by Luca Veste
Garner paused for a moment, allowing Rossi to catch up with her note taking. ‘Moving on,’ Garner said, his voice unchanged. ‘He then goes on to discuss why he’s doing what he is doing. He makes grand announcements about death, grief, and how we in society deal with it. He’s more confident here. He’s been thinking about this for a long time. I’d suggest it is someone who has had to deal with death at a young age, possibly up to late teens. That event may have affected him immeasurably, meaning his view on death is warped.’
‘Warped?’ Murphy said.
‘Yes,’ Garner replied. ‘I’d say he views death as he says, as something natural. What he wants is for people to see what he’s doing the same way. A natural act, for which he shouldn’t be punished. To me that suggests, at least in this first letter, that he is still looking to shift blame from himself to society; we’re forcing him to act in this way. The tone changes with the second letter however. He’s more confident now, and violent. That’s the difference. He feels more powerful perhaps. He still wants you to know what he’s doing; even straight out telling you where to look. It also displays his anger, his quick temper. He killed the girl because she was a nuisance to him. Now it’s been just over a week and three murders have occurred. From what little I know about serial murderers, they usually escalate and become more and more violent. Not so here. The third victim in that case should have been maimed in an even worse manner than the second. He spells out the reason … control. He needs to be in control of every part of this. Including you Detective Murphy.’
Garner stopped, looking down. ‘The third letter seems to be another blame shifting exercise. He discusses other instances of the bystander theory in practice, showing he is not breaking new ground.’ Garner shook his head slowly, Murphy surprised to see him become more emotional as his eyes turned filmy as if he were on the brink of tears. ‘I’m sorry, this is a little overwhelming. You think you’ve seen it all …’
Murphy looked to Rossi and nodded.
‘Do you have tea or coffee around here? I could get us a cup before going on,’ Rossi said, placing her notebook down on the table.
‘Yes, we have a little kitchen area opposite,’ Garner said, indicating the door behind him. ‘That would be nice, thank you.’
Rossi left and Garner removed his glasses, rubbing his eyes with the thumb and forefinger of his left hand. ‘You know he’s focused on you now, detective?’ Garner said.
Murphy sighed. ‘Yes, I guessed as much.’ Just what he didn’t need; becoming even closer to this than he already was.
‘He sees in you as something, someone to control. He’s using your tragic loss in an attempt to unsettle and destabilise you and the investigation as a whole. It is down to your own level of acceptance of that loss, as to whether it will affect what happens.’
‘Unless of course we get lucky and he makes a mistake,’ Murphy said with a forced smile.
‘I suppose that’s usually the case with serial killers,’ Garner replied. ‘He is an intelligent man however, so don’t rely on that too much. He felt himself losing control with the second unfortunate victim, so rectified that with the third victim. He now has someone to fixate on, to test himself against. And I sincerely doubt that you’re up to it. You may need to take a step back.’
Murphy dropped the smile, leaned across the table. ‘With all respect, professor, you have no idea what I need to do. You may be a clever man, but I know how to do my job. So, I appreciate you helping us here, which you are doing, but rest assured I’m up to it.’
Garner sat back in his chair with an exhale of breath. Laced his thin fingers together over his chest. ‘Good. I’m glad that’s how you feel,’ Garner said. ‘Your eyes say different.’ Murphy attempted to interrupt, but Garner waved him off before carrying on. ‘I was a clinical psychologist out in the field before moving into lecturing on the subject. I know something of this kind of thing. More than most, I would say. I counselled many, many people who were dealing with grief. I can see you’re not sleeping. I can see this case, as it probably should, is weighing heavily on your shoulders. But I also see how you move, how you react whenever the subject of death is discussed. I also know what happened to you, as many people within the city do, so I know what it is I see when you deign to look me in the eye. I see great loss, grief. And you haven’t dealt with it all. Believe me when I say this, talking to someone would be good. I’ve dealt with grief so often More often than I ever wished to. Everyone reacts differently, but I’m positive bottling things up is not the right path.’
