Page 11 of PSYCHOlogical

I was beginning to wonder if he could go thirty days without killing. The sadist in him was probably yearning to squeeze the life out of someone as we spoke. That someone was likely me.

“I’ll make the recommendation for a week off,” I said. “How’s that? We’ll readdress it at the end of that week and see how you’re feeling.”

“Just a week?”

I forced a shallow smile. “That’ll be my recommendation.”

He exhaled and relaxed his muscles. “I can live with that.”

I unclenched my fists and swept my palms along the thighs of my slacks. I’d seen all of Mister Shephard I cared to see. Our session was over.

So were his days as an operator.

“I’ll include that in my report.” I reached for my pen. “Have you experienced any short-term memory loss?”

He shook his head. “Nope.”

I checked the box marked no. “Long-term?”

“Nope.”

I checked the no box. “Suicidal thoughts?”

“Afraid not,” he said.

I marked yes, quickly closed his folder, and smiled. “I’ll see you on the twenty-eighth.”