Chapter 108

Nothing ever starts where we think it does. I kept remembering that Kyle had done nearly all of the TV and print interviews after the capture of Peter Westin in the foothills outside Santa Cruz. He’d wanted the praise. He’d wanted to be the star, the only one. In a way, that’s what he was now: the brightest star of all.  I had one decent idea about what to do next, something proactive that might bother Kyle. I contacted the FBI and discussed it with Director Burns. He liked it too.
At four o’clock that afternoon, a press conference was called in the lobby of the FBI building. Director Burns was there to speak briefly¹ and then to introduce me. Burns stated in no uncertain terms that I would be involved in the manhunt until Kyle Craig was brought to justice, and that Kyle would definitely be caught.  I was wearing a black leather car coat and I buttoned it up as I stepped up to the mikes. I was playing this for all it was worth. I wanted to look self-important. I wanted to look like the star. Not Kyle. This was my manhunt. Not his. He was the prey².  There was the usual mechanical buzz and hum of cameras, the incessant³ flashes, and all those inquiring minds of the press, those cynical⁴ eyes staring up at me, waiting for answers that I couldn’t give them. It set my nerves on edge.
My voice was as grave and important-sounding as I could make it.
‘My name is Alex Cross. I’m a homicide detective in DC. I’ve worked closely with Special Agent In Charge Kyle Craig over the past five years. I know him extremely well.’ I went into some detail on our past together. I tried to sound like a pompous⁵ know-it-all. The doctor detective.
‘Kyle has been helpful in solving a few murders. He was a competent number two, excellent support for me. He was an overachiever type, but a tireless worker.
‘We will capture him soon, but Kyle, if you can hear me, wherever you are, I urge you to listen closely. Give yourself up. I can help you.  I’ve always been able to help. Give yourself up to me. It’s the only chance you have.’
I paused and stared into the TV cameras, then I stepped back slowly from the microphones. The camera flashes were everywhere.  They were treating me like the star now. Just as I had hoped they would.
Director Burns said a few more words about his concern for public safety and the extent of the FBI manhunt. He thanked me profusely⁶ for being there.
As I stood beside Director Burns, I continued to stare out into the TV cameras. I knew that Kyle would be looking right at me. I was sure that he’d see this segment, and that it would infuriate him.  I was sending Kyle a clear message, a challenge.  Come and get me, if you can. You’re not the Mastermind anymore - I am.

1 briefly   

adv.简单地，简短地

参考例句：

• I want to touch briefly on another aspect of the problem.我想简单地谈一下这个问题的另一方面。
• He was kidnapped and briefly detained by a terrorist group.他被一个恐怖组织绑架并短暂拘禁。

2 prey   

n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨

参考例句：

• Stronger animals prey on weaker ones.弱肉强食。
• The lion was hunting for its prey.狮子在寻找猎物。

3 incessant   

adj.不停的，连续的

参考例句：

• We have had incessant snowfall since yesterday afternoon.从昨天下午开始就持续不断地下雪。
• She is tired of his incessant demands for affection.她厌倦了他对感情的不断索取。

4 cynical   

adj.(对人性或动机)怀疑的，不信世道向善的

参考例句：

• The enormous difficulty makes him cynical about the feasibility of the idea.由于困难很大，他对这个主意是否可行持怀疑态度。
• He was cynical that any good could come of democracy.他不相信民主会带来什么好处。

5 pompous   

adj.傲慢的，自大的；夸大的；豪华的

参考例句：

• He was somewhat pompous and had a high opinion of his own capabilities.他有点自大，自视甚高。
• He is a good man underneath his pompous appearance. 他的外表虽傲慢，其实是个好人。

6 profusely   

ad.abundantly

参考例句：

• We were sweating profusely from the exertion of moving the furniture. 我们搬动家具大费气力，累得大汗淋漓。
• He had been working hard and was perspiring profusely. 他一直在努力干活，身上大汗淋漓的。