Page 40 of Girl, Unknown

Well, if the press wanted a story, they’d get it today. He was about to throw a wrench in the works and really put this city on edge, because victim number two was going to be a little different.

And not only was he a social terrorist, but he had competition now. This monster might have two heads, but only one could be the dominant, only one could thrive.

There was no going back now.

He stood up to leave and clutched the wooden handle of his hunting knife in his jacket pocket.

The real Davenport Monster was ready to feast again.

CHAPTER TWENTY

“He’s got a lot to answer for,” Ella said. She watched Clarence Broderick through the one-way glass of the interrogation room, and even in shackles the slime hadn’t left him. Escorting three clueless misogynists back to the precinct in one police car had been quite the experience, certainly for Clarence, who looked the most uncomfortable she’d ever seen a person in her life.

Grant and Ripley re-fueled with coffee before they dove into the interrogation, but Ella stuck to water. She needed a clear head to do what she had planned. Caffeine might dull the senses, she reasoned.

“I know this guy,” Grant said. “Had him in here a bunch of times. He’s a weasel, but a killer? Seems like way too much of a coward.”

Ripley said, “He met up with Abigail Cartwright two nights ago. He could have been scoping her out, or she could have said the wrong thing and riled him up.”

“In his last video, he said these women got what they deserved,” Ella said. “Guy like this, self-absorbed, grandiose, thinks he’s above women? Not to mention he lives within a few miles of Katherine Parkinson.”

Grant scratched his stubble and said, “It’s possible. Last time I saw him, he was in here for beating up his ex.”

Ripley added, “Yeah, he’s got a violent streak. He could have progressed, evolved into a killer. Guys like this are operating across the country every day of the week. Plus, I trust my golden rule; never trust a man who wears sunglasses indoors.”

Ella wasn’t here to waste time talking about the state of the world. She was ready to dissect this man, find out the truth. If he was responsible for all the killings thus far, they’d hit the jackpot. Ella could believe it, because Clarence Broderick was smarmy enough to try and fool the police by changing up his modus operandi.

“Mia, ready?” she asked.

Ripley downed her coffee and passed the empty carton to Grant. “Lead the way.”

Ella stormed into the interrogation room, a dark and dainty space under a low orange light. The suspect smiled as they came in, maintaining his bravado even in the face of death-sentence allegations. Ella tried not to eyeball the bruises on his cheek, but it was a satisfying image.

“Clarence,” Ella said, “Or Richard? What should I call you?”

“My real name. Clarence.”

“Okay, Clarence. We’re going to get straight to the point. There’ve been a series of murders in the area and given your history and the topics you discuss on your show, we’ve pinpointed you as a suspect.”

Clarence glanced at the ceiling and mock-laughed. “You people will find any reason to drag me in here, won’t you? This is ridiculous.”

“We thought you’d say that. Now tell me, weren’t you singing the praises of this killer? Weren’t you making fun of the victims, saying they deserved it?”

“Oh Jesus,” Clarence cried out. “Are you really this clueless?”

Ella said, “I can see you learned all your debate tactics from other misogynistic assholes. Instead of opposing the argument, you attack the source.”

“Ladies, read any newspaper in the state, maybe even the country. Check any news site. You know what they’re doing? Exploiting this news for cash. What I’m doing is no different. I just wrap it up in a different bow. You understand?”

Ripley said, “Sounds like a perfect excuse. How about you tell us about Abigail Cartwright?”

Clarence pressed his lips together so hard they turned white. “Abbie? How do you know about her?”

“How doyouknow about her?”

“I went on a date with her a few nights ago. Nice girl.”

Ella said, “For a guy who criticizes the news, you don’t read it all that much, huh?”

---