Manhunter

It appeared that a bear had been lured to the site by bloody rags hung from a tree. This had piqued police interest. The RCMP had questioned Silver but hadn’t been able to prove anything. The bear had destroyed much of Radkin’s body, along with any evidence.

It remained an unsolved mystery.

He leaned even closer, poring over the grainy black-and-white photograph of what was clearly a wild and beautiful woman.

He felt that familiar tingling thrill of anticipation begin to flood through his belly, that glorious rush into his blood. And Kurtz Steiger knew immediately what he wanted.

Whatever game he chose to play up in Black Arrow Falls, Silver Karvonen was going to be the centerpiece. Worthy prey. A real hunt.

He logged out of the library computer and sensed the librarian suddenly watching him intently.

He paused, thinking fast.

The library was quiet.

The only other librarian had stepped out earlier. There were three elderly patrons besides himself in the facility, and they sat hidden from sight at a big square table situated behind a row of shelves. Steiger slid his eyes slowly up and met the librarian’s gaze squarely.

She swallowed.

He could see a quick flicker of recognition, yet there was also uncertainty in her eyes. She seemed unable to move, or to tear her gaze away from his riveting stare, mesmerized by some quality in him. He had that effect on people. He knew how to use it.

And he had maybe seconds before she reached for that phone sitting just inches from her hand.

Trapping her eyes with his, he scribbled something on a piece of paper, then surged smoothly to his feet, allowing a smile to curl over his lips as he approached her desk.

She looked up, terrified. “Can…I help you?”

He held out his hand, deepening his smile. “Could you tell me where this guide book is located?”

Confused, she dropped her gaze to his hand. Steiger used the instant to whip his hand to her shoulder, where he pressed down and dug his fingers down hard and fast into a pressure point at the base of her scrawny neck.