Free The Killing Code by Craig Hurren

in Columbus, Ohio last night.”
    “ There’s nothing suspicious about death detective. What comes after is a mystery but death comes to us all, there is nothing irregular about it.”
    “ Let me clarify. A death in suspicious circumstances is what I meant.”
    “ I know exactly what you meant; I just prefer accuracy over police vernacular.”
    “ You’re very well spoken for someone who didn’t attend school for the first fourteen years of his life. Have it your way - the deceased in this case is Dr. Helen Benson, your former doctor here at Sherbourne.”
    “ I’m well aware of Dr. Benson’s passing, detective. I’m also well aware of the importance of a strong vocabulary and I feel slighted that you would think so poorly of me.” Adler said, squaring his glare at Beach.
    Alan ignored Adler’s attempt to bait him on his level of education. “I don’t see how that’s possible. News of her death was only released to the press this morning and they would not have had time to go to print yet.”
    “ The media is of no concern to me. I know of her death because I was there.” Adler spoke calmly, his expression unchanged.
    Somewhat taken aback, Alan managed to maintain his composure in the face of this revelation. His logical mind knew it was not possible and he needed to think on his feet in order to maintain his status in this conversation. He narrowed his eyes, taking on a superior expression to show he was unshaken.
    “ Well now Mr. Adler, I think you’re trying to be too clever. You know it’s not possible for you to have been there because you were safely tucked away in your bed at the time.”
    “ Don’t be facetious Mr. Beach; it doesn’t suit you. If you must know, I was there in my dreams.”
    “ Interesting; I assume you know how she died then?”
    “ Well, it was self inflicted exsanguination, of course.”
    Alan was now visibly rattled. How could Adler possibly have known these details? He wasn’t sure where to go next and the cold blooded psychopath across the table could now see his discomfort. Adler audibly sucked air in through his teeth as his head tilted back, his face taking on a look of rapture for a moment before coming back to Alan.
    “ Aaah, that’s what I was looking for, Mr. Beach. Thank you.”
    Suddenly Alan realized he’d been played. He knew from Dr. Tinsley that Adler gleaned his only true satisfaction through extracting shocked reactions from people he considered remotely close to his intellectual range. He realized too late that it would have been a case of logical conclusion for Adler to have guessed details that even Helen’s former boss didn’t know until Alan had told him. Adler had been informed that a detective from Columbus was to visit him and the only person he knew in Columbus was Helen Benson. He deduced that if Beach had come all this way to interview him when there was no possibility he could have been involved due to his incarceration, the circumstances of her death must fit those of his own modus operandi. He had made his earlier ethereal remark about suspicion and death purely to allow himself time to make his deductions.
    Alan’s regained composure. “That’s a very clever guess Bryan. What trick will you perform next?”
    “ Now don’t be a poor sport detective. Surely you must allow an imprisoned man his simple pleasures.” Adler said wryly.
    “ Well, now you’ve proven your superiority and had your cheap thrill, can we continue?”
    “ As is your pleasure.” Adler now smiled widely.
    Alan decided on a more supplicant approach, “Well, quite simply, your name is the last thing Helen said before she died.”
    “ It’s nice to know her thoughts were with me even then.’ Adler said through an evil grin as if imagining the scene in detail. “As much as I would like to think I could have had some influence on any event outside these walls, my obvious circumstances would not allow it. Dr. Benson was a very well balanced woman and I