of CRTC censure hanging over his head, he was having difficulty making it. It was Jake who convinced him.
“Let me talk to him,” he motioned to Grant, as Lessing continued vacillating on the phone. Shrugging his shoulders, Grant handed the phone to Jake, who pulled the car over to the side of the road and stopped. “Out” he ordered. “I need to talk to this guy alone.” Puzzled but too tired to argue, Grant stood at the side of the road watching as Jake spoke animatedly for a few moments in low voice. It didn’t take him long. Flipping the passenger door open, he gave Grant the thumbs up and a big smile.
“Bingo. Let’s go.”
As they sped south towards Ottawa Jake claimed all he’d done was assure Lessing the Ottawa police would back him in his decision to play the tape. The truth was, he’d provided Lessing with a brief but very graphic description of what was likely to happen to Lee if the tape wasn’t played. His recapitulation of a gang rape and murder he’d investigated only a month ago had Lessing very close to nausea.
Jake was concerned that some of Boisvert’s men might be watching the radio station, but circling the building twice they noticed nothing unusual. David Parsons, alerted by Lessing, met them at the door. The general manager was having some difficulty reconciling his obligation to express grave concern over the fate of Grant’s daughter while being absolutely ecstatic at the prospect of having something like this land in his lap only a week prior to the fall ratings.
At three minutes to eight, Jake called the newly installed private number at the “chateau” and briefly explained to an incredulous but relieved Carol what had happened.
“All hell is likely to break loose,” Jake told her. “The press will invade the place up there as soon as this is broadcast, and Boisvert and his boys may go a little snaky. We’re not going back up to the “chateau” tonight. Grant says to meet us at the motel where you and he used to spend your birthdays. Leave as quickly as possible. If anyone follows and you can’t shake them, go to your mother’s house instead, and we’ll get in touch with you in the morning. And Carol...”
“Yes?”
“Lee is going to be all right. We’re going to find her.”
“Oh Jake,” she whispered in a small, tearful voice, “I’m so afraid.”
8:00 PM • DAY ONE
Precisely at eight pm, the duty announcer punched his mic on and began reading the words Grant had written:
“Ladies and Gentlemen, it is with great regret and concern that the Beale Radio Evening Network announces the temporary suspension of the Grant Henry Show. In its place we will play a recording received by Mr. Henry late this afternoon. The reasons for the suspension of his show will become evident during the following broadcast.”
An engineer pushed a button and the Country was never the same again.
Exactly three minutes and twenty seven seconds later when it ended and they began to roll music, the switchboards of seventeen radio stations from one Canadian coast to another began to flash frantically. So did the one in the office of the prime minister of Canada!
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