"So you're his partner?" Agent Sally Roux asked Artie who was sitting across from her. He was wearing police issued sweats and didn't seem to be as scared as he was earlier when Agent Ferguson was interrogating him.

"Yes."

"What is your role in this partnership?"

"I bring him his victims."

"What do you mean?"

"I find him the prostitutes. I pick them up in my car and take them to him."

"Him who?"

Artie laughed, "Nice try. I'm not telling you who he is."

"So how many women have you brought to him Artie?"

He shrugged.

"After you bring him his victims, then what happens?"

Artie fidgeted in his seat.

"I wait until he's done and then we get rid of the bodies together."

"How did you two meet?"

"Online...on the forums. He private messaged me."

"So if we go into your account, we could see the messages between you two?"

"I deleted them."

"Is that so...?"

"Yes." Artie was giving her clipped one word answers but Sally didn't mind.

"The last two women were local prostitutes. Did you know them?"

"No."

"No? You didn't know them?"

"What else do you think no means?"

Sally lowered her head and smirked, "Artie, how did you two decide where to hide the bodies?"

"We don't really hide them...we just kind of dump them."

"So you saw the bodies after he stabbed, shot, and mutilated them?"

Artie shrugged his shoulders, "Yeah. I guess so."

"You guess?"

Artie sneered at Sally, "Yes. I saw those dead whores."

"So you saw the bullet wounds?"

"Didn't I just say I did? He shot them tons of times. They were full of bullet holes!"

Sally leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms. "Artie..."

"What?"

"Why are you lying to me?"

"Who said I was lying?"

"You did. By telling me a load of crap. Your partner never shoots his victims. If you were trying to get arrested, don't worry. Obstructing a federal investigation with a false confession is against the law. Your ass will be in jail tonight. If you're lucky, you'll be able to make bail tomorrow morning."

Sally stood up as Artie lowered his head. "I'm not sure what's wrong with you kid, but lying to the FBI wasn't a bright move."

Outside the Police Station

Dr. Colin Spencer was sitting in his car with his cell phone pressed against his ear.

"Hello?"

"Colt...it's your brother."

"I kind of guessed that by looking at the caller ID."

Dr. Spencer laughed, "Don't be a wise ass. Hey do you have a patient by the name of Artie Wilkerson?"

"Artie? I can't tell you that...why?"

"He just confessed to being the Deadly Disciple's secret partner!"

"He did what?"

"The Deadly Disciple...he's a serial killer that's been going after women of the night."

"I know who he is!" his brother seemed worried.

"What's the matter Colt?"

"Did they arrest Artie?"

"So he is your patient!"

"Shut up Colin. Did they arrest him?"

"I'm not sure," Colin answered. "The FBI is questioning him right now."

"Uhh I gotta go Colin. I'll talk to you later."

Colin kept trying to talk to his brother but he had already disconnected the call.

At a local Motel

"Are you sure you don't want to stay at my place?"

Joelynn looked at Detective Smith, "I'm fine staying here. I'll be going home as soon as they clear the crime scene."

Detective Smith was about to say something else when Joelynn's phone dinged indicating she got a message. She checked it and smiled.

"Who's that from?" Smith asked.

"Officer Dempsey. He just wanted to make sure I was okay."

Smith cursed which surprised Joelynn. "What's the matter James?"

"I don't trust him Joelynn. So be careful around him."

Joelynn laughed. "Why don't you trust him? He's a cop."

"Like that makes any difference."

"You're a cop."

"I'm a detective and don't compare me to him."

Joelynn wanted to smile. She had to be careful since she still wasn't completely over her mini-crush that she had on Detective James Smith. "I think I'm okay with Officer Dempsey. It's Artie Wilkerson that has me worried. He had pictures of me and Eva on his wall."

James Smith frowned and shook his head, "Listen. I don't blame you for being upset with him...but that kid. He's been through a lot."

"He's not a kid. He just looks like he never matured."

Smith shrugged, "I'm serious Joelynn. He's had it rough."

"Tell me how he's had it rough?"

"Not my story to tell but I've been putting bad guys away for years and they all have a story. Artie has one too. I don't know...I just feel bad for him."

"So what happened to him?"

"You're in group therapy with him. You should know. If you don't that's too bad. I'm not telling Joelynn."

Joelynn scrunched her nose at him, "Fine. I'll just ask Bertie, one of the group members."

Smith chuckled. "Alright Joelynn. I have to go. Call me if you need anything okay?" He put a hand on her shoulder and she covered it with her own hand. "I will. Thanks James."

They stood that way for almost a minute before he turned and left her for the night.

Later that Night at the Pink Flamingo Parking Lot

"You're kidding. Are you okay? Did you want to stay at my place?" Jacob asked.

"No I'm fine. I know you told me that things aren't going well between you and your mom. I don't want to be a burden."

"Joelynn...you wouldn't be a burden."

"It's okay. I'm glad you're okay. Let's try and talk tomorrow okay?"

"Yeah let's have lunch or something."

Jacob disconnected the call to Joelynn.

"Was that Joelynn?"

Jacob looked over to Edward who was sitting in the passenger's side of Jacob's car. "Yeah. She said that a guy from her therapy group confessed to being some serial killer's partner."

"The Deadly Disciple?" Edward asked.

"Yeah...weird right?"

"Who was the guy from her group?"

Jacob shrugged. "I don't know...some weird guy. I think his name was Archie. No...Artie. Yeah Artie."

Edward nodded, "That is weird. How's your head doing?" Edward reached across and touched the small bandage that was on the corner of Jacob's forehead.

Jacob smiled, "It's better thanks."

"I feel so guilty every time I look at it."

