‘No, I’m fine, thank you.’
Mr. J searched Hunter’s expression but the detective was giving nothing away.
‘Is something the matter?’ he asked.
Hunter paused before nodding. ‘I’m actually here on official business.’
‘OK.’ Once again, Mr. J’s acting was impeccable. The concern he inflected into his voice was perfectly balanced. ‘What . . . sort of official business?’
‘I’m here to inform you of a new development in your wife’s murder investigation.’
Mr. J frowned. ‘A new development? How so?’ His concern intensified.
‘As you know,’ Hunter began, ‘Nicholas Holden has been confined to a psychiatric hospital while awaiting trial.’
‘Yeah.’ Mr. J placed his elbows on the table and interlaced his fingers. ‘Please tell me you’re not here to say that that sack o’ shit has escaped.’
‘No, he hasn’t.’
Mr. J breathed out.
‘But he also won’t be facing trial anymore.’
‘What? What the fuck do you mean, Detective – he won’t be facing trial anymore?’ The anger, the voice intonation, the wide eyes, all of it was delivered flawlessly.
Hunter was still studying Mr. J’s face. ‘He won’t be facing trial anymore because he was murdered in his cell late last night.’
‘Murdered?’
‘That’s correct.’
Mr. J pretended to take a moment to think about it. ‘How can you be sure, Detective? How can you be sure that that scumbag didn’t take the easy way out himself? That fucking coward.’
‘It wasn’t suicide,’ Hunter assured him.
‘And how could you know that?’
‘Because the skin was ripped from his face and his heart was cut out from his chest and left on the floor,’ Hunter explained. ‘Rats were feasting on it when they found him in the early hours of this morning.’
‘Rats?’
Hunter nodded. ‘No one has any idea where they came from or how they got into his cell. The hospital never had a problem with rats. The speculation is that whoever killed him, brought them with him.’
‘Brought the rats with him?’
Hunter nodded.
Mr. J sat back on his chair with a shocked look on his face, his eyes wandering aimlessly.
Hunter regarded Mr. J for several long silent seconds before standing up. ‘I thought you’d like to know,’ he said. ‘I figured that it would be better if you heard it from me than if you found out through the papers or the morning news.’
Hunter turned to leave.
‘Detective,’ Mr. J called.
Hunter faced him again.
‘What’s going to happen now? Are you going to chase his killer?’
‘No.’ Hunter shook his head. ‘He was already a guest of an official institution of the California Penal System. The crime occurred inside their own estate facility. They have their own internal investigators for that sort of crime.’
‘One last thing before you go.’ Mr. J stopped Hunter again. ‘How did you find him in the first place? You never told me that. How did you figure out who the killer was?’
Hunter locked eyes with Mr. J for the last time. For several seconds, neither of them blinked.
‘His eyes,’ he finally replied. ‘There’s always something in a killer’s eyes that gives it away.’ Hunter gave Mr. J a subtle wink. ‘You take care . . . Mr. J.’ He turned and exited the café.
Acknowledgements
I am tremendously grateful to several people without whom this novel would’ve never been possible.
My agent, Darley Anderson, who’s not only the best agent an author could ever hope for, but also a true friend. Everyone at the Darley Anderson Literary Agency for their never-ending strive to promote my work anywhere and everywhere possible.
Jo Dickinson, my amazing editor at Simon & Schuster and my literary Guardian Angel, whose comments, suggestions, knowledge and friendship I could never do without.
Everyone at Simon & Schuster for their tremendous support and belief and for working their socks off on every aspect of the publishing process.
My incredible partner, Kara Louise – my rock and at the same time my cushion – who was always there for me, listening to so many of my terrible ideas, chapters, paragraphs and tantrums. Thank you for putting up with me.
My most sincere thanks goes to all of my readers around the world for the most incredible support over so many years. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you all.
About the author
Born in Brazil of Italian origin, Chris Carter studied psychology and criminal behaviour at the University of Michigan. As a member of the Michigan State District Attorney’s Criminal Psychology team, he interviewed and studied many criminals, including serial and multiple homicide offenders with life-imprisonment convictions.
Having departed for Los Angeles in the early 1990s, Chris spent ten years as a guitarist for numerous rock bands before leaving the music business to write full-time. He now lives in London and is a Top Ten Sunday Times bestselling author.
Visit www.chriscarterbooks.com or find him on Facebook.
Also by Chris Carter
The Crucifix Killer
The Executioner
The Night Stalker
The Death Sculptor
One by One
An Evil Mind
I am Death
First published in Great Britain by Simon & Schuster UK Ltd, 2017
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Copyright © Chris Carter, 2017
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