“A precise, logical planner driven by a homicidal rage. Funny thing about contract killers. They can appear cool and practical about actions that horrify most people, but there’s nothing cool or practical about their motivation—and I don’t mean the money they get paid to do what they do. That’s secondary. I’ve met hit men. I’ve interrogated them. I’ve gotten to know a few of them fairly well. And you know what they are, for the most part? They’re rage-driven serial killers who’ve managed to turn their insanity into a paying job. You want to hear something really nuts?”

Her expression was more wary than curious, but he went on anyway. “I used to tell Kyle when he was a kid that one key to a happy life, a happy career, was to find an activity you enjoyed enough that you’d be willing to do it without being paid—then find someone willing to pay you to do it. Well, not many people succeed in doing that. Pilots, musicians, actors, artists, and athletes, mainly. And hit men. I don’t mean that professional killers end up happy. In fact, most of them die violently or die in prison. But they like what they do when they’re doing it. Most of them would end up killing people whether they were paid for it or not.”

As he was speaking, she was becoming more distressed. “David, what on earth is your point?”

He realized he’d worked himself farther out onto a limb than he’d intended. “Only that my withdrawing from the case now wouldn’t accomplish anything positive.”

She was making an apparent effort to remain calm. “Because you’re already on his radar screen?”

“It’s possible.”

Her tone began to fray. “It’s because of that vile Criminal Conflict program. Bincher using your name, tying you to Hardwick. That idiot Brian Bork created the problem. He needs to make it go away. He needs to announce that you’re off the case. Gone.”

“I’m not sure that would make any difference at this point.”

“What are you telling me? That you’ve managed to set yourself up—once again—in front of some lunatic murderer? That there’s nothing to do now but wait for some horrible confrontation?”

“That’s what I’m trying to avoid—by getting to him before he can get to me.”

“How?”

“By finding out everything I can about him. So I can predict his actions better than he can predict mine.”

“That’s the pattern, isn’t it? You and him.”

“Pardon?”

“You and him. One on one. It’s the same life-or-death contest you always seem to get yourself into. It’s the reason I wanted you to see Malcolm.”

He felt numb. “It’s not the same this time. It’s not just me. I have people on my side.”