Page 33 of Sworn to Silence (Kate Burkholder #1)

“As a kid, he may have been cruel to animals, or he may have gotten into trouble for killing them. As a young man or teen, he may have had some psychological problems. Those problems may or may not have been diagnosed. He has an addictive personality, but he’s good at hiding his compulsion.

He’s a classic psychopath. He’s egocentric.

He probably has a large collection of pornography, particularly S&M-type stuff.

He’s probably into bondage and may have movies or video on his computer.

He spends a great deal of time fantasizing before he actually commits the act.

He enjoys the planning stage. Once he’s done the murder, he spends a good bit of time reliving it. ”

If we were dealing with any other case, I might agree with the profile. I might even be impressed. But none of his profile points describe Daniel Lapp.

Tomasetti hands me the pages. “It’s all preliminary and subject to change.”

Nodding, I turn my attention to the profile. A chill passes through me as I read the particulars.

· Subject is physically strong. He may have a job that requires strength or he may work out regularly.

· He has a controlling personality and may act out in anger when things are out of his control.

· He wants to be seen as attractive. He is meticulous with regard to his appearance and makes an effort to appeal to women .

· He presents himself as charming and nonthreatening.

· He is comfortable around women. He interacts with women and was probably raised with females in his home e.g. mother and/or sisters.

· He is in a stable relationship, but the relationship is troubled. He is angry about the failing relationship, but feels as if saving it is out of his control.

· He can be spontaneous if an opportunity presents itself, but prefers planning.

· He is a newshound and follows the case closely. He enjoys media attention.

Once again I find myself thinking of Daniel Lapp. “I don’t think we should limit the investigation by excluding possible suspects who don’t meet this criteria.”

“Usually this is where people tell me I’m pretty good at what I do.”

“I didn’t mean to offend you.” I hand him the sheet.

“You didn’t.” He takes the paper. “What don’t you agree with?”

“I just don’t think we should exclude anyone this early in the game.”

He gives me an odd look, as if he’s trying to figure me out. I avoid his eyes by looking down at my notes. “This guy is obviously in a period of escalation,” I say. “Do you think there was some kind of trigger?”

“I would guess something difficult for him has happened in his personal life. Possibly involving a woman. A wife or girlfriend. He doesn’t deal well with rejection and could be retaliating.”

“He hates women?”

“He hates them, but he desires them. In deviant ways.”

“How does he choose his victims?” I say .

“A woman catches his eye. He spends some time watching her. A few days. A week, maybe. He learns her routine. He figures out when she’s vulnerable. When he can get to her.”

“I’ve limited the questioning of witnesses to the hours before the victims’ disappearances.

If this guy stalked his victims for days before abducting them, we would be better served talking to everyone who had contact with Amanda Horner and Ellen Augspurger four or five days before they disappeared. ”

“I agree.”

“Does a particular kind of woman appeal to him?”

“Both victims have been young, in their early to midtwenties. Attractive. Petite.”

“Applies to a lot of women in this town.”

He nods. “Keep going.”

“Where does he kill?” I’m thinking aloud now. Random thoughts. Questions. Brainstorming.

“He needs privacy,” he says. “A place where no one can hear him.”

“Basement.”

“Deserted home or building.”

“Soundproof room.”

He throws up a roadblock. “If he has a wife, she would know about the room or basement.”

“Unless he has property somewhere else. Off-premises. Rental property.” I think about that a moment. “Why do you think the wife isn’t involved?”

“If she has a dependent personality and he controls her, she could be,” he concedes. “But it’s not likely. These murders are too brutal. This guy doesn’t hold back. He’s alone. Uninhibited. Living out his fantasy in absolute privacy.”

Silence falls. We look at each other. Tomasetti appears excited. A bloodhound that’s caught a scent.

“Assignments,” he says after a moment. “I need to know who’s d oing what. Your officers. Sheriff’s office. So we don’t waste manpower repeating ourselves.”

I flip through my notebook, locate the page where I’ve jotted assignments. “I’ll have Mona type this for you.”

“I’ll finish this profile tonight.”

I nod. “Hand it off to Mona in the morning, and she’ll disperse it.”

He picks up the Slaughterhouse Killer file. “Can I take this?”

“As long as you bring it back in the morning.” I don’t ask him when he plans to sleep.

He rises. I catch a glimpse of a pistol in a shoulder holster when he stretches. A Sig Sauer semiauto. It strikes me that, for a cop, he knows how to dress. Pinpoint oxford shirt. Expensive tie. Nicely cut suit. Details I shouldn’t be noticing.

“See you in the morning.” He starts toward the door.

I watch him disappear down the hall. We didn’t accomplish much, but the profile is a start. I think I’ll be able to work with him. He’ll be an asset to the team. I hope it’s enough.

I look out the darkened window at the deserted street beyond where snow sparkles beneath the streetlights. I think about the killer and wonder if his dark hunger torments him tonight. I wonder if he’s out there, looking for his next victim. I wonder if he’s already picked her out.