The fact that Rosie wasn’t here and I’d be alone with him gave me major pause. I wished she had mentioned earlier that she may be out. It would have changed my mind about running up here alone. But there was no way I was turning back now. At least it sounded like she would be back soon. I followed him inside where he led me to sit in the living room I’d admired on my last visit. I felt like the Virgin Mary statue was staring at me now, mocking me, as if saying, ‘How’d you not catch on to what he was up to?’ I remained quiet, unsure how I felt about being alone with the potential Tri-State Killer. I sat there for a long moment, battling internally with what to say, wondering if I should just confront him and gauge his reaction. But how do you tell someone you think they may be a murderer? Hi newfound uncle, are you by chance a serial killer?

I shook my head, spinning the ring on my finger as I looked at him sitting next to me, only one cushion’s length between us. This is a huge mistake. What if he catches on that I know he’s TSK? I’d never been good at lying. My confidence waned. I wasn’t sure if I was capable of acting casual, when just under the surface I was terrified. Especially in front of a serial killer who was known for manipulation. I bounced my leg anxiously, the urge to bolt creeping up on me. Maybe I should have just left all this to the FBI, like my mom and Andie both told me to. The fear spreading like wildfire down my limbs forced me to make a decision. This was definitely a mistake. If I confronted him and I was correct in my assumptions, then I’d just offered myself up on a silver platter. He’d probably kill me too. But there were two women missing. I couldn’t turn back now. He needed to be unmasked and there was still a chance I could save them. I rubbed my lips together, thinking about how to get out safely without turning this whole trip into a complete waste of time. If I could distract him somehow then I could look through his office drawers and maybe see if we could sort through more of the boxes upstairs. I also wanted another look at that nautical poster.

‘So, what brings you up here today?’ Cris said, snapping me out of my scheming.