Page 3 of The Unbecoming

“Essentially,” he says. “You will undoubtedly end up testifying in court. He has a hearing scheduled in a few weeks, so you will have plenty of time to interview him.”

“Okay…” I say. “It says in layman’s terms that he is going to read me like a book, and I should avoid personal information being shared?”

“Yes,” he says. “Avoid wearing anything of significance. Choose neutral clothing and do your best to remain level-headed.”

“Is this a phone interview?” I ask.

“For him specifically, you will sit down with him at the prison. The interviews won’t be recorded or transcribed. A correctional officer will remain outside the interview room, and security personnel will be available if necessary.”

“Am I safe?” I ask simply.

“Physically? Yes,” he says. “He has never been violent with prison staff.”

“Do you think he’s guilty?” I ask.

“I cannot give you my opinion of him without creating a bias,” he tells me. “But I will say… I’ve known him for a number of years. I feel confident in choosing you to interview him.”

“Do I just pick a time?”

“No,” he tells me. “You will have a daily recurring time every day to interview. So, you can take sixty minutes a day maximum to interview.”

“Any suggestions?” I ask.

“Be self-aware and prepare for him to call you on everything you do,” he says. “You are interviewing the man who created this interview program. He has set an unprecedented standard for psychological profiling.”

Chapter Three

Nora

The more I look at this file, the more genuinely excited I am to get started. I plan to go up tomorrow morning. Professor Green told me that I just have to give a little bit of a warning so that he can be moved. Considering his charges, he is in solitary confinement.

I am meeting Liam and my friend, Sadie, for lunch today, and I am dying to talk to someone about this opportunity.

I hear the door chime behind me, and I turn to see my boyfriend and friend walking toward me. “Hey, babe,” Liam says as he leans down to kiss me. He takes the seat next to me as Sadie sits across from me.

“Hey,” I say with a smile.

“You are awfully chipper today,” Sadie remarks.

“I got my file for my final project in my criminal psychology class,” I say.

“I don’t know how you can read about this stuff all day,” Sadie says, curling her face up.

“It’s fascinating.” I shrug. “Anyway, I got Gabriel Ashcroft.”

“You mean the professor turned serial killer?” Liam asks, turning to me. “Baby, that’s dangerous, no?”

“I mean, everything is dangerous in some way,” I say. “There will be guards, and he’s not violent, so.”

“Not violent? He murdered nine people,” Sadie says.

“Allegedly,” I correct. “He hasn’t been convicted.”

“Why are you excited?” Liam asks me. “What if he hurts you?”

“Why wouldn’t I be excited?” I ask. “This is literally what I’d be doing every day when I get a job in my field.”

“Girl, there is something wrong with you,” Sadie laughs. I know she doesn’t mean anything by it, but it’s a harsh reminder that there is something wrong with me.