Page 35 of Say Now
"I want you to tell me what you get in there," Kent said."He has stuff on the walls, just like Webb had at his cabin, but you were able to see through that.I want to know if this is our guy or if he’s a red herring.I don't want to waste time here, and you’ve proven yourself."
"All right," Alison said.
They got out of the car as Claire pulled up behind them.Alison looked up at the brick building before her.The building was old, but it was still in good shape.The cracked glass in the door and worn wood around it suggested that the exterior was in much better shape than the interior.
A uniformed officer opened the door and held it for them as they entered the building.The smell hit Alison first.It was an acrid smell, musty, hints of urine.It was the sort of place that criminals were allocated after they were released from prison to try to become productive members of society.
No wonder so many people reoffend.I would hate to live in a place like this.
Tommy’s apartment was on the second floor of the building.When they got there, Captain Kent ordered everyone out for Alison to take a look at it all through her eyes.
Alison looked toward Claire.She wanted to invite her in, but the tension between Kent and Claire was still obvious, and she didn't want to lose the access she had just gained, so she entered the apartment alone.
The hallway was bare.The living room that the hallway led to was a treasure trove of information.The first thing that struck Alison was the way the documents were placed on the wall.They were spaced evenly apart, just like at the crime scenes.Many of the crime scene photos jumped out at Alison.They were from the three crime scenes, the historical ones that the modern ones were based on.
There were more crime scene photos.Three more clusters of photos of dead bodies.And beside the crime scene photos were the reports from psychologists who had helped to free the criminals.Reports from Dr.Kent, Dr.Hartley, and Dr.Gates, along with three others.There was no mention of Dr.Laurent.There were also maps of the area, surveillance photos of all six psychologists, schedules, recipes, everything.
Alison stood in the middle of the living room, turning around slowly.There was no doubt about it.This was the work of the killer they were looking for.
There’s nothing here about your brother.This is not about him at all, is it?Or is it?Is all of this because of what he told you?
They would need to do two things first.They needed to warn the other psychologists and reach them before one was targeted.He obviously meant to kill six of them in total.They would also need to check if Detective Castellano was connected to the other cases.Kent could help her with that.
She didn't touch anything as she got closer to the pictures on the wall.They might not have Castellano yet, but they knew what he planned next.That was as good as stopping him for now.The killer was a planner.He had planned out the six kills before starting on the first one.At the very least, he would have to take time to plan another one, to pivot in another direction, and that would give them time to find him.
Three dead in less than a week.If they hadn't found the apartment, there would likely be another one dead in the same amount of time.The killer was not behind bars, but it was a win.
Alison left the living room.She didn't need to see any more of the apartment, but she was curious about anything else they might find there.She found Kent and Claire waiting outside.
"So?"Kent asked.
Claire stood with eyebrows raised.
"I’m pretty certain that he’s the killer.The way the information is laid out in there is the same way the information was laid out at the crime scenes.And there are more possible victims that we need to contact immediately.
"Go," Kent ordered one of the officers, who ran into the apartment.
"He has the same photos as the ones placed at the crime scenes, and the same work has been done, and the information gathered on all six.They are the six intended victims, and thanks to this find, thanks to Special Agent Martinez’s hunch, we have our guy."
Claire looked satisfied until Kent said, "If she had listened to you in the first place, we might have saved one more."
Then, Kent became satisfied.
There was no point in arguing Claire’s case to Kent.Alison would still make sure she got the appropriate credit when Castellano was caught, but that would come later.Claire had started the investigation, and she was the one who called Alison in.She needed to see it out, too.Alison wished for them to get lucky and for the FBI to be the ones to bring him in.
Alison was thankful to Dale Kent for some things, but she still didn't like him.
"Okay, three psychologists in the city," the officer said when he exited the apartment."I’ll see which patrol cars are closest to bring them in for now."
"Which one is closest to here?"Claire asked."I might as well make myself useful in some way."
The officer gave her the address.
"I’ll go with you," Alison said."The only thing we can do with regard to Tommy is wait.We only have to hope that he didn't leave the apartment because he knew we were onto him.He might have fled the state by now."
"We’ll catch up with him eventually," Kent said.
Alison left with Claire, leaving the building and getting into her car.
