What made it worse was that they were in his office, surrounded by others in the building.That had made her feel a little safer walking in, but now it felt like a cage.If he was willing to take her hostage in his office with no way to escape the situation, what was he planning on doing?
He’s not planning on letting me walk out of here.
"Good," Keller said calmly."I was hoping that we would have time to talk, and here we are."
"There’s no way out now," Alison said.
"Oh," Keller scoffed, tapping the knife against his knee."Ye of little faith.There’s always a way out, but you let me worry about that.We’re in here together because it is exactly where we are supposed to be.Why do you think I made the call and invited you here?Do you think I’m a fool?"
"No, I don't think you are a fool," Alison replied honestly.Overconfident, perhaps.Arrogant.
"I’m glad," Keller said."If I were a fool, and you were unable to catch me and stop me from killing three people only to end up trapped here in my office with me, then what would that make you?"
Alison wasn’t sure if he was expecting an answer, but she didn't give one.
"I assume that you understand why you are here by now," Keller said."You have been a danger to our profession for a long time, and I can't allow you to continue.You represent everything wrong with modern forensic psychology."
Alison couldn’t help it.The scoff erupted from her lips before she could think about it.She couldn’t believe what he was saying to her, and the calmness with which he said it.
"You don’t really believe that, do you?"Alison questioned, so surprised by the statement, that she forgot about the knife in his hand."It’s obvious to me now that you’ve been wanting to change the system from within, and you haven’t been able to do that, so you resort to this charade."
"Charade!"Keller boom, waving his hands, the knife glinting as it caught the light."You call this a charade?Don't belittle yourself or me," he warned."This is not a charade.Three people are dead, Alison.Do you think they would call this a charade?Would their families call it a charade?"
Okay, you want to talk.Then that’s exactly what we’ll do.The longer I can do that, the more chance of someone coming to the door.Someone will eventually come looking for us.
"Then what would you call it?"Alison asked."Help me to understand."
"I could call it conviction," Keller snapped, almost annoyed that she couldn’t see that."I would call it doing what needs to be done to protect our city, our people, our families."
"You weren’t protecting anyone when you killed three innocent people," Alison said."I know you’ve been watching them, studying their routines, getting to know how you can get to them.There is zero evidence that they have committed any crimes since being released from prison."
"I can show you dozens of cases where someone has been released and recommitted a crime."
"Early release or after they’ve been released at the end of their sentence?"Alison asked."There’s a big difference there."
"Don't try to twist my words," Keller spat.
"Then don't try to twist the data to make it suit your agenda.We both know that it is rare for those released early from their sentence to commit a crime once they are out.In fact, there is more data suggesting that those who serve their full sentence and are then released are more likely to reoffend."
Keller brought the knife up slowly and pointed it at Alison."Don't forget who’s in charge here.You sit there and talk to me as if I’m beneath you.I warn you to show me a little more respect."
"With all due respect, Dr.Keller, I don't agree with what you say.That is part and parcel of our field.Not all of us agree, and that is fine.Sometimes it’s not, but most of the time it is, and when there is friction, there is usually a way past that.That’s why we rely on peer reviews.No one would agree with what you are doing."
"Yes, because most people in our field are cowards."Keller smacked his lips as if enjoying the taste of his own words."No one has the gall to do what I’ve done, but they will appreciate it when they see it, though.I will not work again, I know that, but I will get to see the fruits of my labors."
"How do you expect this to play out?"Alison asked with more bravery than the situation warranted.
"I expect that you will die, Alison.You’re one of the best at profiling people, so you must know that.I wasn’t sure how all of this would play out in the end, but I understood that it would be difficult to get you on your own, so there would need to be some collateral damage."
"There’s a chance for you to make amends," Alison said."If you let us go, this can all end.If not, then I’ll scream, and they’ll get here before you can kill us.You won't escape, and you won't ever get out of prison.It will all be for nothing."
"Oh, come now," he said in a consolatory tone."It won't all be for nothing.Even if I’m captured today, people will take notice of the message I have put out there.Still, I don't expect that to happen, and that’s because you overestimate me."
When he stared at Alison, it looked like he was waiting for her to respond.She didn’t give him the satisfaction and kept her mouth shut.
"If you make any noise that attracts someone, it will take them some time to figure out that you are calling for help.While that is happening, I will kill you and Detective Moore, and then I will kill anyone in my path who is in my way as I leave the building.Then, unless the police are alerted very quickly, I will disappear and never be seen again.I know that you and Detective Moore came here alone, which gives me the upper hand."
Alison sighed."And this is the point where you give me another option, right?"
