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"You don’t really believe in Beau’s innocence, do you? Not even noith the evidence lying in the ht now," he told her honestly

She shook her head "I’ve read every word let out by the police, the newspapers, every single source No copycat could be so exact"

"I don’t know yet just how exact he was," he said

"I do And I know that Beau wasn’t a killer, no uilty he looked And you…you used him"

"I used a story, a real-life story," he said quietly "And I’uess that’s why I was here tonight This one is between the two of us, Beau and ain When he looked back, she was standing where he had left her, looking bereft and alone

"I’ll keep you inforht that she soodbye

There was a low ground fog beginning to rise Looking up, he saw that the ht Most of the ti Between the , the celow

As he headed to his car, he thought about Sherri Mason, lying on the autopsy table Sherri…tall, sli back into the ce by her brother’s et out of here," he told her She stared at him blankly "It’s dark, and there’s a killer loose Where’s your car?"

"Along the street, just past the gate"

"I’ll see you to it"

"All right" She sounded unconvinced, but she didn’t argue

He walked her to the Honda parked by the curb She must have arrived after the cemetery had officially closed, as well She slid behind the driver’s seat and lowered theHe ducked down to talk to her, but before he could speak, she said, "I know, long red hair I’ll be careful, I promise"

"Thanks"

"I’m twenty-four, but I still live with my folks I’ll be okay"

He nodded as she turned her key in the ignition, and he watched the Honda’s lights disappear into the fog

He stood there for a long rip his spine like an iron claw Beautiful woory, as well

He had lost her tonight, thanks to the cop-turned-writer

But he would prevail He would behave nors went on in his mind He could walk, talk, smile and act co his next kill

But there had been an alht coood

She had been there, so appetizing

He made himself breathe, told himself to function There was his world, his inner world, and then there was the world beyond Sometimes he could combine them, but it was over now

Still, there had been those moments when he had almost been able to taste and feel the results of his brilliance He had coht by happenstance, unable to resist a visit to the grave of thehe hio And then…to see Kidd’s sister…

It was too good

She was such a pretty thing All that lovely hair…

Then he’d shown up

Jed Braden was big and broad-shouldered, clearly capable of holding his own in a fight

But that didn’tas crass as a physical fight He loved watching the duleefully about his business

God, he loved the press The newscasters were so grave when they talked about the latest killing Then, with the switch of a cale, a smile instead of a somber look Suddenly it was "Lots of fun on tap for Halloween this year"

But at ho No change in cale for them A killer was on the loose…

The experts were all baffled It would never be like the crient There would be no solving his murders in a one-hour show

How he loved the attention His double life Defying profilers and "behavioralists," knowing they were more confused than ever now

And all thanks to his own brilliance

Breathe Be ready Walk, talk, smile, and all while the other world lived on in his ain--and soon--when it would beco me chills," Christina said to her cousins

Mike shook his head, looking away "I just want you to be careful"

"I ao anywhere with strangers I’uys know that," she said<ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-7451196230453695" data-ad-slot="9930101810" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins>