“He liked to do unusual things. Many men do. I didn’t mind.”

“What sort of things?”

“I don’t think you have the right to ask that question.”

“Okay. Tell me about his childhood?”

“Gene seldom talked about his family. I know his mother died when he was ten and that he was raised by his father. I know he revered the man.”

“Is the father still alive?”

“Yes. He lives in Trenton. That’s twenty miles south of here.”

The Acid Man had said his father was dead. “Does he know the details of Gene’s crime?”

“Of course.”

“How old is the father?”

“Eighty-one. But he’s sharp. He used to be a doctor.”

“How did Gene’s father feel about you?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Please don’t ask me to explain each of my questions.”

“Gene’s father was very happy when we married. When Robert was born it was hard to imagine a prouder grandfather.”

“Do you know how the mother died?”

“Gene said she fell down a flight of stairs.”

“Did Gene witness this event?”

“I don’t think so.”

“What sort of romantic relationships did Gene have before you two met?”

“I don’t know. He never talked about other women.”

“Didn’t you find that odd?”

“I considered it a blessing. I don’t like men who gossip about past affairs.”

“But do you know if he was with someone before you? In a serious relationship?”

“I told you, I don’t know.”

Kelly was annoyed. “Why the hostility? If it wasn’t for me, you would probably be dead.”

“He wouldn’t have killed me.”

“He would definitely have killed you.”

Julie was certain. “Not until he was done.”

“Done murdering? It wouldn’t have lasted forever.”

“How do you know?”

“Julie?” Kelly said, shocked. The woman almost sounded disappointed.

Julie stopped walking and gave her an odd look. It was as if she weighed her in terms of competition. She glanced toward Michael, then turned toward the pond. Black blue water, calm as the floor of a deep well. A swarm of mosquitoes hovered near like a cloud of bad thoughts.

A sudden change came over the woman. Her selfrighteousness was replaced by an uncivilized veneer. Her breathing deepened and seemed to expand. She rested her hands on her hips and kicked off her shoes. Stepping forward, she touched a toe in the water. It was as if the liquid hissed. Perhaps it was the mosquitoes.

Kelly felt confused. Julie’s next question did not help it.

“Did he kiss you before he poured the acid on you?” she asked.

“No,” Kelly replied.

“Did he touch you?”

“No. All he did was tell me I was very pretty.”

“You liked him, didn’t you? Before he attacked you.”

“I found him charming. What’s your point?”