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Authors: Virna Depaul
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this one? With a killer who’s this organized? This
methodical?”
“Most serial killers are. That’s how they’re able to get away
with multiple killings before they’re caught. Also, I might not have actually
worked any serial-killer cases, but I’ve taken advanced courses on them.
Assisted on plenty. I know how they work. I can find him.”
“If you were at the top of your game, I’d have no doubt about
that. But that’s not what we’re talking about here. You’ve been gone for a
month. Don’t you think you should ease into things a little more slowly?”
She crossed her arms over her chest and snorted. “Ease in by
giving you the case? Forget it. And if you’re done, you can leave now.”
Instead of leaving, he leaned against the wall and crossed his
legs. “Why? Because I’m questioning you? That’s how you’re going to handle
things? By avoiding them? I’m not the only who’s going to be questioning your
assignment to this case.”
“Because I’m a woman,” she said.
“No. Because you’re still learning and you’re in a shaky frame
of mind.”
“We’re not robots, Jase. Cops have to deal with personal stuff
all the time and still do the job. I can find this guy just like anyone could.
Mac knows that and that’s why he gave me the case. He believes in me.”
“Damn it, don’t pull that bullshit. I believe in you, too.”
“Then act like it. You offered your help and I wasn’t too proud
to accept it, Jase. I know I have less experience with serials and that you’ve
worked these kinds of cases before. Stop trying to convince me that I’m not the
right choice for this assignment and help me catch this guy instead.”
He worked his jaw for a second before straightening. “Okay.
Let’s sit down.” He sat on her couch.
Slowly, she did the same. “That’s it? No more badgering
me?”
“I won’t say another word about it. Not tonight anyway. Tell me
what you’ve come up with.”
After a moment’s hesitation, she did. She told him about the
victims all being teachers and her plan to interview witnesses at their various
schools. She’d also made some guesses as to the serial killer’s actual
profession. Teacher? Administrative staff at a school? Mortician? Medical
student? Doctor?
When she mentioned her plan to track purchases for embalming
supplies, he nodded.
“That’s good. You should definitely make that a top priority.
Also check with nearby hospitals and have them do inventory checks. See if any
relevant supplies have suddenly gone missing. Same with local mortuaries or
crematoriums. He burns the victims after he’s done with them, which means he’s
got to have access to a kiln. If he installed something like that in his house,
someone should have noticed it. I’m banking on the fact he has access to one
professionally, though. It would make things easier for him.”
She made notes. “That’s good. I didn’t think about the kiln.”
Swiftly, she looked up at him. “But I would have.”
Jase smiled. “I know. No judgments from me. Like I said
earlier, working these cases is always better when you’ve got two minds to look
over the evidence. Did Mac or Stevens mention assigning you a partner?”
“No. But I assumed that would be coming. I figured they’d send
someone over from SFPD. DeMarco is heavily involved with his caseload. Granger
is acting supervisor. And you…”
The air was suddenly too thick to breathe. You, she thought, I wouldn’t want to work with.
Not day in and day out. That would be too much. Too distracting.
“You’ve got your own caseload, right?” she said instead,
looking down at the envelope in her hand.
“Yeah,” he said simply.
Something in his tone suggested he was holding back, but she
didn’t push it.
She held up the manila envelope in her hand. “So what about the
letters he’s sent?” she asked. “Fresno P.D. didn’t get anything from them.” She
picked up an identical envelope and handed it to him.
methodical?”
“Most serial killers are. That’s how they’re able to get away
with multiple killings before they’re caught. Also, I might not have actually
worked any serial-killer cases, but I’ve taken advanced courses on them.
Assisted on plenty. I know how they work. I can find him.”
“If you were at the top of your game, I’d have no doubt about
that. But that’s not what we’re talking about here. You’ve been gone for a
month. Don’t you think you should ease into things a little more slowly?”
She crossed her arms over her chest and snorted. “Ease in by
giving you the case? Forget it. And if you’re done, you can leave now.”
Instead of leaving, he leaned against the wall and crossed his
legs. “Why? Because I’m questioning you? That’s how you’re going to handle
things? By avoiding them? I’m not the only who’s going to be questioning your
assignment to this case.”
“Because I’m a woman,” she said.
“No. Because you’re still learning and you’re in a shaky frame
of mind.”
“We’re not robots, Jase. Cops have to deal with personal stuff
all the time and still do the job. I can find this guy just like anyone could.
Mac knows that and that’s why he gave me the case. He believes in me.”
“Damn it, don’t pull that bullshit. I believe in you, too.”
“Then act like it. You offered your help and I wasn’t too proud
to accept it, Jase. I know I have less experience with serials and that you’ve
worked these kinds of cases before. Stop trying to convince me that I’m not the
right choice for this assignment and help me catch this guy instead.”
He worked his jaw for a second before straightening. “Okay.
Let’s sit down.” He sat on her couch.
Slowly, she did the same. “That’s it? No more badgering
me?”
“I won’t say another word about it. Not tonight anyway. Tell me
what you’ve come up with.”
After a moment’s hesitation, she did. She told him about the
victims all being teachers and her plan to interview witnesses at their various
schools. She’d also made some guesses as to the serial killer’s actual
profession. Teacher? Administrative staff at a school? Mortician? Medical
student? Doctor?
When she mentioned her plan to track purchases for embalming
supplies, he nodded.
“That’s good. You should definitely make that a top priority.
Also check with nearby hospitals and have them do inventory checks. See if any
relevant supplies have suddenly gone missing. Same with local mortuaries or
crematoriums. He burns the victims after he’s done with them, which means he’s
got to have access to a kiln. If he installed something like that in his house,
someone should have noticed it. I’m banking on the fact he has access to one
professionally, though. It would make things easier for him.”
She made notes. “That’s good. I didn’t think about the kiln.”
Swiftly, she looked up at him. “But I would have.”
Jase smiled. “I know. No judgments from me. Like I said
earlier, working these cases is always better when you’ve got two minds to look
over the evidence. Did Mac or Stevens mention assigning you a partner?”
“No. But I assumed that would be coming. I figured they’d send
someone over from SFPD. DeMarco is heavily involved with his caseload. Granger
is acting supervisor. And you…”
The air was suddenly too thick to breathe. You, she thought, I wouldn’t want to work with.
Not day in and day out. That would be too much. Too distracting.
“You’ve got your own caseload, right?” she said instead,
looking down at the envelope in her hand.
“Yeah,” he said simply.
Something in his tone suggested he was holding back, but she
didn’t push it.
She held up the manila envelope in her hand. “So what about the
letters he’s sent?” she asked. “Fresno P.D. didn’t get anything from them.” She
picked up an identical envelope and handed it to him.
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