Free R. E. Bradshaw - Rainey Nights by R. E. Bradshaw

do that. He really is a pain in the ass,” Rainey said, chuckling.
    “So, what do you want to talk about today, pretty lady?” Dalton was pouring on the charm, as if they were going to talk about the weather, not the heartless murders and rapes he committed.
    Rainey pretended that she was being forced to ask the questions. “I don’t really want to bring this up, because I know you don’t like to talk about it, but my supervisor insists that I get the answers to some questions. He said that if I didn’t get answers today, he is going to take me off the case.”
    “I don’t want to talk to anyone else. Tell him, I’ll refuse to see them. I requested you from the beginning, remember. The only reason I let McNally come today is because you were with him.”
    “I appreciate that, but I’m afraid it won’t do any good. The Special Agent in charge says there is no reason to send me back here, if I can’t get what he wants.”
    “If I answer just a few of his questions, will they let you come back? You’re the only person who comes to visit that I really want to see.”
    Rainey saw the opening and jumped. “What about your parents? Don’t you enjoy their visits?”
    Dalton displayed his uncanny ability to mimic real human emotion. Psychopaths could feel fear, anger, even sadness in the moment, but not remorse or guilt for what they’ve done or are about to do. He dropped his head, trying to appear ashamed. “I hate to see them. They are so hurt by this. I can’t stand to see my mother cry like that.”
    “You told me your relationship with your parents was good when you were growing up. Don’t let your mistakes ruin that.” Trivializing Dalton’s crimes as mistakes almost made Rainey choke. She tried to move the conversation toward her goal. Rainey lowered her voice and said, softly, “If we could just move on from this confession stage, put it behind you, and start the healing part of your recovery, I think you would feel better.”
    She saw his eyes measuring her. He whined, “If I tell you everything, you won’t come back. You would have no reason to come see me.”
    Rainey laughed faintly. “Oh Dalton, we will be studying you for years.” Which wasn’t a lie. They would study him, but they had nearly everything they needed and wouldn’t need to interview him anymore. She continued, “People will always want to come see you and ask questions. You’re one of the youngest, most successful serial murderers we’ve ever encountered. People want to know what turned such a nice boy into a killer. There will be thousands of words written about you. You are special.”
    This puffed Dalton’s ego sufficiently. “I would like to help in any way I can. If studying me helps prevent this from happening, at least I will have done some good. I don’t know why I turned out this way. I think my brain is wired differently than normal people.”
    “No question about that,” Rainey thought silently. Dalton didn’t give a rat’s ass about helping anyone. He was in it for what he could get out of it personally. She kept her feelings covered by saying, “I know, deep inside you are truly remorseful. You wouldn’t have helped us this much if you weren’t. I hope that we can help you come to terms with what triggered the change in you, so we can help you move on.”
    If Dalton truly loved anything, it was talking about himself. He responded, eagerly, “I’ve been thinking about that. My dad made me help slaughter cows at the ranch. Do you think that had anything to do with it?”
    Cattle ranchers slaughter cows every day and don’t turn out to be serial killers. Rainey knew Dalton was looking for an excuse to blame his behavior on someone else. She ignored his question with her own.
    “Did it excite you sexually when you participated in the slaughter?”
    “No, that’s sick. I didn’t like it. Too much blood.”
    Dalton was lying, again. Rainey interviewed his parents and siblings after his arrest. They