American Devil by Oliver Stark Read Free Book Online

sitting in a cell, devoid of any targets, was not the same guy as the man still free in the world and open to the temptation of his desires.
    Denise was interested in the time before they were caught. It was behaviour prediction that really excited her. She wanted to know if it could be modelled. That was the most interesting thing of all. How these people managed their own minds when they were out there in the world. Was there something predictable in these unpredictable killers? It was understanding how they operated out there that would lead to real developments in profiling. And that would mean more guys like them getting caught.
    Denise smiled across the room at someone she didn’t recognize. She was tired now and wanted to get off home. As the party was slowing down, Denise managed to find an office off the reception room in which to call her partner, who was out somewhere on the campaign trail. Daniel was a fitness-obsessed, carrot-juice-loving liberal but he was hers. They’d been together five years. He worked long hours as an adviser on environmental issues to a Democrat senator. He was one of the good guys looking after the planet. Denise listened to the ringing. She could see him sitting on a lazy chair in his vest and shorts, a running magazine on his knees, the news on in the background. He picked up.
    ‘How did it go, darling?’ Daniel asked in his slow West Coast tones. He’d been unable to attend her lecture and had sent her flowers by way of an apology. The senator always came first, but Daniel made sure it never felt that way to Denise and she appreciated those little touches.
    ‘That’s my last one for a while,’ she said. ‘It felt hard seeing everyone again. But it went well. How was Fahrenheit when you left?’
    ‘He was missing you, but he’s got your sister with him now, so he’ll be in doggy heaven with chocolate biscuits at every meal.’
    Denise loved her dog and her partner in that order. Daniel was wonderful when he had the time but her spaniel offered her the unconditional, uncomplicated affection that she remembered from her childhood.
    ‘I might not stay long,’ Denise said. ‘I want to go home, get out of this suit and eat a tub of Ben and Jerry’s watching Angels with Dirty Faces .’
    ‘I’d love to join you.’
    ‘Let’s say a prayer to a boy who couldn’t run as fast as I could,’ said Denise in a terrible James Cagney impression.
    ‘It’s a good thing you’re not taking up acting.’
    ‘Yeah, it’s also a good thing you’re out of reach right now.’
    ‘Not like you to be violent,’ he said. ‘Maybe it’s working with the NYPD.’
    Denise paused. ‘Heh, it’s the same cops who put their lives on the line trying to keep the city safe so that liberal assholes can make like they own the place.’
    ‘Apologies,’ said Daniel. ‘I’m sure they’re doing all those liberal assholes a great service.’
    ‘Apology accepted, you liberal asshole.’
    Daniel laughed. ‘God, I love it when you talk dirty. If I was with you right now—’
    ‘You’re big with the mouth, Daniel, but you’re never at home to follow these promises through.’
    ‘Saving the planet’s an important job. Can’t just switch it off.’
    ‘It’s not the job I want switched off, it’s you. You need to lie back once in a while.’
    ‘Hey, are you watching the news?’ Daniel leaned forward and watched the ticker tape crossing the bottom of Fox News.
    ‘No, I’m in an office. What’s going on?’
    ‘They’re reporting a homicide in New York.’
    ‘What happened? When was this?’
    ‘It’s just breaking now. A woman was found dead out on Ward’s Island.’
    Denise focused. ‘Is it linked to Mary-Jane’s murder?’
    ‘They’re speculating. Fox News are right on the scene with live feeds. You should take a look.’
    ‘I can’t here. Tell me what happened.’
    ‘Like I said, a woman killed and dumped on the rocks. It looks as though you might have your work cut out,