Page 113 of Evil Bones
“Sounds like a personality profile for a psychopath. And I also add narcissism, impulsivity, sexual promiscuity, poor behavioral control, and a parasitic lifestyle. Does Meloy exhibit any of those traits?”
“He has a high opinion of himself.”
“He’s a man.”
“You think I’m nuts, right?”
A pause as Adina chose her words carefully.
“I think you’re uncomfortable with Ruthie hanging with an older crowd. And that you may be overly judgmental when it comes to Meloy.”
“Do you think I should ask her to stay away from them?”
“Would that do any good?”
Remembering myself as a teen, I doubted it would. “Not likely,” I said.
“She’s a smart girl, Tempe. Trust the kid.”
“You’re probably right,” I said, not sure that she was.
“Or not.”
“Or not.”
We both laughed.
“Whatever happened with the nut job ornamenting trees with glittered-up animal corpses?”
“Nothing.”
“The creep is still out there?”
“As far as I know,” I said. “But I think you nailed it.”
“No pun intended.”
“Sharp point.”
“It’s too early.” Adina groaned at my pun. “You win.”
“Anyway, he—”
“Or she.”
“The doer is upping his or her game.”
“How so?”
I described the latest in the string of decorated remains.
I could almost hear Adina’s brain working through the series. Then,
“He’s gone from small forest creatures to larger animals, to pets, to cemetery remains, to live human victims.” All levity was gone from her voice.
“The man in Cordelia Park. Quaashi Brown. Ralph Balodis.”
“From total strangers to people you actually know.”
