Summary

In Chapter 25, Bannick escorted Helen, a rich widow, to a dinner party. They often attended events together though they had no interest in a sexual relationship. Helen lived in a part of Pensacola where Bannick never dreamed he would be welcome when he was a child.

Throughout the evening, Bannick was distracted by the poem he had received linking him to Cleveland’s murder. He felt like his victims were coming out of their graves after him. Through the course of the evening, he wondered what people would say about him if they discovered the truth. He had compared himself to other serial killers and believed he was the most brilliant in American history.

In Chapter 26, back at the Vault, Bannick looked for updates on police files. He was continually surprised by the lax safety precautions taken by city and county governments.

Meanwhile...