by Sheri Lyn
“Didn’t need you before.” Remi sneered as he turned his back on him and faced Chief Walker and Knox. “You heard the call I assume?”
Know smirked, “We did, but I’m more curious where you just were in your head.”
“I’m not,” Walker growled. “You two haven’t stopped smiling or sharing those cutesy looks since you walked in. It’s obvious where his head went.”
Remi rolled his eyes, “I think we have bigger issues to deal with right now. Mainly the fact he killed over state lines. The FPU is going to have to take over if we’re going to get any information on that body. Knox, can you get approval to be lead on this and set up a task force here to let us continue to run it? It’s not like he’s going to suddenly switch his focus to someone else after all.”
Chief Walker sighed, “This guy is pissing me off. All right, Agent Grayson can we make that work? Our hands are tied. In the meantime, we need to figure out how we’re gonna find that body. He gave us crap to go on.”
***
Three hours later and they were well on their way to having a full task force set up at the station. Knox had gotten permission without issue to head it. Remi sighed as he dropped into one of the desk chairs in the large conference room. “Okay, so Walker who’s coming in on this task force? We’ve got to be careful to keep information locked down, no more leaks if we can help it.”
Walker nodded lost in thought, “I think we need someone from Vice. If there are any more local prostitutes as victims, they might know them or be able to assist us in getting information quickly.”
Remi pulled out his phone and sent a quick text, “Already on it. Bas is back from an assignment; he’s the one who recognized our first victim. He’ll be an asset.”
“I’ve got Theo Granger coming in from the FPU. He’s got some very unique talents that we could use if the need arises. I won’t and can’t tell you what they are right now, but if and when the time comes….”
Walker nodded, “Understood. Who else?”
Remi frowned, “I know we need more, but I’m hesitant to bring anyone else in. I have no idea who has been leaking information. Can we play it by ear and just pull people in for things on an as needed basis? Tell them just what they need to know to do that assignment?”
“It’s unusual, but I can probably make it happen. I’ll put on paper that some of the patrol guys working the tip line are part of it if questioned. I’ll also have them run down any tips we get and let you know. That will take one thing off, you guys.”
“Chief Walker.” A young rookie stood at the door hesitantly. “Sir, we just got a call from this crime blogger. She says she was contacted by the Professor and he said to give Detective Conahan a message.”
Knox jumped to his feet, “Was her name, Jasmine?” He glanced to Remi, “She was the one at the press conference that knew too much, remember?”
“Ah, yeah. That’s her name. She said to tell you he said Boone, Tennessee.”
Remi cursed, “Is she still on the line? Send someone to track her down if not and bring her in here. We need to talk to her.”
The rookie jumped and scurried away to do his bidding. Walker cocked one eyebrow and chuckled, “Kid didn’t even wait to see if those were my orders or not. Remi, you’ve got these guys scared of you.”
“I’ve never even talked to him before.” Remi protested.
Know smiled, “you’ve got a reputation babe. Embrace it.”
Walker cleared his throat, “before you two start getting lovey-dovey again, I’m going to place a call to Boone, Tennessee police department and see if they can do a little search for us.”
Fifteen minutes later, another patrol officer knocked on the conference room door, “Conahan, you’ve got a call from a Detective up in Mississippi. He says it’s urgent and can’t wait.”
“Patch it here, if you can,” Remi replied as he moved to the closest phone. He’d barely sat down again when the phone began ringing. “This is Conahan.”
“Detective, this is Detective Youston over in Baxter County, Mississippi. We’ve got a message for you from the Professor.”
Remi cursed, “Shit, another body?”
“Well, not exactly.” Detective Youston hedged, “The gentleman is currently in the hospital in a coma, but he is alive.”
Remi perked up at the news; For the first time, they might have a legitimate break in the case. “What’s his prognosis? When will he wake up? Did you get anything that would help us identify the Professor?”
“Slow down, Conahan. We found him on the side of a rural road — no eyewitnesses. The victim was hit of the head and has burn marks on his hands and chest. Unsure of what caused them at this time. We’ve taken pictures and will forward a copy to you as to his prognosis; it's guarded. The doctors can’t tell us more than that at this time. If you want, we can let you know when he’s awake, or we can question him for you and let you know what he says.”
“Contact me when he wakes, and we can go from there. Send me the pics and any reports you have about what happened.”
“Conahan, did you want to know what the message said?”
Remi scowled, he was getting scattered, “Sorry, yes. I got so excited about the victim being alive I forgot. What’s the message?”
“He wrote on the man’s arms with what seems to be a marker. It says ‘Stop calling me a psychopath. This was not even a fun kill. You took that away from me too. Professor’, that make sense to you?”
“Yes, it does,” Remi said softly. “Keep me in the loop and thank you for contacting me so quickly.”
Remi watched absently as Knox pried the handset out of his hands and placed it back on the phone stand. He stood and went over and pulled all the blinds closed, shut the door and moved back to Remi’s side. “Babe, look at me.”
