"Detective Moore!"an officer called to her as he came through the door that led to the back half of the station."He won't accept any protective detail."
"Officer Grant," Moore introduced to Alison."He’s the officer with Harold."She turned to the officer."What’s going on?"
"I’ve taken Mr.Jenkins’s statement, and we don't have anything more than what he already told us, but he refuses a protective detail."
"Okay," Moore said softly, talking lower to try to soothe the annoyed officer."Why won't he?"
"He went on some rant about the letter and report being right, and maybe he did deserve to be punished more for what he did.He rambled about being on drugs back then and losing his entire life, and resorting to taking from other people, and while he went to jail for his crimes, he was never able to repay what he took from the families.He said that he deserves what the universe gives to him, and he’s not afraid to die."
"Okay," Moore said with a sigh, rubbing her forehead."Okay, talk with him some more and get that in writing from him, and hopefully, just doing that will calm him down.Can you explain to him that he’s not going to have a bodyguard, just someone outside his house, maybe his place of work, making sure he isn’t attacked and killed?"
"Yeah, I can do that," the officer said.
"You can also explain to him that it’s not only about him," Alison added, "but about getting the killer.If the killer comes back for him, someone being there to arrest him means no one else has to get hurt."
"And he likely won't even know the officer is there," Moore added."Do whatever you can to help him see the benefits.If the worst comes to the worst, we’ll put an officer on him for now anyway, and if he wants to claim harassment or anything else, then he can, but I’m taking no risks here."
"Got it," the officer said before leaving to relay the information.
Alison shook her head.It almost felt like psychological warfare.Not only was the killer drawing attention to the early release of inmates, but the inmates themselves were being targeted.Now, he had one former inmate admitting that they needed more punishment.If the killer could weaponize that and get it out into the press, it could aid their cause.
"Maybe this is why they did things differently this time," Alison suggested."If the killer got into Harold’s home easily enough to leave the letter, then they could have easily waited and killed him.They’ve been careful and meticulous on two occasions so far.This could be the evolution of their plan.I think we need an officer on Harold Jenkins, both to ensure the killer doesn’t come back, but to stop Harold from talking to the press.If it goes public that Harold believes he needs more punishment, then it proves the killer’s point."
"No matter what Harold says, I’ll have an officer watch him twenty-four-seven for the foreseeable future," Moore said.
"Good," Alison stated."The possible suspect?You were about to tell me about someone you might have pinpointed."
"Yes," Moore said, turning her full attention back to Alison."Dr.Philip Grayson.You know him, right?"
"Yes, very well," Alison agreed."We haven’t kept in touch, but I remember working with him.I don't remember him being vocal about early release."
"It’s been more recent," Moore said."The algorithm threw up his name and some articles.There’s time for you to go home and get some rest, and we can go and visit him first thing in the morning."
"No," Alison said."I don't think I’m going to be able to sleep.Send me any information you have on Philip, and I’ll call Victoria and see if she’s heard anything.I need to go back over there anyway and finish going through the files to give you a comprehensive list of possible victims.They have a wonderful espresso machine that’s going to help me stay awake during the night."
"Yeah, I’m not going to get much sleep either," Moore admitted."We do have a relief room here, so I can get a couple of hours when we are done with Harold.I'll make you a deal.If you’re not going to sleep, I’ll pick you up from the office in the morning, but I want one of those fancy espressos in return."
Alison held out her hand."You have a deal.First thing in the morning, we pay Philip a visit and see what he has to say for himself."
CHAPTER TEN
Alison remained good to her word.When Detective Moore pulled up outside the office, Alison was waiting with two small takeout cups of espresso, thanks to the espresso machine in Victoria’s office.Victoria was still inside, getting back to her regular work after staying up all night with Alison.Alison had learned a great deal from her mentor over the years, and one of those lessons was an incredible work ethic.
Detective Moore stopped the car, and Alison hopped in, passing one cup to the detective and keeping the other for herself.Moore pulled away from the curb and drove one-handed as she tried the espresso.
"Oh, my goodness," Moore exclaimed."Thatisgood!Here."She grabbed a bag from the console between the two seats and handed it to Alison."I brought you a croissant.I feel very European right now, having this for breakfast."
Alison smiled as she took the bag."Thanks."She dipped into the bag and took out the croissant, taking a large bite.Alison hadn’t thought about food or realized she was hungry until that moment.She devoured the pastry and finished the coffee before speaking again.
"Okay, I read the articles that you sent me," she said.
"And?"Moore asked.
"He’s changed a lot," Alison admitted."When I worked with him before working for Victoria, I think he considered himself a mentor of mine.I don't know if I ever felt the same at the time, and when I started working for Victoria, I knew he wasn’t what a mentor should be."
Detective Moore drove just under the speed limit the entire time, and when she reached any stops, she brought the car to a stop without it rocking back and forth.
"Why was that?"Moore asked.
