Page 41 of Say Nothing
"This is the place," he said as they drew up beside a community hall in a mixed residential and commercial area.
The community hall was white on three sides and looked freshly painted.On the fourth side was a large, colorful mural depicting children playing in a playground, adults smiling and watching, as well as flowers, trees, and some small wildlife.The parking lot was mostly empty, with two cars parked out front.
Derek parked beside one of them, and he and Alison exited the vehicle and entered the community center.It was quiet inside, and it was obvious that the exterior had more recent care than the interior, which displayed chipping paint, faded carpets, and numerous blown light bulbs.
An open door led into a small office, and the man inside leaned sideways to view them as they entered."Good morning."
Derek approached and spoke quietly."We’re looking for Tomas Bennet."
"Just down the hall," the man said, pointing to the left.
Derek and Alison followed the directions to a second office twenty feet from the first.Derek looked into the office and knocked on the open door.
"Come on in," the man within said.
When Alison followed Derek in, the man looked at her with some recognition.She recognized him, but only from his mugshot and other photographs.
"Dr.Payne," Thomas said, a little surprised.He glanced at Derek."And I assume you’re a cop?I’ve been around enough to know one when I see one."
Derek took out his badge."Special Agent Derek Sullivan."
"An FBI agent and the doctor connected to a recent triple homicide," Thomas said."So, we’re talking about the case that’s gripping the nation this morning.Which of my clients do you believe is behind it, because I know each and every one personally, and you’re barking up the wrong tree."
"Do you mind if we sit?"Derek asked.
"Apologies for not suggesting it already," Thomas said with a smile."I wasn’t sure how long this chat was going to be.I have an appointment at ten, but we have plenty of time before then."
Thomas Bennet was a large man.He wore a short-sleeved polo shirt, and both forearms were covered with tattoos.He had a thick neck, a scar on his chin, a stubbly mustache, and dark brown eyes.His face looked shadowy, no matter the light cast on it.He wore a jet black jacket with the wordsReformNationwritten in bright pink thread on the left chest area.
Alison hadn’t been face to face with him before, watching video footage and reading reports on him as well as interviewing the people around him, so she couldn’t make a direct comparison, but she was able to see a man who was unlike the one imprisoned.Perhaps he had changed.He came across as charismatic rather than manipulative, and he was polite and authoritative instead of fearsome.
"What is it you do here?"Derek asked.
"I like that," Thomas said with a smile."Make some small talk, put me at ease, pretend we’re all friends having a chat.You already know what I do here, Special Agent Sullivan, but I’ll humor you.I help inmates both before and after they are released.We are a non-profit agency, and the goal is to have them integrate back into society after they are released."
"Just like you," Derek commented.
"Lead by example," Derek said with a smirk.
It was curious to watch and listen to a man who had been imprisoned eight times, twice for aggravated assault, and often showing no remorse for his crime.It caused Alison to wonder if she’d been wrong when she recommended against early release.If he’d gotten out sooner, would he have helped more people?
"Dr.Payne, I want you to know that I don't blame you," Thomas said."I can see it in your eyes.You’re wondering if you made a mistake all those years ago.At the time, I was sure you’d made a mistake, but I was a very angry man back then.I was a criminal.I like to think now that I’m an ex-criminal.If I were released, it might have been too soon, and I could have reoffended.I always talk to my clients about the importance of patience.It might be cheesy, but I compare it to broth.You have to simmer the ingredients for a long time.Some people need to remain in prison for a long time before they’re released to simmer out all the anger and resentment at the world."
"That’s all well and good," Derek said, "but we have three dead women, and they all link back to you."
"I’m sorry to hear that," Thomas said.
It was interesting to Alison that he didn't come out and deny that he was involved, like so many people did when confronted with that information.He had a confidence about him, but she couldn't tell yet if it was genuine or if he was hiding something.
"Do the names Margaret Donovan, Sarah Livingstone, and Patricia Montgomery mean anything to you?"Derek asked.
"Oh, my goodness, they do," Thomas replied."I have to assume they are the three deceased women, or you wouldn’t have brought them up.I don't know them personally, but I have counseled the three men who are behind bars because of them.And rightfully so.I’m under no illusion that I’m dealing with criminals here.All three men deserve to be where they are; there’s no doubt about it.I’m really sorry to hear that they were the ones killed."
Thomas held up a finger to indicate he wasn’t done talking, as he picked up the mug on his table and took a drink.Then, he addressed Alison.
"This doesn’t bode well for the upcoming reform town halls," he said directly to her."I’ve been asked to speak there about rehabilitation with male prisoners, and the best way to rehabilitate them is to incarcerate them so they can be rehabilitated.You must be worried about the fear instilled in women when the news outlets get hold of this.The last thing I want is criminals walking our streets because then, I can't help them."
Alison listened to his words and watched his features as he spoke, trying to work out if he believed everything he said or if it was all a smokescreen.
