Page 64 of Psychopath

“Apart from burning his dad’s face off…”

“Well yeah, but that was outside of here. He’s been the perfect prisoner, polite, helpful. He wouldn’t hurt a fly. In fact, he got quite distressed when a moth flew into the fly zapper…”

Quinn sank back down on his chair and closed his eyes. He had been expecting Mackie to yell, to demand more sessions, or threaten him. He had his hand ready on the table to thump the big red button, but he hadn’t needed it.

Mackie had thanked him and smiled warmly as they shook hands.

“So who have you got later?”

“Harris.”

Cleo shivered. “I’d rather spend an hour with Mackie than Harris any day. Harris gives me the creeps.”

Quinn dropped his head into his hands. He couldn’t help feeling like he had made a mistake.

Friday arrived, and Zane strolled into the office wearing his tight T-shirt that showed off his ripped body. His hair was styled to perfection, and he smiled as he slid into the chair opposite.

The grin on his face crinkled his eyes and reminded Quinn of a cunning fox.

He looked pleased, too pleased.

“I’m glad you trusted me and got rid of Mackie.”

Quinn’s gut twisted into knots.

“How did he take it?” Zane asked.

“Better than I thought he would.”

Zane shrugged. “Looks like I’m number one now.”

The words hung between them.

And for the second time during one of the sessions, Quinn’s blood ran cold.

“What are we talking about today?” Zane asked.

“Huh?”

“Today. The study.”

“Oh.” Quinn looked down at his papers to remind himself. “I want to ask you about work relationships, business.”

“Okay, fire away.”

“You took over one of your dad’s companies at a young age?”

“Yeah.”

“Did you feel pressured to do well?”

Zane flexed his face and turned away. “Not really. My colleagues saw me as a weak link, but I soon proved them wrong.”

“How?”

“I lured them in with a naïve façade, then stabbed them in the back.”

“You sound almost proud.”

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