Was that what Bishop had in store? she wondered. Was he planning to cut her baby from her womb and kill the child in front of her, as Jasper would do?

“Of course that’s not what I want,” he said as though he was shocked she’d even suggest it. “I’m excited about the baby. This might be the only child I ever have.”

Only child he ever had? What did he mean by that? She had no clue, but she wasn’t about to ask. In this moment, all she cared about was getting something she could trust to drink. “Then get me some fucking water,” she said.

Hilltop, AK—Saturday, 4:30 p.m. AKDT

Jasper studied the screen. They weren’t allowed much computer time. The inmates faced stiff competition for such luxuries. Most had to earn it by participating in various studies, which he’d so far refused to do. He wouldn’t permit Evelyn to examine him like some kind of lab rat. The only satisfaction he had left was denying her.

She pretended she didn’t care that he refused, told him he’d eventually succumb to boredom and crave the benefits badly enough to change his mind.

Sometimes he worried that she’d turn out to be right. He did require a great deal of stimulation—someone who killed for fun was always searching for some kind of high. There were moments when he wondered if seeking that adrenaline rush was the only reason he’d done what he’d done.

But he didn’t wonder enough to give in. As long as he had money on his books, he could pay for the privileges he didn’t earn. So far, the women he corresponded with on the outside had taken pretty good care of him. The funds they sent enabled him to live passably well, for a prisoner—better than most, thanks to his notoriety and good looks.

He clicked away from the Internet to check his e-mail again. He was hoping to receive word from Chastity Sturdevant. She was too young to be able to offer him the resources some of the other women he was involved with could. She’d graduated from high school only two weeks ago, didn’t have a job. But she brought other assets to the table. She was far more attractive than the typical “desperate prison groupie”—hot and young enough that she made the other inmates jealous, which was fun. Jasper enjoyed being admired. That she also lived so close to Minneapolis and could drive to Beacon Point Mental Hospital had just been lucky.

No new messages. Damn! Where was she? She should’ve been there by now. Was Bishop still at the hospital? And, if not, did she call Sergeant Murphy as he’d told her to do?

He’d kill her one day if she didn’t.

He glanced at the clock on the wall of the small prison library. Only five minutes left. If she didn’t check in with him soon, he’d have to wait until he could afford more computer time, which could be several days. There were people who had a cell phone in this prison, but the bribe to be able to use it was much too expensive. He hadn’t realized he would have such a need, so he hadn’t saved for it.