Say Never (Alison Payne #11)

PROLOGUE

Eighteen years ago

Alison Payne sat in the conference room, trying to pay attention to the case.

Her focus was a little off; she didn't want to blend in, she wanted to fit in. She’d been mentally preparing for the situation for the past six months, but being in the conference room with seasoned detectives, experienced FBI agents, other profilers, and numerous support staff who all looked like they knew exactly what they were doing, made her sweat.

That not only triggered a thought that lodged in her mind about her lack of belonging in such a room, but it also made her annoyed.

She couldn't remember the last time she had sweated outside of the gym, and here she was, sitting in an air-conditioned room with beads of sweat trickling down her forehead.

Alison sat with her back straight, pressed against her chair, taking copious notes so that she didn’t miss anything, and she told herself over and over not to wipe the sweat from her brow with the back of her hand, or someone would notice.

"…for being here with us," Detective Vettle continued, and Alison realized she hadn’t been paying full attention. "The FBI will be assisting with the case through to completion, which, with the talent we have in this room, will be soon. Does anyone have any questions before we begin the briefing?

The detective looked around the room, and no one put their hands up.

Alison felt her muscles twitch as she considered it.

She was well-versed with the case, having read through the files numerous times before the meeting.

She had some follow-up questions she wanted clarified, but when no one else made a sound, she decided against it.

"Good," the detective said. "The Riverside Strangler has claimed three victims. You won't catch me staying three victims so far, because I don't welcome that line of thinking in this room. We will catch him. Dr. Carver." Detective Vettle held out his hand to invite Carver to stand.

The criminal psychologist rose from the desk, her mouth tight as she took a brief look around the room before taking.

"All three victims were murdered on the Delaware River," she said.

"This isn’t a case where they were murdered somewhere else, and the bodies were dumped there.

The victims were killed where they were found, and we have confirmed that at least two of them were killed during daylight.

We have a killer who is bold and willing to take big risks.

The location is partially secluded, which is the obvious reason for choosing it, but it does put our killer at risk. "

Carver reached down and took a drink of water before she continued.

"Each kill was quick. At this stage, we can't determine whether this was out of necessity to avoid spending too much time in a place where they might be caught, or because their desire to kill is driving them to end lives quickly.

However, put this together, and I believe we have someone who has a connection to the Delaware River, suggesting they are local. "

Multiple people, including Alison, took notes as Carver spoke. Alison had only recently graduated, and the imposter syndrome within was suffocating. She wished one day to carry herself with as much confidence as Dr. Carver did. Alison knew she would; if she visualized it, she could manifest it.

"Each victim was found face down with their arms spread and their legs together in an obvious crucifixion pose.

We're looking for a religious zealot who, I believe, is sending people to heaven.

The kills were quick, almost merciful, and they were posed immediately after without any mutilation pre- or post-mortem.

This is someone precise and organized, not afraid to take risks, and able to commit unspeakable acts of violence in an instant.

The lack of a sedative and abrasion on the wrist and ankles tells us that the killer likely knew their victims and led them out there.

So, a person who's trusted or has a wide social circle. "

Dr. Carver didn't wait for any questions and immediately sat down when she was done.

"Thank you," Detective Vettle said, stepping forward again. "Dr. Hitchford, do you have anything to add?"

"Yes," Hitchford said from his chair. He was getting on in years, but that wasn’t why he didn't stand.

Alison cleared her throat and got to her feet.

Hitchford turned toward Alison and cupped his hand over the side of his mouth. "You belong here."

"My name is Dr. Alison Payne," Alison introduced. "I’ve been working with Dr. Hitchford on similar cases over the past six months, and on this particular case over the last three weeks. I appreciate the chance to be here."

Alison’s jaw tightened when she saw the looks returned to her. She was taking too much time to get to the point in an important case.

"I would agree with most of what Dr. Carver said, but I don't believe we are looking in the right place."

Alison stopped when she saw the slight eye roll from Dr. Carver, and in that look, Alison understood how it must have come across.

She was the new profiler on the scene, trying to make a name for herself, and one way to do that was to disagree with the most prominent profiler.

It wasn’t a great plan by any means, and Alison wanted to tell Dr. Carver that that was not the case.

She couldn’t come out and say it, but she could provide her point of view.

"The positioning of the bodies does make it look like a crucifixion, but it doesn’t ring true to me," Alison continued. She could feel Dr. Carver’s eyes on her, but didn't look her way.

"It would make more sense for them to be face-up if they were to look like they are being crucified, or even tied to a tree. "

"Get to the point," Detective Vettle ordered.

"A lot of the research for my dissertation was on childhood trauma and the motivations that trauma creates in killers," Alison explained. "When I first saw the pictures of the victims, I immediately thought of a child facing the wall while being punished. That’s what I believe the killer is recreating in their victims. They want to punish them, and can't bear to face them. I don't think we’re looking in the right place if we’re considering religion as the prime motivator. I’d like to look for someone with childhood trauma. "

Detective Vettle gestured with one hand for Alison to sit, not looking at her.

"It’s pretty obvious this is religious in nature," the detective said. "That’s where we start. I want to know every criminal with any violent tendencies in the city, any extremists, anyone excommunicated, any online religious talk, and I want the church leaders’ contact information for their input into the case.

" Vettle took a moment to look around the room before he added, "Go get it done. "

Alison looked over at Dr. Carver. Carver didn't look back at her, and when she got up to leave, she didn't glance her way or walk past Alison, taking a path around the other side of the table instead. Carver didn't care at all about Alison.

But Alison cared. She knew she was right.

She was sure she was right. Even though she knew her opinion might be skewed by the research she had done, she had an inherent need to prove herself right and make a name for herself.

She needed to prove she could do the job, or she might be relegated to a lifetime of obscurity.

"That’s sometimes the way it goes," Dr. Hitchford told her. "Your assessment was good, but that doesn’t mean it was right. Sometimes, we don't get that validation. Come on, let’s get back to it."

When Alison left the office with Dr. Hitchford, she expected Dr. Carver to be positioned outside, staring over at her with a smirk. It is naive to think that. Alison was only in the position for six months, and it was her first case.

Perhaps a knock to my ego is for the best. I’ll still prove to everyone that I’m the best.

She knew that it didn't matter who was right or wrong, as long as they made an arrest. She only hoped that they would.