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“No. The chief is closer to you than downtown. For that matter, at this point, so am I. I’ll contact him. Expect us within thirty minutes.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Has your team been informed of this development?”
“No, sir. Just the expert consultant who was working with me when this new development surfaced.”
“Keep it that way for now. Out.”
Even as the screen blanked, there was a quick knock on her door. Nadine burst in.
“Damn it, Nadine, when I close a door it’s because I want it closed. I don’t have time for the media. Go away.”
“Don’t be so hasty.” She closed the door at her back, then crossing the room at a clip, tossed a disc to Eve. “I went to a lot of trouble to get that to you and I don’t want anyone to know you got it from me.”
“Why, and what is it?”
r /> “Why, because it could be perceived as taking media/police relations one step too far. I’ve a strong feeling the bosses at 75 would think so. What it is, is a copy of the home vid 75 bought after what I’m told was a rapid and lively negotiation from a tourist. A tourist who was taking a spin on an airtram when Nick Greene ran out on his balcony. They’re going to air at nine, sharp. I wanted to give you a heads up.”
“Channel 75 is going to air a guy killing himself?”
“I’m not saying I approve. I’m not saying I disapprove. This hits at nine, it’s going to be big. What I will say, for your ears only, is I disapprove of going public with it without informing the police first. The vid doesn’t change the outcome, the investigation, but I don’t like the way it might stir up more support for Purity. So I’m giving you time to structure a response.”
“Have you looked at this?” Eve held up the disc.
“I ran it on my way over. It’s grim, it’s ugly. And it makes Greene look like a monster. It’s going to be easy to look at it and think: Thank God he’s dead.”
“Give me the name of the tourist.”
“I can’t do it.” She pushed impatiently at her mane of hair. “Dallas, even if I knew, I couldn’t do it. A source is a source.”
“Is this your story?”
“No.”
“Then he’s not your source.”
Nadine shook her head. “I’ll only go so far over, same as you. If you’re thinking this guy was a plant, I don’t see how he could’ve been. But I’ll look into it. I will promise if I smell a setup, I’ll spill.”
Satisfied, Eve nodded. “Tell me one thing. How much they shell out for this?”
“Dallas—”
“Off the record, Nadine. For both of us. I’m just curious.”
“One cool mil for twenty seconds of feed.”
“I guess he really hit the jackpot. I know you didn’t have to do this. I won’t forget it.”
“So, you owe me one.”
“I don’t like to owe. Something’s going to bust,” she said after a moment. “Likely within the next day or two. Don’t bother to ask any questions, I won’t answer. When it goes down and I’m cleared to talk about it, I’ll give you an exclusive.”
“Within an hour after it goes down.”
“I can’t promise that. At the first possible opportunity.”
“Good enough. I’ve got to go. And I was never here.”
