Chapter 18 Countdown, but I want evidence
Getting back to business, Theodore organized the clues from the crime scene and forensic lab, confident there was enough information to construct a profile.
He reviewed the scene one final time, combining the new evidence from the forensic lab, then looked up. "I have the following speculations about the killer."
Bernie straightened in his chair, pulled out a pen and paper, and fixed his attention on Theodore with sharp focus.
"The killer is male, prefers blonde women, and is between thirty and forty-five years old—in his physical prime."
"He's muscular, likely a regular at the gym. He has used or is currently using testosterone."
"Financially comfortable—upper-middle class or higher. Can afford expensive condoms. He might drive a car that matches his status, or works somewhere near Rose Street."
"The killer's motive stems from an inferiority complex caused by sexual impotence. He vents his anger at his own inadequacy by torturing and killing prostitutes."
Bernie scribbled quickly, waited a moment to confirm there was nothing more, then set down his pen. He frowned as he reviewed the profile line by line.
Based on Theodore's assessment, there were two viable leads for investigation: testosterone purchase records from gyms and Trojan condom purchase records.
Without sufficient manpower, it would be nearly impossible for just the two of them to screen records and get results quickly.
After a moment's hesitation, Theodore pulled out two case files and handed them to Bernie. As Bernie opened them, Theodore said, "I've compared these three cases—600523 (Candy), 600527 (Jeanne), and 600528 (Joan)—and found significant common elements."
He arranged the two case files chronologically and took an empty folder to represent the third case. Due to time constraints, case 600528 hadn't yet been compiled into a proper file, so the empty folder would have to suffice.
Theodore pointed to the fatal injuries one by one. "Accident, strangulation, post-mortem mutilation. Accidental—Intentional—Excessive. This represents a gradual escalation."
He pulled out case 600523. "Killing Candy was an accident. At this point, the killer felt guilt over Candy's death, so he placed her on the bed and covered her with a blanket."
Next came case 600527. "Jeanne's death occurred in a fit of rage. Afterward, the killer felt remorse and again positioned the deceased on the bed, covering her with a blanket."
"But when killing Joan, the killer showed no remorse whatsoever. More telling—while his rage subsided after the first two victims' deaths and he returned to rationality, with Joan, the killer was completely consumed by fury. The victim's death didn't restore his rationality; instead, it fueled his brutality further."
"He discovered pleasure in venting anger through killing and mutilating corpses. This pleasure will soon replace his sexual function entirely."
"But the satisfaction is brief and fades quickly. To maintain this feeling, the killer is compelled to continue committing crimes."
"Given his obsession with sexual inadequacy, the intervals between crimes will only shorten."
Bernie sat dumbfounded, as if listening to something from another world. After a long moment, he found his voice. "Are you saying all three of these were committed by the same person?"
Theodore nodded.
"And you think he'll strike again soon?" Bernie pressed.
Theodore nodded again. "If we quantify the escalating rage, in 600523, it was just a slap. In 600527, he strangled someone to death. By 600528, it became murder followed by corpse mutilation."
"He's now like an uncontrolled beast, completely dominated by anger and compulsion. If we don't find him quickly, he'll continue killing to satisfy these urges."
Theodore glanced at his watch, then at the darkening sky outside. "Based on the pattern of his last crime, the next one will likely happen tonight."
Bernie flipped through the case files repeatedly, still feeling that Theodore's explanation sounded more like bizarre fiction than police work, stranger than voodoo or ghost stories.
Theodore read Bernie's expression and knew he hadn't convinced him. If he couldn't even persuade Bernie, convincing Wenner would be hopeless.
Without Wenner's backing, he couldn't mobilize the manpower needed for screening. With just the two of them, it would be a stretch to cover all the pharmacies and gyms in the city today, let alone obtain records.
Knowing someone would die tonight, yet being powerless to prevent it, all because of the internal conflict stirred up by that incompetent fool!
Theodore began to think Cahill's punishment had been far too lenient.
Bernie quickly grasped Theodore's dilemma. He shifted uncomfortably. "I really want to support you, but with the boss..."
Theodore sighed. "Come on, let's collect the pharmacy list first."
Bernie seemed to reach some internal decision. He grabbed the case files and headed toward Wenner's office.
After a moment of surprise, Theodore followed quickly. When he entered, he found Bernie stumbling through a recitation of Theodore's profile.
During Bernie's pause, Theodore stepped forward to elaborate, making his description more detailed, direct, and comprehensible.
Wenner listened in silence. When Theodore finished, he asked the question both men had anticipated.
"Is there any evidence to support this?"
Seeing their silence, Wenner closed the case files and returned them. "I need evidence. Just like last time, I need concrete evidence."
He pointed at Theodore. "Your analytical thinking is valuable, but when it comes to action, I need solid proof. I can't deploy the entire team based solely on theory."
Bernie wasn't ready to give up. He said tentatively, "Boss, look—all three victims were blonde. How many people specifically target blondes..."
Wenner's gaze sharpened. "At least half the prostitutes on Rose Street are blonde, or they dye their hair blonde."
Bernie stammered, scratched his head, and fell silent.
Wenner commanded considerable authority among the Homicide Team members, especially when he adopted his stern demeanor; he could be quite intimidating.
He drummed his fingers on the desk. Seeing Bernie subdued, Wenner softened his expression, offered a few encouraging words, and dismissed them.
After closing the door and lowering the blinds, Wenner remained seated, sighed deeply, and slowly unwrapped a piece of chocolate. He chewed thoughtfully, his gaze fixed on the door, his expression growing increasingly contemplative.
Outside the office, several nearby team members had overheard the discussion. When they saw the two emerge, knowing looks passed between them.
Bernie waved dismissively and asked Theodore tentatively, "How about trying to communicate with them again? See if the killer left anything behind?"
Theodore shook his head, returned the case files to his drawer, and reached for the keys, but Bernie snatched them first.
"Why don't we use the time we have to check gyms and pharmacies?"
The killer's crimes occurred at night; they still had half a day. Theodore wasn't one to sit idle. Until news of another body came in, he had no intention of waiting around.
As they walked out, he said, "We'll screen the major gyms in the South and North Districts first. Our primary targets are individuals who only started purchasing testosterone within the past month."
Felton's residential planning was income-based: the West District housed the slums, the East District the wealthy, while the South and North Districts were home to middle-class residents and blue-collar workers.
This was Bernie's area of expertise, and he immediately perked up.
As they left the police station, they spotted Cahill still holding court, animated and clearly enjoying himself.
Bernie curled his lip, extended his arm in a shooting gesture toward Cahill, then turned to Theodore. "Do you know when Cahill's birthday is?" he asked as he started the car.