“It has to be someone physically close to Irving, someone he trusts or someone who can hear what he says over the phone or who sees what’s on his desk. Cate is new and inexperienced. She used the pronoun ‘she,’ so it might be awoman.”
Experienced reporters didn’t give away the gender of confidentialsources.
“I appreciate the tip. I’m going to run this by Old Man Irving rightnow.”
“You can’t be overheard. I could lose myjob.”
“I’ll whisper directly into his hairy ear. Does thatwork?”
It might keep Joaquin’s ass out of the fire, but it didn’t assuage his guilt. He had betrayed a colleague. He had betrayed the paper. “Thanks. I appreciateit.”
“No, thankyou. We all made Mia a promise. Besides, we can’t function as a police department if our staff is leaking shit to thepapers.”
Joaquin ended the call, walked back to his truck, and started washingwindows.
He’d done the right thing. Mia had only talked to the cops because she trusted him. If a leak tohispaper landed her in prison, he would never forgivehimself.
Anna walked outside again, a smile on her face. “There is nothing that improves a person’s disposition quite like an empty bladder and a full cup ofcoffee.”
“I hearthat.”
They talked about Anna’s story on the way back to Denver and the paper, Joaquin listening, offering advice when sheasked.
“Hey, try not to worry. You’ve got this.” Joaquin meant it. Anna had good news instincts and lots of solid reportingexperience.
By the time they arrived, she had worked out her lede and her nutgraph.
“Thanks,Joaquin.”
“Denada.”
Cate wasn’t there when they arrived. It was just after noon, so she had probably left to meet with hersource.
Had Darcangelo and Irving found the leak intime?
Ah,shit.
Joaquin tried to focus on editing photos and writing cutlines, his mind bouncing back and forth between wondering whether he’d reached Darcangelo in time and thinking about Mia. Had she gotten her concealed carry permit? Had she gone back to work? Would she sleep at his place or stay at her own hometonight?
He was in the middle of going over his images with Syd when Cate stepped out of the elevator and walked to herdesk.
The expression on her face told him everything he needed toknow.
“My source didn’t show.” She dropped her handbag on her desk. “I’ve called, but she isn’t answering herphone.”
Joaquin went on talking with Syd as if he hadn’t heard this, while Alex and Matt coached Cate on ways to handle thatsituation.
“Maybe something held her up,” Matt said. “Maybe she got cold feet. That happens. Try callinglater.”
“You might have to do some hand-holding, reassure her you won’t give her identity away,” Alexsuggested.
Joaquin walked back to his desk, gaze on hisnotepad.
“How did it go in Brighton?” Matt askedhim.
“I got some good shots.” Joaquin gestured toward Anna. “She did a great interview with a woman whose apartment was basically trashed. It’s her first day on the I-Team, and she’s on the frontpage.”
“Way to go, Hughes,” Alexsaid.