“I didn’t kill her, Tricia,” he says quietly. “I would never do something like that.”
I slam the drawer shut. “That’s for the police to decide, not me.”
I squeeze past him, my pockets bulging with all the tapes I stole from the hidden room. I’ve still got plenty of time before Ethan returns, but I don’t want to take any chances. By the time he gets back, I want the room to be exactly the way I found it.
I’m used to the drill by now. I tilt forward the copy of The Shining, and I hear the click as the door unlocks. I pull it open and tug on the cord to turn on the light.
One by one, I replace the tapes on the shelves. I’ve got a whole handful of EJ tapes, and I’ve got to organize them back in the order I found them. I’ve got a few other random ones and I make sure those are put back as well. When I’m done, I’ve got only one tape left in my pocket.
I reach my hand into my pocket and feel the rectangular object inside. I squeeze on it so hard that the case cracks under my grip.
I will leave this room exactly the way I found it. Every tape is in the same place it was when I first walked in here.
Every tape except one.
Chapter 45
Transcript of Recording
This is session #185 with PL, a 27-year-old female who suffers from PTSD after surviving an extremely traumatic incident.
“Dr. Hale, I just wanted to let you know I’m going to be moving soon. “
“Oh? Where are you moving to?”
“I got a job in Manhattan.”
“Oh wow. I didn’t even realize you were interviewing.”
“Well, my mother always says, if opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”
“Your mother sure has some great sayings.”
“Yes, she sure does! Anyway, I’m looking at some apartments there—hoping to find a decent one bedroom.”
“That’s wonderful. Congratulations.”
“Thank you so much. I just wanted to tell you because it will mean we won’t be able to have our sessions anymore.”
“Of course. I understand. This is a big move for you.”
“It is. And I couldn’t have done it without you. You’ve been amazing, Dr. Hale.”
“I’m glad I’ve helped you.”
“You really have. I could barely leave my house when I first met you, and now I’m moving to Manhattan. I feel like I can finally put the whole thing behind me.”
“Yes. That’s very healthy.”
“And maybe one day they’ll catch the bastard who murdered my fiancé and my friends.”
“Hmm. I don’t think so.”
“You may be right. I mean, after all this time, it would be too much to hope—”
“No. That’s not why they won’t catch him.”
“Oh. Well, then why not?”
“The reason they won’t catch him is that he doesn’t exist.”
“What?”
“It’s hard to arrest a man who is entirely fictional, isn’t it?”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me.”
“I… what are you saying, Dr. Hale?”
“I think you know what I’m saying.”
“I’m afraid I don’t.”
“I’m saying you made the whole thing up. There never was a man at the cabin. You murdered your fiancé and your friends and you made up a fictional assailant.”
“I was stabbed!”
“Barely. You did it to yourself so it would look realistic. Nobody would believe that a man came into the cabin and stabbed everyone but you, so you had no choice.”
“This is… it’s insane. How could you think I made it all up?”
“Because you did. Do you think I can’t spot a liar a mile away?”
“But why would I do something like that?”
“I haven’t entirely worked it out. I suspect Cody was cheating on you with Alexis, and you decided to teach them both a lesson. And Megan was an unfortunate casualty of the whole thing. That’s my suspicion based on the fact that she died much quicker than the other two.”
“I…”
“Guessed right, did I?”
“This is… I mean, I’ve been coming here for three years. You included me in your book…”
“Well, it was a good story. Incredibly compelling. I’d say you can’t make this stuff up, but obviously, you can.”
“This is insane.”
“Don’t look at me like that. I’m not the only one who suspected you. Detective Gardner thought you did it also, but he couldn’t prove it. Except he didn’t have a window into your thoughts the way I have. He hasn’t been collecting little inconsistencies over the last three years.”