Death of an Intern by Keith M. Donaldson Read Free Book Online Page B

tissue box. She blew her nose and wiped away her tears.
    â€œHave you met Tishana, Marsha?”
    She faintly shook her head, no.
    â€œWas this a friend type visit? Were they going someplace?”
    Marsha's bloodshot eyes looked up at me with an excruciatingly pained look on her face. “I should have gone with her.”
    â€œWere you planning to and changed your mind?”
    â€œJanet wanted to go by herself.” A startled look came over her face. “Rice. Tishana Rice. She works in communications. I don't know if that's media or internal.”
    â€œThat's great. Where was Tishana Rice taking her?”
    â€œA pregnancy clinic where no one from the office would be. An inner city place.”
    Where a butcher waited for victims. “Do you know how to reach Tishana?”
    Marsha shook her head and blew her nose again. “She's black, lives in D.C., and works at the White House.”
    â€œWhat about Janet's boyfriend?” I tried to keep my voice even, not showing the excitement I felt inside.
    Marsha held that thought for a moment and then replied very quietly. “Janet didn't have one. Not that I knew.”
    Pregnant and no boyfriend? “How many people knew about Janet's pregnancy?”
    â€œShe didn't want people to know. She was getting pressure to abort.”
    â€œWas she planning an abortion?”
    â€œNo!”
    I noticed Marsha's sharper distinction from her earlier replies.
    â€œShe wanted the baby,” the roommate choked.
    â€œDid her parents know?” I asked cautiously.
    â€œShe was telling them this week.”
    â€œDid she call you after she visited the clinic?”
    Marsha nodded. “She said people at the clinic would help, even with her keeping the baby. She was going over to Kat's, and then coming home. When I didn't see her, I assumed she stayed at Kat's. She'd done that before.”
    â€œShe and Kat were good friends? She knew of the pregnancy?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œGive me a minute.” I took out my phone and punched in Max's number. Marsha lay down on the bed, completely wiped out. I walked into the hall.
    â€œCaptain Walsh's office, Officer Green speaking.”
    â€œDelia, Laura.”
    â€œHi, Laura. He's holding that briefing right now.”
    â€œOn Janet Rausch?” I asked softly.
    â€œRight. We got the go-ahead from the White House a couple of minutes ago. The family and the Vice President know.”
    â€œThanks, Delia. Tell him I'll call later.” I clicked off. “Marsha, I think it would be best if I got you out of here.”
    â€œWhy? I don't want to go anyplace.”
    â€œMPD is holding the news briefing about Janet right now. In a few minutes, TV crews and reporters will spread out looking for people to interview. Some will come here.”
    â€œTo my house?”
    â€œExactly.”
    â€œLet them,” Marsha said, challenging that effrontery.
    â€œOh really!” I blurted, shocking Marsha.
    The young woman was in no condition to face the media. I also wanted to keep her to myself for a while, but I wanted to protect her too. Marsha didn't have the strength to face a cross examination by reporters.
    â€œI don't know anything,” she said pleadingly.
    â€œThey will hit you with questions about everything. Janet was pregnant. You were her roommate. She worked for the Vice President. When you say, I don't know , to a reporter, it's like waving a red flag in front of a bull.”
    â€œI can't say what I don't know.” She was getting argumentative.
    â€œThey won't believe you,” I said firmly. “TV cameras will record everything, and they can make you look any way they want. Have you ever faced an interrogation before?” I felt my intensity building.
    Marsha was scared. “Why are you doing this?”
    â€œWhat I'm doing is nothing compared to what they will put you through.”
    Marsha broke down again. I had to calm her.
    â€œThis is not