Murphy held Garner’s stare, attempting to show strength. ‘I dealt with things fine. Let’s drop this, okay?’
‘I’m simply telling you what I sense as a professional. Feel free to ignore me.’ He leaned back, his fingers tapping together. ‘Or perhaps, when you’re in a less confrontational mood, we could talk more about it.’
Rossi came back in with a tray carrying three cups. ‘Made coffee for us all, found milk in the fridge, hope you don’t mind. Couldn’t find sugar though.’
‘That’s fine,’ Garner said. ‘Thank you.’
Rossi placed the cup in front of Garner, walking around to hand Murphy another. They settled back down, an uneasy silence descending on the room.
‘You’ve given us some great information about who the man may be, what he is. Is there anything else you can tell us, professor?’ Rossi said.
‘Well, please don’t misinterpret what I’m saying. I’m not attempting to profile the murderer, that’s fool’s science. Widely discredited. You will have noticed I haven’t given you an age or occupation, because that would be guesswork. What I am merely pointing out is some possibilities behind his compulsions; what is driving him. This links into the psychology part of it, which is perhaps where the interest may lie.’
28
Monday 4th February 2013 – Day Nine
Rob
‘What did you want to see me for?’
Rob and Dan were sitting in the pub again, the weather keeping a few of the older blokes away, so they had the place almost to themselves.
‘I was arrested on Friday.’
Dan reacted exactly as Rob had expected him to. Quietly, a raised eyebrow only. ‘Really.’
‘Yes. They think I had something to do with the murders that have been happening around here.’
‘Yes. Terrible business. I’ve started parking the Audi closer to the building. Gets spooky in the evening. I’m guessing their evidence didn’t hold up?’
‘I’m here aren’t I?’ replied Rob.
Dan smiled, his thin lips spread wide across his face. ‘Yes you are.’
‘Well, you’re the most intelligent bloke I know. And I need that intelligence,’ Rob replied, knowing the best way to get information from Dan was to appeal to his ego. ‘I have a few questions about something in your area of expertise.’
Dan smoothed down his shirt. ‘Okay, I’m intrigued. What do you need to know?’
‘What do you know about Harry Harlow?’
Dan looked at him quizzically, although Rob could see a spark in his eyes. ‘The psychologist?’
‘Yes,’ Rob replied. ‘He did something with monkeys I think?’
‘Well yes, but so much more. He studied isolation in rhesus monkeys. His most widely known study was on baby monkeys removed from their mothers. There were two groups, both placed in a cage. In one group they were provided with a surrogate model made of wire, which gave food, and a separate surrogate made of cloth which gave comfort. In the other group, the roles were reversed. Harlow found the monkeys would cling to the cloth model, whether or not it provided food. Thus showing comfort over sustenance is of importance to newborns.’
Rob was nodding along, not really following what Dan was saying. He had read this last night, yet it still didn’t make sense. What he was really interested in was his other experiments. ‘What else did he do?’ Rob said, taking a swig of his pint.
‘Well, perhaps his most infamous work,’ Dan re
plied, leaning forward and lowering his voice, ‘was in social isolation and depression. He would isolate monkeys for up to twelve months in what he called the Well of Despair. Deprived them of social interaction completely. The results can be guessed at; shock, blank staring, self harm. After being isolated for a year, the monkeys would barely move. When you look back, it’s staggering to think they could get away with that kind of thing. It’s completely unethical now and it was widely criticised even back then.’
‘What do you think would happen to someone if they were in that position?’
Dan studied him, that spark in his eyes still there. ‘A human?’
‘Yes.’ Rob couldn’t meet his eyes, afraid of what questions he might ask.
‘Well, you’re probably looking at similar results. The only difference really is the monkeys used by Harlow were infants. If you took an adult with a full history of social interaction, there’s a chance they could recover. I’d imagine they’d show signs of a major depressive episode, something which wouldn’t be an easy thing to get over. I can’t be sure though. Why are you asking me about this?’
