Simonsen interjected, “So there is only one group left, as far as I can see.”
“Yes, that’s correct. The final group is hedonist killers, that is, serial murderers who simply find enjoyment in killing other people. This group is very uncommon in its purest form-that is, where there is not also an element of dominance or sadism. I don’t consider the lipstick, the nail clipping and the similarity between victims to fit with this profile either. And definitely not the fact that on the one hand he is uncommonly persistent with respect to Rikke Barbara Hvidt, even after his first attempt fails, but then gives up the minute she cuts her hair. To witness her death, with her hair cut short, would obviously give him no satisfaction. I have never heard of such an exclusive hedonist before, nor anyone as tireless in pursuit of his victims once he has chosen them.”
Troulsen asked, “But you would not completely rule it out? That the motive is pure enjoyment of killing?”
The psychologist considered for a moment. “This is not an exact science, but… No, it simply can’t be correct.”
He looked at Simonsen, who said, “So what could be correct?”
“Tell me, how interested have you been in his childhood? I have read almost nothing about that period.”
It was Pauline Berg who responded.
“That’s because there is almost nothing documented. But obviously that’s a mistake?”
“Yes, that is a mistake. Almost all serial murderers have had a dysfunctional childhood, which often involves sexual abuse, the parents’ abuse of drugs or alcohol combined with exaggeratedly harsh punishment for insignificant offences. One of the classic reaction modes for the child is to resort to daydreams, which later in life may develop into a fantasy universe. This may very well be lived out in parallel with the person’s regular life and concealed from those around him.”
Troulsen raised an objection.
“We have nothing that points in that direction, his childhood home seems normal enough.”
“Then dig deeper, because his childhood home was not normal. Something or other in his childhood or early adolescence has left its mark on him and led him to kill two women. Or three, if you will. Maybe there is a single, overriding circumstance you need to find, typically one that involves a death, or else there is a general failure of care combined with abnormality between his parents. Possibly both at once.”
Simonsen asked, “Is this where the mask comes into the picture?”
“Yes, though that’s not necessarily to say that you are looking for an episode in his childhood specifically involving a mask, whereas I am guessing that red lipstick and long fingernails do figure somewhere in his background. His mask, on the other hand, he more likely uses to conceal himself from the real world while he lives out his fantasy. The covered face is his protection and at the same time a way to activate his fantasy. Not as dominance in the usual sense, more as a means of being taken seriously, and possibly also in his own self-understanding avenges a childhood injustice.”
“What about the type of woman he pursues? Does this also derive from his childhood?”
“That’s my guess, and I think he is afraid of that type of woman. That is why he does not seek them out himself. But once they intrude on him, he is forced to react. For him they are a life-threatening danger, and therefore he has to conquer them and ultimately eradicate them, whatever the cost. Perhaps the action of killing itself involves some form of regression-that is, a return to childhood-but on the other hand he knows full well that he is doing something wrong, both before, during and after his murders.”
“What is the probability that he will confess when we confront him with the evidence we have against him-as slender as that might be at the moment?”
“That I don’t know. He is intelligent and can presumably assess for himself how seriously he is implicated, in legal terms, and what is only speculation on our part. On the other hand it will be painful for him to realise that other people have seen through his deepest secrets. He is unusually naive besides, and this particular character trait may very well prove to be decisive.”
Simonsen attempted a conclusion.
“But will it be doubly painful for him if we can directly refer to motives stemming from his childhood?”
“Painful times ten. I’m guessing he couldn’t handle that. But as I said, I don’t know. Bear in mind that he has been living a double life for many years.”
Troulsen had a question.
“Does he take trophies? Say, something he stores at home?”
“Hardly. He has no desire to be reminded of the women, more likely he prefers to forget them entirely. Or that’s my guess.”
“What about his business as a professional spy and eaves-dropper?”
“Perhaps that too has its background in his upbringing, business often does, but I don’t want to speculate further.”
Troulsen consulted the notepad he had in front of him and said, “I would like to hear more about his childishness. It keeps coming up. Is he really childish or has he mentally gone off the tracks? I mean, has he developed abnormally?”
“If you are thinking about a personality disorder such as Asperger’s, Tourette’s, autism, ADHD, any of these diagnoses, the answer is clearly no. These disorders are burdensome for those affected and their surroundings, but they definitely do not create serial killers, although I will grant that sometimes they incorporate a certain element of childishness. Perhaps it is better to think of him as a person who easily lets himself be dominated. Uncommonly easily, I would say, based on what I’ve read about him so far.”
Simonsen looked around. No one had any more questions. He gathered together his papers and concluded, as he let his eyes run over his two remaining associates, “Falkenborg’s childhood. Keep working on that and get some groups organised. Playmates, hobbies, studies, teachers, and above all his parents, the whole kit and caboodle, everything we can find. If he scraped his knee at an end-of-season dance or stumbled on the first verse of a hymn, I want to know it. And as quickly as humanly possible.”
CHAPTER 24
After the meeting Pauline Berg caught up with the psychologist in the corridor and favoured him with her most charming smile.
“Excuse me, but I have another question, if you have a moment?”
“Fire away.”
She glanced over her shoulder at the door to the briefing room.
“Maybe I can follow you out?”
“Please do. Is this something the others shouldn’t hear?”
She gently placed her hand on his upper arm and led him along.
“You’re good at reading a situation.”
“Thanks. So is this something the others shouldn’t hear?” he repeated.
He was no pushover. She hauled in the big guns; this conversation was important to her.
“Are you married or do you have a girlfriend?”
If he was surprised by the question, he did not show it.
“Why do you ask?”