Darren made sure the door behind him was locked. He stepped toward her, and his closeness made her back up and bump against the Lexus. Her face flushed. Despite everything she knew about him, she felt his sexual aura like warm fingertips on her skin. He looked the same, with his blond hair and hawk-like eyes. He wore a navy sport coat over blue jeans, a peach-colored shirt, and a psychedelic tie. His black boots were shined.

“So what do you want with me, Frankie?” he asked.

He reached out a hand to touch her face, and she jerked away.

“What’s behind that door?” she asked him.

“I’m an importer. Some goods are more sensitive than others.”

“Illegal?”

“Not at all. Just sensitive.”

“Why don’t you show me?” she asked.

“Because then I’d have to kill you,” Darren replied. He saw her flinch, and he added with a wink, “That’s a joke, Frankie. You never did appreciate my sense of humor.”

She wondered what was really behind the locked door. More cartons of electronics. Or guns. Or drugs.

Or a white room.

“You still haven’t told me what you want,” Darren said.

“I want the truth. Someone’s trying to destroy me. I think it’s you.”

He smiled at her with no humor. “Why would I want to destroy you? You were such a big help to me.”

“I don’t know, but then again, I never understood how sick you really were. You kept it well hidden.”

“That must be ironic for you. After all, it was your job to get inside my head. So what is it you think I’m doing, Frankie?”

“You’re abducting my patients. You’re using my own treatment methods to play on their fears. If you want to go after someone, then go after me. Leave my patients alone.”

Darren struck like a snake, coiling his arms around her body and pinning her against the car. She struggled to free herself, but he held her tight, unable to get away. His sweet breath was in her face. His lips were an inch away from her own. “Oh, if you want me to go after you, then I will. Just say the word.”

“Let me go!”

He pushed his lips against her mouth, and she swung her head violently away. He whispered in her ear. “You don’t want me to let go. You want me to take you right here, don’t you? That’s what you’ve dreamed about.”

“Get your hands off me!” she said. “Jason knows I’m here. He’s expecting me to call back.”

“I think you’re lying. I don’t think you’d tell your husband you were coming to see me.”