“Why?”she asked flatly.
He seemed briefly taken aback.It took a few seconds for him to reply.
“Because I know who you are—your personal history and your professional exploits,” he said with more admiration than she would have expected.“I know your father was a serial killer and that you and your half-sister were nearly killed by him before taking him down.I know that your ex-husband was a sociopath who tried to frame you for killing the mistress that he actually murdered and then tried to kill you too when you found out.I know that he got out of prison on a technicality and subsequently killed your profiling mentor, Garland Moses.I know that an obsessed stalker kidnapped you on your wedding night and that she later tried to blow you both up in an abandoned desert mine.”
“Wow, when you lay it all out like that, it sounds like I’ve been through a lot,” she told him, impressed and a little unsettled by his deep knowledge of her background.
“It is a lot,” he said.“Frankly, I don’t know how you’re able to function after all of it.And that doesn’t even include your cases.By my count, you’ve caught over 40 murderers, a number of them serial killers, in less than three years working as a profiler.That’s an incredible record.So, I think having you as an asset on this case will be invaluable.”
“Thank you,” she said, unwrapping the bagel sandwich that the flight attendant had just given her and taking a bite.As she lifted it to her mouth with her left hand, she noted that the twinge of discomfort from the letter opener shoulder injury that she’d suffered last week was nearly gone.
“Can I make a confession?”he asked nervously.
Jessie’s mouth was full so she shrugged.
“I’ve been a special agent with the Bureau of Investigation for four years, and in that time I’ve handled several multi-jurisdictional cases, including multiple murders.But this is my first serial killer case.It’s not my area of expertise.”
Jessie took her time chewing her bite to allow herself a few extra seconds to come up with the right response.
“In light of that, may I make what I hope is a constructive suggestion which could be helpful in this case and more generally?”
He nodded apprehensively.
“Speaking strictly from a profiling perspective, maybe you don’t need to always come in so hot.We’re dealing with a volatile situation and people in emotional crisis.Oftentimes that can serve as an opportunity to get insight into who they are, and maybe better gauge their credibility and sincerity.But if you come barreling in, asserting your authority over every situation, you blunt their natural reaction.Instead of responding to the circumstances or our questions, they’re immediately in a defensive crouch and it’s hard to discern what’s really going on with them.People will reveal things to you if you let them.But if you come at them too hard, too fast, those subtle revelations might never emerge.”
She watched as Webb tried to take in what she was saying while still retaining some semblance of authority.He didn’t seem to know how best to do that.
“I’ll take it under advisement,” he said with a hint of defensiveness.“That being said, I’ve got a stellar close rate on my cases and have received multiple commendations from the Bureau.”
Jessie sighed silently.It appeared that Webb’s moment of humility was going to be short-lived.
“I have no doubt,” she said.“And I’m sure they were all well-deserved.”
She left it at that as she took another bite of the bagel.For a moment, she thought they might have found a productive way forward.But that hope was fading fast.
Now she had a new hope: that Webb’s prickly pride didn’t cost anyone their life.
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
Kat tried to keep a low profile.
It wasn’t like she wasn’t allowed to be at Central Station.Everyone here knew she was best friends with their colleague, Jessie Hunt.And having Jessie’s little sister, Hannah, here with her didn’t hurt.
But considering that the two of them were here to talk to Jamil and Beth, who were doing research work for them on the side, drawing attention to themselves might not be a great idea.The other detectives in HSS wouldn’t mind.But Captain Parker could be a stickler.
That’s why they had waited until Beth texted them that Parker had left the station for her noon lunch break before coming in.Even so, they moved quickly down the hall to research, where Jamil and Beth were going to give them an update on the search for Ash Pierce.
Kat noted that Hannah was moving through the station comfortably, suggesting that either she was fast getting over her temporary agoraphobia or that she was so used to this place that it wasn’t a source of potential anxiety.Either way, Kat considered it progress.
They were almost to research when an officer rounding the corner while looking at his phone accidentally bumped into Hannah.His phone dropped to the floor.
“I’m so sorry,” he said as he bent down to grab it.
Hannah was doing the same thing, and as they both kneeled forward, their heads collided, making a loud thwack.Hannah stumbled back and might have fallen if Kat hadn't steadied her from behind.
“Oh my god, are you okay?”the officer asked, looking aghast.
“I’m good,” Hannah muttered irritably, rubbing her forehead without even looking at the guy.
