In The Garden

Chapter 9

Victoria's cell phone sat at the ready in her pocket waiting for Rhonda's call. She checked her phone every couple minutes to see if maybe she just hadn't heard her phone ring. Then finally it rang she snatched it out of her pocket.

"Hello," she said impatiently.

"Hey Victoria, I just had the weirdest talk with Randall White," explained Rhonda, "how did your day go?"

"Well I got a less than friendly reception at the Martin House," explained Victoria, "Alison did finally talk to me but I didn't really get very far just the same old thing she gave me a copy of her book. While I was there Zelda Martin called and told her to not talk to me anymore. What did you get from Randall?"

"Not much we were interrupted by his son and Randall seemed nervous to talk to me. He also gave me warning," explained Rhonda.

"What kind of warning?"

"According to him he's being watched and we could end up like him or even worse," explained Rhonda.

"Worse?"

"He told me they would do anything to protect themselves he emphasized anything," told Rhonda.

"Who are they?"

"The Seven," told Rhonda, "and their puppets."

"The Seven and their puppets? What is that supposed to mean?" asked Victoria.

"He doesn't know who the puppets are but he did refer to seven sisters. He does know that they know the supposed truth and that his son and Dr. Reed are both part of it. Roger did tell me some information about his father," told Rhonda.

"What did he tell you?"

"According to Roger, Randall took the death of his wife very hard. He hid it from everyone for a number of years until the Walker case pushed him over the edge," explained Rhonda, "Roger is just looking out for his father who is clearly unstable. I think you've got caught up in the delusions of an old man, who is troubled. There's no story here, Victoria, leave it alone."

"Leave it alone," said Victoria.

"I think it's a waste of time and I think it will hurt your career when people find out your source is in a mental hospital."

"No," said Victoria, "I know there is something here. These people are hiding something. If there's nothing here then why the warning? Who are the seven?"

"Victoria the man isn't well."

"I don't buy that. Too many things don't add up right."

"We both got nowhere maybe that's because there's nowhere to get to. You're chasing rabbits down holes and for nothing, and I for one am done with this entire thing."

"You can't quit on me now," said Victoria.

"But I can and I just did," said Rhonda.

"Don't you want to at least know what happened to me at The Martin's house?" asked Victoria.

"You already said you didn't talk to them."

"No I said I got a less than friendly reception."

"So you did talk to them?"

"I knew that would get your attention," said Victoria, "but no I talked to a call box I didn't get past the two large iron front gates."

"See you got nowhere," said Rhonda, "nowhere because there's nothing."

"No, I don't believe that," said Victoria, "and I know you don't either. Why are you so scared all of the sudden? Is it because of what Randall said?"