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Authors: Michael K Foster
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it, David?’
Carlisle breathed out slowly, as he stood to address the team.
‘The person we’re dealing with here is a loner, someone who can move in and out of society at will. He’s single, probably local, and has a fairly good knowledge of the area. Never underestimate him. He’s cunning, extremely dangerous and can kill at the blink of an eye. He’s certainly not the spontaneous type,’ he said, to hushed audience. ‘The crimes he commits are carefully orchestrated, long before they are ever committed. And yet, his thought patterns are totally illogical, which makes him an extremely complex person to analyse. Believe me, subjects who can keep one step ahead of us are no fools. Whilst you are investigating their latest murder, they’re planning their next. It goes without saying that nobody should underestimate this man’s capabilities; these people are craftsman at their work.’
‘Just a thought,’ said James, referring to his notes. ‘Could he be working with an accomplice?’
‘I very much doubt it,’ Carlisle replied.
‘What makes you say that?’ said James.
‘Of course I can only base my findings on the evidence; supposition must never overcome facts, especially when you are dealing with a serial killer.’
Gasps rang out around the room.
‘Your statement surprises me,’ said DC Manley, better known as ‘Humbug’ to the rest of the team. ‘You’ve said we’re dealing with a serial killer, and yet, we’re being told not to rule out feud killing.’
‘One thing’s for sure,’ Carlisle said, collecting his thoughts. ‘His victims are all connected. That’s why they were targeted.’
‘So why assume he’s a serial killer?’ Manley questioned.
‘Past experience and the complexity of his crimes tell me so,’ he replied. ‘The behavioural profile of fantasy, his exhibitionism and his notoriety seeking traits are the trademarks of a serial killer.’
‘And how exactly would you describe a serial killer?’ PC Phillips asked.
Although Constable Phillips was an expert diving instructor, much to Carlisle’s relief his explanation was well received.
‘So this one strikes selectively, like prostitutes, college students or the gay community?’ said PC Philips.
‘That’s correct,’ Carlisle nodded.
Jack Mason took the floor again.
‘Regardless of what he is, will he strike again?’
‘If he is who I suspect he is, his current murders are merely the tip of the iceberg.’ Carlisle paused in an attempt to gauge the rest of the team’s reactions. ‘Until your subject eliminates the source of his problem . . . his final solution, he’ll not rest.’
‘So he’s not a hired man?’ said DC Manley.
‘Assassins, hired guns, call them what you like, these people generally eliminate their subjects for monetary gain or revenge.’
DC Manley took another humbug out of its wrapper, and annoyingly popped it into his mouth. The man was addicted, and seemed to carry an endless supply of them in his pockets.
‘So what brings him to do it?’ DC Manley questioned.
That’s a bloody good questio n , he thought.
Carlisle spent the next fifteen minutes broaching the subject of unstable backgrounds, and how as young children, most serial killers’ had experienced some form of child brutality or childhood abuse in their lives. Despite all his best efforts, he was still being bombarded by questions.
‘More to the point,’ said Mason, cutting in. ‘What’s his current state of mind?’
‘He probably sees himself as the only person who can resolve his own problems,’ Carlisle replied. ‘To him it’s a personal crusade, a compulsion he’ll endure until he reaches the final solution. Nothing will get in his way, and he will tear down every barrier to accomplish his aims.’
The room fell silent again.
Constable Ellis held her hand up. ‘You’re losing me, sir.’
‘Oh, in what way?’ said Mason.
‘Please tell me who I’m looking for?’
Everyone fell about
Carlisle breathed out slowly, as he stood to address the team.
‘The person we’re dealing with here is a loner, someone who can move in and out of society at will. He’s single, probably local, and has a fairly good knowledge of the area. Never underestimate him. He’s cunning, extremely dangerous and can kill at the blink of an eye. He’s certainly not the spontaneous type,’ he said, to hushed audience. ‘The crimes he commits are carefully orchestrated, long before they are ever committed. And yet, his thought patterns are totally illogical, which makes him an extremely complex person to analyse. Believe me, subjects who can keep one step ahead of us are no fools. Whilst you are investigating their latest murder, they’re planning their next. It goes without saying that nobody should underestimate this man’s capabilities; these people are craftsman at their work.’
‘Just a thought,’ said James, referring to his notes. ‘Could he be working with an accomplice?’
‘I very much doubt it,’ Carlisle replied.
‘What makes you say that?’ said James.
‘Of course I can only base my findings on the evidence; supposition must never overcome facts, especially when you are dealing with a serial killer.’
Gasps rang out around the room.
‘Your statement surprises me,’ said DC Manley, better known as ‘Humbug’ to the rest of the team. ‘You’ve said we’re dealing with a serial killer, and yet, we’re being told not to rule out feud killing.’
‘One thing’s for sure,’ Carlisle said, collecting his thoughts. ‘His victims are all connected. That’s why they were targeted.’
‘So why assume he’s a serial killer?’ Manley questioned.
‘Past experience and the complexity of his crimes tell me so,’ he replied. ‘The behavioural profile of fantasy, his exhibitionism and his notoriety seeking traits are the trademarks of a serial killer.’
‘And how exactly would you describe a serial killer?’ PC Phillips asked.
Although Constable Phillips was an expert diving instructor, much to Carlisle’s relief his explanation was well received.
‘So this one strikes selectively, like prostitutes, college students or the gay community?’ said PC Philips.
‘That’s correct,’ Carlisle nodded.
Jack Mason took the floor again.
‘Regardless of what he is, will he strike again?’
‘If he is who I suspect he is, his current murders are merely the tip of the iceberg.’ Carlisle paused in an attempt to gauge the rest of the team’s reactions. ‘Until your subject eliminates the source of his problem . . . his final solution, he’ll not rest.’
‘So he’s not a hired man?’ said DC Manley.
‘Assassins, hired guns, call them what you like, these people generally eliminate their subjects for monetary gain or revenge.’
DC Manley took another humbug out of its wrapper, and annoyingly popped it into his mouth. The man was addicted, and seemed to carry an endless supply of them in his pockets.
‘So what brings him to do it?’ DC Manley questioned.
That’s a bloody good questio n , he thought.
Carlisle spent the next fifteen minutes broaching the subject of unstable backgrounds, and how as young children, most serial killers’ had experienced some form of child brutality or childhood abuse in their lives. Despite all his best efforts, he was still being bombarded by questions.
‘More to the point,’ said Mason, cutting in. ‘What’s his current state of mind?’
‘He probably sees himself as the only person who can resolve his own problems,’ Carlisle replied. ‘To him it’s a personal crusade, a compulsion he’ll endure until he reaches the final solution. Nothing will get in his way, and he will tear down every barrier to accomplish his aims.’
The room fell silent again.
Constable Ellis held her hand up. ‘You’re losing me, sir.’
‘Oh, in what way?’ said Mason.
‘Please tell me who I’m looking for?’
Everyone fell about
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