Dom put down the newspaper and smiled to himself. Sure, it had been stupid of him to attack twice in the same neighborhood, especially in the course of a couple of hours. But at the time, he wasn't even thinking about that. Or maybe he was and he just didn't care anymore.

He was sure that everyone would say this was careless of him. He knew that any harebrained psychologist would have a field day with him. And maybe that was what was wrong with him, too. Maybe if he had worked out all of his problems while growing up, he wouldn't be doing these terrible things right now.

But he also couldn't deny himself the sense of power that it gave him. He felt in control and he knew his victims knew he was calling the shots. It was almost a placebo for him to know that he held a person's life in his hands. Could be why his mother always told him he should be a doctor–if only his mother were there with him now. Maybe she could have talked him out of the murders...

Or maybe not; after all, she had died years ago. And he never even knew who his father was. For all he knew, he was just an accident. But no one had still been able to prove that it was he who had pushed her down the stairs. Everyone who had investigated it had come to the same conclusion: accidental death.

Perhaps that was what he could blame his present behavior on. None of his relatives had wanted to him in. They had their own families to tend to and he would just be a burden. So. He was put into the system and soon the Wilsons had taken him in. Why the system would let a family like that adopt a child was beyond him.

Day after day, he was abused and neglected. He had to fend for himself against the Wilsons and the bullies at school. He had gotten to know the streets of Philadelphia pretty well. He knew every in and out of the city. The Wilsons had never known he wasn't in the house. Sure, they had put on a show when the case worker had come out to the house, but that was just so they could get money from the government.

So, as soon as he had turned eighteen, he had moved away from Philadelphia and moved to Chicago. And he had to admit, that life had turned out better for him. He had been able to get a job as a freelance photographer and he was able to do what he had wanted. But it was about a year ago, when he felt this new need arise in him. The need to kill.

And what better excuse than Ann Granger's book. Being a photographer for the newspapers, he had heard snippets of the book. As soon as he heard what the book was about, the need hit him full force. It was as if the book had been written, just for him. So, he had quit his job and had settled in River Heights three months ago.

And it had been a big payoff for him. He had went to the book signing and had seen her. Right then, he knew what he needed to do.

So, now it was three murders later and he was starting to get tired. That attack on Katie had shown him how much he wanted her–how much he needed her.

It was time for the final act...

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

There was a knock on Nancy's door at nine o'clock that night. Nancy was just about to answer it when Frank stepped in front of her.

"What are you doing?" Nancy asked.

"I'm answering the door," Frank said.

"Why?" Nancy asked. "This is my house."

"Yes, but you never know who is at the door," Frank answered.

"So, our killer knocks now?" Nancy asked, sarcastically. "Wow, that was really inconsiderate of him not to knock last night before he tried to kill me."

"Ha, ha...real cute," Frank said.

"I've been told that I am," Nancy said. She stepped past Frank as another series of knocks sounded on the door. She opened it up to see B.D. Hawkins standing there, with a tape in his hands.

"About time you answered the door," B.D. grumbled.

"Blame Frank," Nancy said, closing the door behind him. "Apparently it was our killer knocking."

Frank sent Nancy a look, but she just smiled at him. She then led the way into the den where Joe was watching a football game.

"Who's winning?" B.D. asked Joe.

"Patriots," Joe said, turning off the television in frustration.

"So, I see you got the tape," Nancy said.

B.D. nodded. "And just to show you the kind of guy I am, I waited to look at it with you."

"Awww...isn't that sweet?" Nancy said. She grabbed the tape from his and popped it into the VCR. She then grabbed the remote and plopped herself on the couch by Joe. Frank sat on the other side of her and B.D. took a seat in the recliner.

"How do we know who to look for?" Joe asked.

"Look for anyone suspicious," Nancy said. "That's all we can do until Nikki wakes up."

Nancy pushed the "Play" button and soon their attention was focused entirely on the television screen. It went on for about twenty minutes and there were having trouble finding anyone there who seemed out of place.

Nancy sighed. "Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. We don't have anything."

"Wait a second," Joe said. "Push pause, Nancy."

Nancy did as Joe said, but she looked at him, confused. "Joe, that's just me and Ann talking."

"I know," Joe said. "Look in the background, though."

Everyone looked where Joe was talking about. Behind Nancy and Ann stood a man who seemed very interested in their conversation.

"Who is that?" Frank asked.

Nancy shook her head. "I don't know."

"Whoever he is, he seems very interested in whatever the two of you are talking about," Joe said.

"But he also looks like he's trying hard not to be noticed," Nancy said.

"He's not doing too good of a job," Frank commented.

"Let's see what he does next," B.D. said.

They continued to watch as the man stayed close to Ann and Nancy.

"This was about the time that I left," Nancy said.

"Let's see what he does," B.D. said.

Sure enough, Nancy grabbed her purse and gave Ann a hug. The guy kept his eyes on Nancy as she left the bookstore and went out into the night.

"Is he smiling?" Frank asked.

"I think he is," Joe said. "It looks like the actual book signing is beginning."

They watched as the mystery man walked to the table where Ann was sitting. He gave his book to Ann for her to sign and they exchanged a few words. He then took his book and held it close to his chest, as if it was his lifeline. He then walked out of the bookstore.

"I think it's a great possibility that he could be our man," Joe said.

"Why?" Nancy asked. "Just because he listened in on our conversation and had his book signed by Ann?"

"He's suspicious, Nancy," Frank said. "The most suspicious one that we've come across."

"Well, we can't know anything for sure until Nikki wakes up and tells us something," B.D. said. "In the meantime, I'll bring this tape to the station and see if we can get a picture of this guy from it. We have several good shots of his face, so it shouldn't be too hard."

Nancy stood up and ejected the tape from the VCR. She handed it to B.D. and said, "Just let us know if you find out anything about Nikki."

"I will," B.D. said. "And you be sure to get some rest. You did just get out of a hospital, you know."

"Does everyone have to keep reminding me of that?" Nancy asked.

"I know how hard it is to get through that head of yours sometimes," B.D. said. He gave Nancy a kiss on the forehead. "I really think we're getting closer to him, Nancy."

"I really hope you're right, B.D.," Nancy said.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Author's Note: Sorry that this chapter is so short. I thought I would include a little bit of Dom's past in this one so maybe you could get an idea of what it's like to be in his head. He had a very disturbing childhood and I wanted that to show through. Yes, he is a very creepy guy and I want you to feel that. Try to imagine what it's like for me...I'm writing the guy and I usually find him in some of my dreams–yikes!

I can tell that you really enjoyed my last chapter especially my little Joe sayings. I thought you could use a little bit of humor since I have been so gloomy! And a lot of you liked the fight that I had with Frank and Ned...Believe me, I enjoyed writing that!