Hunter couldn’t fault her. She really knew how to play her cards right.

Nineteen

Barbara Blake didn’t allow the silence to settle.

‘So what have we got on this new case?’

Hunter proceeded to tell her the little they had so far on Father Fabian’s murder.

‘Goddamnit,’ she spat the word. ‘So this killer’s probably killed twice before?’

‘It’s possible, but it isn’t a certainty,’ Hunter replied, pinching his chin.

Captain Blake lifted her eyebrows, inviting him to carry on.

‘The number three could mean Father Fabian’s the third victim or it could mean something else.’

‘Like what?’

‘I’m not sure. Something important to the killer, or Father Fabian, or both. The truth is that we don’t know yet and it’s irresponsible to make assumptions this early.’

‘OK, I can go with that,’ Captain Blake agreed. ‘Do you think the altar boy could be involved? It’s not unheard of.’

‘I don’t think so,’ Hunter replied.

‘Why not?’

‘It takes a certain kind of person to be able to kill someone the way Father Fabian was killed. Hermano isn’t physically or mentally strong enough. He’s only fourteen.’

‘We’d also be missing motive,’ Garcia cut in. ‘And we already deducted the killer is about six-two. Hermano is five-six, five-seven tops.’

‘How did you figure out the killer’s height?’

Garcia started explaining, but after thirty seconds the captain raised her right hand, stopping him. ‘Forget I asked.’ She returned to her seat and faced Hunter. ‘What’re your initial feelings on this?’

‘We have only one victim so far, and that gives us nothing to establish a consistent pattern. Initial analysis of the crime scene indicates the UNSUB is very strong, skilled, intelligent, methodical and brutal. Despite the savagery of what we found in the church, Father Fabian’s murder was well planned.’

‘Methodical and planned?’ She frowned. ‘From what I’ve heard, there was blood everywhere. An extremely messy crime scene. Doesn’t that indicate rage and loss of control?’

‘In most cases, yes.’

She waited for Hunter to go on. He didn’t. ‘Care to develop, detective?’ she pushed.

‘The Seven Saints crime scene might appear messy to an outsider, but not to the killer. The bloodstains and splatters were exactly where he wanted them to be. It was a controlled and planned mess.’

‘Ritual?’

Hunter leaned forward on his seat and ran his hand over his nose and mouth. ‘What we have so far indicates so.’

‘Baptism of fire for you, Barbara,’ William Bolter said, approaching the window behind her desk.

‘I’ll assign an extra officer to you,’ she announced, looking at Hunter. ‘It should help with the legwork. If you need any more, let me know. I’ve also already moved you two to the special operations room upstairs. You’ll need the extra space. I’ve set up an anonymous tip line. I know they usually cause more headaches than anything else, but who knows? We might get lucky.’ Captain Blake paused and flipped through a few pieces of paper on her desk. ‘With the press already all over this case and a pissed-off mayor, there’ll be a lot of pressure on us to come up with answers . . . and fast.’

Twenty

The special operations room was spacious and well lit. Two metal desks already equipped with computer terminals and telephones occupied the center of the room. A fax machine sat on a small wooden table in the corner. A large, nonmagnetic marker board and a half-empty bookcase covered most of the west wall. In the opposite corner was an old-fashioned cork-board. It was mounted onto wheeled pedestals and stood next to two battered gray metal filing cabinets.

Crime-scene photos and witnesses’ statements had already been placed on Hunter’s desk ready to be organized. He fired up his computer as a knock came at the door.

‘It’s open,’ Hunter called.

Officer Ian Hopkins stepped into the room carrying a brown paper envelope.

‘Detective Hunter. These are the photographs you asked me to take of the crowd in front of the church yesterday.’ He handed the envelope to Hunter.

Garcia had forgotten all about that.

There were twenty-five pictures in total. Hunter spread them on his desk, bending over to look at each one attentively for a few seconds.

‘Do you think the killer could’ve been watching from the crowd?’ Hopkins asked with a hint of excitement.

‘It’s possible,’ Hunter agreed, his eyes moving to another photograph.

‘If you don’t mind me asking, detective, why would he do that?’ Hopkins’s curiosity increased.

‘It’s basic human nature. We all want recognition for things we’ve done. Many killers enjoy watching the drama of the aftermath of their actions unfold. They’re very proud of their work.’

‘Proud?’ Hopkins smiled nervously. ‘That’s pretty sick.’

‘Serial killers usually are,’ Garcia commented from his desk.

‘Serial killer?’ Hopkins asked a little too enthusiastically. ‘Was that the work of a serial killer yesterday?’

Garcia laughed.

Hunter kept his eyes on the photos.

‘Do you think the killer is in one of those photos, Detective Hunter?’ Hopkins insisted.

‘It was already raining by the time you took these.’ Hunter shook his head. ‘Everyone had either a hood on or an open umbrella. If he is, we wouldn’t know.’

‘I messed up,’ Hopkins said, running his hand through his hair. ‘I should’ve gotten closer, shouldn’t I?’

Hunter turned and faced him. ‘It’s not your fault the rain came down, Officer . . .?’

‘Hopkins, sir. Ian Hopkins.’ He extended his hand and Hunter shook it firmly.

‘You did what I asked you to do, Officer Hopkins.’

Hopkins gave Hunter an unconvincing smile. He felt he should’ve done better.

‘How long have you been a cop, Ian?’ Hunter asked, studying Hopkins.

‘Three months this week, sir,’ he answered proudly.

‘Do you like it?’

‘Yes, very much.’

‘Yesterday, was that your first crime scene?’

‘No, sir. A couple of gang shootouts and an armed robbery. All of them with fatal victims.’

‘At the church yesterday,’ Hunter continued, ‘I know you were very curious to have a look at the crime scene. Why didn’t you?’

‘Because my orders were to stay outside and deal with the onlookers. And then to take some pictures of them.’ He gestured to the photos on Hunter’s desk.

Hunter glanced at Garcia and they exchanged an unspoken agreement. ‘OK, how’d you like to carry on helping with this investigation?’

Hopkins’s eyes lit up.

‘That’d be fantastic . . . sir.’ He couldn’t believe his luck. To police officers a serial-murder case is the champagne of homicides, and he’d just been given a VIP invitation to join the party.

‘OK. Captain Blake said she’d assign an officer to us. I’ll request you.’

‘Thank you, sir.’

‘I’m not sure thank you are the words you’ll be using in a week’s time.’ Hunter leaned back and interlaced his fingers behind his head. ‘This won’t be easy.’

‘I don’t like easy, sir.’

Hunter smiled. ‘Good, so let’s start with you dropping the “sir” crap. I’m Robert and this is Carlos.’ Hunter gestured towards Garcia. ‘Are you any good with computers? I mean, internet searching, research, that sort of stuff?’

‘Yeah, I’m very good at it.’

‘Great. I’ll introduce you to Jack Kerley, the main guy in our IT unit. He’ll get you set up.’

‘OK, that sounds great to me.’