Page 40 of Say Nothing
"There you are," Derek said, bursting into the office."We need to go, now."
"What is it?"Alison asked as she leaped up from her chair.
"We have him," Derek said as he turned and headed back out
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Alison grabbed her coat and bag, rushing after Derek.She caught up to him as he was striding through the entranceway, and wanted to ask him for more, but they had the reporters to deal with first.
"Excuse me!"Derek’s voice boomed as he pushed one of the reporters who had stepped in front of him aside."There will be no statements!Let us do our jobs!"
"Dr.Payne, how close are you to finding the killer?"
"How many more women will be killed?"
"Is it true that all the women are connected to the same violent offender, released just two weeks ago?"
Alison ignored all the questions.Most of them were fishing for quotes, and the rest were misinformation.The problem was that if she corrected the false information, more information was confirmed by confirming what was false.
Derek opened the passenger door of his car and held the top of Alison’s head as she ducked inside like she was a criminal he was arresting.He closed the door and ran around to the other side and got in.Then, they were off, the reporters becoming nothing more than specks in the rearview mirror.
"Thank you," Alison said.
"I know they’re just doing their jobs, but they’re like vultures sometimes.It’s in the best interest of the case not to reveal any information at this time, and yet I know that, but they still peck and pick, hoping for a morsel they can publish."
"So, what do you have?"Alison asked.
"Thomas Bennet," Derek said as he drove."After you texted me the name last night, we looked into him some more.We tracked his credit cards and looked into his bank accounts.On the same days as all three women were murdered, he bought an energy drink a block or two from each.We’ve been in touch with the store where he bought a drink on the same day Margaret Donovan was murdered.We obtained CCTV from the store, and we have a positive identification.He was in the area right before she was murdered.We’re waiting for CCTV confirmation from the other two, but the credit card transactions are enough.He was in the same neighborhood as each victim an hour before they were killed.That can't just be a coincidence."
"Are we going to his home?"Alison asked.
"His place of work," Derek confirmed."He has a community reintegration center six books west of the downtown core, and going by his office hours, he should be there right now.A patrol car is on the way to his house.We get him at one of the locations."
"Is it enough for an arrest?"Alison asked."That won't hold up in court by itself."
"That’s why I need you with me," Derek said."I need you to tell me if he’s the killer.I’ve read his file and know what he’s capable of.He never killed anyone, but he came close a couple of times.I don't believe a man like him changes overnight."
"It is a massive coincidence," Alison said."And I was the one who kept him behind bars five years ago.Everyone else thought he should go free, but I didn't.Now, he's advocating on behalf of prisoners.Was that driven by him not getting an early release?Does he blame me for that?"
"I’ll be there with you every step of the way," Derek said."We go in there together, and we come out with him.He’s the guy; I can feel it."
"I’m worried," Alison admitted.
"I won't let anything happen to you," Derek told her.
"No, not about Bennet.About the case.The longer this goes on, the more the media will get a hold of it, and if we don't catch the killer soon, not only will they kill again, but it could stop dozens, hundreds of women from testifying.If they believe that they can be murdered for doing so, then how many criminals get to walk the streets?How many more will be hurt because dangerous people are not behind bars?And all because of me."
"This is not your fault," Derek maintained.
"It doesn’t matter if the killer is killing because of me or not, we’re no closer to catching them other than having another suspect to talk to.We need to do something.Empower women.Let them know they’re protected."
"You’re right," Derek said."As soon as we’re done with Bennett, no matter the outcome, we put another statement out.We urge women to come forward in exchange for protection.We assure them their words are important and will be listened to.We make sure criminals are put behind bars where they belong."
"Good," Alison said."And we catch this killer before they can kill again.That’s the best solution."
"Okay," Derek agreed.
Alison took a deep breath.She felt safe having her gun with her, and Victoria calmed her somewhat, and the action Derek promised went a long way to putting her at ease, but it was when she was with Derek that she felt safest and centered.He didn't have to say anything; he just had to be beside her.
