I don't know where I’m going.Track my phone, but don't move in until we reach the destination.Dr.Carver is our target.
"No, sorry, just the sugar," Alison said, grinning wider.
The server turned and grabbed some sugar packs, and Alison slowly slipped the phone back into her pocket, hoping that Carver didn’t spot the move.Sterling wasn’t at Carver’s home.She wanted to bring Carver in, but needed to get to Sterling as well, and with no evidence beyond what Alison had gained from their conversation, she would be released from custody quickly.
"Thank you," Alison said as she took the sugar from the server.She turned quickly and went back to the table, shaking the packets, then tapping them against the side of the table.She opened three sachets and poured the sugar into the cup, stirred it, and then tasted it.
"Mmm, that’s better," Alison said."Are you ready to go?"
Carver smiled."Let’s do this."
CHAPTER TWENTY
Alison left the hotel lobby and descended into the parking lot below, where Dr.Carver had parked.She got into the car, fully aware that she was being led into a trap, where she would likely be framed as the serial killer who had been wreaking havoc across the city.
Kenneth Sterling had been missing for some time, so Alison had to assume Carver had done something with him (she wouldn’t have left it to chance) or that he was part of the endgame.Either way, it ended with Alison’s death.She hoped that Hartley had received the message and that the cavalry was on the way.
Carver was good, but she had underestimated Alison, just as they all had eighteen years ago.That didn't mean Alison was right back then.There was no way to know now, but she did know she had been overlooked in favor of Dr.Carver, and that had not led to the capture of the killer.
The large door at the top of the ramp lifted, and Carver drove them through into the brightening morning when there was enough space.
Do you really believe that the justice system is wrong?Is that why you’re doing this?You included yourself as a bluff, and that was brilliant, but you also included me.You didn’t like me back then, and you don't like me now, so why include me?I wasn’t a part of the case.
"You’ve gone quiet," Carver noted as they drove from the hotel.
"I’m trying to think this through," Alison said."Sterling was our number one suspect, but I believe what you say about him.With that being the case, then we’re back to square one.I hate to admit it, but perhaps we need to bring you on as a set of fresh eyes.If not Sterling, then who?"
"I’ll help in any way I can."Carver was a careful and cautious driver, staying below the speed limit and not following the cars in front too closely.She was in no rush to get Alison to the destination."We deal with Kenneth first, and then I’ll take a look at what you have so far."
"Thank you."
If Sterling is to be a part of this, he’ll still be alive.She won't kill him beforehand if she wants to frame me for his murder.She’ll have to kill us both together to make it look like a murder gone wrong.
Alison checked in the side mirror as they drove, worried that Hartley might catch up to them too quickly and be spotted.There was no telling how Carver might react if she were backed into a corner.She was obviously not holding Sterling at home if she had him, but would she give them the location if she was caught?It would track with her wanting to make the police look inept by leaving them to find Sterling without any help.
The only question now is why me?Was that to throw off the investigators?You included a picture of yourself so no one would suspect you?Did you add my name in there as a red herring?
"The killer blames us," Alison said."I was called in because my photo was included with the second body found.I was one of the people they blamed for the killer not being caught.Me, you, Detective Vettle, and others.The killer wanted to draw attention to us because we made mistakes."
Carver didn't respond to that as she drove.
Do you blame yourself for the killer not being caught?Is that what drove all of this?
"Do you carry any guilt for the investigation?"Alison asked."I know I do."
"Of course, I do," Carver said."I was the lead investigator, and we didn't ever find the killer.I told you that already.I blamed myself, and other people did a wonderful job of blaming me, also.I struggled with it for a long time, but I forgave myself.I knew it wasn’t my fault."
"No?"Alison asked, trying to hide her surprise."How did you do that?Forgive yourself?I was only on the case for five minutes, and I still blame myself for the killer not being caught.How were you able to let it go?"
Carver stiffened in her seat."Some things are not in our control," she replied."I did my best to guide and drive the investigation, but you must know from experience that you can't always catch the killer, though youhaveshown time and time again that you are excellent at doing so.Perhaps that’s why you feel so much guilt.You were able to catch many killers over the past couple of years, but you couldn't do anything back then.You’re comparing your recent success to your past failures."
"I was young back then," Alison commented."I was new to the job."
"That’s not an excuse," Carver warned, her voice getting louder."What?If you were a bus driver, would it be acceptable to crash on your first day because you are new?No, you would be expected to do your job flawlessly because you were trained.Perhaps you lacked experience, but you were trained for a job, Dr.Payne."
Alison didn't push that line of conversation any further.She was getting to Carver with her comments, and she didn't want to push her too far, or they might lose her.
Alison also didn't question where they were going.Wherever Carver was taking her, it was likely where Sterling was being held, and it would be somewhere secluded so Carver could finish what she started.Alison resisted the urge to dip into her pocket for her phone and check that Hartley was on the way.She couldn’t tip Carver off.
