“Miss Fisher, this is Gerald Smith from Channel Nine News here in Seattle. I was wondering if you had a moment to answer some questions about the recent prison escape involving George Ray Harvey. You were the prosecutor on record for his trial five years ago, correct?”
And so it begins.
Doing her best not to chew the man out for simply doing his job, Ellie clenched her jaw and swallowed her anger before forcing out a perfectly polite, “I have no comment at this time.”
“Harvey threatened you in court, correct?” The jerk ignored her and pushed for more. “He attacked you and then—”
“I said no comment.”
She could still hear the jerk trying to convince her to talk, even as she hung up the phone.
Ellie turned and grabbed the black, fitted suit jacket from the back of her chair. Sliding both arms into the satin-lined sleeves, she was adjusting the collar when the phone began to ring again.
“Eloise Fisher,” she answered again.
And again she was greeted by another blood-sucking reporter. “Miss Fisher, this is Sherise Davis from Channel Four. I was hoping you’d take a moment to—”
“I have no comment.” She hung up the phone before the woman even had the chance to press on. And when the phone rang a third time, she traded in her typical, professional greeting with a harsh, and somewhat loud, “No comment!”
But before she could slam down the receiver, she heard a familiar, feminine voice practically shouting through the other end of the line.
“Wait! Don’t hang up!” Her friend’s pleading voice reached her ears just in the nick of time. “It’s me, Cassie!”
Bringing the receiver back to her ear, Ellie drew in a deep, calming breath before letting it out slowly. “Sorry,” she apologized. “The phone’s been ringing non-stop with calls from reporters.”
“That’s actually why I called. I saw the news, and I wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“Honestly, I have no idea what I am.” It was the truest response she could give. “I just found out about what happened a few minutes ago, and then Donald called to tell me I have to drive down back down to Tacoma for a press conference. Then the reporters started in, and I….” Ellie raked a hand through her thick brown hair and blew out a loud, frustrated breath. “I haven’t even really had time to process it all.”
“Wait, you’re going to be on T.V.?”
“Uh…yeah. That’s usually how a press conference works.” She winced, immediately wishing she could take back the snarky comment. “Sorry, Cass. I didn’t mean to be so—”
“It’s okay, Ellie. You’re upset, and rightfully so.”
“That’s no excuse for being snarky with you.”
“You’ve told me the story, remember?” Her friend’s voice was soft and gentle, not filled with pity but rather empathy. “I know what that monster did to you.”
“I’m fine,” she lied. “I mean, he didn’t even really hurt me, so…”
It was the same thing she’d told herself after Harvey attacked her in the courtroom that day. Ellie had convinced herself she was fine. That the asshole had only bruised her a little, and with so many other people around, there was never any real danger of her being seriously injured or killed that day.
But he did kill that day. Three more innocent people lost their lives simply because they’d gotten up and gone to work.
You were almost number four.
“Cut the bullshit, El.” Cassie didn’t hold back. “I know you’re scared, and you have every right to be. I’m scared for you. I mean, what if this guy comes after you, like he said he would?”
“George Ray Harvey has bigger things to worry about right now than some years-long plot for revenge.” Ellie held the phone to her ear with her shoulder so she could begin gathering her things. “Trust me. That man’s one of the smartest people I’ve ever met. He’s not going to risk getting caught and being sent back to prison by doing something as predictable as going after the last person he publicly threatened.”
“You can’t possibly know that.” Worry seemed to pour from her closest friend. “I just think putting yourself front and center at a press conference is a really bad idea. I mean, what if the sicko’s watching? Hell, what if he shows up hoping to get the chance to get to you?”
“I appreciate your concern, Cass.” She really did. “But that place is going to be crawling with cops. Harvey’s way too smart for that.”
“Will you at least let me send Archer with you. If for no other reason than to make me feel better.”
“I appreciate the offer, sweetie, but I’m fine. Really. Besides, I’m leaving my office right now so I can get down there and meet up with Donald before the press conference starts. But if it makes you feel better, I’ll call you as soon as it’s over, and I’m on my way back home.”