Page 26 of Bad Medicine

And even before I answered, Iknew it was going to be a bad call. The song turned suddenly sinister, somehow,and I almost didn’t answer. Almost.

The number was private, andthat was never a good sign. “This is Kaitlyn,” I said calmly.

There was a hesitation from thecaller, and for a second I thought—hoped—he would end the call without saying aword. “Hello, Kaitlyn,” he said, finally. “It’s good to hear your voice again.”

I frowned, then realized mybreathing was too shallow and forced myself to take a deep breath and let itout slowly. “Who is this?”

“A friend, though I can’texpect you to know I’m your friend. Not yet. But you will.”

I said nothing, not willing toplay his game. I wasn’t going to beg him for details, that was for damn sure.

So he continued withoutprompting, obviously needing to tell me all the shit I really didn’t want tohear. “I’m only taking out the garbage. Ridding the city of evil. You and I arealike that way. In many ways, actually.”

Silence, into which he sighed.

“You know who this is,” he said.“We have a connection. You can feel it, can’t you?”

I finally answered, mainlybecause I wanted to keep him talking. Maybe he’d slip up and give me somethingI could use. “Sam,” I said. “AKA Ray Christian. Lucy’s serial killer. I have tosay, though, Sam. You sound a little different.”

He laughed. “Why do you thinkI’m Sam, then?”

Because Icouldfeel it.But I wasn’t going to tell him that. “What do you want?”

“You’re hurting my feelingswith your coldness, Kait. May I call you Kait?”

“You can call me whatever youwant to call me.”

“Kait, then. Are you angrybecause you think I want to hurt Lucy? I promise you,” he said, his voice deepand sincere, “I would never hurt her. She’s a good woman who would never harm asoul, despite the way she looks. And she has no kids.”

“Where are you, Sam? Are youstill in the city?”

“Yes. I’m not done withJakeston yet. I’m not done with you, or Lucy, or Detective Moreno, who has suchpain inside him. You are my people, and this is my city. I think I’ll stay fora while.”

If he thought we were hispeople, the man apparently didn’t know what it meant to have people. Had heever had a crew or friends or…

“Where’s your family?” I asked.

He snorted. “I had a motheronce, like everybody.”

“Why do you kill blonde women?”

“Because, sweet Kaitlyn,they’re the only ones I see.” His voice became more strained with every word.

“Why—”

“No. No more questions. Icalled to tell you I’ve left you a present. Taking out the garbage, right? Justlike you. I fight evil. That’s all I do. Tell Lucy. Tell her she should dye herhair, because it’s hard for me to see past it, sometimes. You know what Imean?”

“Yeah, Sam. Sure.”

“The gift is on 23rdbehind the Fancy Scissors hair salon. I’m going to give you a lot of gifts,Kaitlyn. Do you know why?”

“No.”

“Because we are the fuckingsame. I’m not alone in my battle to make the world a better place. Forallof us.”

“Sam…”

But he was gone.