Rachel watched Quinns face and could see the shame plastered across it. More than that, though, she could see a slight tremor in his hands. It could just be nerves from being interrogated by the FBI, but she thought it was most likely part of his alcoholism. And if his condition was so bad that it was causing him the shakes, there was no way he could have killed the last two victimsnot with the sort of precision the killer had displayed.

Throw in witnesses to his time at the bars over the last few nights and one thing became clear: Joseph Quinn was not the killer. They still did not have a killer in custody, and they were quickly running out of time.

That thought struck a note in her head and made her pause for a moment. Every other thought in her head fell away for a moment as she focused on it. Quickly running out of time…

What if that was exactly what their killer was dealing with? What if their killer was acting out in such a frantic schedule (three victims in just four days) because he was running out of time? Or, if they were killing in the hopes of assisting someone else, what if the person they were killing for was running out of time?
Mr. Quinn, sit tight for a second, would you? she said.

Quinn nodded, finally finding the courage to start sipping at his coffee. Even in that simple little motion, she could still see the slight trembling of his hands.

Rachel left the room, noticing Jacks confused expression as he followed her out. She closed the door and took a few steps away from the interrogation room before she turned back to Jack.

Yeah, I didnt think it was him, either, Jack said. Anyone that quick to say he has several people to back up his excessive time at the bars that isnt telling a lie isnt going to look that ashamed of himself.

That and the shakes. Did you notice them?

Jack shook his head and frowned. Whats with the look? You got something new?

Maybe. I want to have another look at the transplant list. I think we might be sorting out the names wrong.

Hows that?

Maybe we dont try analyzing them over who is a victim and who the killer might be. What if our killer is working so quickly because he or a loved one is running out of time?

It took Jack a few seconds to catch on, but a gradual look of encouragement crept across his face. So we need to find out who on that list is the sickest.

Exactly, Rachel said. We need to see if we can find out who on the transplant list doesnt have much time left.

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE