Page 48 of Diluted Truths
“I wasn't aware that we would have company today.” Griffin’s gaze remained fixed on Will as he spoke.
“Griffin, this is my colleague, Will,” I stated as I gestured towards Will beside me.
“Colleague,” Griffin scoffed and turned back to me. “His presence is inconsequential to what we need to discuss today.”
I looked at Will for comfort, immediately feeling uncomfortable from Griffin’s leer that was directed my way. I had subconsciously begun leaning towards the man who was acting almost as my bodyguard as he stood taller than I had ever seen and maintained what I could only describe as a look of utmost displeasure towards Griffin.
I knew with Will standing by my side, Griffin could do nothing to me. Will would simply not allow it.
I squared my shoulders, using Will for confidence and refocused on Griffin. “Yes, I wanted to discuss the sigil that you marked your victims with.”
Griffin smiled. “Yes, I knew that would get your attention. It’s from the Cult of Creatio.”
I was taken aback by his candor. Griffin seemed so composed and put together. You wouldn’t initially guess that he was a literal serial killer. It did bleed through in small ways. In the ways his hands twitched, unable to remain still. His eyes also darted around the room constantly, only making eye contact when speaking.
“Do you mean the media’s attention?”
“No, Jackie. Yours,” Griffin explained as he stood and walked towards the desk in the room. He pulled out a notebook and handed it towards me. Will intercepted before I could take a hold, upsetting Griffin.
“That wasn’t for you,” Griffin spat at Will.
Will shrugged in response as he began to flip through the pages of the notebook.
“Is there something in there you would like us to see?” I asked, trying to break some of the tension between the two and get some answers from Griffin.
“The sigil,” he responded, still glaring at Will. “I wanted to show you how I perfected it, I made everyone perfect it. If it wasn’t perfect, you would not have come. I needed you to come.”
“Why?” I asked, confusion swirling in my mind.
“Did you know I was missing for a time before the murders?” Griffin asked, ignoring my initial question and retaking his seat on his bed.
I looked to Will to see if he had confirmation of this. Will shook his head very slightly, indicating he wasn’t sure what Griffin was talking about and continued to look through the notebook.
“You disappeared?” I asked.
“That I did, but disappearance is not the word I would use to describe my time away,” Griffin responded, finally moving his glare from Will and meeting my eyes.
His direct attention was very unnerving. Griffin’s eyes felt empty and devoid of life. They reminded me of my parents.
“No? How would you describe that time?” I inquired as I took a seat in the desk chair and positioned myself across from him. Will followed suit and stood behind me as he leafed through the journal pages.
“I was home, watching and waiting for the individual who would go next,” Griffin explained as he relaxed further onto his bed.
“You say you were home?” I leaned forward and rested my elbows on my knees..
“Not the home you think. The one where we all go. That’s where I was. I was home. Mytruehome. I understand you will be there shortly. That is what I have been told.”
“Who told you I was going home soon?” I asked, perplexed.
Did he mean I would be back home in Eugene or back to San Francisco? Maybe Utah?
“Joey, of course. Who else?” Griffin explained as he looked directly into my eyes with an unwavering expression. “It was while he was taking his turn in our home.”
I felt Will tense at the mention of the young boy.
I was clueless as to how Griffin knew of their previous interaction with Joey. It must have been some sort of ploy to try and get under our skin. As far as I was aware, Griffin wasn’t supposed to have any access to the outside world. There was no logical way he could happen upon the information about Joey’s disappearance or our involvement with it. The only explanation was that Sarah must have shared the details when meeting with him.
“How do you know Joey?” I asked, trying to hide the concern in my voice.
