Page 15 of 1st Shock
"What do you want?" She asks.
An odd glint fills Mickey's eyes and my stomach twists. I'm no psychologist, but my sister stirs something in him, and it scares the crap out of me.
He leans in a bit and nudges his chin at her. "A look at your tits."
Again with this? For the love of God, if it would get him to admit what he did, I'd show him mine. They're bigger than Charlie's anyway.
I let out a mental sigh and Charlie gives me the side-eye, the one that tells me I'm screwing up her interview. Perhaps that sigh wasn't mental. I sit back and press my lips together, determined to stay quiet and let my sister do her thing.
Flashing her tits at Mickey falls in JJ's hell-no requests, I'm sure. Charlie's as well. "If I recall correctly," she says, "you're a smoker."
"Yeah. No joy in it anymore. Can't get my brand in here. I gotta go with the shit they bring in."
Excellent.
Charlie nods. "How about I have the U.S. District Attorney speak to the warden? Maybe we can get you a couple cartons of your brand."
"Four."
Charlie cocks her head, offers a sultry smile that has that gleam in his eye sparking again. I really wish she wouldn't do that. Prisoner or not, I don't like the way he looks at her. As if he'd like to eat her flesh.
"Three," Charlie negotiates.
As much as I understand the unfolding power struggle, it irritates me. We have murdered women to identify and these two are playing games.
"No deal," Mickey says.
Dammit.
I grab the red folder and slide it toward me.Ffffttt,the card stock brushes against the table, the sound snapping the ruin known as my last nerve.
Charlie's head whips in my direction, but I ignore her warning glare. I'm done screwing around. He's toying with us. I flip the folder open and dig through the small stack to the sketch I drew of Avery. Then I slap it in front of Mickey with athwackthat brings another sick smile to his lips. Yes, I've given him the upper hand by letting him see my lack of patience. Honestly, I don't care. I get to walk out of this hellhole while he's stuck.
So, who really has the power here?
Beside me, Charlie finally sets her hands on the table. She appears cool, always the ultimate professional, but I know my sister and I can feel the steam shooting from her pores.
Sorry, sis.I jab my finger against the sketch. "Her."
Mickey glances at the image. "What about her?"
"She's dead. One of the murdered blondes. She fits the profile of your victims. Did you kill this woman?"
8
Charlie
My sister has hijacked my interview with a serial killer.
I want to give her mystop talkingface, but that would require I glance at her a third time, and if I do, Mickey will know how frustrated I am.Never let them see you sweat.
"We're waiting, Mickey," I say.
I reach down and pinch Meg's thigh–let me handle this. She flinches slightly, but she knew it was coming so it's no surprise. We used to pinch each other under the dinner table all the time.
I dangle the carrot in front of the killer again. "Answer and I'll get your cigarettes."
The sketch of Avery is good—my sister's work is always exceptional, and it blows me away. How she can take a skull and bring it to life gives me chills.
