Free Under Cover of Darkness by James Grippando Page B

mean?"
    "You really want to know?"
    "My wife is missing. I have a right to know."
    Andie couldn't argue. A few details might help put him at ease. She glanced back toward the lobby. Victoria was waiting. "I have to make this fast," she said into the phone. "One of our agents from the Investigative Support Unit arrived this morning. She and I will meet with the local homicide detectives."
    "To do what?"
    "First off, we'll try to determine whether we even have a serial killer."
    "Then what?"
    "If we think we do, we'll probably take steps toward organizing a multi-jurisdictional task force."
    "Led by the FBI?"
    "Not exactly. It can get complicated, the more agencies that are involved. The best way to sum up the arrangement is to say things generally don't work the way you see them on television. The FBI doesn't conduct the investigation. That's the job of local law enforcement. We help organize things and make sure the locals get the services they need--crime analysis, formulation of investigative strategies, technical and forensic resource coordination, use o f t he FBI Evidence Response Teams or FBI laboratory services. Our experts will also review the evidence to construct a psychological profile of who the killer might be. It helps police sharpen their investigation, helps them zero in on certain types of people. It basically gives them somebody to look for when they don't know who they should be looking for."
    "So, who are you looking for?"
    "There's no profile yet. That takes a little time."
    "These profiles--you can tell a lot about the killer from them, right?"
    "They get fairly detailed, yes." She glanced again toward the lobby. Victoria was pacing. "I'm sorry, Gus. I really have to go."
    "Wait, wait. There's one thing I'm particularly interested in."
    "What?"
    "In this profiling stuff, is there any way to know if the killer keeps his victims alive? For a while, I mean."
    "I told you. We don't have a profile yet."
    "I'm asking you." His voice was loud, desperate. "I need some information. Just something to go on, okay? If there is a serial killer, and he does have Beth . . . how much time have we got?"
    "I wish I could answer. There's just no way to say for sure."
    "There must be a rough estimate you can give me." "Guessing wouldn't be productive."
    "Then damn it, give me' the facts. You have three victims so far. How long was it from the time the victims disappeared until the estimated time of death?"
    "We don't know on the woman. We don't even have an ID yet, so we can't say how long she was missing before she died."
    "What about the men?"
    She hesitated, fearful of the inference Gus might draw. "The crime scene was the death scene."
    "Talk English, please."
    "Both men were murdered in their own homes. The killer didn't transport the victims before killing them. As far as we can tell, he killed them exactly where he engaged them. They were ambushed."
    "So, you're saying . . . what?"
    "Nothing for sure."
    "You're saying it's too late for Beth, aren't you?" "It's important we act fast. That's true in any case." "You've written her off for dead."
    "That's not true."
    "I hear it in your voice. You're already thinking about the next victim. Beth's a statistic."
    "No," she said sharply. "If you knew the kind of people who do this work, you would never say that. You'd know they don't forget the victims. Not ever."
    "So Beth is a victim."
    "I didn't say that."
    "In your own mind, she is. You just said so."
    "You're twisting my words. Stop acting like a lawyer." "How else should I act?"
    "Like the intelligent, rational man I'm sure you are. Please, Gus. I'm on your side."
    "Okay. You want me to act rational, I'll be rational. Just tell me one more thing."
    "What?"
    "How is my six-year-old daughter supposed to act?" Andie was silent.
    "Be sure to call me when your multi-jurisdictional task force figures that one out."
    The line clicked, which was just as well. Andie couldn't think of anything to say.

    Chapter Ten.
    The first