Page 23 of Inferno

I think.

“Let’s talk about the other situation for a minute,” she suggests. “Have you contacted the police?”

Shaking my head to clear my thoughts about Inferno, I smile. “Yeah, of course.”

“And what are they doing to help?”

“I don’t know, exactly. They told me to call if I receive any more notes or if something happens, but I sort of got the impression that there isn’t much they can do about a stalker until the stalker actually tries something.”

“In other words, they can’t do anything about it until someone gets hurt?”

“Pretty much.”

“I’m sorry you’re having to go through that. It must be scary.”

“It is,” I admit. “Doing what I do for a living means there’s no shortage of suspects.” I tilt my head at her. “Well, you must know, right? We don’t exactly deal with the sanest of individuals.”

Dr. Bolten chuckles. “I don’t know if it’s a question of insanity, but yes, I know what you mean. I take it you think it’s one of your clients?”

“It has to be. There’s no one else in my life that would do this.”

“It could be someone you’ve never met,” she says. “Stalkers aren’t rational, and their victims aren’t always a person they know. Take celebrities for example… It’s not like their stalkers are anyone who’s in their lives for any other reason than as a fan. Does that make sense?”

“It does. And that makes it all the more terrifying. I genuinely have no idea who’s doing this.”

“Have you thought about taking self-defense classes or anything?”

“No.”

“Maybe that’s something to think about.”

“Yeah, maybe.”

Or I could just hire Inferno to be my bodyguard.

“I’m going to throw this out there because I think it’s important to acknowledge all possible options,” she begins. “Is it possible that Dean is behind the notes and tires?”

“No.”

As quickly as I dismiss the idea, it returns full force to take root in my gray matter. Is it possible? Yes, I suppose it is. Do I really think it’s him? I don’t know.

And that’s a problem.

“I’m a big supporter of trusting your gut,” Dr. Bolten states. “And it seems as if your gut is telling you that this guy is trustworthy. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out the possibility.”

“You’re right, it needs to be considered.”

And now I’ve got one more thing to be afraid of.

12

Inferno

My lungs burn as I race back inside the school. The little girl’s face is emblazoned on my brain, keeping me focused solely on finding more children to save. I manage to get through several halls, shouting every few seconds and listening for sounds of life.

“In here!”

Adrenaline rushes through my veins, and I move toward the voice. “Where are you?” I yell.

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