Free The Killing Code by Craig Hurren Page A

respected her resolve. I don’t believe she would be capable of suicide in the true sense of the word. I do believe there must have been external influences involved.”
    “ That’s certainly the impression I get from her family and colleagues and yet the evidence shows the wound was self inflicted in exactly the same manner as your female victims. Is it possible that you have a copycat? I know that many serial killers receive fan mail. Have you received any such mail from a possible killer?”
    “ Lifeless trolls Mr. Beach. I don’t entertain such vacuous scum. I am not some simple, “serial killer” as you put it. I had a mission; a clear mission to free abused children and I drew joy from watching their cruel, worthless parents suffer and die. I’m not some twisted beast who kills out of perverse motives.”
    Alan glared intently at Adler. He didn’t want to indulge the psychopath’s predilections any further and decided to leverage the man’s ego in the hopes he might have something; anything useful to offer. “You’re obviously a very intelligent man Bryan. Is there anything you can think of to help me with my investigation?”
    “My g oodness detective, it seems you are quite transparent. If you really think that pandering to my ego will get you what you want, you’re even more desperate than I suspected. Still, out of respect for Dr. Benson, I’ll tell you one thing. She wanted me to volunteer for a new clinical trial, which I refused to do until she gave me an idea of how the treatment works. She said she was bound by a strict confidentiality agreement but she must have really wanted me in the trial because she did tell me one thing. She said it would change the way I saw the world. Now doesn’t that sound intriguing detective? I certainly found it intriguing so I thought, why not? I’ve got nothing to lose.”
    Beach pondered Helen’s statement for a moment and decided there was no further information to be gained here. If he was to discover what the doctor meant, he would have to find out from Blue Sky Biotech. It was time to go but his disgust toward the psychopathic killer before him was overwhelming and he couldn’t leave him thinking he’d won. He decided to score a point back before leaving this maniac to his keepers.
    “ You have a very tenuous grip Mr. Adler. You think you’re special in some way but in reality, that tortured, abused little boy you so strenuously suppressed years ago to become the monster you are is still there. He is still at your core, no matter how much you have tried to bury him with education and devious intellect. The atrocities you committed are just that. You don’t spook the grown-ups and you’re not a savior but a helpless child who silently cries himself to sleep at night and probably still wets the bed. You don’t fool me Bryan.”
    Alan found himself carried away with his tirade and decided he’d said enough. He stood and turned to walk away as Bryan’s face, for the first time in years, displayed the slightest loss of composure in the face of the truth.
    “ Your feeble attempt to undermine me is of no consequence Beach but you will regret it one day.” he rasped.
    “ You’re not the boogeyman Bryan - just a prisoner locked away from society for life. I hope you enjoy your own company.”
    Adler’s arms strained imperceptibly at his restraints. He glared at Alan’s back like a tiger stalking its prey as the door opened and he left the room.
    “ I really wish you hadn’t done that detective.” Tinsley admonished. “Despite what Bryan said to the contrary, you rattled him and he might cause problems later.”
    “ I apologize doctor. He got under my skin and I wanted some revenge. I didn’t intend to cause your staff any trouble.”
    “ I understand. We’ll leave it at that. Good guess on the bed-wetting, by the way. One of the guards will escort you to the front door. I’ll stay and observe Bryan for a while. I’m sorry your visit was