“You know, you make a cuckold out of a guy, and it’s not surprising if he’s out to get you for the rest of his life.”
“Actually, I think he’s out to get you. And he isn’t sworn to uphold the law or anything like that. He could get a gun and shoot you dead on the spot, then claim temporary insanity because grief has haunted his life all these years.”
“Maybe you ought to find out more about that young man, Jake. Maybe he’s crazier than I am.”
“It would help if you told me what you know about the victim we just discovered—and about Nancy. You’ll never convince me that she didn’t disappear because of what went down five years ago.”
Bordon kept his eyes on Jake, never blinking. He shook his head sadly. “She disappeared while you were busy harassing me and my group. You want to associate the two things, but you’ve got no reason for doing so. I’ll bet your superiors agree. Poor Jake, he wants to believe there’s a reason, that it’s anyone’s fault but his own. You know accidents happen. Bad roads, bad weather. Sometimes people, even cops, drive too fast. People can be distraught, not themselves. There are dozens of possibilities. But you know what, Jake? I really am sorry.”
“I see. You’d help me if you could.”
Bordon drummed his fingers on the table, his expression never wavering. “Do you ever go to magic shows, Jake?”
“What?”
“You know, a magic show. It’s all smoke and mirrors. Sleight of hand. People don’t see what’s really happening, because their vision is drawn a different way. You see the magician, you see the beautiful, skimpily clad assistant at his side.”
“Bordon, what the hell are you talking about?”
“You know, I’ve spent my time here doing a lot of reading. I’ve counseled some of the other prisoners.” For a moment his gaze flickered and a rueful smile touched his lips. “I’ve found God and the simple beauty of life itself.”
“You’ve found God? You were a preacher, with a loyal-unto-death following. But now you’ve found God?”
Bordon waved a hand in the air. “I fleeced people out of a lot of money. I’m a charismatic man. A magician, if you will, a showman. But now…well, I just want to live, Jake. I’m getting out of here soon. It’s almost a guarantee. I’ve been a model prisoner—but I’m sure you know that.”
“You know I’d do anything in my power to throw you right back in here.”
“Thankfully, you’re a detective, not a judge and jury. Funny thing is, I like you, Jake. And you’re good, you know. Maybe too good. I’m not frightened of you myself, but…you can be a damned scary man. Watch yourself, Jake.”
“Are you threatening me, Bordon?”
“Me? No, not at all. We both know I never killed anyone. That’s truer than you can begin to accept. I’m just saying you’re a good detective, that’s all. But no one wins every time, Jake. Maybe you should accept that.”
Jake shook his head. “Not every time, but I don’t intend to lose this one.”
“Well, Jake, you’re sitting here barking up the wrong tree with me. I’ve been locked up a long time now.” He shrugged. “Hell, who knows if that wiped-out kid, Harry Tennant, killed those girls five years ago or not. I saw him a few times, and I thought I had one really sad bastard on my hands. He wanted to find meaning in life so badly, and he was furious with the girls who didn’t seem to be as committed to a way of life as he was. Or maybe he was impotent, and hated anyone who could lead a normal life. Maybe he was psychotic.”
“I don’t think he was bright enough to be as organized as the killer,” Jake said. “The killer was smart—removing fingertips, delaying identification of the victims. Hiding them in the deepest muck in the city, letting nature do her work on the corpses and any hope of trace evidence. That took someone with cunning and knowledge. That points to you, I’d say.”
“If you’re hoping for a belated confession, that I’m going to break down and tell you, hell yes I did it, I’ve kept a thriving group going in my absence, and I control the hearts and minds of men and women far away—you’re veering way off course. I told you, I’ve spent my time repenting my evil ways. I’ve found God.”
“Oh, yeah, right, Bordon. If you found God, you’d be confessing anything you knew, trying to make sure more people weren’t brutally murdered.”
Bordon stared at him. “Smoke and mirrors, Jake. The world is full of smoke and mirrors.”
To Jake’s surprise, Bordon looked upset after making that last statement. “I don’t want to talk anymore. I won’t talk anymore. I don’t have to talk to you.”
“Wrong. You’re in prison, and I have the warden’s permission to be here.”
“I’m not accused of anything more. I’m serving my time. I just want to live, Jake. And I want a lawyer before I say another word to you.”
“Guilty, are you?”