Free The Runaway Reporter (A Police Procedural Mystery Series of Crime and Suspense, Hyder Ali #3) by Thomas Fincham Page A

statements,” he said.  “I couldn’t get them to confirm or deny the names the landlord gave us.”
    “Oh well,” Hyder said.  “It was worth a try.”
    “But…” Felix paused.
    “What?”
    “While you were gone, there was a call on your desk phone. I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to answer it, but it kept ringing, so I picked it up.”
    “Who was it?”
    “The caller didn’t leave a name, but he was male, and his voice was deep and heavy.  I had a feeling he was trying to conceal his identity.”
    “What did he say?”
    Felix pulled out his notepad. “I’ll read you his exact words: ‘ The victims at Riverfield Street were all involved in a drug study by Devon Pharma .’ ”
    “He didn’t say any more?”
    “Nope. He hung up.”
    Hyder checked and found the number had been blocked.
    Over the years, he had received many anonymous tips. Some turned out to be true, while others were nothing more than a hoax.
    Hyder had a feeling this might be in the former.
    “What should we do?” Felix asked.
    “Nothing yet. I need to confirm it first.” Hyder pulled out his cell phone and speed dialed a number.
     
    TWENTY-FIVE
     
    Nolan sat in a booth at the far end of the bar.  He avoided making eye contact with Damian.
    Damian wasn’t sure why Nolan kept coming back when he was trying to stay sober. If it weren’t for Boris, Damian would have thrown him out by now.
    Boris, meanwhile, gave Nolan the space he needed to work through his problems on his own.
    To his relief, Nolan saw someone enter the bar and come straight to him.
    “How are you, Hyder?” Nolan said.
    Hyder sat down across from him.
    “I’m doing well, Tom.  How about you?”
    Nolan shrugged. “I’m surviving.”
    After the Monkey Murders, Hyder and Nolan had decided to meet as often as possible.  Damian’s bar had become the go-to place because it provided them the privacy they needed.
    “How’s the fasting going?” Nolan asked.
    “It’s going,” Hyder replied.  “The heat and humidity isn’t making it any easier, though.”
    “I don’t know how you do it,” Nolan said.  “I’m barely surviving not drinking.”
    “We could have met somewhere else, you know.”
    Nolan leaned closer. “Let me ask you this. You are constantly surrounded by food and drink, but does that make you break your fast?”
    Hyder shook his head.  “The temptation is there, but I won’t give into it.”
    “Exactly,” Nolan exclaimed.  “I like to think I’m stronger than the alcohol.”
    Hyder didn’t look convinced.  “How is Marina?” He asked.  Hyder owed his life to Lopez, and when he had found out Nolan and Lopez were seeing each other, he was more than happy to give his approval.
    “She’s fine.  She always asks how you are doing,” Nolan replied. “How is your mom?”
    “She wants me to invite you and Marina over for dinner one day.”
    “We would love to come.  You know how much I love your mom’s cooking.”
    “Maybe after Ramadan we could set up a date.”
    “Sounds good. Now, what’s going on, Hyder?”
    “It’s about the murders on Riverfield Street.  We know the names of the victims.”
    “We?” Nolan asked.
    “Someone is helping me out.”
    “Is it Echo Rose?”
    Hyder laughed.  “No, I wish.  I haven’t had contact with her since the Monkey Murders.  We’ve actually got a new intern at the Daily Times .  I’m teaching him the ropes.”

Nolan nodded.  “And you want to print the names?”
    “Yes, but one of them is your captain’s son, isn’t it?”
    Nolan looked away. He hoped Hyder didn’t know that Rudy Jr. was also a suspect.  He didn’t want to be put in a position to confirm or deny it.  “Hyder, the department is being pretty tight lipped about it, but I won’t stop you from doing your job.”
    “Thanks,” Hyder replied.  “Also, what about the fact that all three victims were part of a drug study by Devon Pharma?”
    “How did you know about that?” Nolan asked,