He went upstairs, then locked the second door. He really wished he had more time tonight—he was certain that Gertie was down there freaking the hell out. He'd thought about installing a webcam, but wasn't positive that he could make the feed completely secure.

If he'd ever learned to whistle, this was when he'd use that skill. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been this upbeat. None of the other abductions had given him this much satisfaction.

Was it the extra element of danger?

Or was it because Gertie was more personal than the others? She was trying to harm him. She actually deserved her fate.

He supposed it didn't matter. He wasn't going to start purposely trying to make his abductions more dangerous, and if revenge became part of his victim selection, he'd eventually get caught, no doubt about it.

So he'd simply enjoy feeling good while it lasted. He doubted it would be long.

Ken walked into the garage and pressed the button to open the door. He got into his car, turned on the engine, and made a failed attempt to whistle as he waited for the door to raise all the way. After it did, he put the car into reverse, backed out—and immediately slammed on the brakes to avoid hitting the person who'd stepped into view.

Vivian. Not looking happy.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Ken just stared into the rearview mirror, trying not to shit his pants.

She walked over to his door. It took him a moment to think to put the vehicle in park. He rolled down the window, accidentally using the lever for the back window first, then correcting his mistake.

"Get out of the car," Vivian told him.

Ken opened the door.

"Shut off the engine first."

He shut off the engine, pocketed the keys, and got out of the car. He shut the door, removed the keys from his pocket to lock the car, then shoved the keys back into his pocket again. His stomach hurt and he wanted to hurry over to the bushes and vomit. Instead, he stood his ground.

"Why are you here?" he asked.

"I've got a better question," said Vivian. "Why are you here?"

"Did you follow me?"

"No. I put Jared's phone under your seat. Tracked it with the computer. And that's the only question I'll be answering until you explain whose house this is."

Ken wanted to be outraged at the invasion of privacy, the lack of trust...but her lack of trust had been justified, so what could he say?

She probably thought he was having an affair. And Ken honestly wasn't sure if she'd react worse to that, or to the caged women in the basement.

"It's nobody's house," he said. It was the stupidest thing he could have possibly said, but his mind was a Tilt-a-Whirl right now.

"Nobody's house," Vivian repeated.

Ken shrugged.

"Is she inside?"

"Who?"