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He paused as we approached, eyes taking us in, and I saw the first fission of alarm shoot through him, emerald green wrapping with persimmon orange, fear and vigilance. His eyes locked on mine and I saw the moment he knew. Knew that I’d found him, that this whole shebang was done and over with.

No psychic meeting me was in any doubt that I could see everything about them. My aura did me that much good, at least.

“Don’t run,” I advised him sharply. “Donovan’s whole day will be made by drilling you into the tiles. You won’t make it far and will end up in a cast to boot.”

Donovan made a sound much like a predator cat relishing a good chase. Which rather did back up my point.

Donovan was quick to get a cuff on him, Arnett Mirandizing, and I could see Reggie didn’t like that, he could probably feel it when his ability was forcefully shut down into a standby mode. Still, the doctor didn’t seem all that worried? He was alarmed, yes, but it was almost like his ability to feel true remorse or concern had atrophied in him. I couldn’t see any of that in his lines. Instead, curiosity predominantly shone through that inky, slimy black soul.

“How in the world did you find me?”

Since the curiosity kept him in place, I closed the remaining distance and played distraction so Donovan could finish getting cuffs on him.

“We found Carrington’s house.”

“That wouldn’t tell you I’m here,” he countered, the first trace of salmon flaring, tone sharp with impatience and aggression.

“His phone told us a lot.” I shrugged, as it was truly that simple.

“Ha, well, even if you’ve caught me here, you can’t hold me. Not if you want those people to live.”

Ohhh, that was why he wasn’t running. He thought he could bargain his way out somehow. Now, this wasn’t nice of me, but I started laughing, amused at his arrogance, his pride, that let him think he could do something so heinous and get by with it. Then again, was it a surprise? Only a man as prideful as this one would play with people’s lives like they were dolls for his amusement.

He really didn’t like me laughing at him. Reggie was probably a good looking man, he had a nice build, thick dark hair all styled, classic features. He was probably considered a catch amongst single people, but all I could see in him was the ugly. I’d rather gargle gasoline than even touch this man. Especially now, when he’s got hot red twining in with his dark soul, he’s gruesome to look at.

“You’re not going to be laughing soon, you can’t undo what I’ve done!” He snapped.

Donovan handed him over to Arnett and his partner. Arnett took him, but he looked a little apprehensive.

To Arnett, I assured, “The cuffs make it impossible for him to use his ability, he’s safe to incarcerate. Just don’t take those cuffs off until he’s under the right protections.”

Arnett gave me a look of abject relief. “Understood, and thank you for that precaution. All right, you, come along.”

Dr. Cannibal over here was dragging feet now, twisting so he could spit in my face, “They’ll all die because you’re doing this! You’d better smarten up and start negotiating with me!”

I laughed some more. “Oh, sir, anything a man has made, another man can unmake. That’s just life.” I leaned in a little, a grin of pure spite on my face. “I don’t need you. I have one of the best chaos magicians in the world right here. In fact, he’s undoing your work as we speak.”

All blood drained out of Reggie’s face, leaving him with the complexion of Casper’s more alabaster cousin. With his trump card removed, he was emerald green in pure fear.

That reaction sparked joy. “Now, I’m off to find your other comrade.”

“There’s no one else!” he blustered.

Donovan was laughing now. “I can’t believe you’re stupid enough to try and lie to a Reader.”

“Seriously,” I muttered, already turning on a heel and resuming the search.

Dr. Cannibal cursed up a storm even as the cops dragged him towards the front doors. I spotted Borrowman coming up, pausing to say something. He already looked happier, but then, we’d caught two of the criminals, so of course he was happier.

The ward had one more hallway to go through, so hopefully the Charlie was here. From the lines of Carrington and Reggie, there were three altogether, and I’d sticking with that theory until I found the last man. He might have a tie the other two didn’t, I didn’t want to assume anything just yet.

My eyes skipped over staff, patients, and the like—nope, nope, nope—ooh, that person was guilty of DV, we’d need to follow up on that, he was the one who’d put the patient in here to begin with.

Borrowman joined us, and I filled him in quietly, pointing. “That man’s the reason why the patient is here, so get him later.”

He marked the face in his mind and grunted. “After this.”

All right, we were down to the last few patient rooms, he had to be here somewhere. Not sure where else to look without changing wards completely.