Page 68 of Seeking Evil

Patrick asked if she knew about his family. “You said he was fifteen when he started working for the cabins. That’s awfully young to be out on his own.”

She hesitated. “Well, I don’t know much. But the previous owner told me his family abandoned him when he was twelve.”

“You’re kidding?” Zeke couldn’t imagine someone doing that to their child.

“You know that he doesn’t speak, right?”

Patrick had said as much.

“Well, there’s something else you should know. I think his father abused him.”

Zeke tensed. He had a feeling he didn’t want to hear what was coming next. He waited for Inez to continue.

“He never told me as much but the couple I bought the place from said he was like a wounded animal when he first started working for them.” She leaned forward. “I saw his tongue once. I think his father may have cut it off.”

Revulsion rose inside Zeke. It didn’t matter how much evil he and the team witnessed, it never ceased to amaze him the depth of darkness in the human heart.

“That’s awful.” Zeke wondered how Inez communicated with him and asked.

“Through writing. When I first met him, he had a little dry erase board with him. I got him a phone and showed him how to text messages. It’s much easier for him to communicate, and I think he enjoys reading books on his phone too. He’s a good man and my friend. I’ve been reading Henry David Thoreau’s works to him. Derek thought it was funny that there was such an important person with his last name.”

Zeke really hoped Derek wasn’t their man. He’d been through enough. But, unfortunately, Zeke had seen the effects that childhood violence had on people. Many of the worst killers he’d witnessed in his time with the BAU were victims of violence at a young age.

“I just can’t see him as being involved in such a horrible thing,” Inez continued.

Zeke told her they’d need to speak with him. “Do you think he’s sleeping?”

She glanced at the clock on the wall. “Maybe. He loves reading and watching movies.” She retrieved her phone from the nearby table. “I can text him.”

“Please do.”

Zeke waited while Inez typed a message. “Would anyone like more coffee?” she asked after she’d finished.

Most of the team refused. They’d all consumed way too much coffee recently.

“I’ll take a refill, but I’ll get it.” Zeke rose and refilled his cup and Inez’s.

“Oh, there he is.” She read the message. “He asked if I needed anything done.”

“Tell him to come here.”

She held the phone without typing. “I won’t lead him on. I’m going to tell him you would like to speak to him.”

Zeke worried if Derek were involved, he’d flee.

“He won’t run. I know my Derek.”

Zeke tried to relax as she notified Derek they were waiting for him.

“He’ll be here,” she told him when she picked up on his unease.

He sure hoped she was right.

Second’s ticked by, and then the door to the office opened.

“No, you don’t. You’ll scare him.” Inez marched past Patrick and Cooper when they started to go through to intercept Derek.

“It’s okay, Derek,” Inez greeted her friend. “They just want to ask you a few questions. I’ll be right there with you.”

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