As she was caught up in trying to sort this out, she heard voices approaching. Jacks was easy enough, and Stanhopes deep timbre was also hard to miss. They were coming into the large workroom, coming around to her side of the wall of cubicles. When they stepped into view, Stanhope looked pleased, but tired. Jack looked rather drained, but there was an unmistakable look of satisfaction on his facethe look of a man that believed hed just wrapped up a job well done.

Well, Jack said, I know he all but confessed in the hospital room, but we got a solid one just now. A confession and more, really.

You werent even in there for half an hour, she pointed out.

Stanhope sighed, resting his backside on the edge of Rachels borrowed desk. That poor bastard has wanted to get everything out for ages, it seemed.

Once he started, it just wouldnt stop, Jack said. And I met his mother for a bit today, so I at least have a reference point. She was always tearing him down, talking bad about him. I think it just drove him to do whatever it took to please her. He had started med school about twelve years ago, but his mom got sick and there was no father or other family around, so it was all on him. He dropped out, took on some menial jobs and did his best to care for her. But they were always broke because of medicine and hospital stays. Mom directed her anger and disappointment at himsomething he says shes been doing since he was just a kid. She blames him for her husband leaving, for why she had no social life, for why they were always struggling.

My God, Rachel said. And all he wanted to do was make her happy?

Yeah. He thought by making sure she got to the top of that transplant list, shed be healthier. But he also claims to have heard her voice in his head. Not like recalling things shed said, but as if she were with him all the time. So, I think theres a mental illness aspect to it, too. A psychiatrist is coming in to see him within the hour.

Was she actually sending him out to kill people?

Not according to him, Stanhope said. He swears up and down that his mother had no idea what he was up to.

The trio fell into silence for several tense moments as the weight of the case settled on them. These were the sorts of cases that truly got under Rachels skin. Shed much rather deal with someone that had very pointed and violent motives rather than someone that had gone to such lengths just because they felt unseen and unheard.