But I’ll do it.”

“Good to hear. By the way, you’d be smart to leave Carol’s house before the police arrive.”

“That makes sense. Can I ask you something?”

“Go ahead.”

“Is this some sort of horrible joke?”

“Ask Carol.”

“Good point.”

They’re both quiet till Sadie says, “Okay. I’ve got an idea.”

“About what?”

“Who to kill.”

“You mean whom.”

“Whom?”

“If we’re being grammatically precise you’d say whom.”

“I’m not good at grammatics.”

“Grammatics?”

“Or whatever it’s called,” Sadie says. “Is it really that important?”

“It was to my father. Every time I violated a rule of grammar he broke one of my fingers.” He waits for her to respond. When she doesn’t, he says, “What, no sympathy?”

“What do you mean?”

“Most women would say, ‘Oh, how awful!’”

“Why?”

“Because my father was a monster.”

“Oh. Sorry. Uh…I’m not sure how to respond.”

“Because?”

“I have difficulty expressing certain emotions.”

“I actually know about your ASD. I was testing you to make sure I wasn’t misinformed. Anyway, according to dear old dad, grammar’s the difference between feeling you’re nuts and feeling your nuts.”

“Huh?”

The killer sighs. “Not important. Correcting people’s grammar is a character flaw. It’s kept me single these many years. Surprised?”

“That you’re single? No. But I doubt grammar’s been the stumbling block.”

“We’re getting sidetracked. You were about to reveal your victim.”

“I don’t know…whom…I’m going to kill yet, I just have a good idea where to find him. Or her.”

“You almost sound enthusiastic.”

“That’s just me, having a task.”

“Out of curiosity, where does a person such as yourself go to find a victim on such short notice?”

“You said I could surprise you.”

He laughs. “Indeed I did.”

“Then you’ll have to wait and see.”

“Fair enough. Sadie?”

“Yeah?”

“What’s happened?”

“What do you mean?”

“A moment ago you were terrified. Screaming, running, carrying on. Now you’re as calm as a tree shadow. It’s incongruous.”

“I don’t see why. You gave me an extra day to live, and a task to focus on. I’m grateful, and about to be very busy.”

“It’s just a day, Sadie. And I seriously doubt you’re capable of feeling gratitude for it.”

“Maybe not, but I can certainly understand you’ve doubled my time left on earth.”

“You know what I think? I think you’re just playing along, hoping to buy time, expecting the police to protect you.”

“Not true. I’m highly task-oriented. I’ll get it done. I’ll kill someone today. You’ll see.”

The killer laughs. Says, “Well, this should be interesting!”

 

 

 

5.


 

CONFIDENT THE KILLER is far removed from the general area, Sadie wastes no time leaving Carol’s.