Page 190 of Chameleon Killer

The screen filled with the room in the building where I’d gone to “meet” Simon.

I studied the image. It was me, ostensibly. Sitting at the desk. I wore the same jacket, had the same hair, and it appeared to be from a good angle that let me identify myself easily.

Except—something about it was wrong.

My recorded voice came through the speakers. “I don't trust you.”

That part sounded familiar. I had said something close to it. Maybe exactly that.

Then a man's voice answered. “You will.”

My skin crawled. I had never heard that voice. Deep but not overly so. It was hard to get the feel for someone’s personality with two words, but it had an artificial smoothness.

The video showed me leaning forward.

Then my voice said, “I believe you.” I studied the way my mouth moved. Yes, the voice was right but the lip movements…

“No.” The word escaped before I remembered I wasn't supposed to respond.

Ruiz paused.

Brewster stepped forward.

“You didn't say that?”

“No.”

Alisha touched my arm.

Right. I looked at her.

She gave me a warning stare.

Ruiz rewound five seconds.

“Watch your mouth.”

I did.

Onscreen, my lips moved. The timing was close. Not exact. The angle helped hide the difference.

“That isn't what I said.”

Brewster leaned closer.

“What did you say?”

Alisha cut in. “She has answered the authentication question. Move on.”

His frustration rose visibly.

Ruiz restarted.

The man's voice said: “Trust develops through consistency.”

My recorded self smiled. It was small and a little hollow.

Flint swore quietly.