Chapter 41
Thursday, 3:15 p.m.
LISA KRUNK HAD already convicted Rocky Shaft. As well as being, in her humble opinion, the best reporter this town had ever seen, she considered herself a first class investigative journalist, yet to be nationally recognized, but unsurpassed in her chosen field.
She had everything it took—expertise, tireless perseverance, and a dogged determination. And with Don at her side, ready to capture tell-tale video and sound bites, she was always raring to go.
Recently, she had cracked a lot of cases wide open, and was confused she hadn’t received the recognition she so richly deserved. Unfortunately, others always stepped in at the last moment to claim the accolades belonging to her.
But this time, things would be different, and she resolved to get to the heart of the killings she knew Rocky Shaft was responsible for.
Her sources had confirmed Shaft was released from the hospital and returned home to nurse his wounds. One way or another, she had to speak to him.
Lisa leaned forward in the passenger seat of the Channel 7 Action News van as she directed Don on the route to the Shaft residence.
She pointed. “Pull over there.”
The van pulled to the curb, Lisa observed the house a moment, and then jumped from the van. Don got out, slid open the back door, and removed his camera.
She passed the red Ford pickup parked in the driveway and trod the brick pathway to the front door. Don dutifully followed, always ready to shoot at her pleasure.
She rang the doorbell and waited. There was no answer, so she persisted, ringing again and again.
“Go away. I don’t want to talk to you.” It was a muffled voice Lisa recognized as Rocky Shaft’s.
Lisa rapped on the door and raised her voice. “I want to tell your side of the story,” she lied.
There were a few moments of breathless silence as Lisa’s heart beat in anticipation. Then she donned her best smile as the security chain rattled.
“Get ready, Don,” she said through her smile.
Don was poised and so was she. The door swung open a few inches, revealed a frowning face, and Lisa was ready. “Mr. Shaft, I’m sorry you were attacked. It was a senseless and cowardly thing to do, and I was deeply disturbed to hear about it.”
The frown on Shaft’s face lessened at her words. He held a hand over his side and bowed slightly forward as if to lessen the discomfort. Lisa could see the bulky bandage under his thin shirt.
“May I talk with you for a few moments?” Lisa asked, her fake smile spread wide.
Another hesitation, then the door opened all the way and Shaft stepped onto the front porch. He turned to face Lisa. “I’ll give you a few minutes.”
The camera was recording, the mike was on, and Lisa spoke. “I hope you’re not in a lot of pain, Mr. Shaft?”
“It’s not so bad, but I find it hard to move around much.”
“Did you know your attacker?”
“He said he was Michael Norton’s cousin.”
“Is he blaming you for Norton’s murder?” Lisa asked.
Shaft glared at Lisa, an accusing look on his face. “He saw your newscast.”
“I’m sorry he misconstrued my story. I assure you, I didn’t intend this to happen.”
A brief look of doubt crossed Shaft’s face, then, “My brother and one of his acquaintances was murdered. You should be looking elsewhere for the killer.”
Lisa wanted to be careful, not yet ready to make her accusations. She cocked her head, tried to look puzzled, and said, “There’s a lot of evidence pointing toward you, Mr. Shaft. How do you respond to that?”
Shaft frowned again, a hint of anger. “What evidence?”
“There’s probably nothing to it,” Lisa said soothingly. “But your threat to kill Michael Norton might be seen by some as evidence of your involvement.”
“I was angry,” Shaft said. “He killed my brother.”
“You have a record of assault. How do you answer that?”
Shaft sighed. “That was a long time ago and had nothing to do with my brother’s murder.”
“I’m sure you’re right,” Lisa said, smiling again.
“Of course I’m right.”
It was time to ramp it up. Time for the big question. “Mr. Shaft, my sources have reported a rumor of a robbery you were involved in with your brother and Michael Norton. Can you confirm that story?”
Shaft’s body stiffened at the question. “As far as I know, no such robbery took place.” His face reddened. “My brother was an honorable man and I resent any accusations he was involved in anything criminal.”
“He was in prison.”
Shaft leaned in. “A long time ago.”
Lisa tilted her head. “Do people change, Mr. Shaft?”
He leaned in closer, his nostrils flared, and he raised a fist. “People can change. People do change, and I resent your accusations.”
Lisa moved back half a step. Don moved to one side and trained the camera on Rocky Shaft.
She spoke again, the smile long gone, replaced by a look of disdain. “Did you shoot your brother, frame Michael Norton, and then kill him as well?”
Shaft’s eyes bulged, his face turned crimson, and his raised fist came over and knocked the microphone from Lisa’s hand. It landed on the brick sidewalk with a clunk and rolled to the driveway.
Lisa stepped back against the brick wall of the house. Don leaped onto the front lawn, careful to keep the camera trained on the action.
Shaft moved in closer, his face inches from hers. From ten feet away, the microphone picked up his raised voice. “I want you off my property. Now.”
Lisa didn’t budge. She pushed her nose into the air and glared into his eyes. “Stand back, Mr. Shaft.”
The pain in Shaft’s ribs seemed to be forgotten and he reached up and wrapped both hands around her throat. He squeezed, not too tight, but Lisa found it hard to breathe.
“Get your hands off me,” she managed to say.
He dropped his hands from her neck and grabbed her by the upper arm. “Get out of here,” he said, pointing toward the street with his other hand.
She continued to glare, unmoving.
He tugged at her arm, swung her away from the wall, and pushed her sideways with both hands. She lost her balance, tottered a moment, then tumbled off the edge of the porch and landed in a heap on the grass at Don’s feet.
The cameraman stepped back and kept the camera trained on Shaft as the angry man leaped off the porch and approached him. Don took another step back, then another, moving steadily toward the street while the red light glowed.
Shaft stopped and stood still, his fists clenched at his side.
Lisa scrambled to her feet and moved safely out of the way as Shaft strode back to the house, stepped inside, and slammed the door behind him.
She knew there was a constant threat of danger in being an investigative journalist, especially a world-class one like herself, and she wasn’t averse to receiving the occasional bruise for the sake of the story.
She was relatively unhurt, feeling triumphant as she walked to the van. Things went much better than she could ever have hoped for.
Don shut down the camera, tucked it safely into the back of the vehicle, and helped Lisa climb into the front seat.
He went around to the driver side, hopped in, started the vehicle, and pulled away from the curb as Lisa picked up her cell phone and called the police.
She had to report an assault.
Chapter 42
Thursday, 3:56 p.m.
HANK WAS TAKING a breather in the break room, trying in vain to enjoy a cup of some of the worst coffee ever made, when King poked his head through the doorway.