Page 59 of Psychopath

“To finish this session, we’re going to play a word association game. I say a word, you say the first one that comes into your head, understand?”

Mackie wiped the sweat off his brow and onto his sleeve. “Got it.”

“Earth,” Quinn said.

“Ashes.”

“Red.”

“Flame.”

“Punishment.”

“Pain.”

“Cry.”

“Laugh.”

Quinn noted down all of Mackie’s words, then glanced up and smiled.

“Did I do well?” Mackie asked.

“Yeah, you did great. There’s no wrong answer.”

“Oh.”

“We’re finished for today,” Quinn said.

He expected Mackie to start his mantra of thank-yous, but he didn’t stand and he didn’t smile. “We still have five minutes.”

Quinn glanced at the clock, then his watch. “You’re right.”

“Zane upset you…”

Quinn blinked. “No, I wasn’t feeling well last Friday, that’s all. It was nothing to do with Zane, and all to do with me.”

“I warned you.”

“About?”

Mackie exhaled like he was disappointed. “I told you there’s something not right about him. I told you he couldn’t be trusted.”

“Who says I trust him?”

“He wraps everyone around his finger.” Mackie peered at Quinn through squinted eyes. “I can tell he’s done the same to you. I think you should kick him off the study.”

Quinn rubbed his temples. “I’m not going to do that.”

“He could ruin everything.”

“He volunteered. We’re halfway through, and it would be a shame to stop. His results might be vital.”

“Am I not vital?”

“Of course you are.”

Mackie leaned over the table. “Well then, you don’t need him. You don’t need him if you’ve got me. He scared you, Quinn, I saw.”

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