Page 30 of Pure Killers

"Cadden. People said he was going to run for mayor soon, despite the rumours. He and his party, of course, have denied any association with those things, calling them unfounded lies, but…"

"Not now," I conclude.

"Not now," she agrees. “They’re throwing Cadden under the bus now that he’s gone. Cutting all ties.”

I rest my head briefly on my hand. "But this guy wasn't a serial killer."

"Well," Dirk says, tapping his pen. "I don't see the public having a problem with the deviation so far."

He’s certainly right on that. The reporters are in a frenzy over the new direction Needler is taking. Two in one dreary night, and everyone everywhere is conjecturing which of Tregam’s political or controversial figures could be next. Tawill tries to calm them, standing out the front of the station with their mics pushed towards her.“Needler’s choice of victim was character-based, not politically directed. He has no affiliations in government.”

Much good it will do.

***

It’s stupid, I know that. As soon as darkness falls, and with it a drizzling, spitting rain, each drop like a freezing little needle, I go back to the mill, to that platform at the top of the crane.

“Back for more?”

I jump, swallowing a scream, and face him. The line of his mask glints in the dark. “I don’t have anything so interesting to show you tonight.”

“You took two,” I say, ignoring his barb.

“Well, you saved two.”

Talisof and the Butcher. I shake my head slowly. “They’re not saved.”

He comes closer, looking down at me. The hair on the back of my neck stands up. I’m hyper-aware of how close he’s come, how close he was just last night, and of my treacherous reaction then.

“Why are you here?” he asks, voice low. The spotlight is off tonight, and his mask is a black oval in the shadow of his hood. “I hope you don’t think you’re going to bring me in single-handedly.”

My lips tighten. “Why areyouhere again? Did you know I’d be back?”

“Maybe I just like the view.”

“We’re going to catch you,” I promise him. “You’re impetuous.”

“Ah, I see. You’re upset I didn’t stick to the pattern.” He laughs, the sound shrill through the voice changer. “Or maybe it’s something else…” He leans down fast, snatching a kiss and catching my mouth. This time, I react faster. With a yell, I scratch his neck and break away, pushing back against the link wall.

“Good job. You managed to not kiss me back this time. You know, I was only trying to drug you last time…”

“Was that…” I touch my lip. That aniseed taste, but nothing else. Am I imagining the dizziness, the blackness?

“Not this time.”

My hand drops, though my heart rate doesn’t, fluttering in my chest. “How are you finding them? How’d you find Strangler? How could you be sure about Cadden?”

An idle shrug. “Going places you won’t, or can’t. Connections. Talking to the right people.”

“Tregam underground,” I ascertain, trying not to think of the people Dirk was speaking to so casually, likely in the same network.

“The answers are there… if you’re friends with the right people.”

“Why show me anything, why talk to me?”Why did you kiss me?I want to ask, but won’t.

“Maybe I’m getting bored waiting for you to stumble in the right direction yourself.” A smile in his voice now. “Maybe I like your spirit.”

My mouth twists. “You murdered my husband.”

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