Shattered (Anderson Special Ops #4) - Melody Anne Page 0,60

here’s what I’m proposing.” Joseph scooted closer to his desk. “I’d like Courtney and Erin to team up. Using Erin’s marketing mind and Courtney’s journalist chops, I expect the two of you to start blasting every media out there with information about Anna and her criminal acts. We want to hit TV commercials, radio, streaming ads, online ads, and social media. Anything and everything’s wide open. Set up interviews with every person you can contact who knows or has worked with Anna. I spoke with Damien this morning and he’s willing to speak to you when you’re ready. His daughter’s willing to speak as well. Please be mindful of the real trauma she went through when setting that up. Courtney, I know this isn’t your driving force, but I believe this could lead to a Pulitzer,” Joseph said with a bit of pride at what could be in store for her.

Courtney smiled. He imagined it was a dream to achieve the highly coveted Pulitzer most journalists strove for. Joseph had done his research and knew she’d come a long way from that freshman in high school who was writing articles about the junior varsity basketball team winning only two games the entire season. She’d earned no scholarships for college, but it hadn’t deterred her from becoming a journalist. Her big break had come when she’d had her first interview with a wounded warrior at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Her career had grown ever since.

“Avery and Mallory, I’d like the two of you to work together. Mallory, your employment with the FBI obviously prohibits you from speaking on specific items of this case. I know I don’t have to say it — but for my own conscience I have to. Don’t risk your career for this assignment. I’d never expect nor ask you to do that.” She nodded her appreciation at his words.

“The two of you have so much legal and procedural experience that I’m going to share with you every file and piece of evidence we’ve collected so far. The reason why — we, well Damien and his family, are going to sue the hell out of her. All of the money she thought she’d have to pay for her lawyers, keeping her well-stocked and supplied while in prison, is going to be gone. Avery, I want you to be the lead lawyer when it goes to trial. I have no doubt the two of you will knock this out of the park,” Joseph finished with a wry smile.

“I’m honored, Joseph,” Avery said. Joseph knew she’d been struggling since she’d moved from San Francisco. It was clear she loved her marriage, but she’d been uprooted and essentially taken a demotion in her career. Hopefully this would be what gave her pride again and helped her find herself in this new life she was living.

“I share Avery’s sentiment. I’m honored, and I know the two of us will blow it out of the water,” Mallory said. Joseph was aware of the struggle Mallory had been dealing with since the arrest of Senator Miller. It had to be tough for her to switch gears after years and years of being undercover, and the thousands of hours she’d spent listening to the insanity coming out of Anna Miller’s mouth. When the rampant crime in the city was added to all of that, Joseph knew she’d been contemplating resigning from the FBI. She might find a new path through this project that she enjoyed more than being an agent.

“The money we win, excuse me, the money that Damien wins, from the lawsuit is going to be given to women’s centers in and around Seattle, and then throughout the state. I’m also creating a non-profit organization awarding business opportunities and scholarships to battered women. Each of you are invited to be a board member in that non-profit,” Joseph told them.

“To finish, I understand that each of you have your lives, your careers, and even your families. Speaking of families,” he said with a look at each of them before he went on, “I’m still waiting for someone in my family to name one of their kids after me.” He stopped, laughing hard at their surprised looks. “Don’t worry, I’m simply giving you a hard time.” He was a little sad there wasn’t a young Joseph, though. He knew it would eventually happen.

I understand the tasks I’m asking you to take on will consume a lot of time and energy. Just