116 The Man in the White Shir (2/2)

”Please take her to Interrogation Room 2, I'll be there shortly,” I told the officer. He nodded and bowed before grabbing Grace and taking her towards the room.

”I can walk myself!” she protested, shaking the officer away.

I shook my head as I made my way to Nash and Sebastian's office. I knocked before entering. ”Come in!” I heard from inside. When they saw me, they ushered me in and sat me down.

”Did it go well?” Nash asked.

”As well as it could go on a primary psychiatrist sitting. You'll get a psychiatrist evaluation in a day or so, but we will need two more psychiatrists to take to Carol. I think it's antisocial personality disorder. She can't empathize or read expressions. She told us that she was pretending to be normal like other people and the only time she feels like she is like others is when she hurts someone else.”

Sebastian nodded. ”What was the trigger?” he asked.

”She had a sleepover at her house with some of her bully friends and they were wrestling. She tried to choke someone and took it too far. Almost. She realized that she liked it when she saw the raw fear and life leaving someone's body.” Both raised their brows.

”That's not all.” They waited with bated breaths. ”Someone stopped her from doing it. A client of the mother. He took her aside and inspired her to kill properly. He taught her that choking slowly doesn't leave marks and demonstrated on Carol's mother.”

Nash looked flabbergasted. ”There is an accomplice?” he squeaked. I shook my head.

”Not an accomplice. Someone who provided her with the tools to kill. This guy had empty eyes but a warm smile, apparently,” I reiterated. ”But Carol isn't good at understanding expressions.” I hung my head. ”This guy... she claims that she doesn't remember his face: just his eyes and smile. Oh, and that he wore a white shirt.”

”A white shirt, teaching someone how to kill discreetly... we have a psychopath with a god complex on our hands,” Nash concluded.

”No, not just that,” Sebastian interjected. ”This man knows how to choke someone to leave no evidence. He knows criminal procedure or reads about it.”

”No, he knows the criminal procedure,” I claimed. ”Carol knew exactly what was going to happen to her after she admitted to killing those people. She knew what was going to happen to her mother, too.”

”This sounds like someone we have encountered before,” Sebastian said plainly.

”What does that mean? Who?” Nash looked confused.

”The guy from earlier,” I said. Sebastian gave me a smile.

”Point for Evie. It is the same guy who supplied the files on the victims in the Magician case,” he said.

”Okay, let's not jump to conclusions,” Nash protested. ”We don't have enough evidence for that.”

”Actually, we do. There was a reason why Carol kept staring at me. The guy in white told her that when the police took her away, someone like her and the guy would take care of her. Carol thought the man was talking about me but I think he was talking about Sebastian.”

”And why so?” Nash asked, now concerned.

”The guy said that this person would understand. That they wouldn't need to pretend any longer.” Everyone fell into thoughtfulness.

”Sebastian...” Nash trailed off.

”It seems I will be the one interrogating the mother, then.” Sebastian stood up and shoved his hand into his pocket. ”Nash, you don't mind if I steal the case from you, do you?”

”Well, now that there is a target placed on your back, I think you should have a go. Just thirty minutes. After that I will take over!” Nash claimed. Sebastian glared at him.

”You never give up a case, do you?” Sebastian chuckled and walked out.

”Interrogation Room 2,” I called after him and he waved in acknowledgment. ”I'll go. Here are the tapes.” I handed over the equipment and was about to leave.

”Evie,” Nash stopped me. ”Just be careful, okay?” I smiled.

It felt nice to have people worry about you. ”I will.” With that, I went out.

Now, it was time to give hell to the child abuser.