Before I get into the long explanation of why it will be another day or two before I get my hands on the *Frank Cotton video, let me tell you about a conversation I had this afternoon with Sun Journal reporter Mark LaFlamme.
When reporters from different agencies get to talking, you have to allow for at least ten minutes of gossip before you get down to business. Now, LaFlamme is a notorious late sleeper so I had to wait until after noon before I got him on the line. For 15 minutes, I largely listened as he shared with me all the scoops on fellow reporters, cops and criminals he had gleaned since we last spoke. There is a reason LaFlamme was named Journalist of the Year a few years go. Eyes and ears everywhere.
Then it was down to business and I got right to it. Is it true that “Dirt: An American Campaign” is more than loosely based on the family of Frank Cotton? And more specifically, that it chronicles a disturbing incident involving the body of Bethany Cotton?
Here, the rapid fire chatter ceased. I don’t think LaFlamme was hesitant to talk about it. Hell, I think he wanted to tell me the whole story right there as he paced in his basement, or wherever the hell he hangs out during daylight.
But he’s also a reporter who realizes that a confession uttered in excitement to another reporter is not safe at all. He told me he needs to check with his publisher before talking about it and I guess I understand that. But it just kills me that had LaFlamme sucked down one more cup of coffee or Bloody Mary before I called, he might have spilled the whole tale before he could contain it.
One more thing about the conversation. Before it ended, I asked a final question. Do you know where the body of Bethany Cotton is today, Mr. LaFlamme?
He paused. He cleared his throat. His voice got really low. “Read the book,” he said.
Sort of hints at a direct correlation, doesn’t it?
Maybe in a couple days, I will have more from LaFlamme about the controversy over “Dirt: An American Campaign,” on or off the record. A couple days. The same period in which I expect to have the cemetery video promised just yesterday.
*The short explanation? I am stupid. I have no idea how to convert an flv from a ten year old phone into an mp3 today’s software demands. I’ve got my best person (an ex-girlfriend from IT) on it.
