this was his desk. I guess he’s in the men’s room.”
“Perhaps I can help you?” Hickam asked.
“Maybe, but I was directed to speak with Mr. Ray. I have a news tip that he might want to follow up.”
Jake could see the immediate interest in Hickam’s eyes. “Henry’s a good reporter. He’s the new guy in the office. He’s really intense and great on follow-up. Normally I’d say any tip you give him would certainly be pursued, but this is Henry’s last full day as a normal staff reporter. He’s leaving tomorrow for an extended period. He wanted to try freelancing, and has a personal project he wishes to pursue. I think I might be in a better position to help you.”
“Help him with what?” a voice asked from behind them.
Hickam looked up and smiled. “Hi, Henry. This guy says he has a tip on a story, but insists on speaking with you. I was telling him you are leaving soon, and perhaps he should just tell me.”
“I’ll talk to him,” Ray said. “I’ve got nothing else going at the moment. If it’s anything I can’t close off by tomorrow, I’ll pass it along.”
Hickam shrugged and smiled at Jake, then turned and walked away. Henry Ray smiled at Jake and slid into his chair. “I’m Henry Ray. Fred’s a typical reporter. He’d go after any story, even if it required beating out his own mother. I guess he feels justified. I’ll be leaving in the morning, so he is partially correct that I might not be able to follow up on whatever leads you have. Why don’t you tell me what you have?”
“I’m Sam Williams,” Jake said, watching Ray for any reaction. Jake had been watching the man closely through the entire exchange. Ray had looked him straight in the eye as if sizing him up, and had talked at him as if Jake were exactly who he had presented himself. Nothing indicated that Ray had ever seen Jake before or had any idea who he was. Even as Jake introduced himself with a meaningless name, the reporter had responded normally. Jake was certain it wasn’t an act. The reporter had no idea who he was.
The reporter pulled a yellow tablet out of one of the drawers and prepared to jot down notes. “Okay Mr. Williams, what do you have for me?”
Jake told the reporter that he’d learned one of the Mayor’s aides was going to be arrested later in the week on charges of accepting bribes from large businesses in the city. The arrest was likely to provoke a huge controversy as to whether the Mayor was in any way involved. The story was true, and would break in a rival newspaper, one of the major papers, later in the week.
“I see,” Ray said, his interest genuine. “How did you learn of this?”
“I’d rather not say,” Jake said, “but here are a couple of people close to the investigation you might want to check out.”
The reporter jotted down the names, then looked up at Jake and examined him carefully.
“Why are you bringing this to me?”
“Personal reasons,” Jake replied, being evasive to see how the man would react.
“This might be true,” he said finally. “There have been rumors about questionable dealings inside the Mayor’s office before, but in every case the Mayor has come out clean.” Then he peered closely at Jake. “Williams isn’t your real name, is it?”
This was it. It was time to see how Ray reacted. Jake was convinced he didn’t recognize him, but that didn’t mean the reporter didn’t know about him. Depending on how this worked out, he might have to cycle back and approach this differently.
“No, it’s not,” Jake said. “My real name is Jake Waters.”
The reporter looked at him for several long moments. No recognition showed in his eyes. Finally, he said, “Mr. Waters. I can’t tell whether that name is any more real than the first one. You look at me as if you think I should recognize it. I’m sorry to disappoint you. I’ve never heard of you. So what is this about? Is this story real, or is there something else on your mind?”
“The story is real. It’ll be in the Chronicle this Wednesday.”
The reporter nodded. “But that’s not why you are here?”
“No, it’s not,” Jake agreed. “Let me try another couple of names on you. I’m sometimes known as Stan Mathews. Other times as Bob Trask.”
Jake was surprised at the sudden recognition that showed in the reporter’s eyes. “You! You’re