Page 14 of Girl, Empty

‘Please, Miss Dark,’ he interrupted.‘See if you like them.’

Ella stared at him.What the hell was he talking about?They were in the middle of discussing psychological profiles and suddenly he wanted to chat about flowers?

‘They’re particularly lovely this time of year.You should really examine them closely.Florists sometimes include care instructions.’

Then she caught the undertones.Edis had been in the game too long to make small talk without purpose.Roses weren’t lovely in winter.This wasn't about roses.

‘Of course, sir.’

She moved to the liquor cabinet, inspected the roses.

There, tucked in the back, was a single sheet of paper folded up like a letter.

She plucked it out.Whatever was on this paper, Edis couldn’t say aloud.‘Can I…?’

‘Please do.’

Ella unfolded the paper with steady hands, though her pulse hammered against her throat.The letterhead hit her first: official FBI seal, with Edis's authorization codes in the corner.

AFFIDAVIT FOR EMERGENCY INVESTIGATIVE ACCESS.

Louisiana State Penitentiary - Death Row Unit.

Pursuant to 28 U.S.C.509 and Bureau Directive 44.B.12.

Subject: CREED, AUSTIN GARETH DAVIES (Inmate #0847291).

Classification: Death Row - Isolation Unit D.

Requesting Agent:

Authorizing Official: Director William Edis, Federal Bureau of Investigation.

This document certifies that the above-named agent requires immediate and unrestricted access to the above prisoner for purposes of ongoing federal investigation RE: Case #447-B (Interstate Serial Homicide).This access supersedes any existing legal restrictions, attorney privileges, or administrative holds currently in place.

The words blurred.Ella read them again.Edis had signed it.Dated it for today.But left the requesting agent line blank.

All she had to do was write her name.

‘Sir, this is-’

‘Completely off the books.Unsigned by anyone except me, and I'll be gone before anyone can question it.'

‘Creed’s lawyers have him locked down.No visitors except-’

‘Except in cases of imminent threat to federal personnel.Which, given recent events, certainly applies.If you use it, you'll have one shot.One conversation with Creed before his lawyers cry foul and a judge shuts it down.Make it count.’’

Ella's hands trembled as she read the rest.Edis had just handed her the keys to Austin Creed's cell.

‘But… why me, sir?Why not give this to the investigators?’

‘Because they’re investigators.Creed doesn’t need an investigator in his cell.Remember that the when the host dies, the parasite disappears too.’

Ella took a second to process this strange turn of events, because surely there was some secondary interpretation that she was missing here.

No.Whichever way she looked at it, Edis was telling her the same thing.

Go into Austin Creed’s cell – and execute him.