He turned back to Linhart."What do we know about Rothschild.What was she like?"
"By all accounts, successful but quiet.Widowed for about fifteen years now after her husband died of a heart attack.No children.She pretty much dedicated her life to her work.The neighbors say she was pleasant but private.Kept to herself mostly.She was a big deal in Manhattan social circles…on the boards of three major charities.Most of her money was inherited from her father's real estate empire.She was photographed at last night's gala wearing some of the jewelry that’s been laid out.”
"So, the killer could have seen the photos and targeted her based on that."
"Or they were at the gala themselves.Could be someone in her social circle."
"And she had a lot of this?"Miles asked, gesturing to the jewelry.
"Come see."
Linhart opened the jewelry box fully to reveal dozens more pieces.Necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings.Not all of it was platinum, but a significant portion was.The collection was extensive, probably worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
"She had a thing for platinum specifically?"Vic asked.
"According to the assistant, yes.She preferred it over gold because she believed it was more refined."
Miles felt the pieces clicking together in his mind.The use of platinum was a no-brainer here."So, he chose her because of the jewelry.She collects platinum, displays wealth through it, and he kills her with the very thing she values."
"That's pretty symbolic," Vic said.
"Everything about these killings is symbolic.Kane taught his disciples that the elements mean something.That they're not just murder weapons but messages about society, about decay, about what's wrong with the world."
He looked back at the bed, at Diane Rothschild's platinum-coated airways, at the jewelry laid out like offerings."This killer sees platinum jewelry as evidence of something.Excess, maybe.Vanity.The kind of wealth and status that he thinks is destroying society."
"So, he plates her airways with platinum," Vic said."Makes her choke on what she values."
"Twisted, but yes.That’s my guess."
Linhart was watching them both carefully."You really think this is connected to Kane?To the other elemental killings?"
"The methodology matches," Miles said."The symbolism, the precision, the way the element is used as both weapon and message.Yes, I think this is one of Kane's disciples."
"Even though Kane is in prison?"
"Especially because Kane is in prison,” Vic said.“His followers are still out there, still believing in his philosophy.They're not going to stop just because their teacher is locked up."
Miles took one more look around the room, committing every detail to memory."We need to speak with building security," he said."The initial report we got said the footage had already been studied?"
“That’s right,” Linhart said.“I’m pretty sure they still have it pulled up, waiting for you.”
"Good."Miles moved toward the door."And we need the full toxicology report as soon as it's ready.I want to know exactly what he used to sedate her and when it was administered."
"The ME said they'd rush it.Even the mere idea that this would be part of the Elementalist case has everyone on edge.This is currently the top priority for quite a few departments."
Vic had pulled out her phone and was typing notes."What about background on Rothschild?Financial records, social connections, enemies?"
"We're pulling together everything we can find," Linhart said."But initial interviews suggest she didn't have enemies.She was successful but not controversial.Kept her head down, made her money, lived quietly."
"Then he didn't choose her because of who she was personally," Miles said."He chose her because of what she represented.The platinum jewelry, the wealth, the status.She fit his victim profile."
They reached the door, and Miles paused."Who else has been in here since the body was found?"
"The ME's team, crime scene techs, my partner, and I.That's it.We kept it locked down once we realized how unusual this was."
"Keep it that way until we're done processing everything.We may want another sweep once we've talked to security."
Linhart nodded."Whatever you need."
