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I watch it, wishing I were as free at that leaf.
And that’s when I see her.
Rowan Velky’s dark silhouette emerging from the tree line.
SIXTY-FOUR
SPECIAL AGENT BRIAN BRIGGS
I’ve interviewed my fair share of mentally disturbed suspects, but Shepherd Velky takes the cake. It was clear from the moment we arrested him that he was a very unwell man. Our interviews have been broken up between psychiatric and medical evaluations. As the lead agent on the case, it’s been rather frustrating. Anti-psychotic medication was administered almost immediately, which has been an unexpected hurdle for our conversations, as doses are continually being adjusted.
His lawyer has already plead insanity, and in this case, I believe it is warranted. Mr. Velky will spend the rest of his life locked in a psychiatric hospital, where he belongs.
I study him, sitting across from me in an orange jumpsuit, wrists and ankles shackled. He stares back at me, vacant, bloodshot eyes. Eerily still and calm. Just like when he admitted to the murders. There is no remorse in the man, no shame, no regret. Shepherd Velky had a mission, one that he has now completed.
Agent Zeal is standing behind me. An armed guard hovers in the corner, and another outside the door. Outside the parking lot is packed with media.
“Mr. Velky, in our last interview, we spoke about your father. Your childhood, specifically, and the abuse you encountered. I’d like to return to that subject, if that’s okay with you.”
“Yes.”
“Thank you. During your medical evaluation, the doctor noted countless small scars all over your body. Each one about one inch in length. Can you talk to me about that?”
“It was part of my punishment.” His voice is low, dull. Deadened. “Among other punishments, my father would cut me every time I acted out of line.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Is this why you mutilated the bodies of Aylssa Kaing, Macy Swift, and Cora Granger with the letter X?”
“Yes. They deserved to be punished, and their sins deserved to be revealed to the world.”
“Why?”
“It was time.”
“I understand you had a rough couple of months leading up to you murdering Alyssa Kaing. Is this what you’re referring to?”
“Not really. Everything that happened were signs that it was time.”
“Time for what?”
“A change.”
“What do you mean, a change?”
“A change in the status quo. In the never-ending cycle of abuse.”
“And killing the women allowed for that change?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you leave that up to us?”
“My entire childhood was left up to you and look what happened.”
SIXTY-FIVE
ROWAN
Listen. I know you think I hurt Amber. Okay, maybe not hurt her, but at least got my revenge.
