Page 79 of Chameleon Killer

Instead, it reminded me of conversations before Thorne. Before Reardon. Before each exchange between us became a contest over information.

“You know what he does,” I said.

“I know what you believe he does.”

“He creates intimacy through exclusivity. He offers information no one else possesses, then convinces the recipient that access makes them exceptional.”

Her expression shifted. The lack of guilt didn’t give her away, but the fact she didn’t deny any of it did.

“He makes people feel chosen,” I continued. “That isn’t trust. It’s conditioning.”

“And you think that’s what he’s doing to me?” She eyed me and I could practically smell the irritation rolling off of her.

“I think he’s trying.” And succeeded. More than once. But I kept the last thought to myself.

“Just because he called me?” The admission came quietly, layered without emphasis in the question she turned on me.

My body reacted before my face did. Every muscle tightened, the physical response immediate and unwelcome. Confirmation should have satisfied me. It really didn’t.

“When?” Now I needed real answers.

Arms folded, she dropped her chin. Then with another sigh, she said, “Last night.”

“Where?”

“Here.”

“In the newsroom?”

“In the conference room.”

I leaned forward and set both feet on the floor. “Was Carter present?”

“No.” The answer came too fast, she barely even let me finish my question.

“What did the Auditor say?”

Mallory’s gaze hardened. “You mean what did he ask?”

There it was again. The question. So, I made a motion to her to continue as I pulled out a little beat up notepad and my pen to jot down my notes. “What did he ask?”

“Why Guy survived.”

“And?” I prompted.

“And I started looking at why Guy survived.” She didn’t attempt to soften any of it with an apology.

“You followed his direction.” I met her bland look for a bland look.

“I examined a legitimate inconsistency.” Defensive? Perhaps a little.

“One he selected for you.” If I had to hammer this home, I would. She could not trust the Auditor and each time she did what he asked, she was getting in deeper.

“One everyone else ignored.” Another challenge.

Well, both of us could do that. “Including you.”

Her jaw tightened. A strike.