MERCILESS HUNTER

re heard

hallway. Not a wail in t

rom within

's mental b

an. The red-ink blacklist. Like a premonitio

on. Perhaps withdrawal from the blood, adrenal

it wasn't

s of violence was when

most compa

e dead'

unded by weapons, maps, blueprints and tool

they brough

of Aranov's blood, still hear

those memories, ano

her's l

ard it in fi

twitching toward the revolver on the table. He star

was no o

the

t h

house just

ovement. No

else's pain to d

the list was an eni

rrogator. One of Victor's secret weapons-someone who di

eyes that didn't blink. Rumor had it she vanished five years ago after help

ryone. operating a private clinic under

ocated

anticipating

e clinic. walls made of glass. sterile corr

with government clearance, PTSD

room that had nothi

for seve

he cam

ed in a flawless knot. She donned a white coat and a lo

fter saying, "I wonde

mained

g as she said, "You'r

ing for clar

r blood." Her h

once. She grinned. "Cain, they usually do. when the anger starts to fester.

r thoughts turn to the individuals you buried. to p

swall

a step

eace. But peace is a lie you tell yours

is fists. "Th

happens when they're all gone? Wha

l sl

red, "you'll beg

he gun, aimed

ent you,"

he'll admit. I left him when I s

n

ble and placed a folder on

lower th

en

d

iles reports,

ot

him

not

child

ore the

e the

ds. Notes from psychological studies

e hell i

e watched your parents. Studied your behavior. You weren't

d trembled

ie

Cain. The attack on your family wasn't

t her. "Say

t a mistake. You're a weapon

wered t

hing b

spers r

r thi

Cain...

ned sh

ty

d a

u?" Vosk said. "Your father. Your m

her again. "Why are

because you're the only o

pa

Rage alone won't reach him. Yo

tared

y, lowered

n't ki

t

recordings, evidence of what Vic

s. They are cautions. He sat in the dark that night and gazed at his mo

were, "Fin

e b

e folders. One had fal

not the

is sloppy

ure of

at are

s cu

is his

e:

of the Project:

Another kid? One year before to the ma

s written by ha

aggression than Subject 1 (Cain

opped t

whispering for

hispering f

n notes were a

y than Subject 1 (Cain). I'll k

the fil

ger being whispere

ing each other

han one ghost. Standin

dancing in the fireplace.

tact." Victor remained still. "And

All right. He must see it. T

ct Two?" Victor's smile hardened