Page 34 of The Perfect Crime

“I’m PIO Tanya Cantu,” the woman said crisply.“I want to thank you all for coming on such short notice.We have some important information we’d like to share with the public.To do that, I’d like to invite up one of LAPD’s premiere criminal profilers, Jessie Hunt.As some of you may be aware, Ms.Hunt works in our elite Homicide Special Section unit and has been instrumental in bringing multiple violent predators to justice, including Xander Thurman, better known as the Ozark Executioner, his protégé Bolton Crutchfield, as well as the Night Hunter, and more recently, Mark Haddonfield.So when she has something to say, it’s worth listening.Ms.Hunt?”

Jessie hadn’t been expecting such an elaborate introduction, and if she’d known it was coming, she would have shut it down.The last thing she needed was for some future killer to view outwitting her as some kind of challenge.Her celebrity status already made her a target, one who had turned her home into a veritable fortress.Now a whole batch of fresh crazies were more likely to want to say “hi.”

“Hello everyone,” she said, her voice booming louder than intended as she leaned into the microphone.She stopped for a moment, wondering if the echo she heard was from her voice bouncing off the walls of the surrounding buildings or from her fast-beating heart.The reporters at the bottom of the stairs all had the ravenous looks of wolves, hoping to get a meaty story to chew on.Well, she had one for them.

“I’ll try to keep this short,” she began, now sounding more like her normal self.“We want to make Angelenos aware of a disturbing series of home invasion killings in recent days.We can’t get into too many particulars but what we can say is that the perpetrator has acted alone in each instance, that they have not forced their way in but snuck in while the victims—typically couples—were arriving home.During the invasions, the killer has worn dark clothing and a ski mask.We believe that the attacker is male.At this time, we’re not able to describe the method used to kill the victims, nor any additional physical details about him.”

The reporters began to balk in unison at that last comment, but Jessie held up her hand to quiet them.

“However,” she continued, “wecanoffer several recommendations as we continue our investigation.First and foremost, please don’t make any rash decisions.Just because someone you don’t know arrives at your door, don’t jump to conclusions and take matters into your own hands.If you have concerns, call the police.

“Having said that, here is what we believe youshoulddo.First, be aware of your surroundings at all times, especially when you are returning home.If your house is gated or has a garage, make sure that it is closed before exiting your vehicle.When entering your home, move quickly and lock your doors immediately once you are inside.Obviously, keep your doors locked in general.And take particular note if someone in your household becomes ill while returning from an activity.The perpetrator has been known to use that vulnerability and distractedness on the part of the victim and their loved ones to gain entry while their attention is on the person in distress.Following these recommendations will vastly reduce your exposure to harm until we are able to bring this person to justice.Are there any questions?”

There was an almost immediate cacophony of shouts and wildly waved arms.Jessie was relieved to see Officer Cantu step up to join her at the podium.

“Hold on,” she bellowed, “we’re going to do this in an organized manner.”

As Cantu explained the rules, Jessie noticed someone near the front of the crowd of journalists.What drew her attention to him was what he lacked.He had no microphone or camera, there was no press credential card anywhere on his clothing, and he wasn’t trying to ask anything.

The man was just staring at her, his eyes aflame, with what looked like a hint of drool at the edge of his mouth.Jessie pretended not to notice, glancing away before returning her focus to him.His blue eyes were still fixed on her, like he was in some kind of reverie.

Jessie guessed that he was in his early thirties.He had jet-black hair parted severely to the side.He wore black slacks and a buttoned-down, paisley dress shirt that looked like he'd snagged it from a garage sale, circa 1976.

Cantu called on the first reporter and Jessie tore her eyes away from the man, trying to focus on the question being asked.But even as she listened, her eyes regularly darted back to the man.Something told her that she better not lose track of him.

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

Officer Cantu ended the press conference ten minutes later.

Jessie, relieved, stepped away from the podium, without taking her eyes off the crowd.Ryan took her hand and gave it a supportive squeeze.She fought the urge to respond with a hug.They were still in front of the press, after all.Instead, she leaned in and whispered in his ear.

“Be casual when you look,” she said, “But there’s a guy in the second row—black hair parted to the right, purple paisley shirt, crazy eyes.You see him?”

“I do,” Ryan whispered back, “he can’t stop looking at you.”

“I noticed that too,” she said.“he’s not a reporter.He never took any notes, and he doesn’t have a press credential.”

“Could he just be a superfan?”Ryan wondered.

“Possible,” Jessie conceded, “but once folks clear out, I thought that maybe we could approach him for a chat.”

“That might be a challenge,” Ryan said.“It looks like he’s starting to leave.”

“Good job, Hunt,” Captain Decker said, startling her.She’d been so focused on the guy that she hadn’t noticed him sidle up to her.“Now we just have to catch the bastard.”

“Yes, Chief,” she said distractedly.

“Well, keep me updated,” he said, speaking more to Parker than her.“I have to be back upstairs in less than ten minutes for that meeting, but I want to know what’s going on.”

“Yes, Chief,” Parker said.

Decker, as usual, left without saying goodbye.Parker turned to Jessie and Ryan.

“Well done, Hunt,” she said.“Let’s get back to the station and see if your research team has come across anything new in our absence.”

"Actually, Captain," Ryan said, "Jessie and I want to follow up on a lead before we head back.Do you mind if we meet you there?"

I suppose not,” Parker said, though she looked a little put out.

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