Page 49 of Say Nothing
"And you counseled the ex," Derek said as it all came together.
"No," Alison replied."That’s the thing.I wasn’t a part of the case at all.Douglas Fairborn was in charge of preparing the witness.I know him.He’s dogged and determined, and he sometimes skirts the line between right and wrong, but would he push for a wrongful incarceration?It would look good on his record, but he must be blackballed now after the truth came to light.I don't understand how this all connects."
"But we know she has a reason to be unhappy, and we know she’s been in court hundreds of times, listening to witness statements that would remind her of the one given against her brother.Maybe the two of them are in it together."
"It says here that her brother moved to the UK shortly after his release," Alison said."I’ll message the office and get them to check on that.Vanessa did fight the courts for many years, trying to point out the inconsistencies in witness statements and how the evidence was gathered.She fought for eight years before she got justice."
"That’s a long time," Derek said."A lot of dedication.That must have festered in her."
"It would have," Alison agreed."And being in court that many times is not easy.She wasn’t a part of any of the trials, only recording them, but she’ll have had to listen to them all.It might have eaten away at her.She does fit, but I still don't get the text message.Why send nonsense characters?Why send it to me?Why now?"
"Maybe we find out when I get inside her house," Derek pointed out.
"I don't know what we'll find when we get there," Alison admitted.
Derek’s phone rang, and he hit the button on the steering wheel to connect via Bluetooth and put the phone on speaker phone.
"Yeah?"Derek asked.
"We have him," Loxley said.
"The reporter?"
"Yeah," Loxley replied.
"And?Is he a reporter?"Derek asked, his eyes fixed on the road ahead, his hands gripping the wheel.
"He checks out," Loxley replied."A patrol car picked him up on Westchester Street, where he claimed to be heading back to his office.He gave his ID, and we ran a check on him.His name’s Dennis Broadhurst, and he works for the Oakland Sun.We checked with them, and they confirmed exactly what he said.He has a reputation for writing hit pitches and sensationalizing news, but no criminal record on file."
"Alright," Derek said, "I want him held for now.Find out where he’s been over the past two weeks, and confirm any alibis he has for the three murders.Even if he comes back clean, I want him held for twenty-four hours while we investigate this case.I don't want him hassling anyone associated with the case or stirring up any panic.Make sure he’s got food and water and he’s comfortable, and I’ll talk with him when we get back to the office."
"You got it," Loxley said.
"Have you pinged the phone again?Is it still at the same address?"Derek asked.
"It was in the building ten minutes ago.Do you want me to request backup for you?"
"You know what, that might not be a bad idea.See if there are any patrol cars in the area, and if they get there before us, they’re not to approach the house.We’re three minutes away."
"I’ll put out the call now," Loxley said.
"Good."Derek hit the button on the steering wheel to end the call.
"But if we get either first, you’re going in, aren’t you?"Alison asked.
"This ends now," Derek said.
Alison knew there was no talking him out of it.She didn't want him to go in alone, but she knew he would.She wanted to go in with him, but he wouldn’t allow that, and it was risky when she was the main target.
You’re next!
It wasn’t only a warning, but it had been written on the photo of her sister.It made it personal.
Do you know about Emma, or was it a coincidence that you wrote on her photo?
Twenty years since Emma was killed, and no closer to discovering what happened.She’d brought multiple killers to justice, but not the one who mattered the most.
She took out her phone and looked at the text message again.
