"Because I can't," Victoria supplied and felt her jaw tighten and then relax. He didn't know. It might make more sense if he knew. She looked down before up again and locking her eyes with his, "Because they believe I'm dead. A call from me would be disastrous. And it would make sure that Daniela never came back here ever again." Her parents were always more religious than she had been, though she still felt the tug to go to the church on Sundays. She still fought that urge because she kept swearing it wasn't a part of her life. One didn't throw off everything they knew so easily.
She took out her phone and then brought up Daniela's contact information. "You can write this down," she said, "she can't take your call now but you can leave a message. She'll call you back. She liked you." Daniela had a way of choosing people she liked. Choosing them and sort of inserting herself into their lives. She did it often and a few of Victoria's ex-boyfriends still spoke with Daniela because they'd become friends.
"She meant something to you, didn't she?" Victoria asked.