Sarah recalled distinctly that tense conversation. And now she knew exactly what he’d been saying. “You’re worried about your daughter.”
The flare of surprise in his eyes told her she’d nailed his deepest, darkest fear.
“Why would I worry about Jerri Lynn?” He schooled his expression. “She’s the perfect daughter. An honor student. She’s never been in trouble in her life.”
A triumphant smile slid across Sarah’s face. Now she understood. “You’re afraid she’s like you.”
Something dark and sinister lit his eyes then. “Perhaps you’re mistaking your own fears with mine. Whether or not you will inherit your mother’s penchant for killing is somethingyouthink about often.”
He struck that nerve, unerringly. “Perhaps,” she confessed, “as any offspring of a killer would.”
“There are conflicting theories regarding the DNA issue, as you well know,” he rebutted, unwilling for her to have the last word. “But there is one sure way to be certain of yourself.”
Don’t let him see you sweat. Don’t even ask what he means.
She should let it go. Move on. But there was more here.
The truth.
“I know you want to ask how.”
She could say no, but he would recognize the lie. “Say what you have to say, Pope. I have things to do.”
He smiled, believing he’d won. “Yes, of course. As I was saying, the test is simple. The next time you’re in a tight spot, see where instinct guides you. If the first instinct is to kill, then you may have a problem on your hands.”
“Is that why you’re here,” she challenged. “Because your daughter failed the test?”
Pope’s jaw tightened. “I would do anything to protect my daughter, that’s true.”
As any parent would. That was his point. “What about your wife?” Might as well cover both possibilities.
Just when Sarah was certain she couldn’t be surprised any further by the man, he did just that. Sadness settled over his face. How could a killer feel such a broad range of genuine emotions?
“We’re finished here.” Pope looked away from her.
Sarah had gotten all she was going to from him. She exited the room. Besides, her creep meter had topped out.
“Satisfied?” August wanted to know.
“Yeah. He’s all yours.” Even if you don’t have the right killer. She was out of here.
If these people were too stupid to see the facts, then too bad. She found her coat and bag near the dispatcher’s desk and headed for the rear exit.
Kale waited for her outside. Or maybe he’d been out there for his own purposes. Whatever. He was currently in her path.
“What was that all about?”
She took a breath. “That was about confirming my conclusions. Jerald Pope did not kill Valerie or Alicia.”
“Did he say that?”
“No. But it’s the truth. When someone else goes missing, you and your friends will figure it out. I’m out of here.”
She walked past him.
“Just like that.”
She hesitated. Shook her head. This was why she never got tangled up in relationships. Not since that one stupid mistake.
