Lisa Gardner - The Survivors Club

And David Price, reformed sinner for the day, said, “I'm sorry, Maureen, but I don't think I should tell you that.”

“Come on, David. You want to make good. You want to help the public. Here's your chance.”

“I should tell the police and only the police.”

“But according to you, David, the police don't believe you.”

“I know. And it's sad, very sad, Maureen, because I received a new letter just this morning. The College Hill Rapist went a whole year without attacking a woman because he wanted to kill Eddie first and wrap up his plan. Now he's done that. Now he's ready to make up for lost time. I'm pretty sure… No! I'm absolutely certain he's going to attack another girl tonight.”

“He's going to strike again, tonight? ”

“I think so, Maureen. Yes, ma'am, I'm sure .”

Maureen leaned across at the table.

Her blue eyes were blazing. She was gripping the microphone so tightly her knuckles had gone white. She was jazzed. Her cameraman was jazzed. In the small room, they radiated pure energy. David amused himself by picturing them both dead. “David, tell us his name. You did a horrible thing once. You kidnapped little kids, you hurt children, you damaged a lot of families out there. People still remember that. There are people watching this right now, wondering why they should believe any word spoken by a monster such as you. Tell those people the College Hill Rapist's real name. Show those people that you're ready to make amends.”

“I can't.”

“What do you mean you can't?” Maureen was nearly shouting now. “Do you or don't you know the name? Speak to me, David. Help us! According to your own words, another innocent college student is doomed to die!”

David finally let loose. “I know his name! I want to help!” reformed sinner David wailed. “But… but look at me! I'm living in maximum security, Maureen. I'm living in the middle of Steel City, surrounded by the worst of the worst. And look at me! I'm only five eight. I weigh a hundred and fifty pounds. For God's sake, do you know what it means to be so small in a place like this? Do you?”

“What are you saying, David?”

“Information is power, Maureen. In prison. In life. This is the only information I have. It's my only chance at power in a place like this. God forgive me, but I can't just give it up. I need something in return.”

Maureen finally drew back. For the first time, she sounded genuinely disappointed. “You'll only give up the name of the College Hill Rapist in return for something else? That's what you're saying, isn't it, David? You'll only help us if there's something in it for you.”

This was the tricky part. David bowed his head, then he sneaked a humble peek at his audience. “I'm sorry, ma'am. I'm sorry to everyone out there, too. I know it's not right. But that's how the system works, and I'm part of this system now. I have to play by these rules.”

“Are you hoping to get out of prison? You raped and murdered babies, David. You buried their bodies in your basement. No matter what you know now, people are going to be uncomfortable with you getting any kind of consideration.”

“I know.”

“You're a murderer, David. Let's be honest. You're in maximum security for a reason, and most people are grateful that you're there.”

David took a deep breath. “I'm a father.”

“You're a father?” Maureen was so shocked, she actually blinked her eyes. It was probably the first genuine emotion she'd ever shown on camera.

“Yeah. I'm a father. I have a little girl. Five years old. Maureen, I've never gotten to see my little girl. Never even… gotten to say hi.”

Maureen's face grew serious again, her tone intent. “What do you want, David?”

“I want to see my little girl, that's all. Look, I'm not denying what you say. I know I'm never getting out of prison. I've made my peace with that. After the things I did, I should be grateful just to be on God's green earth. I've seen the chaplain. I'm reading the Bible. While I can't change what I have done, Maureen, I can try to be a better man from this day forth-”

“Tell us the name of the College Hill Rapist, David.”

“I have a daughter,” he continued relentlessly, “and she's getting to that age where she's noticing that she doesn't have a father like other kids. I want her to know that it's not her fault. I want her to know that someone loves her. I want her to know that I love her.”

“What do you want, David?”

“Three hours, Maureen. That's what I want, all I want. Three hours, fully supervised, in street clothes, to go see my daughter. For the first time. For the only time. So I can tell her that I love her. So I can tell her that she's a good girl. So I can tell her that I can't be her father, but it's not her fault.”

“You want the state to release you from prison for three hours . To turn a convicted killer loose on the outside?”

David held up his hands. “Supervised hardship leave, Maureen. Like the corrections department does for funerals, things like that. I'd be shackled, wrists and ankles. Escorted by corrections officers at all times. The police can pick where we meet, they can pick how we get there. I'll do whatever I'm told. Greeting my daughter in leg irons with a security escort is still better than making her come here. Let's face it, no little girl belongs here.”

Maureen finally sat back. She was frowning but for the first time she seemed willing to consider his proposal. And if she was willing to consider it, others would be willing…

“A three-hour hardship leave, fully supervised. And in return you'll provide the name of the College Hill Rapist?”

“Yes, ma'am.”

“Who is your daughter, David?”

“I won't tell you.”

“This daughter you love so much?”

“My daughter exists, Maureen. Just ask any prison official. But I'm not announcing her name on public TV. I wouldn't do that to my little girl.”

Maureen made one last play. “Why don't you give us the rapist's name now, David, and in return I'll go to work on securing a three-hour leave as you have requested. In return for doing the city such a big favor, I'm sure something could be arranged.”

“You're a nice lady, Maureen.”

“Thank you, David.”

“But I'm not that dumb.”

“What?”

“I get my three hours. I see my little girl. And when it's done, I'll turn to the first police officer I find and tell him the College Hill Rapist's name. That's the deal. I hope it happens, and for all of our sakes, I hope it happens soon. The College Hill Rapist is a hungry man. Come nightfall, he'll strike again.”

“David-”

“Oh, and Sergeant Griffin, if you're listening, I'll say it again. Your delicious wife and I, we were honestly just friends.”

GRIFFIN WAS HAVING A HARD TIME CONTROLLING HIS rage. He leaned his massive frame across the gleaming, cherry-wood desk, homed in on the young man who had the misfortune to be the sperm bank's business manager and didn't waste any time on words.

“Janitor. Name. Now .”

“I'm trying to tell you, we don't have a janitor.”

“Who cleans?”

“A service.”

“Their name. Now .”

“I need to look it up.”

“Then look it up, dammit!”

The man turned hastily toward a cherry file cabinet, manicured hands fumbling with the wooden handle while he sweated through his Armani suit. Apparently there was money in infertility treatments. Lots of it.

Fitz stood behind Griffin. Waters stood next to Fitz. Both were eyeing him carefully, but neither of them intervened.

“Korporate Klean,” Mr. Management Money announced two minutes later.