The Whisper Man

Pete arrives at the prison to speak with Carter. Carter, as usual, keeps him waiting, and when he arrives, Pete notices how large and imposing he is and how much he seems to be thriving in prison.

Carter begins taunting Pete by retelling a dream he had about Tony Smith in which Carter is about to tell the family where he hid the body before waking up. The story is meant to openly mock Pete’s desire to find the last victim, but Pete notices in Carter’s attitude that he must know why Pete is there.

Pete asks why Carter suddenly allowed the visit, and Carter plays it off casually, noting that for Pete, “It always ends where it starts” (80), which Pete doesn’t understand. The conversation continues as Pete tries to downplay Carter’s importance to him and to the wider world until Carter mentions whispers.

Pete realizes that Carter must know about the similarity between Neil Spencer’s kidnapping and Carter’s case. Pete tries to find out what Carter knows, but he’ll only reveal this if Pete agrees to allow him to see his family. The meeting ends with Carter laughing mockingly in Pete’s face.