Loves Redemption by Kimberly Terry (best novels to read in english .TXT) 📗

it was positive or negative. Although judging by your hostility, I would guess it wasn’t very good,” he ventured in a direct manner, a sardonic smile creasing the corners of his hard mouth.

Taking all three men in his gaze, Montgomery continued. “I’m sure you’ve been running

this investigation with skill, experience and expertise. My intent is not to belittle what you’ve done. I’m here to give you aid, and perhaps add my particular skills, experience, and expertise to the table in the hopes of capturing the perpetrator of these murders.” He paused, his mercurial gaze sweeping over each man in the room.

“So where we start is wherever you want to start. I’d like to listen to what you have to tell me about this case and what you know about the offender, and we can go from there.”

After he’d finished speaking, he took the proffered seat and waited in quiet expectation

for their verdict. Lieutenant Hernandez knew he was waiting for them to either accept his aid or not. Either way it was clear from the agent’s demeanor he would do his job, with or without their assistance, or approval.

CHAPTER 18

Over the next few hours Jordan, Mark, and Lieutenant Hernandez alternated giving the

agent information as they offered their speculations as well. When they’d completed their brief, the agent remained silent for several minutes, squinting, as though he were trying to figure out a puzzle.

“From what you’ve told me it appears the offender is displaying some of the more typical

characteristics of an organized serial killer. The murders are taking place over an average of a thirty day period, give or take a week, with no escalation.”

He took a moment to take a drink of the water at his side. “The offender is methodical

and organized, and she takes great pains to hide her victims. You believe she’s female so I’ll refer to the killer in the feminine gender. However, she doesn’t try to hide the abandoned car left at the scene. Keeping constant with her methodical nature, she brings along a rape kit which she uses post mortem on the victims.”

Agent Montgomery recanted the information from memory. He’d taken out a small black

notebook and had occasionally written a note down. However, he had paid close attention to

what each man had to say, as though the way they uttered the words were as important as the words themselves.

“She’s smart and allows the police to discover what she wants them to find. She’s

methodical and organized, and is the most difficult type of serial killer to capture, as I’m sure you men are aware. The more organized the killer, the better their ability to function in society.

What further illustrates the nature of her organization is her ability to lure the victim to a location of her choosing. This gives her infinite control. Or she’s killing them before driving to a prearranged destination. I’d like to go survey the location of where the first victim was discovered.”

“Any particular reason?” Lieutenant Hernandez interrupted.

“The first crime is typically committed close to where the offender lives or works. As

they become more proficient, they in turn become more confident. As their confidence grows, they venture out further. Yes, Detective?” Agent Montgomery asked, his gaze turning from the lieutenant, to Mark, although Mark hadn’t voiced a question out loud.

“You said you were interested in the psychological as well as the physical aspects to the

case. In what way do you mean? In the role of a profiler?”

“Of sorts. I belong to a subunit of FBI specialists who, at one time in their career, were

strictly profilers. I too was a profiler before moving to the unit.”

Montgomery glanced at his watch. “It’s been a long day for me, so maybe we can start

early tomorrow where we leave off here.” The agent began to unfold his thick body from the

chair and picked up the small black case he’d carried in with him.

Lieutenant Hernandez had seen Jordan look at his watch and stretch his back before he

settled further back into his chair. He’d thought he’d been the only who’d seen the move because he happened to be looking in Jordan’s direction, but when Montgomery asked to wrap things up, he realized the observant man had cataloged his movement and responded. Hernandez’s

estimation of the agent’s observational abilities went up a notch.

They set a time to meet the following day. The agent shook hands with Lieutenant

Hernandez before shaking hands with Mark and Jordan. This time, none of the men felt

compelled to use as much force as before, confident they had a measure of the other’s worth established.

After the agent left, those who remained sat down in the chairs they’d risen from. They’d

had dealings with the FBI before, and not always good ones. Agent Montgomery seemed

different from the others. Mark bluntly put a voice to what they were all feeling.

“He seemed to have a handle on what we’ve been doing in the investigation.”

“He wasn’t too much of an asshole. He didn’t come in telling us what he thought we should be doing, he listened and gave good input.” Jordan agreed, with reluctance.

“Yes I agree with you both. Agent Montgomery will make a good addition to this

investigation, and to this team,” Lieutenant Hernandez agreed with both men’s assessments.

Turning to Mark he asked, “Could you give Dr. Richardson a call and ask when it would

be convenient for her to meet with the agent? I agree it’s important for him to meet with her so she can share her knowledge.”

“No problem, sir. I’ll give her a call tonight and find out what her schedule looks like.”

“It can wait until tomorrow, Mark. It’s getting late, no need to call her tonight. When you speak with her, tell her she can either come by the station or you can take Agent Montgomery by her center and speak there.” He finished and dismissed the men back to their work.

Soon