Page 45 of Say Now
Kent shook her hand, holding it tight."You, too."
She smiled and then walked toward the exit of the precinct.As soon as she was outside, she called Claire.Her hands shook, but not from the cold.She strode far from the precinct so she wouldn’t be heard.
"Hey, how was—"
"It’s Kent," Alison said."I’m sure of it.Listen, I don't have a lot of time to explain, but I need you to get in your car and get to the precinct as quickly as possible.You need to follow him.I hope that I’ve said enough to him to spur him into action.He might come after me, I don't know.He needs to ensure this is all wrapped up neatly, and I just gave him a way to do that.He’s been bold up until now.Let’s see how bold he really is."
"I don't understand what—"
"I’m asking you to trust me, Claire.I’ll explain it all to you later, but I need you down here so you can follow Kent, and I can go back to my motel room.If this doesn’t work, you’ll have to look into him before he does anything to Tommy.He can't kill him in the precinct, and he’ll have someone else in prison do it for him, but for tonight, he might find a way to stage my motel room so it looks like Tommy killed me, and Tommy dies in the process."
"Are you out of your mind right now?"Claire asked.
"No, I’m thinking very clearly," Alison said."Trust me, Claire.Be on the move right now and help me to end this.The worst that can happen is you follow him and nothing happens."
"No, you just told me the worst that can happen.This night ends with you dead."
***
Captain Kent strode through the police station looking for the officer who would ask the fewest questions.He felt pretty good about himself with how things had gone so far.It had been wrapped up nice and neatly, but there were always a few stray pieces of ribbon and strips of paper that needed to be trimmed, and Dr.Payne was one of those.
It was fortunate then that a wonderful idea had popped into his head that would put an end to everything far quicker than he had planned.And he would come out of it looking even better than he would have originally.
He spotted Officer Brandt.He had only joined the force two months ago.
"Brandt."Kent gestured with his finger."With me."
Officer Brandt got up from his desk and followed Captain Kent into the back.
"I just got word that we’re moving the prisoner.You are to come with me, and we’ll take him out to a car together."
"We’re moving him at—"
"I’m sorry, are you questioning me?"Kent asked."Do as you are told, and I won't fire you for subordination.Don't you want to be a part of the biggest case this city has ever seen?I can find someone else—"
"No, no," Brandt begged."I wasn't questioning your authority, sir.Whatever you need."
"That’s better," Kent said."Come on, let’s get him out of here before the press gets down here to try and get photos of him."
The young officer followed Kent through to the holding cells.Kent would use that as an excuse when they asked.They had what they needed from Tommy Castellano, and it was better to move him before the media circus.
When they took him from his cell, Tommy didn’t put up a fight.He allowed himself to be led out to a patrol car, unaware that it was the real killer holding his arm.
"I can have someone bring us a transport car if—" the officer started.
"This one is fine," Kent said.
"But there’s no—"
"This one is fine," Kent interrupted again.He knew the officer was worried about there not being a metal cage between the front seats and back seats, but it was integral to the plan that there wasn’t."Just get him in the back."
Tommy didn't resist as he was placed in the back of the car.
Kent got in and took the wheel, while the young officer sat in the passenger seat, looking behind at the handcuffed prisoner.They didn't drive toward another police station or any law enforcement building.They drove toward the motel where Alison Payne had a room.That was where he would stage his greatest message.It had not been the plan from the start, but he was adaptable.Then, he would disappear in plain sight.
It was brilliant.
Kent stopped at a light, two blocks from the motel.The street was quiet.He applied the parking brake so he could shift in his seat.He pointed out the passenger window.
