“Fuck’s sake. How many serial killers are there in this fucking city?” Bryn drained his coffee.
“Difficult to estimate,” Emmett said. “FBI intelligence suggests there could be anywhere fromtwenty-five to fifty active serial killers in the country at any given moment.”
“Are you fucking with me?”
“No, Bryn, I am not. If you need some reassurance, advances in forensic science and technology, along with better investigative techniques, make it more challenging for serial killers to remain undetected for long.”
“Oh, that make me feel so much better.”
“Some aren’t linked to multiple crimes until they’ve been operating a while and that could be the case here.”
“Fabulous. Does Boston have more than its fair share of these psychos?”
“No way of knowing,” Emmett said with a shrug. “The city does have two famous murderous alumni. You have to have heard of The Boston Strangler.”
“I was only off the grid for three years, not an entire lifetime,” Bryn responded.
“He was believed to be responsible for the murders of thirteen women, most of whom were strangled in their homes.”
“In the sixties, right?”
“Yeah. Albert DeSalvo confessed to the murders, though there are theories that he might not have been the only killer. Then there was another one in the late seventies called The Giggler.”
“I haven’t heard of that one,” Bryn admitted. “Why do they always get names?”
“He supposedly giggledwhile he was murdering young women, but it could be an urban legend. The case was never solved.”
“Fabulous. So, what does Bell need?”
“Full read. He thinks this kid’s mind is protecting him, but maybe you’ll be able to see past it.”
“Yeah. Won’t be a problem.”
“Set it up then, Emmett. This afternoon should work.” Gunnar sat at his desk. “In the meantime, we can familiarize ourselves with what we know about Betty-Jo Jackson.”
They worked quietly until it was time for Gunnar and Bryn to leave for their interview with Betty-Jo. Gunnar peered out of the window. Rain was lashing down and looked set in for the day.
“We’ll take the car. It’s miserable out there.”
“Fine by me,” Bryn said.
“We can grab lunch after we’ve seen her then go from there to see this witness. Will you let Agent Bell know our schedule, Emmett?”
“Sure…wait, there’s a message coming in with a red flag.”
“Red flag?”
“Means it’s from Warden. Oh. Oh no.”
“What is it?”
“Betty-Jo won’t be making it to your appointment. She’s been found dead near her apartment.”
“Fuck.” Gunnar went to look over Emmett’s shoulder. “What else do you know?”
“Not much. Warden has people tracing anything and everything to do with your cases so someone must have picked it up. He’ll clear it with the on-scene team for you to be there if you want to head straight over. I’ll send you the location.”
“This is because of us, isn’t it?” Bryn said, pacing the small office.
