Instead I sat in my car and made a call to a name I’d kept since law school, a friend of a friend.

“Fenn and Associates,” a crisp voice answered.

“I need to speak with Amanda Fenn,” I said.

“Tell her it’s a whistleblower matter — a school district covering up a suspected child-abuse report.” Three seconds later the line clicked.

“This is Amanda Fenn,” a sharp voice said.

“Who am I speaking with?” “Elliot Ackerley.