The story ran top of the fold the next morning.
The headline stretched across the entire top of the paper: “Police Investigate Mentally Ill Man in Jackie Chandler Killing. Investigators are calling him a ‘person of interest.’”
And then below: “Man Jumped Off Washington Ave Bridge Days After Murder.”
Face still flushed from her morning run, Tommy stood at her kitchen counter reading the paper. She felt a surge of excitement seeing her scoop splayed across the front page. Now, let the big bosses try to get rid of her. She’d shown that not only was she a photographer, but she could report the hell out of a story, too.
Parker had given her an attribution line at the end of the article, saying Tommy St. James contributed to this story. Reporters never ever gave photogs props for anything. She was surprised. He was probably just trying to make up for being such a jerk the day before.
The person who counted, Martin Sandoval, knew it was her scoop. That was all she cared about. He could tell the big bosses himself.
But as she walked through the newsroom that morning, it seemed like everyone else had read that little tag line on the bottom of the story: “Tommy St. James contributed to this story.” They were including her in the scoop. Reporters stuck out their hands to give her high fives.
“Nice scoop by you and Parker.”
“Just watch the St. Paul paper try to get this one nailed down!” The managing editor said slapping his fist down on a desk.
“Be careful or a photog is going to steal one of our jobs,” a veteran reporter said loudly with a twinkle in his eye. “Good reporting, St. James!”
Even the editor and publisher sent her emails praising her for her investigative work.
“This is the kind of teamwork, with a photographer and reporter working together, this paper needs to see more of. Great job. Keep up the good work.”
The managing editor nominated Parker and Tommy each for employee of the month awards.
Life was good, Tommy thought. All this glory from one well-placed source in the police department. Tommy gave a sigh of relief. She was sure this meant she would keep her job.