He was good, very good.Either that, or he was completely innocent, but Alison was leaning toward the former.There was something in the way he was measured and helpful that came across as an act, and then there was the lack of questions.Alison had asked to know who had accessed her old files, and he had given her the run of the building.He hadn’t asked a single question about what her connection might be and why someone would want to access her old files.
Almost as if he already knows the reason.
"Okay," Keller said as if he were the one in charge of the meeting."I don't want to say that I’m a busy man, because there is nothing more important right now than helping you find a killer, but I do have work to do.Do you have any more questions for me, or would you like me to direct you to another department?Perhaps you wish to call first and check my alibi?Or, pardon me for not thinking of it sooner, but can I get you both a coffee?"
"No, that won't be necessary," Detective Moore said."I only ask that you sit tight here until we’ve made some initial inquiries, and once we’ve done that, we’ll let you get back to work."
"Of course," Keller said.
He still stood up, and that put both women on edge.
"Dr.Keller?"Moore asked, tensing and ready to pounce.
"It’s all right," Keller said."I’m not going anywhere.I’m going to call for some coffee to be brought.I don’t wish for you to be too polite to refuse it, so I’ll have my assistant bring some anyway.She’s right outside the door."
It took a beat for Alison to remember there was no assistant on the other side of the door.She was too late to do anything, too late to warn Moore.
There was a click as the door was locked from the inside, and then a whoosh through the air and a sickening thump as he slammed something into the side of Detective Moore’s head.Moore collapsed to the side, taking her chair down with her.
Alison jumped to her feet in shock, knocking her chair over behind her.
Then she came face-to-face with the killer, just as she had wanted to do.
"We have a lot to talk about," Keller told her as he pointed his knife at her chest.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
"Pick up the chair and sit down," Keller said authoritatively.His eyes flickered toward Moore, who didn't make a sound or move."Make any sort of noise, and you will join her on the floor, but I won't only knock you out.I think you know what I am capable of, Alison."
"You don't need to do this," Alison said, placing her hands between her chest and the knife as if that could stop him from stabbing her.
"This is not a negotiation," Kelley told her."I’ve asked you once to pick up your chair and sit down, and I won't ask you again.Do you understand me?"
Alison nodded nervously, her eyes moving between his and the tip of his knife.She backed up and moved to the side to keep him in front of her at all times.As she bent down to pick up the chair, she glanced at the lock on the back of the door.It would be easy to run over there and unlock the door, but she didn't think she could get the door open and get out before he got to her.And what would happen to Moore if she did that?
So, she bent down, picked up the chair, and righted it.
"Turn it to face me," Keller ordered.
Alison did as she was told.
"Now sit."Keller gestured to the seat with his knife.
Alison took a second, then rounded the chair to the front, remaining as close to it as possible to stay as far from the knife as she could.Then she sat down.
Keller nodded in satisfaction.He bent down by Moore and placed the knife to her neck.
"No!"Alison gasped.
Keller removed the knife from Moore’s neck and pointed it at Alison."What did I tell you?No noise," he hissed."Another outburst like that and I’ll cut her neck before I cut yours.Do you understand me?"
Alison nodded jerkily, keeping her mouth shut.
"Good," Keller said with a creepy smile.
He didn't put the knife to Moore’s neck this time, but he did take her under the arms and drag her from the center of the room to the wall, laying her along it.Then, he picked up the chair she had been in, placed it facing Alison, and sat down opposite her, only a few feet apart.
He stared at her, the knife held in his lap.She thought of his victims, especially of Michael Rodriguez, who had been stabbed in the chest in a fury.She didn't want to end up like that, but didn't know how to get out of the situation.
