We all turn our attention, and camera, onto the unfolding scene around us. A couple police officials step forward, followed by their FBI counterparts in dark suits and ties.
Greg Komansky, head of the Threat Management Unit, takes the podium.
"I’ll be making a short statement, followed by Special Agent Adams with the FBI. There will be no question and answer session at this time, due to the ongoing investigation.
"At approximately four-thirty this afternoon, the Los Angeles Police Department responded to a call of an unknown disturbance at the residence of Erik Collins and Kelsey Stanton. Upon arriving, patrol units discovered a multiple homicide crime scene.
"We can confirm that Mr. Collins and two others are deceased. One was Carl Neumann, the concierge of the apartment building, and the third was a police officer stationed there. The officer’s name is being withheld pending notification of the next of kin.
"We can also confirm Ms. Stanton is missing. We are doing everything we can to ensure her safe recovery.
"We will continue to keep you updated as facts become available for release. We also request at this time that anyone with any information on Ms. Stanton’s whereabouts call the LAPD at 213-555-TIPS."
Greg steps away from the microphone and SA Adams takes his position.
"To be honest, I cannot and will not offer much more information than Detective Komansky already has. This is an ongoing investigation and, of course, we won’t risk the health or well-being of Ms. Stanton.
"The FBI is doing everything it can, in conjunction with the Los Angeles Police Department, to ensure Ms. Stanton’s safe return as soon as possible."
Bear motions that I should go ahead with our statement at this time. I step up to the podium and ignore the lights, the camera, the microphones, everything. My only hope is that the sick bastard has the television on wherever he is and that Kelsey can see and hear me.
"My name is Harper Kingsley. I’m an executive producer at KNBC and have the privilege of working with Kelsey Stanton. Franklin Saunders, our General Manager, has asked me to make the following statement on the station’s behalf:
"The management and staff of KNBC are deeply concerned for the safety of our colleague, Kelsey Stanton. We are giving the police our full cooperation and assistance in this matter. In addition, we are offering a reward of $100,000 to anyone who provides the police with the information leading to Kelsey’s safe return, and the capture of this violent criminal. We ask that anyone with such information contact our Crime Stoppers Hotline at 213-555-KNBC. KNBC staff will assist the police in answering and responding to all calls we receive.
"Our prayers and thoughts are with Kelsey’s family, as well as that of Erik Collins, Carl Neumann, and the slain police officer, to whom we extend our deepest and most sincere condolences. Thank you."
I turn and leave, ignoring the shouted questions. I am not the news.
I’m still sitting at Bear’s desk at four in the morning. There’ve been no developments in this nightmare I’m living in. Somehow, the psycho managed to get into her apartment building, kill three men, take Kelsey, and no one saw a goddamn thing. He didn’t leave a fingerprint, a footprint, a drop of blood. No forensic evidence to help us find him.
Nor did he contact the cops with the prior abductees. He simply took them and killed them when they didn’t meet his expectations. I fear that even the real thing won’t live up to his approval. Especially not when you get Kelsey mad. She’s impossible to live with then.
I stifle a laugh. God, it’s not funny. What I wouldn’t give to have her here and furious with me. For any reason. I wouldn’t care. If she were safe.
Jims and Jessica left hours ago. Jessica couldn’t afford to look ‘droopy’ for her broadcast later today. I had to bite my tongue to keep from saying everything that crossed my mind at that moment. Jims squeezed my shoulder when he left; I had told him not to stay. If I lose it, I don’t want anyone from work to see.
I hear Bear’s voice across the room and I look up, dully. I see him pointing toward me, my parents standing beside him. Mama’s face reflects everything I feel right now – utter despair. She and Papa are now hurrying over to me, and soon I am in their arms.
"Mon Coeur," Mama whispers, kissing my hair.
"My baby girl," Papa says, holding both Mama and I.
I shake, but I will the tears not to fall. I cannot let my little bit of control fall. If I do, I will be lost in this nightmare. "Thank you for coming," I say, straightening up.
"Where else would we be?" Mama asks.
"At home, in bed."
Papa shakes his head. "I don’t think so. Your Mama has been snoring a lot lately. It’s been hard to get sleep."
I burst into laughter at the unexpected humor. Mama scolds Papa in French playfully, knowing it was for my benefit.
"Come on, sweetheart, we’re taking you home."
"Papa, I have to stay here in LA. This is my story. And … she’s …"
"No, no. We’re taking you to your apartment. Your friend, Detective Brice, says there’s no need for you to be here. He let you stay because he didn’t want you to be alone. Now, you’re not alone."
If only Kelsey were as fortunate as I am right now.
My mouth is dry and my head is spinning when I begin to become cognizant. I realize very quickly I am on a small bed of some sort. A cot. At least, it feels like a small cot. I try to move my hands to my side, but find them chained above my head to the rail at the top of the mattress.
I haven’t opened my eyes yet. I’m afraid to. This is bad.
I’m gonna die. He’s going to kill me just like he killed the others. It’s only a matter of when.
Oh God, Harper. I’m so sorry. I never imagined it ending like this.
I know I need to open my eyes, but I take the time to listen first. I can’t tell if there is anyone in the room with me because I can’t hear anything past the sound of my own heart hammering in my ears.
I feel the tears slip past my eyelids even though I try to hold them back.
I flinch when I feel his hand on my face brushing away my tears.
"Don’t cry, Kelsey. It’s not that bad."
Oh, God! Please make him stop touching me.
"I won’t hurt you," I hear him pause as his hand leaves my face, "unless you make me."
"I won’t," I whisper, still not opening my eyes. Somehow if I keep them closed it’s not real. I can feel myself shaking on the inside. I have to keep some control here if I am to stand a chance of survival.
"You know, Kelsey, if you had come to me sooner I wouldn’t have had to kill those others. I only wanted to be with you." His voice is soft and it sets my nerves on edge with how cold it is.
I don’t even want to try and respond to that. There isn’t anything I can say that will work in this situation.
"But now, we’re together and everyone is out of the way. No one can keep us from being together forever." I feel him sit on the edge of the bed, taking my chin in his hand. "Open your eyes, Kelsey. Take a look at the face of the person you were meant to be with."
It’s amazing how fear can make you think the silliest things. The first thing to come to my mind is ‘if you’re not six feet tall with long, dark hair and piercing blue eyes, and female, forget it.’ I hear myself let out a frightened chuckle at the thought.
His grip tightens on my face and his voice becomes hard. "Open them!"
I do. Slowly.
He stares back at me, then a soft smile breaks out across his lips. "See? No monster."
Why does he look so familiar to me? I know him from somewhere.
"Could I have something to drink?" It’s a risky request. Hell, maybe he intends on poisoning me, but I need to get the dry feeling out of my mouth.