Is it sick of me to feed the animal in you
Is it sick to say I tease the hunter like I do
Is it sick of me to watch the wicked way you thrill
Is it sick to say I live to break your will

~Sick Like Me; In This Moment

Always

Chapter Eighteen: Sick Like Me

Cade shifted in his seat, scooting down to rest his shoulders against the back of the bench. He smiled into his paper, staring just over the top of the sheet. The front page news was, of course, the ongoing investigation of Keefe's death. But he didn't care about that. That was all just a strategic move in his ongoing game.

And what a game it was turning out to be.

His attention wasn't on the paper in his hands. It wasn't on the men and women walking the streets near him, going about their daily business. No. His attention was on the man and woman that had just walked out of the Miami Police Department. From this distance he could see the looks of irritation and anger on their faces. His smile widened.

This was better than he expected. They'd sent her out. His little game just got even more exciting.

The only thing Cade regretted was that he wasn't able to read what McAllister was saying from his position. McAllister was angry, he could tell that much by her body language. Rippner, for his part, only looked mildly irritated. His hands were clenched, his eyes narrowed. He was speaking through gritted teeth, but that barely stopped Cade from being able to read what he said. Jackson's eyes narrowed as he snapped back at her. He paused as she responded and ran his fingers through his hair. Talking to Alex.

Cade's head tilted slightly. Alex? He'd have to look closer into this Alex.

He could see Jackson's shoulders relax slightly. Don't know . . . figure it out . . . some time . . .

What would he figure out? Cade's eyes narrowed in frustration. He hated one sided conversations. He watched McAllister step back, her head moving up and down as she looked Rippner over. She gave a little shake of her head and then straightened her suit jacket. Relief washed over Rippner's features. Will . . . top . . . do list.

McAllister shook her head again, turned on her heel and gave a final jerk of her hand over her shoulder. Cade watched her walk down the steps for a moment and then turned his attention back to Rippner.

He was standing on the steps, staring after her as she walked away. The poor boy was running out of time. If he had been anyone else Cade could have possibly felt sorry for him.

If he had been anyone else Cade probably wouldn't delight in torturing him; wouldn't exist to move him around like a pawn.

Cade wouldn't lie to himself: he was enjoying this entirely too much. It had been years since he'd begun planning everything. Years since he'd begun putting his revenge in motion. He would ruin him. His career, his life, would be over. And he would have so much fun with it first.

Rippner finally moved, sliding his sunglasses over his eyes and stepping down from the station. Even with the sunglasses on, Cade could tell he was surveying the people around him. Time to take his leave. Rippner didn't need to know he was closer than he was.

Cade rose in one fluid motion, tucking his paper under his arm. He smiled at a woman walking past him, turning to give her a once over, allowing her to believe he was flirting. His eyes locked with hers as she turned to look as well. Turning back around, he tucked the bud of an earphone into his ear and tapped a button on his phone. A pair of voices burst through to his ear.

I knew there was something off about him.

Dad, please.

To think that he'd be capable-

Dad.

Cade laughed to himself. He liked the father- Joe, was it?- already.

I don't trust him.

So you've said. He could hear the scowl in Lisa's voice. Her almost blind faith in Jackson being a good man would only work better for him in the end. He could just imagine the look on her face when he forced Jackson to play his hand.

It was his eyes, Leese. They didn't look right. They were cold. Cade couldn't control his laughter at that, startling a man passing by. Joe had no idea how right he was. He'd see the Ripper for what he truly was soon enough.

You don't know him like I do. "Oh, but I do," Cade replied under his breath. He pulled a set of keys from his pocket and stopped in front of a light blue sedan.

Maybe that's a good thing, Lisa. I can be objective.

Cade opened the door to his car and slid into the driver's seat. He sat for a moment before putting his keys in the ignition, enjoying the conversation between father and daughter.

He could hear the slight tremor in Ms. Reisert's voice as she replied. He didn't do it. I know he didn't.

Leese. You need to accept that there's a chance what they're saying is true.

I won't. I know him. He's not like that.

They never are. Cade could hear movement through the microphone. He wished he was near his computer. Being able to watch the flicker of doubt on someone's face was so much better than having to listen to the inflection of their voice. The truth in their eyes could be masked by the tone of their voice. I want you to come stay with me for a little while.

