Page 38 of Say Nothing
The phone rang, and Victoria picked it up.
"Hello?"
"Victoria, it’s Landon," the man said.
"Good morning, Landon.How are you?"Victoria asked.
Landon was a good friend of hers, and they’d studied together in the initial year of their degree before going separate ways, academically, but not in their personal relationship.They’d always remained friends, and Dr.Landon Briggs worked for the state, advising on prison reform.It was a hot topic, not because of recent events, but because it had always been a hot topic.The prison system had been reformed again and again as society changed.It would continue to be reformed for as long as a prison system was needed.
"I’m well, Victoria.I’ve been meaning to call you.I’m hosting a town hall of sorts that will be broadcast online, and I would love for you to be one of the panelists."
"I will certainly give it some thought, and if my schedule allows it, I’d be glad to help you out."Victoria drummed her fingers on the desk."I have a feeling that that’s not why you called me this morning, Landon?"
"Have you seen the news this morning?"
"Of course," Victoria replied.
"How is she doing?"Landon asked.
"You know Alison.Even if she couldn’t handle what’s going on, she wouldn’t show it.She’s tougher than both of us combined, and that’s saying something."
"Yes, it is," Landon agreed.
"I appreciate you calling to ask after Alison, but I suspect that's still not the reason you called me.We’ve nothing but honesty with each other, Landon.What’s on your mind?"
"I’ve been talking to people, Victoria.The special agent spoke about keeping sensitive information under wraps, but a lot of it is being whispered around here."
"And what are those whispers?"Victoria asked.
"There is a rumor going around that victim advocates are being targeted.What has Alison said about it?I mean, are we all in danger?"
"Alison wouldn’t allow that," Victoria assured him."If you and I were in danger, she would have told me.As she hasn’t, you have nothing to worry about."
"I have a lot to worry about," Landon corrected."Three women are dead, and all three testified against violent criminals.You must see how this looks.How many women will abstain from testifying when that gets out?How many already scared women will become too terrified to step into the courtroom because it might be the last thing they do?What sort of reforms am I supposed to come up with to combat that?And how many more criminals will go free?"
"Landon, your tone sounds as if you’re blaming Alison for this.Is that what you are saying to me?"
"Come on, we’re not in court," Landon countered."I’m merely stating the facts.We both know it’s the truth.Now, if she’s involved in the case, then I have full confidence the killer will be brought to justice.Eventually.In the meantime, I would appreciate knowing what the heck is going on.How do we get ahead of this?"
"We get ahead of this by not making any rash decisions," Victoria told him."I don't have any information for you, Landon, but if I discover anything that you should know, I’ll call you immediately."
"I would appreciate that, Victoria.We all know Alison’s track record, and she’s put hundreds indirectly and directly behind bars, but you’re only as good as your last case.If this killing spree gets out of hand, that’s all they’ll remember her for."
Victoria rolled her eyes at the use of the termkilling spree.
"As soon as I know anything, you’ll know it," Victoria confirmed.
"Thank you again, my dear.I’ll have my assistant forward your assistant the details of the town hall."
"All right."Goodbye, Landon."
"Goodbye, Victoria."
Victoria looked down at the phone once the call was ended.It was the first call about the case, but it wouldn’t be the last.They all know Alison worked for her, and that would mean many more calls.They already had journalists at the door, and thankfully, there was an entranceway between the main entrance and the offices, allowing a buffer between the two.The journalists were stuck outside, only able to accost those coming in and out.
Alison had arrived early when there was only one journalist outside.Apparently, the one who’d visited her at her home in the early hours of the morning.
Victoria got up from her desk and left her office.She walked the short distance down the carpeted hallway to Alison’s office, where she found her with files spread out across her desk and her laptop sitting next to her PC monitor.
