Page 72 of Girl, Unmasked

‘Appreciated.Officers found anything at his house?’

‘A whole lot of pill bottles and LaChance’s cell phone.Blythe’s fast-tracking a clearance so we can search it.We know this guy’s real name yet?’

‘I’ve just taken to calling him LaChance.’

‘Same.Pseudonyms beat real names every time.Did you know Elton John’s real name is Reginald?’

‘I can see why he changed it.’

‘Do you want first crack at this guy?’Ripley asked.

‘I’m not sure how much there’s left to crack, but I’ll try.’

‘An instant confession will go down well in court.I’ll keep an eye from afar.’

Ella steeled herself, left Ripley and approached the cell.She placed one hand on the cold steel.She couldn’t imagine what life must be like with these things as walls for the rest of your life.

‘LaChance, time for you and I to have a heart to heart.’

The killer didn’t even look up.He just held on tight to himself.

‘Why’d you do it?’Ella asked.

No response.

Ella summoned the guard over and gestured for him to unlock the door.He obliged, then Ella stepped inside and left the door ajar.A calculated move.Let him think there was a chance, however slim.Sometimes the illusion of freedom was all it took to get a perp talking.

One more time.‘Why?’

LaChance's lips moved, but no sound came out.He tried again.‘I don’t know.’

‘You’ll need to try harder.We’ve got enough evidence to bury you six-feet deep, so you might as well start talking.’

It wasn’t exactly true, but cops were allowed to lie to suspects in Connecticut if it meant getting results.

LaChance buried his face in his hands and let loose a sob that sounded like it came from the bottom of a mineshaft.Ella watched the tears leak through his fingers and suppressed the urge to grab him by the scruff and shake him like a ragdoll.

‘I did it.I killed them all.’

And with those words, Drago LaChance secured himself a permanent residence in Connecticut State Prison.Ella’s guts knotted then untangled in quick succession.She knew it, but hearing the words out loud always provoked a visceral reaction.This was it.Confirmation.She glanced back at Ripley and she gave her the nod.

‘The proof,’ LaChance continued.‘It’s on my phone.Pictures.’

‘Why those victims?’

‘They hurt me.Martina was my English teacher, said I’d be nothing.Kane made fun of my book at his little writing class.’

‘And Sophie?’

‘Who?’

‘Sophie Draper,’ Ella said.

‘I… don’t know.’

‘Right.’Ella didn’t know if LaChance genuinely didn’t know her name or whether too many chemicals had rotted his short-term memory.

‘So, this little book of yours.Tell me about it.’