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“There have been a few. Most have been eliminated, but there is one…”
“Who?”
“Nobody you need to worry about right now. He’s just shady, is all. The evidence against him is superficial, and he’s alibied for most of the killings.”
“He could have an accomplice.”
“It’s possible, but the profilers think it’s unlikely. Even the visions you’ve had only pointed to one killer.”
“Visions? I’ve had visions of the murders?” I swallow. “Now I’m not sure I want to remember at all. How do you live with something like that in your head all the time?”
“You find a way to compartmentalize. It’s the same being a cop.”
“I guess you’ve seen your fair share of horror stories.”
“Let’s just say not all of them have a happy ending like yours does.”
I’m not sure living in limbo can be considered a happy ending, but I get what he’s saying.
“You always want to be a cop?”
A shadow passes over his face before he masks it. He reaches for his mug and takes a drink of his coffee. I sense it’s more to stall for time than his actual thirst.
“My brother died a decade ago. His car went through the guardrail and over a steep embankment. It exploded on impact.”
He takes another drink, his grip on the mug tightening.
“Jesus, I’m sorry.”
“No. It’s okay. It’s been a long time. Skid marks showed that a second vehicle was likely involved, but the explosion destroyed any other possible evidence. If it weren’t for those marks, we’d have been none the wiser.”
“You’d think with cameras everywhere these days, nobody would be able to get away with anything anymore.”
“These days, yes, but not ten years ago. Anyway, it happened out on Henwick Hill, just off the—” He shakes his head. “And you have no clue where I’m talking about. Sorry. It’s a blind curve on the top of a steep hill notorious for some pretty grisly accidents over the years. That’s what my brother’s death had been initially written off as before it was ruled a hit-and-run.”
“So, you became a cop to help others, or so you had resources to try and find your brother’s killer?”
He looks at me sharply. “I’m a good cop.”
I hold my hands up in surrender. “I never said you weren’t.”
He curses quietly. “Sorry. I guess there is some truth in what you said, and it makes me feel ashamed. I might have joined to try and find my brother’s killer, but it’s not the reason I stay.”
“I know. Remember, I was on the receiving end of your white knight services. You’re very good. Five stars, would one hundredpercent recommend to any of my friends if they get kidnapped by a serial killer, you know, if I had friends.”
He scowls at me.
“What? Too soon?”
“I’m not sure there’ll ever be a time when it’s okay to joke about it.”
“Fine. My point is that it’s easy to tell you love your job. I’m sure your brother would be super proud of you.”
“My brother actually hated cops,” he deadpans.
I crack up laughing. Oh, that’s too funny. He sits there watching me with a half-smile on his face when his cell phone rings, interrupting us. He pulls it out and answers.
“Hask,” his voice barks out, all business. He listens to whoever is on the other end before nodding. “I’m on my way.”
