15

After Alex told Kaely she’d just been excited to see her process, which was true except for the word just, Kaely agreed to let her watch again. Then Kaely suggested she help Alex clean before they unpacked. At first she was embarrassed, but Kaely put her at ease. Together it took them only a few minutes to disinfect the room and the bathroom to Alex’s satisfaction.

“This was a good idea,” Kaely said. “A lot of trainees have been through here and a little cleanup never hurts.” She sat down at the table again and picked up the file she’d brought with her. “Before I do this, let’s talk for a moment,” she said. “Maybe you can help me see our UNSUB more clearly. He’s coloring outside the lines. His plan to make people kill themselves is detailed, perfectly planned, and expertly executed. He’s clearly the kind of serial killer who uses his brain over his brawn. He not only doesn’t want to get his hands dirty, but he goes to great lengths not to do the deed himself.”

“And then there was Monty,” Alex interjected from her spot on one of the beds.

Kaely stared at her for a moment before slowly repeating, “And then there was Monty. The UNSUB not only shows up in person but has a gun. Again, he’s distancing a little—it’s not a knife. I get the feeling pulling the trigger was distasteful to him.”

“So why do it that way?” Alex asked. “Why did he change his MO? Show himself. Didn’t he force himself into a corner?”

Kaely leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms. She was quiet for several seconds. “I’m not sure. Monty had that app, the one that’s supposed to show both sides of a conversation. Why not hack it too? Force Mrs. Wong into killing herself? And again, why pick Monty anyway? I have family. A mother in Nebraska and a brother in Colorado. A fiancé right here at Quantico. Why not choose me? Monty hasn’t been in the news. I doubt anyone outside of the Bureau—and I guess the Montgomery County police—know he’s working this case.”

She frowned. “Or why not you? Besides the Train Man case, you made a name for yourself in Kansas City. Your work on the Overland Park Rapist case was exceptional. You were mentioned in the papers and interviewed on local television.” She smiled. “Well done, by the way.”

“Thanks, but it would be hard to threaten me. I have no one,” Alex said. “Well, a dog. But I doubt the UNSUB cares about Krypto.”

“Krypto? Like Superman’s dog?”

Alex nodded.

“Interesting.”

Alex sighed. “Please don’t profile me again. Let’s get back to the case.”

“Okay,” Kaely said slowly. “But we might want to talk about your choice of names sometime. As friends, Alex.”

Alex couldn’t help but smile hearing Kaely Quinn call her a friend. “Okay.”

“You know, it’s possible that Monty’s grandmother was just easy to get to,” Kaely said. “Her house was isolated. He didn’t have to go through a lot of preparation. The choice could have been that simple.”

Alex nodded. “I wonder if he let us see him because it made him feel more powerful. You know, you can see me, but you can’t catch me?”

“It’s a possibility. Or like Logan suggested, just to be more dramatic.”

Alex frowned at her. “You mentioned your mother and brother. Have you notified them about what’s happening?”

“Oh, they know something’s going on,” Kaely said. “Before we left the police station, Gorman told me the FBI started watching them twenty-four-seven after they learned Bayne died. They were alerted of a possible danger but not given details. Jeff told the chief I could be the next person on this guy’s list. As soon as I have clearance, I’ll explain what I can to my family. For now, they just know they need to stay safe.” She shook her head. “This kind of thing isn’t new to them, unfortunately.”

“I’m sorry. Families shouldn’t have to pay the price for the job we do.”

Alex couldn’t help but think about something that happened when she was the coordinator for NCAVC while stationed in Kansas City. A lead detective from the local KCPD lost his wife to a drug kingpin who’d wanted to teach the detective a lesson. His fellow officers took the assassination personally and hunted the guy down. They committed all the department’s resources to finding the lowlife, who would be spending his golden years in prison.

Many of the detective’s fellow officers had wanted to end the kingpin’s life, but they played it by the book. The lead detective decided if they killed the scumbag without cause and the truth was uncovered, losing their careers would actually be a win for him—even if he never knew about it. Arresting him gave the detective some closure, but it didn’t bring his wife back. He tried to work for a while, but he ended up taking early retirement because he’d lost his passion for the job.

“No, they shouldn’t, but it happens.” Kaely shrugged. “Like I said, I’m used to it. And I know they’re safe, including my brother’s family, so I’m not worried. I hate that their lives get disrupted because of me, but they’re supportive. They’re proud of what I do.”

Alex felt a twinge of jealousy. She had no one who really cared about her—except Krypto. He might not be human, but she honestly didn’t know what she’d do without him. Someone was glad to see her when she got home. She was important to someone. She needed that assurance. That kind of love.

Kaely opened the file and began to look through it slowly, methodically. For quite a while, she didn’t say a word. Alex watched as Kaely stared at the empty chair across from her as if someone were there.

She jumped when Kaely suddenly said, “You want us to know you’re smarter than anyone in the BAU. Certainly smarter than John Davis. But why?” Kaely was quiet for a moment. Then she pursed her lips. Finally, she took a deep breath. “I’m certain you were rejected in some way by the FBI. Most likely the BAU. Was it Davis who rejected you? Or was it someone else? Bayne? Did you know them? They’re both obviously important to you.”

Kaely was quiet, as if she were listening to someone. Alex clasped her hands tightly.

“You came up with a clever way to kill people so you could impress us and because you like to keep your hands clean. But then you killed Monty’s grandmother yourself. Why change your MO?”

Again, Kaely stopped as if someone were talking. After a pause, she said, “You wanted to shock us. Show us that you were capable of doing whatever you needed to do. You were hoping Monty would take his own life, but you knew that might not happen. Did you know he was with us when you called him? Did his grandmother tell you he would be?”

Kaely’s forehead wrinkled as she continued to stare at the chair. “Did you work for the FBI? If you’re in your late fifties or sixties, you had to retire. Is that why you’re angry? Was that your trigger?” Again, she was quiet for a while. The seconds ticked by, but Kaely didn’t say anything else. Finally, she said, “Or were you fired? That would make you feel as if you had something to prove.”

For the first time, she looked at Alex, but she didn’t say anything. Then her gaze swung back to the chair. “Are you finished? Or do you plan to keep going?” Another long pause, then she nodded. Alex realized Kaely really was seeing something. Or someone. It was unsettling. Thankfully, this time Alex didn’t see anything.

“How did you know John Davis’s room number? And where Evan Bayne was when you called him with that video? And what about Monty?” Kaely’s eyes widened. She blinked several times, a look of surprise on her face.

She directed her gaze at Alex again. “We were right about someone on the inside. He’s close by. In fact, I believe he’s watching us.”

“They think hiding at the academy will keep them safe?” He laughed. “It only makes this more exciting. I anticipated the possibility that they would be moved somewhere.”

“But the FBI Academy?” his associate said. “The security there is extremely tight. It will be difficult.”

He choked back the rage that boiled inside him. He needed their help. At least for now. “It’s not too much for me. All I have to do is adjust the plan some. You still need to do exactly as I say. Do you understand?”

A pause. “Yes, I understand.”

“If you don’t follow my instructions, you know what’s at stake, right?”

“Yes, I know.”

“Good. You’re my eyes and ears. Keep me apprised of their every move. Now, let’s go on to our next target. This one will be so . . . exciting. We’ll rock those twits in the BAU to their foundation.”