“The instinct to survive is not as strong as people think. Pain is more daunting than life. The sick and depressed crave extinction. Even content souls wonder about death.”

“Do you think the women you killed wanted to die?”

“They did when the acid began to eat into their hearts.”

“Where are they now?” she asked.

“Don’t you know?”

Such a simple question. He was telling her she should know. That meant she had learned more on her last trip than she realized. Or else he was playing with her. Always a possibility.

“No,” she answered.

“Don’t worry, I’m not disappointed in you. But Amy will disappoint Matt. Have you tried to talk him into killing me?”

“I don’t know him that well.”

“Are you sure? Have you slept with him yet?”

“Why did you call?”

“I told you. July fourth. A hero’s day. Will I be seeing you?”

“I’m not sure I’ll be finished with my business by then.”

“You’ll be finished. Neither you nor Matt will disappoint me.”

“Why did you say he was dangerous?”

“I didn’t say that. I said they were both dangerous.”

“The combination?”

“Yes. When combined with the other. The triangle, you know.”

“‘The Tears of Rati’?” she asked.

“Yes. You wonder why I’m so interested in Matt?”

“You feel he’s a kindred soul?”

“Perhaps. But my disposition might lie elsewhere.”

Was he sympathetic to Amy? “Where?”

He yawned. “I’m tired. It’s time for my nap. Come after the fireworks. I’ll be sure to be alone. We will talk.”

He hung up. Setting down the phone, she felt as if she had just been asked what size coffin she wanted. And this burial plot over here, Kelly Fienman, we have plenty of room left if you’re in the spirit. He did not threaten her—he could not—yet she felt as if she was walking into a trap.

Her vow to kill him was bullshit. She could ignore him for the rest of her life. But who was she fooling? He had her number—she would have no rest if she did not destroy him. He would keep calling or, worse, she would continue to park across his street and gaze at his window. Searching for that Ghost of Christmas Past. There was a surprise buried at the bottom of the stocking he’d made for her.

Her talk with Gene Banks had stirred a strange question inside her.

How had Charlie known she’d visited the Acid Man?

Kelly suddenly noticed that there was something wrong with her apartment. The observation was disturbing because she could not pinpoint its source. Nothing appeared out of place. Yet it was as if the entire environment had been lifted up and set down again. Quickly she checked her gun in the closet. It was where she had left it, but had she placed it with the butt pointed up?