Every Second

35

Manhattan, New York

Dan, Lori and Billy Fulton stared from enlarged photos posted to the tripod beside the podium with the FBI seal.

On the opposite side of the podium stood another tripod bearing an enlarged head-and-shoulder shot of Jerricko Titus Blaine and a picture of a Ford Taurus identical to the color and year of Dan Fulton’s car.

Kate Page estimated some seventy newspeople had gathered for the FBI’s press conference at Federal Plaza. Intense light washed over the room’s front as news crews adjusted lenses and microphones. Reporters tested recorders, texted, scribbled notes, gossiped or made last-minute calls while FBI, NYPD and other officials took their places, lining up abreast behind the podium.

Standing at the back, Kate tapped her notebook gently against her leg, searching the line of investigators until she found Varner and Tilden. She needed to talk with them privately later about what she’d discovered.

Prior to the press conference she’d contacted one of the legal research agencies Newslead used. After conducting an urgent documents search, they’d obtained records showing Wallace was Lori Fulton’s maiden name. Her marriage license showed that she’d kept it after marrying Dan. Later, around the time they’d moved from California to New York, she’d changed her name to Lori Fulton.

In the cab to Federal Plaza, Kate had devoured several more archived articles on the shooting from the Los Angeles Times and Orange County Register. No other news organization had reported that Lori Fulton had shot and killed Malcolm Jordan Samadyh.

That was all Kate had, and, so far, it appeared that no one else had this information. Her competitors’ news reports never went beyond portraying Lori as an insurance fraud investigator with Dixon Donlevy. The shooting was Kate’s lead and it could be a significant exclusive.

Kate was doing all she could to keep her friend Ben Keller at the LA Times from jumping on the California angle to the New York robbery. She continued promising she would share information once she’d unearthed more about whether Lori’s past was tied to the robbery.

“Let’s get started,” FBI special agent Leo Hurwitz said from the podium.

After introducing the sober-faced men and women in suits and uniforms who were flanking him, Hurwitz gave a summary of the case, which echoed the handout every journalist had received upon arrival. Then he moved on to their latest findings.

“Security video from the branch shows Dan Fulton in the bank’s vault removing the cash and departing the parking lot in his blue 2015 Ford Taurus SEL, which has not yet been recovered,” Hurwitz said as the FBI then showed about twenty seconds of footage on the large monitors at the front of the room.

“Our investigation has identified Jerricko Titus Blaine as a person of interest.”

Kate wrote down the name in her notebook. Another piece of the puzzle, she thought as the agent continued.

“We’re currently attempting to locate Mr. Blaine. We’re appealing to the public, to anyone with any information about this crime, to contact us right away. We’ll take a few questions now,” Hurwitz said, opening the floodgates.

“If there’re bombs involved, have you ruled out a link to terrorists?” a reporter shouted over the cacophony of voices.

“Nothing’s been ruled out.”

“What about reports that the robbery’s connected to someone with mob ties-is this true?”

“While not all reporting on the case has been accurate thus far, nothing can be ruled out at this time.”

“Have you dismissed the possibility that Fulton himself is involved, that this is an inside job?”

“We are prepared to say that that scenario is also being investigated.”

“What can you tell us about Jerricko Blaine?”

“His last known address is in Dallas, Texas.”

“Why are you interested in him? Is he a suspect?”

“We’re not prepared to go into that sort of detail.”

“Does he know the family?”

“Again, we’re not going into that kind of information.”

“Is anyone else involved?”

“All part of the investigation.”

For the next twenty minutes the press was unrelenting with questions.

Kate watched Varner and Tilden, who remained poker-faced, betraying no reaction to the questions or responses. When many of the questions became repetitive, Hurwitz moved to conclude matters, stating, “Before we wrap this up, we want to stress that this case only became known to law enforcement earlier today. The investigation is ongoing on several fronts. More information will be released when we have it. Again we’re asking for anyone with any information about this crime to contact us. Thank you all for coming.”

Kate was relieved that no one else had raised questions about Lori Fulton’s time as an ex-cop in California. She texted Varner.

Need to speak with you now. Have information on the case.

Kate saw Varner reach for his phone, read her message, lift his head and nod to a corner. She worked her way through the departing press and police pack toward an alcove where Varner and Tilden waited.

“What is it?” Varner kept his voice low.

“There’s more to this case than you guys are telling us.”

“Is that so?” Tilden said. “Why don’t you enlighten us?”

“I know Lori Fulton used to be a cop in California with Santa Ana PD and that she killed the perp who killed her partner. Why did none of that come up here?”

Varner and Tilden shared a look but said nothing.

“How did you come about this information?” Varner asked.

“Journalistic investigation. Some of us still do that sort of thing rather than just swallow what you guys shovel out.”

“So why are you telling us your theories?” Tilden said.

“These aren’t theories. They’re cold, hard facts, Detective Tilden, and I’m going to report them. Now, here’s my theory-I think there’s way more to this case than you’re releasing. I think this could be about somebody settling an old score.”

The muscles in Varner’s jaw were pulsating.

“Let’s cut the bull, Page. I’ve told you before, this case is complicated. Lives are at stake, and revealing those details at this stage could jeopardize the safety of innocent victims.” Varner nodded to the faces of the Fulton family on the tripod. “You want to risk their lives for your story.”

Kate glanced toward the photos.

“Are you asking me not to publish what I’ve learned?”

“I’m asking you to use your head and not rush into anything.”

“Let me be clear. I would never, ever, want my reporting to be the cause of people getting hurt, but at the same time I’m not going to suppress valid news that I’ve obtained. Sooner or later, someone else will discover Lori’s past life and report it. You both know that’s the way it works.”

“Look, what do you want, Page?” Tilden asked.

“A deal.”

“A deal? We look like we’re selling cars?”

“I’ll hold off reporting on Lori Fulton’s past, and you give me exclusivity to any breaks on the investigation. It’s win-win. I get the story, but I only publish it when you give me the green light.”

Tilden looked at Varner, who glared at Kate, letting a long, tense moment pass before blinking.

“All right, I’ll consider it.”

“You’ll consider it?”

“No guarantees. That’s the best you’re going to get right now, Kate. Take it or leave it.”

“I’ll take it.”

“And, Kate? Don’t ever pull this again.”