claire raised an eyebrow. "Records you don't officially have."
"I know someone who does." Lawson dialed Eli Parks' number. The call went to voicemail. She left a message requesting urgent contact.
"The temporary restraining order against Blackwell's podcast goes before Judge Werner this afternoon." Claire checked her watch. "Without evidence of direct harm to an ongoing investigation, he'll likely deny it."
"Even with proof she's funded by interested parties?"
"Legally irrelevant unless we can prove malicious intent." Claire shrugged. "Freedom of the press protects even financially motivated journalism."
Fiona gathered her materials. "I need to file my story before the Chronicle's deadline. This connection deserves public exposure even if courts won't intervene."
"Wait." Lawson placed her hand on Fiona's laptop. "Publishing now alerts Hutchinson that we've uncovered his involvement. We lose tactical advantage."
"My editor expects copy tomorrow by noon." Fiona checked her phone.
"Give me time." Lawson maintained eye contact. "Time to verify Ray Hutchinson's case involvement. To strengthen the connection before exposing it."
Fiona hesitated. "Deadline journalism waits for no one."
"This isn't about journalism anymore." Lawson kept her voice level. "Monica died investigating corruption. Her files contained evidence that someone inside the departmentprotected criminal interests. If Ray Hutchinson connects to those same cases?—"
"You think he killed her." Fiona's expression sharpened. "That his brother is now using Blackwell to control the narrative around her death."
"I think a twenty-four-hour delay won't destroy your story but might help build mine."
The room fell silent except for the ticking wall clock. Claire watched the exchange without intervention. Fiona weighed professional opportunity against Lawson's request.
"Twenty-four hours." Fiona finally nodded. "Not one minute more."
Lawson released her hold on the laptop. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet." Fiona packed her bag. "This information becomes public tomorrow regardless of what you discover. The Hutchinson connection deserves exposure even if Ray's involvement remains unproven."
"Understood."
Fiona gathered her notes in a single, neat motion and was gone, the door sealing shut as neatly as she’d left the conversation.
"She'll wait exactly twenty-four hours." Claire gathered the remaining documents. "No journalistic courtesy beyond that."
"I need department access." Lawson checked her phone again. No response from Parks. "Ray Hutchinson's case history. Personnel file. Anything connecting him to Monica beyond his recorded statement."
"That requires a warrant or internal investigation." Claire organized file folders into her briefcase. "Neither of which you can initiate without evidence."
"Then I need to find evidence."
Claire studied her for a long moment. "What aren't you telling me?"
