Page 52 of The Echo Man (Major Crimes)

Eyes drop as journalists scribble. Cara knows that to these guys Marsh’s response is as good as saying yes.

“Have you managed to identify the victims?”

“Not yet. We have contacted all the next of kin that we can, but inquiries are ongoing. Any concerned relatives should contact the helpline number on the press release you have been given.”

“DCI Elliott! Can you confirm the rumors that these murders are linked to others across the country?”

Cara glances to Marsh, but before she can answer, another journalist shouts from the crowd.

“Can you confirm the Echo Man is copying murders from notorious serial killers?”

The room falls silent. Cara recognizes Steve Gray from the Chronicle as all eyes swivel his way.

“What did you say?” Marsh hisses.

“That’s what they’re calling him,” Gray continues. “Because he’s echoing murderers from the past.”

Breath stops in Cara’s chest. The wall of noise and cameras bursts into life again. She swears under her breath.

This isn’t good. The one thing they didn’t want to happen.

He has a name now.

The Echo Man.

PART 2

Hampshire Chronicle

February 20, 1996

SHOCKING STABBING AS BROTHERS MURDERED

A murder investigation is underway after Hampshire Constabulary were called to a house on Millmoor Way at seven AM on Monday. Neighbors raised the alarm after seeing a child emerge from the house, covered in blood. On entering the property, they discovered local brothers, Gary and Marcus Keane, stabbed to death in the upstairs bedrooms.

The child, age 9, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was unharmed and is now in the care of Social Services.

Police have yet to issue a full press release, but sources state both brothers were confirmed dead at the scene. It is also rumored the bodies were mutilated, with their genitalia removed.

Both brothers, unemployed, were notorious in the community, with alleged links to drug and pedophile gangs.

No arrests have been made, and police are not currently looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths. However, an unnamed source within the force was keen to add that there is no cause for alarm and no risk to the general public.

CHAPTER

28

GRIFFIN’S WATCHING THE press conference on the screen in the incident room. He sees Cara’s reaction as the moniker is spoken: The Echo Man. He knows as much as they try to contain it, that’s it, out in the world.

He doesn’t like this new development, and Griffin can see neither Cara nor Marsh like it either. Naming a serial killer gives the perpetrator a sense of importance. A level of infamy shared by other murderers of the past—the Son of Sam, BTK, the Green River Killer.

He sees the other detectives glance his way.

“I don’t want to hear that name uttered by anyone here,” he says to the room. “You hear me?” And the detectives nod. But he knows his warning will be useless. Police love a nickname as much as the press.

“DS Griffin?” A voice distracts him.

He just wants to be left alone for a while. He’s worried about Jess, about what happened last night, and he needs to gather his thoughts. Try to stop thinking about Mia. But the DC has sidled up, hovering behind his chair.

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