"You should since it's your fault I have it," Jacob chastised him.

Edward laughed, "Yeah but you're back on good terms with Joelynn. So it all worked out in the end."

"I guess so," Jacob whispered.

"What's the matter?" Edward was looking at Jacob with concern.

"I'm still thinking about my mom."

Edward sighed, "Jacob it's not your fault who your father is. You shouldn't feel guilty. Your mother said she loves you and that's all that matters."

Jacob nodded, "I know." He did understand that his mother loved him but it still hurt to know that he was created by an act of violence. "I just feel like I should do something to help her. You know? Like help her get even with the man that fathered me."

Edward smiled, "You want my help?"

Jacob laughed, "Hell no! You'd probably kill me and say it was all part of your master plan."

Edward laughed but then turned somber, "I'm serious Jacob. I know we just met and all...but if you ask for my help...I'll give it. I want to be someone you can trust and depend on."

Jacob gave him a smile as Edward grabbed hold of his hand and kissed it. "I'll prove myself to you Jacob. Just give me a chance."

The Next Day

"Bertie!"

Joelynn was at group and she was apprehensive. She didn't know if Artie would be there or not. If he was, she wouldn't know what to say or how to act around him.

"Hey Joelynn! How are you doing?"

"Fine...fine," Joelynn wanted to get her information about Artie as quickly as possible. "Bertie...do you know why Artie Wilkerson is in our group?"

"Artie?"

"Yeah...I mean we all have a story but why does he need to be in group?"

"You don't know?" Bertie asked.

Joelynn shook her head.

"That's right, you weren't here when he told his story. Oh that poor dear. It's so sad really."

Joelynn was getting antsy, "Can you tell me what happened Bertie?"

"You don't want to ask him directly?"

"Bertie it's important that I know."

Bertie could see in Joelynn's eyes that she was anxious. "Okay...okay...I'll tell you. His mother is a prostitute. Did you know that?"

Joelynn had wondered why Wanda was at the police station with Artie but didn't mention it since she was so upset with him. She nodded to Bertie who continued.

"Well when Artie was in high school some of his classmates went to a party that had hired a hooker."

Joelynn didn't think she wanted to guess who that hooker was. "Please don't tell me..."

"Yup. It was Artie's mom. The boys got to talking with her and she let it slip that he was her son. You can only imagine the hell they put him through when they went to school the next day. They had pictures too. Poor Artie was bullied like you wouldn't believe. I wept when he talked about it."

"So that's his traumatic experience? He was bullied?" Joelynn asked.

A look of anger crossed Bertie's eyes, "That's it? You have no idea what happened to him. Those boys were on the football team and Artie was a water boy. One day after school, the captain made him strip in front of the team. I'll never understand the power of mob mentality."

"They made him strip? Why?"

"As a victim of sexual assault, I know how humiliating it is...but Artie. It must've been so much worse."

"What are you saying Bertie?"

"Those boys...they did horrible things to him Joelynn. Horrible things. I know Artie comes off as a little strange but he's such a sweet quiet boy. He never had a father and his mother was a prostitute. He lived in sleazy motels all his life. He's just been trying to survive the only way he knows how. I don't know how because as far as I know...he's never had a fighting chance."

Joelynn was speechless. She didn't even want to think of a younger Artie being attacked by a gang of football players that were probably much bigger than him. Despite what happened the day prior, her heart was breaking for this broken human being.

Meanwhile

"You're welcome," Vincent McDaniels said to Artie as he dropped him off at his apartment.

"Thank you," Artie whispered. His uncle had called in favors to get a judge to agree to let Artie off on bail so quickly.

"We'll talk about this later. I have an appointment." Artie nodded, exited the car, and walked to his apartment. It was a mess. Everything was turned inside out from the officers that had executed the search warrant. His pictures were all gone and Zucchini, his pet bird, was flying around haphazardly in its cage.

"I bet you're hungry," Artie said as he began to feed what he considered his only friend in the world. He was making quick whistling noises when someone began knocking at his door.

Artie looked out the peephole and recognized the man at his door. "What do you want?" he asked.

"Open the door Artie. I have to talk to you."

"What now?" Artie asked in an exasperated tone as he opened his door. The man barged in and pushed Artie onto his sofa.

"What do you think you're doing?" Artie asked. "Why are you even here?"

"You don't know?" The man laughed as he put some gloves on. Artie didn't know what was going on but a feeling of trepidation was taking over him. He looked around for his cell phone. He saw it on the coffee table in his living room and made a reach for it. His house guest wasn't too happy about that and grabbed Artie by the hair.

"Owww what are you doing?"

"I think we should go to the kitchen, Artie."

Artie was being dragged to the kitchen, "Let me go asshole. I'll tell everyone."

The man slammed his head against the green laminate countertop. Artie was sobbing in pain.

"What do you want from me?" Artie asked, "Please stop. Please...I'll do anything."

"Anything?" the man asked as he punched Artie in the stomach and kicked his knees causing Artie to stumble to the ground.

"What's wrong with you?" Artie asked between gasping breaths.

"What did you say? Is that something to be asking someone like me? Since we're so close and all..."

"What?" Artie didn't understand.

"C'mon Artie. It's me...your partner."

Artie paled, "What? No way...you're...you're him?"

"Surprised?"

Artie was frozen with fear. Here he was being beaten in his own kitchen by the Deadly Disciple.

"Not feeling so brave now, huh? I usually stick to women but in your case...I'll make a special exception. I just hate liars Artie." The man pulled out a knife from Artie's knife block.

The man kicked Artie in his jaw to prevent him from screaming. Artie had his eyes closed in pain. He didn't get to see the knife as it came down and took his life.