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“Of course. It’s part of my criminal psychology class. Basic curriculum that we cover each semester. I would be remiss in my work if I did not analyze the killer who hunted on the very college campus where I teach.”

Hunter felt the light spatter of rain on his shoulders and head. “Are you going to invite us inside?”

“Would you come?” The question was directed at Shelby, not Hunter. “Because I didn’t think you’d want to step foot inside. That’s why I have not extended an invitation.” He motioned with one hand back toward the waiting house. “But, please, by all means, if you wish to come inside, let’s take this conversation into my home.”

Shelby’s gaze darted from his hand to the entrance of the house. “Why did you buy this place?”

“Got one hell of a deal on it. Nate’s mother died. Some say it was grief that broke her. The horror that she’d raised such a killer.” A pause. “But, according to the ME, it was a heart attack. And Nate’s dad had died years ago. No one was left to take the house, not with Nate being incarcerated. The place came up on the market, and I just could not pass it up.”

The rain fell a bit harder.

“Coming inside?” Gabriel asked. “Or are we done for the day?”

As far as Hunter was concerned, it was time to go⁠—

“Coming inside.” Shelby squared her shoulders. “I’m not afraid of a house.”

Gabriel began to smile again…

Then Shelby added, “It’s the people inside the house that you have to worry about.”

His smile froze.

“A house is just bricks and wood.” Her gaze had shifted back to Gabriel’s face. “People are the real monsters.”

Gabriel nodded. “I could not agree more.”

Chapter Seventeen

“I don’t like him.” Hunter’s low voice, rasping in her left ear, as they followed Professor Gabriel Parker toward the towering house.

Same. Shelby completely echoed the dislike and distrust that she knew Hunter felt for the professor. It was something about Gabriel’s eyes—the way he watched her with a clinical focus. She’d had a shrink once who stared at her the same way. No real interest in helping her, oh, no, that shrink had been all too eager to jump in her head, to attempt slicing apart her past, and try to figure out just how Shelby could have been so close to a serial killer…and never seen any of the warning signs.

You think I don’t already ask myself that question all the time?

Gabriel shoved open the front door. Disappeared inside. She started to follow, but Hunter caught her wrist, stopping her. With his head still close to her ear, he warned, voice just for her, “This creep wants to fuck your mind.”

Yes, she believed that Gabriel did. Her head turned. “Yours, too.” She didn’t like the way that Gabriel had been asking Hunter about that high-level predator bullshit.

“Is there a problem?” Gabriel appeared again. “Changed your minds about staying?”

They were on the sprawling porch, protected from the rain that came in light strips from the dark clouds. The rain would become heavier, she was sure of it. Just…not yet.

“You don’t have to come inside,” Gabriel told them. He sent what she figured was supposed to be a quick, reassuring smile. Only the smile didn’t reach his cold eyes. “We can always schedule an appointment at my office on campus. I’ll be happy to answer your questions there, but, in return, you must answer mine.” His brows climbed. “Again, that victimology research I mentioned⁠—”

“We’re coming in.” Shelby definitely had the feeling he wanted her to stay out of the house, and that made her more determined to cross the threshold. But, before she crossed it, Shelby felt like it was time for some honesty. “Any hesitation you see is because Hunter and I think you’re way too violence obsessed, and we’re trying to figure out if you killed Tiffany Blake.”

Her response surprised him. She caught the brief flash of surprise on his face before it was smoothed away.

“That’s why you’re here?” Gabriel’s head tilted just a little to the left. He laughed. “Because you think I’m a killer?”

“Are you?” Hunter asked.

Gabriel’s head angled toward Hunter. “Are you?”

“Yeah. I’ve killed. But not some defenseless co-ed. I’ve never wanted to go after anyone or anything weaker than I am. Just not my style.”

“Right. Because you think you’re a defender. That you protect those who need you. And that justification makes your actions seem warranted.” Gabriel stroked his chin. “Thinking that way lets you sleep at night so that guilt doesn’t eat you from the inside out. The horrible things you had to do, the lives you’ve taken, they don’t haunt you as much as long as you keep telling yourself that you’re the good guy and the others deserved exactly what they got.” Another stroke along his chin. “But do you truly believe that? Or do you know that some people are just designed for violence and you are one of those individuals?”