‘Why would he do…’ Farrage stops mid-sentence as he realises why a killer would stage a dump scene.
As I watch his face, I can see his mind trying to work out what the next move should be. Fun as it is watching him struggle, I need answers to some questions and his men can be used to obtain them.
‘We need to eliminate the murder suicide angle.’
I spend the next five minutes making suggestions as to what his men should be asking the families of the two victims.
Ms Rosenberg tries to question me as I return to my car, but I blank her, my mind focusing on what to do next.
52
I drive back to Casperton still unsure of what our next move should be. As I’m driving towards the police station, a newspaper headline displayed on an A-frame causes me to pull over.
After snatching a copy of the Gazette from the pile, I start reading while I’m waiting to pay for it. The headline that caught my eye is repeated at the top of the front page.
Serial Killer Stalks Casperton Families
I scan the front page but see few details and a lot of conjecture. The most disheartening thing about it is the journalist has also recognised the pattern. Tracing my finger down the page, I look for the byline. As expected it bears the name of a certain Jewish lady with a New York accent.
This revelation will throw the local population into a state of fear. It’s bad enough there’s a killer on the loose, without every man, woman and child in the town being terrified to call the police in case someone they love becomes the next victim.
I wonder what the chief will make of this latest development. In my mind’s eye, I see him kneading his temples in a forlorn effort to relieve stress.
When I call his cell, I’m met with a recorded message. I leave a short one thankful I don’t have to look at him when he learns of this news.
Next I call Alfonse and get him to check the credit and debit cards of the two latest victims. His voice carries surprise when I tell him to share his results with Farrage as well.
My thinking is Farrage’s men can check the restaurant and hotel spends with their families. It may be tactless and even cruel to make such insinuations, but as improbable as it may be, we need to discount the theory of them having an affair.
Something about the dump site is nagging at me so I call Dr Edwards’ office. I’m not expecting a full appointment to be available at short notice, but after a little pushing I’m granted fifteen minutes on the condition I’m there within five.
I make it with seconds to spare and may get a ticket for the way I’ve abandoned the Mustang, but I’m here.
Taylor the receptionist smiles at me as I burst through the door.
‘Do you always cut things so fine?’ There’s a mocking glance at her watch as she ushers me towards Dr Edwards’ office.
I take my usual seat on the couch and remain silent until he looks up from the notes he’s studying.
‘We don’t have much time, Doctor, so I’ll agree to an appointment where you can ask me anything and get an honest answer if you answer my questions now.’
He scratches at his beard. ‘I trust you to be a man of your word so that’s acceptable to me. What do you want to know?’
I explain how the way the bodies have been arranged is bugging me. How I can’t seem to make sense of, or find a pattern to it.
He scratches his lips and leans back in his chair to think. When he straightens he reaches for the intercom on his desk.
‘Can you reschedule Mrs Harman to a five-thirty appointment please, Taylor?’
When she replies her voice is distorted. ‘Will you need me to stay late?’
‘No, I’ll manage, thanks.’
He releases the buzzer and looks at me. ‘Working on the presumption the latest two deaths are connected, I can think of a number of different scenarios which may be at play here. As you suggest, the killer could just be toying with the investigating officers. Another theory is that he is recreating scenes which are relevant to a hero of his.’
‘A hero?’ I fight to keep the incredulous tone out of my voice. It’s not a battle I win.
‘Yes, a hero. I am by no means an expert on the subject, but it is entirely normal for people to copy or imitate those who they look up to. Add in whatever psychoses this man is suffering from and it is not beyond the bounds of belief the person he worships is a famous serial killer.’
I say nothing. My brain is too busy trying to comprehend the horror of what he’s suggesting.
‘Another theory is he is working to a pattern. The semi-random choosing of the victims gives him an element of control while also leaving some in the lap of the Gods.’
‘So the way he’s leaving the bodies is him saying something?’
‘Perhaps, perhaps not.’ He jots a note on his pad and then lays down his pen. ‘Have you also considered the methods he’s using to kill these people?’
I have and I haven’t. Being forced to think about it makes me realise it is controlled yet random. Two separate victims died of knife wounds. A third was bludgeoned to death while the last two were shot. Probably within seconds of each other.
Dr Edwards looks at me with expectation.
‘Not enough to draw any firm conclusions. What are your thoughts?’
It’s a cheap shot, turning the tables on him like this, but I’ve won plenty of fights using cheap shots.
His smile acknowledges my sidestep. ‘From what you’ve told me, four different weapons have been used to kill five people. This suggests pre-planning to me. As does the various ways he’s left the bodies to be found.’
‘What about Paul Johnson? He was bludgeoned to death and dumped into the trunk of his car.’
‘He fit the pattern, didn’t he? Both before and after his death. What does that tell you?’
I’m here for answers not questions, but the solution comes to me. ‘It tells me the killer was following him waiting for an opportunity. He found Johnson changing a flat and took his chance. It may not have fit his plans but he reacted to the situation.’
‘Precisely. And what does that tell you about him?’
I think about the physical and biological person rather than the psychological make-up. ‘He’s clever. Adaptable. Resourceful too. The change in his plans didn’t throw his pattern. He still managed to watch to see who found Johnson’s body.’
I remember Johnson was found at night. The killer must have used some kind of night-vision goggles to observe the person who found the body. Those aren’t the kind of things you carry about with you. Unless you’re expecting to need them.
‘He’s prepared. Either he always carries a few different weapons and other things he may need in his car or he takes them with him so he’s always ready.’ I think of the gun in the trunk of my car. ‘He’s also in a position where he can afford the time to commit these murders, therefore it’s unlikely he has anything of a family life.’
‘Good. I’d add that he’s either never been in a long-term relationship or has been on the receiving end of a vicious divorce.’
‘Why do you say that?’
‘Both situations foster anger, depression and a need to exert authority or control over others.
‘I’ve never been married or in a long-term relationship.’ I keep my tone mild, but he recognises the challenge of my words.
‘No, but you like to fight, don’t you?’
He has me there.
‘I thought we’d agreed to talk about me another time. What about the staging of the bodies? Do you have any idea why he’s leaving them in such ways?’
He leans back in his chair again. His eyes close and the forefinger of his right hand wags from side to side as he considers my question.
When he leans forward his eyes reflect troubled thoughts.
‘The dumping of the bodies in a way they’ll be found is important to him. It helps him select a new target. It also matters that they are found. Most people who kill try to hide the bodies. He’s doing the opposite, which tells me he wants attention. The pattern he’s using as a selection process is complex and requires either a lot of local knowledge or good research skills. It is very important to him otherwise he would have abandoned it.’ He scratches his beard and scribbles a note. ‘I think he started off with basic dumps, and as he’s escalated the killings, he’s tried to misdirect the investigation by changing the scenarios and locations.’