Ken smacked his palm against his forehead in frustration. "What did I just say? Why aren't you listening to me? I didn't strangle anybody tonight." He held up his arms. "Do you see any new scratches? Any signs that somebody fought back? Anything? Want to check my fingernails for dirt? Do you want to check the shovel in the trunk? I swear to God, Vivian, I'm telling the truth. You know about all of them. Like you said, their pictures show up on the news."

"Maybe you've been killing outside of your type. How do I know you aren't murdering little girls?"

"Are you listening to yourself? Is your brain processing the words that are coming out of your mouth? I can't just go around strangling a new girl every other night. You don't think I'd get caught if I was digging that many graves? If I'm going on this massive slaughter spree, why isn't it on the news, huh? How come the news is only covering the ones you know about?"

"Maybe you're traveling."

"Yeah, that's it. That makes so much sense. How the hell would I get a little girl, anyway? You think I'm going to take the risk of talking to a strange child and have her run away and tell her parents?" He put his hands on Vivian's shoulders and looked into her eyes. "Vivian, honey, the eight women I've told you about are the only ones. I would never hunt without telling you. I know how bad things will be for you and Jared if I get caught, and I'd never put you through that."

"Then where were you tonight?"

"I was at a bar! I drink too much, okay? You married an alcoholic. I got drunk and I was irresponsible and inconsiderate. What do I have to do to convince you I wasn't out on a hunt? Just tell me and I'll do it!"

"Take me to the bar and let me verify your story with the bartender."

"The bar's closed. That's why I left. But we'll go tomorrow as soon as it opens, okay?" Ken knew that after a good night's sleep, Vivian wouldn't bother with this crap. But he'd have to start spending less time in the basement, at least until she had a week or so to chill out.

Vivian stepped away from him. "Are you hungry?"

"Yeah. I'll make something."

"Did this bar you were at have a television?"

"Three of them. Why?"

"Were any of those three televisions playing the news?"

"Just tell me what you're trying to say, Viv."

"I'm saying that the news was very interesting tonight."

Ken suddenly felt more than a little queasy. "Interesting how?"

"Don't crap your pants. The police aren't going to break down our door. Go make yourself some nachos or something, and I'll show you."

"Show me now."