Page 133 of Chameleon Killer

“So, this really is an interview.”

It wasn’t a question, but he answered anyway.

Yes.

“No games?”

No.

“I ask. You answer.”

Sometimes.

“And you?”

I ask.

I couldn’t stop my smile. “Equal opportunity interrogation.”

Another pause.

Reciprocity.

The word sat there, all alone, on the screen. Another correction to the terms. Language mattered to him. I could respect that.

I nodded once. “Fair enough.”

Then I will resume.

Who do you think?

“I think—“ But I stopped. He’d asked for my opinion on who he was and for the first time in this conversation, I really didn’t have one. That wasn’t good enough. So… “I think you're deliberately separating yourself from the identity I created."

Why?

“To avoid confirming anything.”

Incomplete.

I sighed dramatically. “You've become very fond of that word.”

Because you have become fond of conclusions.

“I resent that.”

Do you?

“Yes, I work from the evidence and build on the facts.” I pursed my lips. “I’m not leaping to conclusions. I’m also looking to prove or disprove theories regarding you and your alleged crimes.”

Yes. Then, using that, distinguish what you know from what you assume.

It was like being asked to defend a thesis. Irritating, but whatever. If this netted answers, real ones, I could do it.

“Fine. You want to know what I know…” I ticked off the items on my fingers. “The evidence I am working from. You contacted me. You know details not released to the public by anyone including me. You anticipate questions I haven’t asked yet publicly or privately.”

I paused for a breath. Then continued.

“You understand the crime scenes. You expected me to come to this meeting despite the hour and the location. Also, clearly… I’m here.”