“I know what you’re going to say.” He whispered, “Deep down I know it’s my fault, but what’s worse. I’d do it again if it meant catching him.”
“You’re amazing, just in case you’ve forgotten that,” Knox whispered as he leaned their foreheads together. “We’ll catch him, I promise.”
“I just feel like we’re spinning our wheels. We’ve got so many balls in the air and were juggling blind. We need some of the forensics to come back; we need to find a suspect so when it does we can match it to him.”
Knox nodded, “Skaggs said he had hair fibers that didn’t belong to the victim. The M.E. up in Culvertson might find something too. He’s getting careless, that will be his downfall. This latest guy is alive, as soon as he wakes up, he can do a sketch, and we will blast that thing all over the world. We will catch him, and we will make sure he pays for everything he’s done.”
Remi blew out a breath and nodded, “You’re right, time to stop with my pity party. Let’s see if they’ve gotten anywhere with that blogger and what Walker has to say about Tennessee. When’s your guy getting here by the way?”
“Any time now actually. I got lucky in that regard. He has access to a private plane and should have arrived by now.”
***
“Grayson, Conahan.” Walker hollered from across the room. “Come here a second.
The two men shared a look and headed over. Over the last few days they’d quickly realized when he bellowed, it wasn’t good news.
“Took a bit of convincing but I got the cops in Boone to do a search of some of the areas that a body could be. I tried to stress think hitchhikers or prostitutes. We’ll see what they find. In the meantime, I want you to keep me in the loop on everything.”
Knox nodded, “Already plan too. We’re heading over to interrogation room one now if you want to watch. We’ve got the blogger in there that he contacted.”
“I’ll be along in a moment. You kids have fun but don’t break any laws that will get this thrown back in our faces. Understood?”
Remi smirked and moved off without replying. He’d do what it took to get the information they needed. If the Professor was contacting her, she needed to cooperate, an
d she needed to do it fast. They didn’t have time for games.
“Jasmine,” Conahan announced as he threw open the heavy door startling the scared girl sitting at the table. “I’m sure you remember us. I’m Detective Conahan and this Agent Knox Grayson. What’s your full name?”
“Jasmine Raimer. I’m a crime blogger as you know.”
“Yes, you said that.” Remi began slowly. “So, care to tell us how you knew about the second letter and why the Professor is contacting you?”
“Someone told me about it, but I won’t reveal my source as to why he’s contacting me I have no idea. I didn’t even think it was real honestly. But I figured I should contact you just in case.”
“What exactly did he say to you?” Knox asked gently.
“He said his fingers were bruised and that would prove to you it was really him. Also, he wanted me to ask you about your relationship and to tell you Boone, Tennessee.”
Remi cursed and shot Knox a look of frustration.
“I brought you a copy of the email. He didn’t leave a return email address though.” She pulled it out of her purse with shaking hands and passed it over. “It’s really him isn’t it?”
Knox took the note and scanned it before passing it to Remi who scowled as he read it. Four bodies and at least one more to go. This was not good, but at least they knew there were four. No more surprise bodies turning up again… at least he hoped that hadn’t changed yet.
“Will you give us permission to have our people look at your computer to see if we can track where he sent the message from?”
Jasmine bit her lip and nodded slowly, “Should I be scared? I mean why is he contacting me?”
“I’d suspect it’s because you knew something no one else knew, and he’s curious about that. I don’t think you have anything to fear though.” Knox explained patiently, “but we’ll put a patrol car outside your place if that would make you feel better.”
They finished up a few minutes later, Remi had a patrol officer take Jasmine home and stay outside. As soon as she was out of sight, Walker came up to them and asked for the note. He scanned and frowned, “A full house? So five bodies in total, and we have accounted for four of them. Shit, we need to stop him before he finds victim number five.”
Knox’s phone rang, and he excused himself to take it. Remi watched him lost in thought for a moment. When he returned his attention back to his Captain, he rolled his eyes at the other man’s expression. “Don’t say a word.”
“What?” Walker feigned innocence. “Don’t comment on how bad you have it for him or how mutual it is?”
“Does your wife know how big of a matchmaker you are? This is insane, man. Stay out of my love life.”
Walker smiled, “But you finally admit you have one. That’s enough for me for now.”
Knox glanced between Remi’s scowling face and Walkers smiling one and cocked one eyebrow. “What did I miss?”
“Nothing.” They both said in unison.
“Well,” Knox drawled out, “That was Theo. He’s here; I told him we were heading out for the night and that he could have your spare room. That’s okay, right?”
Walker’s smile got bigger, “Oh, where will you be staying Knox?”
Remi growled and stormed off muttering about matchmaking old shrews.
Knox laughed and called out after him to wait up. Remi flipped him off over his shoulder and kept walking. Assholes wanted to tease him; they could do it behind his back.
“Remi, babe. Stop, I want to introduce you to my friend and your house guest.” Knox said within between laughing fits.
Remi turned, glared at Knox and then faced the stranger who’d just walked up. “I’m going to assume you’re Theo, this pain in the ass’s friend.”
“That would depend.” The stranger said with a curious smile, “What did the ass do first?”
