"I want to do it," Alison said."I think that it’s important that I do."
"Okay," Victoria said.Obviously, there has been a lot of debate in the media lately with all of the files from the crime scenes now released to the public, and there have been strong opinions on both sides.Saying that, the consensus is that he was wrong and you are right.You don't need to go into so much detail when you take to the podium.Relay, in your own words, how you dealt with him, and if you want to add something at the end about early release, you can.I will go on straight after you, and I will give the data on early release, even though they already have that data."
"It’s smart," Derek said from the corner."You’re a hero in this city, and you’ve caught another killer, putting yourself in danger to do so.They’ll listen to your talk, be bolstered by it, and when Victoria talks after you, they will pay attention to that and associate it with the feelings they get from you."
"Exactly," Victoria said."Keller tried to weaponize your career, and that will be completely defused when we speak to them out there.Is there anything else you need?"
"No, I don't think so," Alison said."I have the support of two people I trust and love.I’m ready to do this, and then we can go home, and I’ll finally get some rest."
Alison felt Derek’s hand on her shoulder.She reached up and took his hand, holding onto him tightly.
"I’ll go let them know we’re ready to go out there, and then I’ll be back," Victoria said.
Alison stood up when Victoria did, but didn't leave the room.She remained with Derek and wrapped her arms around him, placing her head on his chest.
"I hope this is the last time someone comes after me," Alison said.
"With how you handled the last two people to try, the third is going to think more than twice.We should remain vigilant against the evil that sometimes rises in our city, but that evil needs to watch out for you."
Alison chuckled.She felt the warmth from Derek’s chest and heard his heart beating within.She was safe with him.
"I know you need to go out there with a level head and talk to the press, but I wanted you to know that I’ve narrowed down the search some more since we last spoke about it," Derek said.
"You found the company he works for?"
"No.Well, maybe.I have narrowed it down to twelve companies in the city that are still operational and have logos that could match the blurred image in the footage.There’s one locksmith company and multiple security companies.I’ll go and talk to each of them as soon as I can, and see where we stand with them.Maybe he only used the van at the last two murders, but it's a start.There’s a chance he’s worked for the company for a long time, back when he killed Emma.It’s a lot of maybes, but it’s something."
"It is something," Alison agreed."It really does feel like something for the first time.We won’t get our hopes up again, but this time feels different.I think we’re going to get something that leads somewhere."
"That’s very specific,’ Derek said.
Alison laughed."You know, and maybe we find a thing that leads to a person who has an idea for us."
"Oh, what I wouldn’t give for an idea," Derek said.He tapped Alison on the back."Victoria’s coming back.It’s time to go out there."
"You’ll be with me?"Alison asked.
Derek held out his hand, and Alison took it.
"I’ll be by your side the whole time," he said.
They left the office to go face the music together.
***
Howard Mills drove through the night to his next job.He had been listening to the radio all day, hearing all about Alison Payne and how she had brought Dr.Keller to justice and taken another serial killer off the streets.He had also been monitoring the Katrina Sands case.There had been almost no mention of that of late, with the bigger news trumping it.
That was good.The less they spoke about it, the better it was for him.There was no mention of the Sands case being anything other than a one-off, perhaps an opportunistic murder.
Howard smiled as they made a big deal of Alison on the radio.She was a hero in the city and had taken down multiple serial killers.
Yes, but you haven’t taken me down, have you?You have no idea that I’m out there.You might be investigating Emma’s death, but you haven’t come close to knowing it was me, and you never will.
She was his first, and he would always remember her.When he had killed Emma, he never imagined it would lead to many more.That had never been the plan, but as soon as he ended her life, he thought about doing it again.There was no drive to immediately kill someone else, but he knew it would happen at some point, and it had.
The security job helped.He could drive around at night, and no one took much notice.The same was true when he wandered the streets in his uniform.If anything, people felt safer when they saw him.
He always made sure to be scheduled somewhere across the city when the murders took place.If they ever came looking for him, they would find it very hard to prove he was anywhere near the murder scenes.It was easy to craft an alibi when you knew what you were doing.
That is why she catches so many.They don't know what they’re doing.They’re rash and impulsive, even when they’re being careful.Not once have I come close to being caught.
He stopped his van on the side of the road and rubbed his hands together.He could feel the familiar feeling that usually took longer to appear.There had been a delay with the last one.He’d waited an extra two years to kill Katrina Sands.
Perhaps I will act again soon.I'm not getting any younger, so there’s no point in waiting longer this time when I know what I can do.I’ve been careful enough to be rash and impulsive for once in my life.Perhaps the next victim will fall far, far sooner.
Howard licked his lips as he considered the idea.
