Buthorrorreturnedinanunexpectedform.Herheavilypregnantfigurereignitedthemanager''stwisteddesires.

        Now,sittingintheinterviewroom,shenolongerresembledthetrembling,incoherentwomanofbefore.Calm,composed,shepressedherpalmstoherswollenbellyandwhispered:

        "Hesaidthatsincetheamusementparkwasclosed,andIdidn''thavetogotowork,Ishouldjuststayathomewithhimuntilthebabywasborn.Ithought...maybeIcouldendureitfortwomoremonths—forthesakeofthechild.

        Butthen...hewantedtochainmeup.Hesaidheknewthebabywasagirl,thathewouldn''tsparehereither...Ijustpushedhim,andhisheadhitthecornerofthewall...itwasanaccident."

        Moxi''sautopsyhadreportedsignsoftraumaonthebackoftheskull.Unfortunately,thebasementhadbeenburnedbeyondsalvage.Therewasn''tenoughphysicalevidencetoconfirmtheexactcircumstancesoftheimpact.

        Linisanhadalreadyconfessed.Herstorywasplausible—panic,fear,desperation.Destroyingthebodyintheensuingfireseemedlikeanaturalextensionofthatpanic.

        YetLuciancouldn''tshakethefeelingthatsomethingwasoff.

        Thebodyhadbeenfoundlyinginthecenterofthemattress.Ifthemanagerhadfallenbackwardandhithisheadduringanaltercation,whywouldheendupthere?Couldaheavilypregnantwomanreallyhavemovedamanweighingover200poundsbyherself?

        Theautopsyaddedanotherwrinkle:nosoot,nothermalinjuryintheairway.Hehadn''tbreathedwhilethefireraged—hewasalreadydeadbeforeitstarted.Hehadn''tcrawledtothebedhimself.

        LucianhadpreviouslycombedthroughLinisan''ssocialcircleandfoundnosignofanothermanwhocouldhavehelpedher.

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