Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited.
Imagination encircles the world.
âAlbert Einstein
âWe know from the previous five killings and the mutilations that sexual frustration and possible rejection were the main motives.â Even though I feel like thereâs a shit-ton more to it. âMaybe the unsub feels inadequate, possibly from rejection or something even larger that has happened in the past. We need to find a link, and it starts in that town. Leonard and Elise have returned to Delaney Grove, searching for anyone who might speak. For now, the rest of us will remain here where the last killing happened. Itâs the freshest crime scene,â I tell the group.
They grab their folders and files, and I head to my office, feeling too tired to think straight. For the past two weeks, Iâve either crashed in my office or driven home for a few hours of sleep.
Unlike most serial killers, this one isnât escalating in time scale or risk factor. Heâs not getting bolder, which means heâs staying smarter. Which sucks for us, because heâs not making any mistakes.
The trail is going to go cold. One more week, and there could be another body at our feet.
My phone dings, and I look down at the text, smiling when I see who it is. I have no idea why she bothers speaking to me, since all weâve done is text or talk over the phone since the day I had to bail on her at the coffee shop.
LANA: You know, I always mocked the Netflix and Chill notion, but now I see the appeal.
ME: I donât even own a TV.
LANA: What???? How????
ME: I keep meaning to buy oneâ¦
LANA: Agent Bennett, Iâm sorry. This has to end now.
ME: At least call me by my first name if youâre ending things.
LANA: Agent Bennett sounds sexier.
That has me smirking.
ME: Oh? Handcuffs turn you on?
LANA: Restraint is a hell no. Not my thing. But I wouldnât be opposed to using them on you⦠If we ever make it to that level, that is.
My cock stirs in my pants, and I mentally count the months since the last time I even had time to think about sex. By month five, I stop counting, because itâs just depressing. Iâll need a few dates with my hand before I try taking on Lana and embarrassing myself.
ME: Dinner tomorrow?
LANA: You can do dinner?
ME: No leads right now on my case, so I have some free time. It wonât be much free time, but it has to be better than texting all the time.
LANA: Iâm not sure about the protocol in this situation.
My brow furrows as I read her last text.
ME: What protocol?
LANA: Am I allowed to say yes to a last minute dinner invite? Or is it frowned upon to seem readily available on such short notice? ð
That has me smiling and laughing to myself as I sit back and look at the clock. Itâs after nine, but I really want to see her right now.
ME: Itâll be a lot of short notices from me, so I hope youâre the kind of girl who can be readily available⦠Hopefully that sounds better aloud.
LANA: It sounds⦠Yeah, no. It doesnât sound good, but I get what you mean. Yes to dinner. ð I hope to leave with more than an awkward wave this time.
I fist pump the air, then look up to see a few curious eyes on me through my open office door. Feeling like a fourteen-year-old jackass, I message her again.
ME: I wonât walk away with just a wave this time. Who knows when Iâll see you again, or if youâll continue to deal with my shitty schedule.
LANA: My schedule is pretty shitty too.
ME: Is it wrong that Iâm tempted to ask where you live so I can subtly swing by tonight with the excuse I was in the neighborhood and thought I saw someone too close to your house?
LANA: Is it wrong that I hope youâll break some rules, find my address, and do just that?
Groaning, I glance at the time, then at my computer screen. Deciding to totally abuse my privileges, I do look up her address. But thatâs all I research. Grabbing my phone, I pull up my GPS, grab my âgo bagâ from the office, and jog down to my car.
Since itâs wishful thinking and incredibly presumptuous to bring a bag, I toss it in the back, hoping she doesnât notice it and realize Iâm expecting a lot more than I should be. Obviously Iâll leave as soon as I get there if she wants me to, but Iâm really hoping she doesnât want me to leave.
Because Lana Myers has been in my head since the day I met her, and itâd be nice if someone noticed I was missing.