He sought out women he believed to be unfaithful. He seduced them, tortured them, then killed them. He let the whole world see what he did by taping the murders. But he didn’t let anyone see what he did with the women’s bodies.

Why?

The obvious answer was that he was trying to hide something. Because if the bodies were located, this something would come to light. And since he did not want the bodies found, that meant he still had his secrets, perhaps even fears. Yet what did a man who begged to die have to fear? The paradox disturbed her.

Kelly dug deeper. How did he seduce women? He was handsome and charming, but his main tool was his clever lies. That was the cornerstone of his technique. He lied to women. Kelly almost felt like shouting the sentence out loud.

He lied to women!

Yet for some reason—ever since he had pointed his gun at her in his apartment—she had believed he was telling her the truth. He had seemed to care for her. In a way, he had made her feel special. But the women he had killed must have each felt the same to have risked so much to be with him. Kelly began to see her relationship with him in a new light. He had provided her with several extraordinary insights, about herself as well as Matt. But had all of that simply been part of an elaborate manipulation?

What was his ultimate goal?

He said he wanted to die. What if that was just another lie?

And if that was the case, did it mean … he wanted her to die?

“God, he sounded so convincing,” she said aloud as she drove. She wanted to continue the mental examination but she was near Michael and Julie’s house. Christ, if nothing happened tonight she would look like such a fool. Julie could call the local FBI office and report her for scaring them for no reason. There was something about that woman that gave her the creeps. Kelly wondered what a guy like Michael saw in her, besides her beauty.

Michael was out front with Robert, playing Frisbee, when she drove up. Robert appeared pretty athletic for a six-year-old. He caught a fast one from his stepfather. The steaming thermometer had yet to acknowledge the setting sun. Getting out of her car, her hot skin longed for California. She was envious of their attire—they both had on shorts and tennis shoes. Michael’s tan muscles and natural handsomeness reminded her of Matt.

Robert stopped and stared as she approached. Michael rubbed his head and told him to get his mother. Robert did not run in the house but around the side. Michael tossed the Frisbee as she neared. She caught it with one hand. He was impressed.

“You must have been an athlete,” he said.

“A frustrated one,” she said. “I played basketball in high school.”