Thank you so much for joining us today!  Please introduce yourself!

Hey, Ember.  And thank you for finally giving me my due.  It’s not often that the real reason people read books get some attention.  Yeah, sure, the author has the job of putting our words down, but we all know that it’s us characters that truly run the show.  Am I right?

 

Tell us who you are and what you do!

I’ve always been called Eddie, and nothing else.  Well, that’s not completely true, I suppose.  My dad always had some rather choice names for me whenever I messed up.  Or if he was high or drunk; or both on some occasions.  But I don’t really want to go into that right now.  I’ll save that for another time.   And as for what I do?  I kill people.  Not for a living, mind you.  It’s more of a therapeutic thing for me.  It kinda helps push the monsters back into the shadows, for a time, anyway.

Are you the main character in the story or a supporting role?

Well, as much as it pains me to say it, I share the lead with my nemesis, Detective Collins.  Although I think Nathan gave way too many chapters to Ken.  He should have focused a little more on me.  After all, if it weren’t for me, there really wouldn’t be much of a story.  I mean, it IS a crime novel.  If I didn’t do my part, there’d be no need for Ken.

How old are you?

That isn’t discussed in the book.  Just one more of my points about Nathan not focusing enough on me.  But that’s neither here nor there.  I’m somewhere in the neighborhood of thirty years old.  Can’t be completely certain, as I haven’t seen a bio on me anywhere in Nathan’s notes.  Not like he has for Ken, that’s for sure.  I drive the story, but does he try, even a little, to focus on me?  Hardly.

Sorry, when it comes to Ken, I just can’t seem to let go of my anger.  I’ll try to stay focused.

Tell us about your story.  What is it about and what role do you play?

As I mentioned before, it’s a crime novel.  Ken, excuse me, Detective Collins, is just finishing up his rookie year in the Homicide Division of the Foley Police Department, when his world comes crashing down on him.  Not only has his dad’s illness returned, but Ken begins having some physical and emotional issues.  And thanks to his meddling Christian partner, Senior Detective John Filcher, he starts thinking about his eternal security.

As for me, I’ve been locked away for years, watching and waiting for a chance to escape and exact some revenge.  Ken is the main reason I’ve been out of the limelight for so long, and I’ve grown tired of seeing him get to be free and live whatever kind of life he’s wanted.  Needless to say, I’ve planned for a long time to get back at him.  I’ve wanted nothing more than to knock him off his feet and see how well he adapts to having his world turned upside down and inside out.  And that’s just what I do.  After I get free from my imprisonment, I set my plan in motion, and I start killing prostitutes.  That goes back to the therapeutic thing I was talking about earlier.

Anyway, Ken and John must catch me if they want the killings to end.  I certainly won’t stop on my own.  Along the way, I eliminate some undercover cops, and an operative of the Governor’s ‘Special Crimes Division’.

Can you tell us about one of your most distinguishable features?

That would probably be my eyes.  There’s nothing really distinguishable about them, per se, other than the coldness locked inside them.  You aren’t likely to get a caring glance or see love in them.  You certainly wouldn’t find them too pleasant if you were on the receiving end of my cold glare.  Not unless you want to feel a chill run down your spine.  John can tell you about that, if you ever interview him.

Do you have any birthmarks or tattoos?

No.  I have considered getting a tattoo, but I’m too afraid of needles.

Would you ever want to hang out with your author?  If so, what would you do together?

I wouldn’t have a problem hanging out with Nathan, but I can’t say the same thing for him.  I don’t think he’d enjoy any of the fun I could show him.  He’s too much of a goody two-shoes.  At least he is since he found God.

If you could have a super power, what would it be, and why?

Hmm.  Most definitely invisibility.  Imagine what I could get away with if no one could see me!

What is your biggest pet peeve when dealing with others?

People!  Do you really want to go there?  Ok.  A lot of people don’t show the real them.  They wear a mask to hide their true identity.  They act one way to your face, but become someone totally different when the chance arises.  At least I let my victims know up front what kind of person I am.  I’m a straight shooter, figuratively, and literally, as you’ll see when you read the book.

What would I love the most about you?

Probably nothing.  I’m a cold and calloused individual, for the most part.  Comes from the upbringing, I would say.  I don’t know how anybody could be different than I am, if they had to grow up as me.

What would I hate most about you?

Pretty much everything.  See the previous answer for clarification.

Do you think the author portrayed you accurately?

No.  I think he took a little too much artistic license in portraying me and my emotions.  Maybe if he spent a day alone with me, and he managed to survive, then he might be able to better articulate the depth of my anger and cold-heartedness.

What is your idea of a perfect day?

Perfect day?  Is there such a thing?  Not where I come from.  But just for the sake of an interesting interview, I’ll say that the perfect day would be being able to do whatever I wanted, without the fear of consequences.  Who wouldn’t want that kind of freedom?  I bet if you took a poll right now, most of your fans would agree with me.  Go ahead, I’ll wait…

…See?  What’d I tell you?  Never underestimate the depravity of the average person.  That’s what I always say.

What is your greatest fear?

                That’s an easy one.  Getting locked away again, for good.  The first time was bad enough, but I don’t think even I could deal with another extended stay in solitary confinement.  In there, I have no way to release those sadistic little monsters running around in my head.  They’re enough to drive a guy crazy.  Or do you think I’m already there?  You can be honest with me.  I can take it.

                May I ask you a question, Ember?  If you’re crazy, do you think you know you are, or does someone need to tell you?  And if they told you, would it even matter?  You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.  Just thought I’d ask.

Someone is secretly in love with you.  Who is it and how do you feel about that?

Samantha Adamson.  That would be absolutely perfect.  It would go so far into helping mess Ken’s life up.  He’s so smitten with her, I think it would actually destroy him.  Of course, I’ve thought more than once about doing away with her, just to see Ken’s reaction.  Did I?  Well, you’ll just have to read the book to find out.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Normal.  My life was too much of a wreck to even think about dreaming of growing up.  Now Ken, he had plenty of time to think about having a normal life and dream about what he would be when he grew up.  I’ve had plenty of envy over him where that is concerned.  I guess maybe I did dream of having a life like his.  He’s always been pretty much carefree and happy-go-lucky; even considering some of the hard times he did have early on in life.

If you knew you were going to die tomorrow, what would you do today?

                As much as I could get away with before getting caught!  Oh, you want something specific?  Well, I’ve thought about taking out someone famous.  Who wouldn’t matter, as long as they were high profile.  Even now, just thinking about it, I can imagine my knife blade sliding into their skin; the blood pooling around the handle.  Can you smell their fear?  Feel their quivering skin beneath your touch?  Can you see their soul leaving their body?  Stick with me and I can show you so much more.

What is the one food you can’t live without?

                I haven’t been in control of much of my life, so I’ve never really thought about it before.

If they turned the book into a movie, who would be cast to play you?

                Who would be cast?  Probably some two-bit character actor not worth the industry minimum.  Who should be cast?  Pacino, De Niro or Hopkins would be my choice.  Unfortunately, they’re all too old.  Apart from that, it wouldn’t really matter.  I’m probably dead, or they wouldn’t be making a movie.  Would they?

 

                You’ve had enough?  Okay, well, thanks for your time.  And thanks again for talking with the only one deserving the honor.  I’ll be watching…I mean, I’ll see you around.