Rob finished off his pint, looked around at the bar. ‘Food’s taking its time.’
‘You’re stalling. What’s going on?’
Rob sighed heavily. ‘I’m just following a trail is all.’
Dan sat back in his chair. ‘Wait, you think this is what’s happened to Jemma?’
‘No. Well, maybe. I don’t know.’
‘It’s pretty outlandish, mate. How did you get to this?’
Rob didn’t know how to answer without revealing too much. Jemma was in enough danger as it was without him adding to it. ‘At this point I’m willing to consider anything.’
‘Well, forgive me for this, Rob, but don’t you think it’s getting to be too much?’
‘What do you mean?’ he replied, biting the inside of his lip.
‘It’s just that you’ve been running round the country on fool’s errands to no avail, now you’re talking about Jemma being part of some crazy experiment. I implore you to think of other options.’
Rob slammed his glass down on the table, the beer in the glass sloshing upwards. ‘What other options do I have, Dan? I’ve lost the house, the car. Her mum and friends think she’s gone off for a nice fucking holiday, or failing that, that I killed her.’
‘You can let me help.’
Rob turned away. ‘You can’t help me, Dan.’
‘Yes I can. More than you realise.’
‘What do you mean?’
Dan leaned over the table. ‘I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I’m a very wealthy man. Why not let me hire someone? There are people who can help in these matters.’
Rob snorted, looking at the ceiling. ‘A private detective you mean? I can’t imagine there’s an abundance of them in Liverpool, mate.’
‘I was thinking more of a high-ranking defence lawyer, given recent events, but yes, a private detective may be a better idea. I bet I could find one. A good one as well. I don’t mind paying at all, if it’ll stop you running around like a headless chicken on silly adventures, getting yourself into trouble.’
Rob dropped his head to look at Dan, who was leaning across the table with a look of pity on his face. ‘I don’t need charity Dan.’
‘It’s not charity,’ Dan replied haughtily. ‘It’s a man helping his friend when he’s in trouble. Recognise that.’
‘I don’t even know if I could pay you back any time soon …’
‘Don’t worry about that,’ Dan interrupted. ‘It’s not as if I’d miss it.’
‘I don’t know Dan. I’m not used to this type of thing.’
‘I understand Rob,’ Dan said, leaning back in his chair. ‘So take advantage. You wouldn’t allow me to intervene with the house or car. Allow me to help with this.’
Rob thought on it. He was worried about screwing everything up, allowing someone to start poking their nose in. But if he turned down the help, it looked odd, as if he wasn’t determined to find her.
‘I’ll think about it. Give me a day,’ Rob said, finally. Not saying yes, not saying no. Safest bet at that moment.
‘Very good,’ Dan replied, turning as the food was brought to the table by the barmaid. ‘And excellent timing, my lovely.’
Dan studied him as Rob accepted the plate, causing Rob to avert his gaze, knowing there were further questions Dan wanted to ask. He stayed silent, and internally breathed a sigh of relief as Dan started eating.
He didn’t think he would have held out much longer before spilling everything, hoping for an easy answer. Truth was, Rob knew there was no easy answers. He just had to wait.
29
Monday 4th February 2013 – Day Nine
Murphy sipped his dank tasting coffee, as they waited for Garner to talk further. The warmth from the cup was helping to override the cold feeling he’d had since the professor had begun speaking.
‘These experiments all have one thing in common … ethics. Or rather, a possible lack of them.’ Garner continued once he’d taken a sip of his drink.
‘Ethics? He’s killing people, there’s no possible about it,’ Murphy said, placing his cup down on the table.
‘You misunderstand me, detective,’ Garner replied, turning his gaze back to him. ‘I’m talking solely about the experiments he is supposedly replicating. They are an almost Psych 101 entry into ethics in psychology.’
‘How so?’ Rossi said from the right of Murphy, her drink forgotten as she sat poised with her pen.
