Page 45 of Dead Air
"Blackwell loses her star interview subject."
"But gains a dramatic conclusion." Parks checked the hallway before continuing. "Nothing sells podcasts like unexpected death."
The elevator doors opened. The morgue attendants wheeled Hutchinson's sheet-covered body toward them. Lawson and Parks pressed against the wall to allow passage. The gurney wheels squeaked against the flooring. The officer held the elevator door as they loaded Hutchinson's final journey.
"Tech room downstairs has the security footage." Parks gestured toward the stairwell. "Worth reviewing before department politics intervene."
The basement tech room occupied former storage space. A young officer with thick glasses monitored multiple screens displaying security camera feeds. Two additional monitors showed footage from the previous night.
"Time index 23:40 through 01:15." Parks directed the technician. "External entrances and third floor corridors."
The screens displayed multiple angles. The lobby camera showed minimal activity after eleven. Delivery person. Late-night dog walker. Resident returning from evening shift work. The elevator camera captured similar routine movements.
"There." Lawson pointed at 00:17 timestamp. "Hoodie. Baseball cap. Face obscured."
The figure entered through a side door accessible only with a resident key fob. Medium height. Athletic build beneath loose clothing. Deliberate movements toward the elevator suggested familiarity with the building layout.
"Camera three shows them exiting on the third floor." The technician switched views. "Walking directly to Hutchinson's apartment."
The hallway camera captured the hooded figure knocking on Unit 307. Hutchinson answered, wearing the same T-shirt found on his body. No audio accompanied the footage, but body language suggested recognition. Hutchinson stepped back, allowing the visitor entry.
"Time stamp 00:21." Parks noted the information. "Next hallway activity?"
The technician fast-forwarded. "01:03. Same individual exits apartment. Note the different gait."
The hooded figure emerged from Hutchinson's unit. Head down. Shoulders hunched. The walking pattern changed from confident stride to cautious movement. Right hand remained inside the hoodie pocket. Left hand pulled the door closed.
"Forty-two minutes inside." Parks studied the retreating figure. "Enough time for confrontation, sedation, staging."
"Familiar." Lawson narrowed her eyes at the screen. "Something about that walk."
The footage continued. The elevator camera showed the hooded figure descending to the lobby. The lobby cameracaptured their exit through the same side door used for entry. No clear facial image appeared in any frame.
"Access requires a resident key fob." Parks turned to the technician. "Pull usage logs for that entrance between midnight and one AM."
The technician typed commands into his terminal. "System shows access at 00:14 and 01:05. Fob registered to Unit 307. Ray Hutchinson."
"They used his own key." Lawson processed the implication. "Had access to his fob before arriving."
"Seems like someone familiar with building security. Someone Hutchinson recognized and admitted into his apartment at midnight."
The elevator doors opened behind them. Chief Wallace entered with two suited men Lawson recognized from the district attorney's office. Their expressions suggested administrative intervention rather than investigative support.
"Lieutenant Parks." The Chief nodded curtly. "The DA's office assumes jurisdiction over Detective Hutchinson's death investigation. You'll transfer all materials to their team immediately."
Parks maintained a neutral expression. "Standard protocol places Internal Affairs as lead when officer deaths involve potential misconduct."
"Protocol adjusted given the circumstances." Chief Wallace's tone left no room for discussion. "The confession note provides clear resolution to the Landry case. Public interest requires expedited processing."
The suits flanked the tech officer, already collecting data drives. The Chief turned toward Lawson with barely concealed irritation.
"Detective Lawson. Your presence at this scene isn't necessary."
Lawson caught Parks' subtle head shake. Not the moment for confrontation. She nodded professionally. "Sir."
Outside, morning sunlight struck the parking lot with blinding intensity. News vans had arrived, reporters setting up for live segments. Lawson kept her head down, avoiding cameras as she reached her car.
Her phone chimed with a notification. Blackwell had posted on social media:In light of Detective Hutchinson's tragic death, Episode 5 release postponed 24 hours. The investigation continues.