I'm fine here.

Joe sighed. I just want to make sure you're safe.

I am. Pause. I will be.

Leese, if he-

He didn't.

-did this, then you're not safe.

I'll be fine, I promise. I'm not making any rash decisions about Jackson. I know him. And don't tell me that I can't know everything about him since I've only known him a little while. I've known him long enough.

Leese.

No. I know him. He's a good guy and that's what I'm holding onto. He didn't kill Keefe. He's not like that. New resolve had entered her voice.

And what will you do if he did?

Cade tilted his head, pushing the bud deeper into his ear as he waited for Ms. Reisert to respond. She was biding her time; deciding what her answer was. If she truly believed that Rippner was innocent she would have said it. It wouldn't take her this long to give such a simple answer.

You either believed the lies you're told, or you don't.

It was that simple.

So why was Ms. Reisert hesitating?

A grin lit his lips as he started his car. Maybe it would be easier to tear Rippner's world down then he thought it would be.

"How are we looking?" He asked, hanging his jacket over the back of his chair.

Susan didn't even turn to him, her fingers moving over the keyboard in front of her. "Jonah followed McAllister. She's back at her hotel. Becca is still following Rippner. Discretely, of course; especially after last time."

"And where is he?"

"Just walking around."

Cade sat next to her, glancing at the many computer screens in front of them. One full screen showed Rippner's empty apartment; the view flickering between different rooms. One would have thought the apartment would have been more furnished considering how long he'd been there. Instead, the rooms were Spartan at best. He only had the basic necessities; a bed, a couch, a few dishes in the kitchen. The spare room where he'd held Bryson was the worst of all. There was no furniture in it; the space just as empty as if he'd just moved in.

Cade had decided, after the incident with Bryson, to place the smallest of bugs in each of Rippner's rooms. If the boy was foolish enough to not sweep his apartment, then that was his own fault. The phone they left alone. After the last little mishap, Rippner would be expecting it. A small camera in the corner of his living room, high enough so he'd only see it if he was looking for it.

Which, to be honest, he really should be.

"And the Reisert woman?"

His gaze moved to another monitor. A well furnished apartment filled the screen: a bedroom with a bed taking up the middle of the room, a nightstand next to it with a matching chest of drawers. The bed was perfectly made, all of the corners tucked in perfectly, just like in the hotel she worked in.

The screen switched to another room. An empty kitchen met his view. A pot was sitting abandoned on the stove, seemingly from interrupted cooking. A plate was on the counter next to the sink with leftover food resting on it. It was the one bit of chaos in an otherwise orderly apartment.

The monitor moved again. Ms Reisert sat on an overstuffed chair staring at her television. She was worrying a fingernail between her teeth without realizing, her gaze locked on the television screen in front of her. Cade couldn't quite make out what had her so bothered on the screen but he could guess.

"Her father left her apartment a little while ago. She's been in that same position since then."

"She hasn't talked to anyone?"

Susan shook her head. "Just been sitting. I'm not sure she's going to have that thumbnail for much longer if she keeps chewing on it."

"Are they still talking about Keefe?"

Susan gestured to a TV on the wall. "All day. Seems to be the only thing any network can cover."

"And Rippner?"

Susan shrugged. "They still haven't released his name."

Cade fought back the smirk that was trying to force its way out. "But she's still doubting."

"Looks like it."

"All she needs to do is doubt. That will be enough to break him. It will be enough to get Rippner to do exactly what I want him to."

Susan turned to him. "And when do you plan on doing this?"

"Soon. Is the package ready?"

Susan turned back to the computer and hit a few buttons. "Shortly. The courier will deliver it at the agreed upon time. Are you sure we want to do it this early?"

Cade slouched in his seat, absentmindedly rubbing a spot over his heart. "We have to. McAllister's appearance changes everything. I think Richards is catching on." He rubbed harder, his knuckles turning white. "And we have him on standby?"

"Just waiting on your orders."

Cade just nodded. His eyes were still watching Lisa Reisert. A small grin curved his lips as she sank further in her seat, somehow managing to shrink in on herself even more.

Yes. All he needed her to do was doubt.