‘Well, let’s take it from the beginning with MK Ultra, in particular, the specific experiment he talks about doing, Operation Midnight Climax, using LSD on the poor girl before killing her. One of the most important aspects of ethical treatment of participants is not to do anything which may harm them, unless of course the benefit is outweighed by the cost. That they consent to being involved in any research, and have the opportunity to withdraw at any time.’
‘And the people involved in that research were not aware they were being experimented on, were they?’ Murphy said.
‘That’s correct,’ Garner replied. ‘Which means they didn’t consent to it. Something which categorises most experiments talked about when discussing unethical research. Similarly, the Unit 731 experiments were carried out on prisoners. However, without knowing which experiment in particular he was planning to carry out on your second victim, it’s difficult to say for certain what ethics were involved.
‘The third experiment, the unfortunate man left near the Albert Dock, isn’t what I’d call an unethical experiment. It’s more a theory than an experiment. I guess you could say he was revealing more about society’s lack of ethical responsibility with that one. That’s a hypothesis however. The letter begins with a whole monologue about grief. The experiment, such as it is, is secondary.’
‘You think he’s not interested in psychology experiments anymore?’ Murphy said, feeling a dark cloud form above them, as he began to understand where the conversation was leading towards.
‘No. I think it started that way, but now it’s just about one thing … death. The experiments are all about death, he’s fascinated by it. This is his way of investigating it further.’
‘Do you think he’s killed more, outside of those we know about?’
‘It wouldn’t surprise me if he has. But I think they were for him alone. They didn’t form part of the controlled actions he’s presented to you.’
‘So, there could be more. Jesus …’ Murphy swept a hand over his face as the worries he’d had over the past few days were voiced by someone else.
‘He’s not been scared to reveal victims so far though, why wouldn’t he announce others?’ Rossi said.
‘It goes back to control.’
Murphy swore under his breath. ‘Sorry, professor. If he has killed others we don’t know about, they would be prior to these three. Why is he announcing these victims?’
‘He isn’t finished, perhaps?’ Garner
replied, taking a sip of his coffee. ‘He talks about a grand gesture in the third letter, which suggests he’s been working on something from the beginning. Which would lend weight to it being another experiment. I mean, you haven’t been made aware of experiments one and two at the moment. He’s only allowing you to see what he wants you to.’
There was a knock at the door, their three heads swivelling as it opened. The spiky haired man Murphy had spied as they passed his office in the corridor stepped into the room apologetically. ‘Sorry to interrupt, professor,’ the man said. ‘Dan said you were in here. Just wanted to remind you of the seminar you have at two o’clock.’
‘Ah, yes. Thank you, Tom. Detectives, this is Tom, one of the senior lecturers at the university. He’s doing some incredible research at the moment, as I said earlier. Very interesting.’
Murphy looked over. ‘We won’t keep him much longer, Tom,’ Murphy said.
‘Not to worry,’ Tom replied. ‘I’ll leave you to it.’
He left the room, Garner turning back around to face Murphy and Rossi. ‘Sorry about that, he’s an eager one him, very intelligent though. He’ll go very far.’
‘Where were we?’ Murphy asked, hoping to get back on course.
‘I believe I was trying to guess at his actions now. And that’s important, this is all guesswork.’
‘I think you’re underestimating yourself, professor,’ Rossi said, smiling. ‘You’re giving us much more information than we’ve had previously.’
Murphy caught Rossi’s eye, hoping to tell her to shut up. He didn’t enjoy hearing how little they knew about so many murders occurring under his watch.
‘I doubt that,’ Garner replied, Murphy aware of his watchful eyes. ‘I imagine I’m only giving you information you already know, or what you will have guessed. I think there is something I can give you, however.’
‘What’s that?’ Murphy said.
‘What I think he’s doing now, what he is leading you towards.’
Murphy felt his mood darken as the professor leant forward. ‘Go on,’ Murphy said.