Free First Time Killer by Alan Orloff, Zak Allen Page A

encourage our listeners to speculate about what will happen next. Let’s discuss why we think he’s doing what he’s doing. Let’s not leave any stone unturned.”
    “Why do you think he’s doing it? Calling in, I mean?” The question came from Linc Vetter, Garth the Goth’s cousin. He worked in sales, a real up-and-comer. And he was nothing at all like Garth. Linc was trim and well-dressed, preferring tailored clothes in contemporary colors over Goth Black.
    Celia’s gaze drifted toward the ceiling. She nodded, pursed her lips as she formulated her answer. “Well, Linc. I don’t really know why . And I guess, when you get right down to it, I don’t really care. Doesn’t pay to try to suss out a crazy man, does it? So I guess my philosophy is this: If this nut wants to call in to a radio show and expose himself, then I’d rather it be our show. Let’s go with it. Our ultimate goal is to help catch this guy.” She nodded, the sides of her mouth turning upward slightly. “Of course, there’s nothing wrong with delivering good ratings while we catch him, is there?”
    “No, but what should we tell the advertisers? I’m not sure they’ll want to associate themselves with a wacko killer,” Linc said.
    Rick wondered why he was worried. Linc considered himself to be the ideal sales guy. Could sell snow in Saskatoon. All the sales reps, sitting in the same row, with ties cinched and shoes shined nodded in unison at Linc’s pronouncement. Lassita ran a tight ship. Maybe he was just trying to score Brownie points.
    “Well, I guess we’ll have to be sure we help nail this guy. Then the advertisers will be glad they took part,” Celia said, to a smattering of applause. Nabbing a killer would be good for business.
    Celia looked at Tin Man and nodded, then craned her head, searching the back of the theater. “Rick? You and Tin Man are the front guys on this. When First Time calls, I want you to get him talking. Get him to divulge some secrets. Drum up some clues. Who is he? Where does he live? What is he after? Why did he kill Ted? Be clever. Be forceful. Be on your game. This is an unfortunate tragedy, but let’s look at the silver lining. This could be our fast-track to satellite.”
    Rick heard some murmuring. He wasn’t sure Celia’s pitch played too well to the crowd. Exploiting the death of a co-worker was cold, even for her. Celia was treading a fine line. She could easily get hung out on the clothesline.
    “What if First Time doesn’t call back?” someone called out.
    “He will. He’s called in twice so far. He’ll call back. He likes to hear his voice. Some of you know.” Celia grinned, and Rick could only think of a wolf spying a flock of sheep. “You know how it is, once you get a taste of it. The rush of being on-air. Your voice being heard by millions of people. Listeners hanging on your every sentence. Intoxicating. Addictive. Essential. He’ll call back. He has to. I’d bet on it.”
    Celia gazed out at the crowd. “Okay, everyone. Back to work.” People started to stand, gathering their coats and hats. “One more thing. I’ve hired some security for the station. We’ll post a guard in the front lobby. But please be vigilant. We’ve already lost one person. Let’s not lose any more.”
    Rick cringed, envisioning every moment on-air talking about First Time. He saw what was left of his career slowly sliding into the ocean, like one of those Malibu houses in a mudslide.

C HAPTER 14
    T IN M AN GENTLY pushed open the door to the station lobby until he could peer through the crack. More than a dozen listeners dressed like chickens filled the seats. Others milled around looking lost, some gathered in groups to chat. A few sipped from water bottles. It looked like happy hour at Old MacDonald’s Farm.
    First Time’s call had rattled Tin Man. How did the killer know he drove a Beamer? Right after the show, he’d driven around the Northern Virginia suburban sprawl for hours, taking