Chapter 14
FOURTEEN
Katie pushed away her feelings about the fact that McGaven could be transferred to the detective division—she didn’t want to discuss it with him. This had come up before, and it troubled her, but she had to keep concentrating on her cases and moving forward.
She decided to begin a profile of a perpetrator who would leave body parts to be found.
She had read up on a few characteristics and cases that related to this type of behavior, and believed it could be helpful to start to work out who they might be dealing with.
But first she’d go through the key photographs of the body parts found at Brandon Bates’ home in the order of when they were located to familiarize herself with them.
She pulled out the various photos of the dismembered human remains, showing where they were found under the floor and sink. She also lined up photos on the desk taken when the severed limbs were separated at the medical examiner’s office.
Katie took a quick inventory. There were three arms, four legs, and two sets of hands. From the examination, they were all from female victims and it appeared they had come from three women.
She stood and began to add to the mindset of the perpetrator profile.
What drives them based on the crime scene?
Expanded power and control—more violent tendencies than just control.
Lonely.
Under-stimulated.
Empty.
Has or wants control of victims’ bodies.
Unable to express feelings.
Making an example when crossed. Feeling wronged and lashing out.
Unable to express feeling in an appropriate and healthy way.
Possibly mutilated or a self-mutilator?
Fighting the deep inner feelings of worth of themselves and others.
Katie stood back and studied the potential characteristics of someone who might dismember in this way. A few or possibly all the features could be listed. She wondered if the person they were looking for lived in the community or just targeted the area for their specific needs.
“I see you started without me.”
Katie turned to see McGaven standing in the doorway. Her tall partner almost had to lean down to enter.
“Gav! You’re early!” She turned to him and gave him a big hug. “Nice to have you back.”
“I see you can handle a case all by yourself,” he said with a smile in his soft joking tone.
“It hasn’t been easy, but I’m managing.” Katie was so happy her partner was back.
McGaven took off his jacket and put his briefcase on the floor beneath the table. He looked at the photos and the crime scenes. “A finger and an arm? Wow, how sadistic.”
“We don’t know the ID of the victim or possibly victims yet.”
They sat down at the worktable. Katie spent the next twenty minutes updating her partner and going through the investigation, including the assistance from Cisco and Deputy Anderson. When she was done, McGaven didn’t immediately speak, lost in his thoughts staring at the board.
“What do you think?” she said.
He turned to her with that inquisitive expression, studying her carefully. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“What do you mean?”
“C’mon, Katie. We’ve known each other for a while and worked closely together. I know when there’s something bothering you or you’re holding back.”
“Everything is fine. We just need to—”
“Katie,” he pushed. “What’s bothering you?”
She knew she couldn’t slide anything past him. Sighing, she said, “It’s come to my attention that they might want to transfer you to the detective division.”
“I won’t let that happen.”
“You might not have a say in the matter. It came from the sheriff,” she said.
They remained quiet for a bit.
“I like where I’m at. I like working with you and you’re going to need someone like me to have your back…” He leaned forward and squeezed her hand. “I’m not going anywhere. I’ll fight to stay here. But right now, I am here, so let’s get to work.”
Katie smiled. She knew McGaven wouldn’t always be in cold cases, but he was right that they were partners now and needed to get ahead of their current case to stop this monster.
Katie’s cell phone rang. “Detective Scott,” she answered.
“This is Officer Jack Devlin.”
“Thank you for calling me back,” she said.
“I understand you have a case that might be connected to the body parts found at a barricade on Rockview and Pine Valley’s border.”
“Yes.”
“What can I help you with?”
“I wondered if it would be possible to view the house?”
“Sure. That’s no problem. I believe it’s still taped and boarded up, but I can meet you there today.”
“Great.”
“Say about 1500 hours? I’ll text the address.”
“Thank you. We’ll be there.” Katie ended the call and set down her phone.
“I take it we’re going on a road trip?” said McGaven.
“Yep.” Katie thought it was a positive step to take a look at the location, even if she wasn’t yet sure how it would help the investigation. “Let’s get some background on the case first. We have the time.”
“Copy that,” said McGaven as he opened his laptop.