Chapter 7:

Last night was divine, wine, Maggie, and the fire. We had a beautiful candlelit dinner. Maggie tried making coq au vin, but we ended up ordering a pizza. When I'm with her I feel normal. I don't even mind her taste in middle class food and clothing. As a matter of fact, I've grown to quite enjoy it. But, I have this overwhelming urge to kill every second of everyday. As if it's just there in the back of my mind at all times. Chester had called me earlier to tell me he saw a child who looked identical to Jimmy. Then he saw Bette. The craziest part? Her and Dot had the surgery! And it worked! I guess Jimmy was with Dot which makes Bette single.

As I'm sitting around a table with Maggie and Kim discussing Kim's cat and her pictures from the park yesterday, all I can think of is what I'd be like had I not met Maggie. If I hadn't noticed her beauty, I might not have any humanity left in my entire body. Maggie keeps me sane, she keeps me human. Bette was never able to do that. But that won't stop me from ending her.

"Sweetheart, I need to run to the drugstore. Chester needs a hand." I say.

"And you offered to help?" she asks, doubtingly.

"He's my friend. He needs me to tell him what brands suck and which don't as I'm the only person wealthy enough in this town to have owned them all."

"I understand. I'll see you tonight?" she asks.

"Of course, my love." I smile at her.

I reach down and kiss her quickly as Kim hands me my fur jacket. I go to my car, open the glovebox, and pull out the brown eyeliner. It smears easily to my touch. I wipe the brown eye pencil across my lids and put on a quick swipe of a nude lipstick. I check for any mistakes, but as usual, it's perfect. I load my gun and put in on the seat next to me. Finally, I buckle up and start my car and head to the drugstore.

Upon my arrival, Chester is immediately delighted. I stop him before he can start his constant blabbing about his life. There's more important things, like me. And my constant need that needs taken care of. I think of how to track Bette and her boy. I think and think until all it once it comes to me.

"What did she buy?" I ask.

"She ordered a few childrens novels we haven't got in yet." Chester says.

"Right! And when you order something from this store, you give your address. Where is her order?"

"I don't know. I've had 2 women today and neither used the name Bette."

"Well what were the names?!" I become outraged.

"Clarice Gable and Trisha Blaire" he says.

"Trisha. Give me."

"How do you know?"

"Bette. Beatrice. Triss. Trisha. I know Bette's way of thinking."

"Wow. How does Maggie feel about that?"

"What?"

"You know this woman like back of your palm." Chester says, suspiciously.

"Chester, not right now. Give me the damn papers!" I say.

He hands them over and right there in black ink, is Bette's handwriting. I grab the sheet with her address and leave. I get into my car and call my lawyer.

"This is Clark!" he exclaims.

"Clark. It's Mr. Mott. I know you keep records on Bette and Dot. How did you not inform me of their surgery?!"

"Well sir, you told us to never inform you unless you ask. Unless that's a mistake in our notes."

"It's not. Forget it. What is the name of Bette's son?"

"Pete, sir."

"Great. Thanks."

I hang up and put the phone away. I start my car and drive to Bette's address. Time to meet Pete.