Why We Lie by Amy Impellizzeri

Author:Amy Impellizzeri [Impellizzeri, Amy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781948018357
Publisher: Wyatt-MacKenzie Publishing
Published: 2019-03-03T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Monica Landsberry called me at the Appletreese office three days after the first Out The Bullies ad ran on every cable news channel. Her voice was too shrill and I held the phone away from my ear as she shouted into it.

“Aby Boyle? This is Monica Landsberry with The Washington Truth.”

I nearly hung up after she identified herself.

I never handled press inquiries at the Foundation directly. Those were all filtered through my assistant or the media director or Mena directly. Never me. I handled donors and kids. No media.

“I’m sorry. You were directed to the wrong person. I’m going to pass you back to our Media Director, who will be more than happy to help you. Thanks so much for calling.” I had my finger on the transfer button, when Monica yelled out to interrupt my thoughts.

“No. Aby! Don’t transfer me. I have information Jude needs to win the election.”

“What are you talking about?” My hand froze on the phone’s transfer button.

Monica continued talking quickly as if she was trying to beat a buzzer. “I know that you collaborated with Out the Bullies to run those ads. I know you are aligning yourself against Innovative Media. And most of all, Aby, I know how to help.”

I tried to contain my surprise—my horror, really.

“You can’t be with The Washington Truth. I read The Washington Truth. I’ve never heard of you. You sound like you’re from some rag or scandal blog that needs website traffic instead.”

“You’re wrong. I’m a veteran reporter here with all the clout and respectability you need to win this election.”

“Then why have I never heard of you? I get a Daily Digest email from The Washington Truth. I’ve never heard or seen your name.”

In truth, I didn’t know all The Washington Truth reporters. I knew Op Ed pieces were routinely published by a Nate Essuzare, who didn’t seem to have any linked bio, and who I suspected was writing under some kind of alias. Other reporters were long-time career writers with pedigrees that included stints at the Washington Post, the Baltimore Sun, The Capital Gazette, and more. That I hadn’t heard of Monica Landsberry meant very little, but I pretended it meant a lot, because I was frightened of her words.

“Aby, listen to me. I’ve been working behind the scenes on a very important exposé for months now.” She paused, seemingly catching her breath for the first time since I’d answered the phone. “Don’t hang up. I’m taking a real risk here. And I wouldn’t have come out to you if I didn’t know that you fully support the Out The Bullies ads.

I gulped. How could Monica know that? We had watched those ads together, Jude, Laila, and me. He had watched in stunned silence, and turned to both of us with a look of uncertainty.

“It’s their money, Jude. They can spend it however they like. And if they want to call out Innovative Media and Kylie Rutter as bullies, then you are to let them.” Laila was firm and direct with him.

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