A knock sounded, pulling Cade from a restless sleep. With a groan he rolled over, propping himself up with his left arm. A sharp pain sliced through his shoulder, causing his arm to give out. He cursed under his breath and rolled onto his back, his right hand massaging his shoulder to ease the pain.

The knock came again. "Sir?"

Cade huffed in frustration. "What," he finally ground out.

"You wanted to know as soon as Rippner made it home."

He bit back the groan that tried to force its way through his grit teeth. "Thank you."

He could see the little bastard on the couch. He looked worn out, the poor thing; as if his entire life was crumbling around him. Cade snorted. Rippner's life wasn't going to be getting any better.

"Did you find anything out on Alex?" He asked without looking from the monitor.

"Basically he's the IT guy for the Company. Word is that he's the closest thing to a friend Rippner has."

"Well that won't do."

"What do you want me to do?"

"Watch him. Be ready to grab him if I decide to."

"Of course." Susan hesitated before speaking again. "And you're sure you want to do this, this early?"

Cade's eyes flicked to her before returning to the screen. "We have to. As I said, with McAllister showing up we need to move up the plans. No matter what they say, Richards suspects something. He wouldn't have sent out his top fixer if he didn't."

Susan shrugged. "Maybe he's just assumed Rippner screwed up."

Cade shook his head. "The ever perfect Rippner never screws up. He knows."

Susan stayed quiet, knowing nothing she said would change his mind.

"And Reisert?"

"Back at work."

He nodded and stood. "I'm going out. Keep me apprised if anything changes."

"Yes, sir."

He moved away from her and then left the room. If only he could stay and see the look on Rippner's face during this next phase.

The phone rang in his ear as he made himself comfortable, resting his back against the chair. Cade knew it wouldn't take long for Rippner to answer. His frustration and curiosity would get the better of him.

"Rippner."

The complete exhaustion echoing in that one word caused Cade to smile. "I heard you had a rough night."

There was silence on the other end. His smile spread. "What do you want?" Rippner finally asked.

"Is that any way to speak to an old friend?"

"You were never my friend."

"You're not wrong," he paused, his eyes following people as they moved around him. He finally settled on one woman as she cheerfully spoke with a couple standing in front of her. "I can see why you like her, Rippner. She plays her part very well. Always smiling on the outside when she's so hurt on the inside."

He could hear Rippner take a deep breath. "What game are you playing now?"

"My own. And you're not participating correctly. You know the game is only going to end one way, Rippner," Cade sneered.

"And how's that?"

"With your head on a platter, you little prick," he spat. He closed his eyes, breathing in quickly to calm himself down. "But you're going to play one more turn."

Cade could hear the derision in Rippner's voice as he asked, "And what do you plan on me doing?"

Cade laughed. "You get to kill her."

He heard Rippner's breathing stop as he took one breath and held it. "What?" he uttered.

"I'm sorry. Do I need to repeat it? I thought you were smarter than that." He laughed again. "You, my dear Ripper, get to kill the sweet Miss Reisert. And I know what you're going to say. You can't do that. You care about her. Or you could lie and say that she's only part of the job; that she might still be needed," he paused. "No matter what you say, Rippner, you'll do what I tell you."

Rippner's voice was calm as he answered. "And why would I do that?"

Cade stood, making his way through the small crowd of people, a malicious smile curling his pale lips. "Because you know that I'll do so much more to her if you don't. She'll be a toy, Jack. And I will have so much fun playing with her. Breaking her will bring me so much joy," Cade paused, stopping right behind the couple he'd watched earlier. "And I'll do it right in front of you."

He hung up before Rippner could respond, stepping up to the counter as the couple walked off. He smiled brightly. Cade noticed the slight narrowing of her eyes, the hitch in her breath, the hint of recognition, as she looked up at him. After a moment's hesitation, she asked: "How can I help you?"

"Yes, Lisa is it?"

AN: Well Cade just proved to be a pain in the ass to write. This chapter wasn't supposed to be this way. It was originally going to be all Jackson but Cade pushed his way through. He decided that it was his turn; that it was time for his side to be told. I felt that Cade would only ever call his opponents by their last names; only people he was 'close' to would have first names, hence Susan.

But he did prove to be a pain. I've stopped and started this chapter so many times that it's not even funny. I do hope you enjoyed it. I'm not 100% on it (I'd definitely say at least 95%) but I hope it was worth the wait.