Remi smiled, “I like you.” He extended his hand in greeting. “Welcome and I’d be delighted to share my home with you. This jackass just got regulated to the couch, so the spare room is all yours.”
Theo glanced between the two warily, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Detective. I’d say something complimentary, but since he called you babe. I rather think it would be wise of me to keep it to myself, but then again if you decide you’d like an upgrade call me.”
Knox scowled, and elbowed Remi in the side, “Don’t smile at him, it’ll only encourage him.”
“He’s not my type, Knox. But doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate a fine specimen of a man when I see it. And tall, dark, and funny. That’s worth a second look.”
“You forgot sexy as shit and smart as a whip,” Theo added.
“Shit, this was a bad idea.” Knox groaned. “Let’s just get some food and go home. Maybe, stop for some alcohol as well. You two are going to drive me to drink.”
Eleven
Professor
Outside the bar, he stopped and stared at the people who walked by him. He had to control his anger; he didn’t want to attract attention right now. After a few deep breaths, he thought he had it under control. A tap on the shoulder had him turning around.
“Excuse me, son, you looked like you were struggling with something. I just wanted to say nothing is as bad as it seems at first and don’t let others dictate your actions. Words and actions are different; one hurts more. You have to decide who you give the power to hurt you.”
He stared at the older man who had spoken, with a tilt of his head, he took in the words he said. “Thank you; I appreciate that.”
The lady standing next to him smiled at him “Come on Walter, let’s let the young man continue on his way.”
If they knew who they had just spoken with, they would run away in terror, but his words did help. He wasn’t going to go off angry and kill someone just to punish Detective Conahan. He would stick with his plan and complete his full house in the grand fashion he wanted.
With renewed determination and set plans, he headed to his car and back to the internet cafe. He hadn’t gone far from, so it only took a few minutes to drive back. He paid for another hour and sat down to send another message to Jasmine and do a little research. His next experiment would require some information.
Hello Jasmine,
I trust you passed my letter onto Detective Conahan or at least told him what I said. Thank you for doing that for me. I appreciate it. I realize there is no way to let me know how their relationship is progressing, so when you speak with them just watch their body language. You can tell me later when we do your exclusive interview.
The news recapped what they knew and again called me a Psychopath. I really wish they would stop using that word in conjunction with me. I prefer the term sociopath. It just sounds nicer. I know you are rolling your eyes, wondering why I really care what others think of me. I know it doesn't make sense, but that word just upsets me.
I checked your blog, and I didn’t see any mention of my contacting you or the letter. I admit I am impressed; you must be one of the few who didn’t take advantage of people’s depravity and capitalize on it. You could have posted the letter and gotten your follower count to jump by huge leaps. You could show proof we are chatting and later use it for a book deal or even a movie. Does that make me sound vain? I mean to assume I am or will be famous enough that others will want to read about me.
I think I am just unique enough of a serial killer to capture attention. As I told that Detective in my first letter, I do this not because I had a desire to kill but because I had the desire to learn new things. Things that most would consider wrong but secretly wonder about. Things you only think about when you are laying in bed, in the dark and no one around you is awake — the time when you are free to let your mind wander to the darkest places possible.
Those are the thoughts I decided to act on. The two hitchhikers notwithstanding, though the second… was kinda cool. I mean I knew an engine was hot but never thought about the damage it could do to a body when it landed on it.
&nbs
p; Anyways I digress, tonight I am researching my next experiment. By this time two days from now the deed will be done, and you will hear about it. I won’t give you all the details, but this one will be my biggest success or failure. I guess you could say I’m all in now.
Thank you for your time, and I will talk to you soon.
The Professor
He shifted in his chair and glanced about the room, no one was paying attention to him, and he still had forty minutes left on the clock — just enough time to research what he needed. Thankfully the cafe had scrap paper and pens out for those who needed to take notes and forgot to bring some. On the top of one page, he wrote: Supplies. He flipped it over and wrote Instructions on the top of the second page.
He flipped the paper back to supplies and started to write:
A very sharp knife will probably need a couple, or the ability to sharpen when needed.
Rope
Tent stakes
He then flipped the page over again and started writing down the instructions.
Part 1. Cut around the ear, across forehead and circle around to the ear again.
Part 2. Tie up body outside in the sun for as long as possible. Need skin red and sunburned. For maximum effect and ease of removal.
2a. The first skin to be peeled off is that of the face; after that, your body has to be scored in various places to allow the skin to remove easily in one piece (or at least, in as few pieces as possible). This involves relief cutting around the arms and wrists, the chest and neck, and sometimes the feet.
3b. Just pull the skin, and it rips away, breaking away from the nerves/muscles causing maximum damage.
He exited out of the page and sat back in his chair. That was easier to find than he expected. Now to find the perfect target and location. It had to be somewhere remote that no one would find her tied up in the sun, or hear her screams while he worked. From what he read, it was the most painful thing anyone could experience, and while she might pass out, she wouldn’t die from blood loss before he finished. Very intriguing!