Page 8 of Depraved Devotion

My pulse kicks up a notch, just like every other time I’ve thought about Ghost. I assumed I’d get over my curiosity concerning him by burying myself in work and focusing on other criminals, but that’s not been the case.

Like a ghost, he haunts me.

Allen sighs. “Before he stopped speaking, Ghost said he has information on the Riverton case.”

My mouth drops open. I quickly snap my jaw closed with a succinct click. “Anna Lee, the eight-year-old who disappeared two days ago? But how would Ghost know anything about her? He was in prison before she was reported missing.”

“I don’t know. It could be a sick joke to mess with us, or…”

I thrum my fingers on my desktop. “Or he could have pertinent information.”

“You know the first forty-eight hours are crucial. The chances of finding her alive decrease the longer she remains missing. We’re past that.”

“Damn it.” I halt my fingers and tilt my head. “Why are you telling me this? Is it because I dabbled with the idea of writing an article about Ghost for peer review? If so, I’m not doing that anymore. After I saw him murder that man in court, I won’t have anything to do with him.”

“That’s too bad because Ghost wants something from you. He’s asked for you… by name.”

“What?!”

My raised voice has Allen blinking at my uncharacteristic reaction. I clear my throat to regain my stoic composure, the one that keeps my emotions locked away where they’re safe and can’t hurt me. Or anyone else.

“I’m sorry,” I say, gentling my voice. “You surprised me.”

“Right back at you. Anyway, like I just said, Ghost refuses to speak to anyone but you.”

Whyme?

Dread coats my insides like molasses. Yet there’s an unwantedspark lit inside me as well, one that I can’t ignore. Despite witnessing Ghost kill someone, I remain captivated by him. His sense of twisted humor pairs with his devious actions to create a macabre allure that’s hard for me to shake.

“How does he even know who I am?”

“I honestly have no idea, Gen. What I do know is you’re the best in your field.”

I wave a hand in dismissal. “It’s easy to be successful when you don’t have a life. But I can’t do it.” I shake my head for emphasis.

“You’re our only in, and we’re out of options.”

“After the case involving Sarah, I don’t want to work directly with criminals again. Especially someone as unhinged as Ghost. I can help catch the bad guys frombehindthe scenes.”

If I’m around Ghost, then my fascination will only deepen. Which means he could do more than haunt me. He could possess me.

Allen nods in understanding. “Sometimes the only way to catch a criminal is to find them in the shadows where they dwell. If Ghost can lead us to her kidnapper, we might have a chance to find Anna Lee alive.”

The truth of his words hits me like a fist to the chest. I suck in a breath, my nostrils flaring. I can still see Ghost’s white hair hanging over his brow along with his cruel smile. However, I also recall Anna Lee’s missing poster, her eyes full of innocence and joy.

Fisting my hands, I meet Allen’s gaze. “When do I visit him?”

“Tomorrow.”

Shit.

“Why?” I mutter to myself.

It’s the question that I’ve asked myself for years. SometimesI find answers, but mostly I’m left with more questions and less clarity than before. Does that stop me from continuing to seek answers, to find closure buried deep in the minds of deviant criminals? No, I’ll never stop trying to understand them.

My sanity depends on it.

The cab driver grabs my attention by clearing his throat. “Because you hailed me down, miss.”