“I don’t know. But something happened that night, Detective. Something powerful enough, or maybe simply personal enough, that not even a pure psychopath such as my sister has been able to speak of it since.”

Chapter 13

Who am I? Average security company employee.

What do I look like? Nothing special. Tan pants, blue button-down shirt, baseball cap pulled low.

Primary motivation? Just doing my job.

Purpose of operation: Distract investigative efforts, confuse the issue.

Net gain: Everyone loves a villain.

The nondescript security company employee drove straight to the target.

No other vehicles in the driveway. No signs of life in the home. The security company employee parked on the street, grabbed a black computer bag from the passenger’s seat, then pressed a navy-blue baseball cap lower onto head.

The khaki pants were baggy, same with the faded blue shirt. Flea market finds, hence the lack of perfect fit. But cheap clothes were disposable clothes. And excess fabric further distorted one’s size, which would come in handy later, when nosy neighbors were inevitably called upon to provide a description.

Deep breath in and out. Hands flexing and unflexing on the steering wheel. This was it. Not a time to think but a time to do. Research had been done, plans debated, decisions made. Now the moment was at hand.

The first time, lurking outside the target’s town house. Realizing after months and weeks of consideration that this was finally it . . . Then carefully positioning the package in the center of the walkway, far enough that she’d have to leave the doorway to retrieve it. Ringing the doorbell, then ducking behind the fake ficus tree in the corner of the front porch. The target opened the front door. The target sighed, spotting the delivery fifteen feet away. The target set out to retrieve her prize. Making it so easy to slip inside, taking up position in a hall closet until late that night, when the lights were finally out . . .

Who am I? Nothing. Nobody. No one. Or maybe I am just like you. The outsider, looking in.

What is my motivation? Financial security. Personal success. Call of the wild. Or maybe, just like you, I want to be someone. To finally feel as if I belong.

Now, the nondescript security company employee exited the van and headed straight for the home’s front door.

Body angled, counting on bulky clothes to help further obscure the view, the nondescript security company employee picked the twin locks. Which, of course, triggered the home security system into its first round of wails.

Not rushing. In fact, now relaxing. Because with the alarm came further justification for the presence of a security company employee. All, in fact, was proceeding according to plan.

Striding into the house. Heading for the stairs. Locating the master bedroom.