“I guess I do as well.” Which wasn’t a complete lie.
“But you get to write about crimes, displaying exactly how you’d manage to catch the horrible criminals. I mean the cleverness of how you handle the clues in every storyline reminds me of the Python Killer case. My God. You were brilliant with that case. And rescuing that girl. Just wow. I was in complete awe when I heard.”
“I simply followed the clues.”
“No. It was as if you got into the head of the killer. Is that what you did?”
Shrugging, I remembered how interested he’d always been in the psychological aspect of the most heinous criminals. “Doing so certainly helped.”
“I knew it. Where did he go wrong? I mean he kept to himself. He never grandstanded. He didn’t choose the same type of women.”
“True, but he made the same mistake as every serial killer out there. He wanted to be famous. Serial killers crave attention because they didn’t get any as a kid. Classic psychology. You should remember that from the academy.”
He pressed the down button on the elevator and shoved his hands into his pockets.
That’s when I noticed an outline of a weapon. Granted, I had one with me as well, although better concealed in a shoulder holster.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right. But you know what they say. The smartest killers usually have a twist at the end of the story.”
A twist. That was one way of putting it.
“I hadn’t realized you’d kept up with the case. Weren’t you in law school at the time?” We stepped inside and I was instantly struck by a heavy claustrophobic sensation.
Which wasn’t typical for me.
“Yes, but come on. Who wasn’t paying attention? I don’t think there was another agent who had what it took to locate that girl. One lone survivor. Just very difficult to believe. How’s your partner?”
“Max? Unfortunately, he died in the line of duty a couple years later.”
“Nah. I mean that pretty female partner you had. The one you stalked as an exercise for solving the Python Killer case. What was her name? Carrie Tappers. I’ll never forget her even if shewanted nothing to do with me. Did you know she had a crush on you?”
The elevator doors opened and the noise was insane.
“I’m sorry. What?” While he stepped out, I stood where I was, staring after him.
“You knew that. Every woman had a crush on you. Come on. Let’s give out some awards. I have it under good authority your gal is getting a bonus. Plus, I need a drink. I don’t know about you.”
“Yeah, I could use another.”
As he walked away, I sucked in my breath, almost allowing the elevator doors to close. As soon as I shoved my arm between the doors, my entire body stiffened.
There were at least two hundred people in the oversized room, a few standing on a stage. Timothy was trotting up the three stairs leading to the platform.
“What’s wrong?” Alexia asked as soon as I joined her.
“I’m not sure. I need you to hear me and not argue with me. Whatever happens, do not leave the office.”
“You’re scaring me.”
“I’m not trying to. I just need to check a few things. You have your phone?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Text me if you see anything out of the ordinary or if you feel the least bit uncomfortable.”
“What is going on, Maverick? You really are terrifying me.”
I offered a smile even as I scanned the room. Betty’s story stuck in my mind. I’d seen the way she’d looked at me and at her own employee. There was a moment of irritation. As if seeing the two of us together brought back unwanted memories. “Maybe nothing. I’m going to check a few things out. Don’t worry. I’ll be right back. If anyone asks, just let them know I had a phone call I needed to take.”
