The Lady Killer Read Free

innocent. Every one of them has a record of abuse toward women, just like the real killer. Makes me wonder what connection he has to these men. There’s a large amount of blood under the body this time. That’s something new. Usually there’s hardly any.”
    “Yes, I’m assuming that the guard interrupted the ritual, so the slitting of the throat had to happen sooner than planned. Therefore, the asphyxiation wasn’t complete, and the heart was still pumping some blood. Unfortunately, this probably angered our friend, and I suspect that he will strike again sooner because he wasn’t completely fulfilled this time.”
    “God, I hope not! No sign of sexual assault?”
    “There never is with this guy, but I won’t be sure until I get the body back to the morgue. He is either paranoid about his DNA or impotent. If he used condoms, then there would be some latex residue in the vagina and probably some tearing of the tissue.”
    Laura was so over this guy! “Maybe he stands there with a condom on and jerks off. If this crime isn’t sexual in nature, then why the dildo? It seems like classic S and M, bondage and torture to me, with very sexual overtones. Yet we never find signs of him releasing any semen. If it’s just punishment he’s after, there are less sexual ways to torture someone. I would be willing to bet that this guy owns a bunch of those sadistic, extreme-bondage videos that you find in porn stores!”
    “That’s very enlightening! I always wondered how you spent your days off.”
    “Funny man! My ex used to drag me into them, always in the guise of finding a gift for one of his friends. Some of the stuff I saw in those stores should definitely be outlawed!”
    “There is a theory that if men are sitting at home watching, they aren’t out on the street doing.”
    “Maybe, but if I see someone eating something good in a movie, I have to stop the video and go make some for myself. Personally, I think pornography just magnifies urges.”
    “So you think this guy gave up watching and started doing?”
    “Something like that. And what’s with the pentagram? There’s been something left behind at all of the scenes, although this is the first one that can’t be carried away. It’s drawn permanently on the floor.”
    “Do you think that’s significant in some way, Laura?”
    “Who knows? This guy is a total mystery, but every item in the past has been something we can carry away with us to the lab. Have CSU take a sample of the paint.”
    Ralph gave her a slight nod. “Will do, you never know what will make a difference down the road. Sometimes it’s the smallest clues that crack the biggest cases.”
    “Sorry, didn’t mean to make that sound like an order. I’m just so on edge with this case.”
    “We all are. It doesn’t look like he has any intentions of stopping any time soon, huh?”
    “No, and that’s why I have nightmares. I go for lunch and look at the women around me. I think to myself that any one of them could be the next victim. How do I stop him? How do I keep them safe? When I drive down the street after dark and see a woman walking by herself, I wonder what she can be thinking.”
    Ralph shrugged. “She probably doesn’t think it will happen to her.”
    “It would be my guess that none of these women thought it would happen to them either.”
    “Hmmmmm, you’re probably right. After I do the workup, I’ll let you know time of death, and if I find anything new or different.”
    “Thanks, Ralph. I can’t think of anyone I would rather have working on this with me.”
    She left Dr. Foote to his work and walked over to Detective Murphy. He was standing in the middle of the floor with a look of anguish on his face, which she could totally understand. She put her hand gently on his shoulder. “Hey, I’m heading out. I’ll meet you back at the precinct.”
    He turned and looked her in the eyes. “Have you really seen porn videos like this?”
    “I’ve never seen the