He picked up the empty pizza boxes and take-out containers that were stacked on the kitchen counter and dragged them down to the Dumpster. For a moment, the memory of finding Lexas lifeless body by the Dumpster in her back alley assailed him. Grief washing over him, making him weak in the knees.

What would Lexa think of how he was behaving now? Was would Fiona think? Moping around. Feeling sorry for himself. Losing control of his emotions. This wasnt the man theyd thought he was. This wasnt the man he wanted to be.

He walked to the nearest grocery story and picked up food. Actual food. Vegetables and fruit. Crusty whole grain bread. Chicken breasts and salmon. Then he came home and cooked. And when he was finished eating, he did the damn dishes.

He looked longingly at the bottle of Scotch and his recliner and then turned his back on them. Nope. That wasnt the way he wanted to live.

The directory of providers that Ashley had given him sat on his dining table. Hed stopped when he hit Dolan. There were twenty-two more letters in the alphabet to get through.

He cracked his knuckles and sat down with the pages.

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

The man watched the house from the safety of his car across the street. It was a nice neighborhood. Who didnt like Alexandria? Good schools. Property held its value.

Up and down the street, lights came on in kitchens and dining rooms and family rooms as the sun began to set. The day had been warm, truly spring-like. The evening would cool off a bit, but not by much. Still, windows and doors that had been open were being closed. Hed hoped he could slip in unannounced, but that seemed less likely by the moment.

Besides, no lights were coming on in the house he was watching. Where the hell was the doctor?

The MD that was so full of himself, so convinced doctors knew everything, so sure doctors were God.

Idiot.

The man gnawed on the side of his thumb. This wasnt good. He was so close. So close! Hed have worked his way through his list after this one last person. Then his work would be complete. He could relax.

Where. Was. The. Doctor?

The man shot to attention. A car came down the street, signaling a turn into the driveway of the house he was watching. Was it him?

He collapsed back in his seat. No. It was a woman. A blonde. Must be the mans wife.

She pulled into the garage, cut the engine, then the garage door came down. Lights came on inside. With the darkness outside, it was like she was performing a play for him. Acting out putting away groceries, leafing through the mail.

He wished he could change the channel.

So where was his final victim? Not at home. Not at the hospital. Hed already checked there.