Understanding A Killer

Manipulated

Eliana agreed to meet Will at an unfamiliar adress which he texted her, not knowing what exactly he needed. The place turned out to be a clinic not far from the city. The night had already fallen, and it was way past its work hours.

Will waited in the parking lot, leaning against his car.

"Well, hello." - Eliana greeted from distance, walking towards him.

"Hi. It's nice to see you." - Will approached her.

"So, why did you call me here? - She squinted suspiciously, "...at this hour?"

"There's been a new case. I'd like to make a profile. And... I'd like your help."

"Hmm... Isn't that strange?" - She said half-jokingly, "THE Professor Will Graham needs MY help?"

"I don't need it." - He returned the unserious tone, "I just want it."

"That's-" - She stopped as blood rushed ro to her cheeks, "That's flattering. But, I'm pretty sure you'd get in trouble if they found out you let me in on a case."

"Yes. I would." - He anwsered shortly, "Now, let's go see the crime scene."

Will started walking towards the clinic's door, not looking back. Eliana stood in place for a second, but hurried after him once she realized he won't be waiting.

"Hey!" - She called out in a whisper, "This is not very smart!"

"Quite frankly, Eliana, I don't care." - He spoke as he unlocked the door.

Eliana ran a hand through her hair as they entered the empty clinic, nervously looking around for cameras.

"Nobody's gonna check the cameras." - Will responded to her behavior, "I have permission to come here. Specifically to make a profile."

"That's great!" - She exclaimed sarcastically, "But why are you insisting that I come?!"

"Because..." - Will sighed, then gave her an angry look, "This is the only way I can get you to talk to me. Since you've been avoiding my questions and calls, maybe you should do a profile. That's what you're best at."

Eliana didn't respond, but reached for her pocket, taking out a folded piece of paper. She unfolded it, bringing it closer to Will's face. "Look."

"Has the murder of Rosie Mills finally been solved?" - The local newspaper headline said, with Eliana's picture splattered on the page. "You'd really like to stain your career by bringing me here?"

"Stain my career? You haven't seen the headlines they make about me?" - He said mockingly, taking the paper from her hand. "As I already said, Eliana, I don't care about those things. And if you assumed that it'd make me think any less of you, you're dead wrong. What DOES bother me... Is dishonesty."

"To be honest then... I've spoken to Hannibal." - She disclosed, "That's what made me busy. It's not that I've been avoiding you."

"So, did you find something out?"

"He's being very vauge, avoiding my inquires. I can't figure out if Miriam escaped." - She shook her head in disappointed, "He's playing with us again."

Will paused, then came dangerously close to her. "So, you were fine speaking with him?"

"Well... Yes." - She avoided eye contact, "You told me to do it."

"I didn't expect you would do it so quickly." - He spoke in a low voice as he lifted her chin, making her look at him. A few seconds passed as the tension made Eliana's heart pound in her ears. "But, you're right... Jack and I suggested it. You only followed our plan."

He took a step back, and Eliana finally took a breath.

"Now that this is done, shall we go inside?" - Will continued in a collected manner.

He went ahead and opened the door of the office which became a crime scene. Three weeks had already passed, but the floor remained uncleaned, with traces of blood lingering on the white tiles. Besides the occasional drops of blood on medical instruments, the room appeared perfectly functional.

"So, Greg Speare, an endocrinologist, was murdered right here, 3 weeks ago. He was the first of three victims, all who died from violent hits to the head..." - Will expained while taking out crime scene photos.

Eliana listened carefully as he expained the full case. "Hmm..." - She tilted her head while thinking, "This killer is somehow lost. He doesn't know what to believe in."

"And that's why he's willing to believe in anything. He didn't choose to seek salvation in just sience or religion... Instead, it could be any of those. He doesn't care where he finds it, it just matters that he does." - Will followed up.

"So, what do you think that tells us?"

"Most people would choose just one... Depending on their upbringing or experience."

"But he grew up without guidance. Which means he's probably an orphan." -
Eliana assesed, "And, you also said that the person seemed harmless. That's why the victims let him in. And, which part of the population tends to look innocent, and doesn't hold strong beliefs, at the same time?"

"Young people." - Will replied, "The killer is young. Late teens or early twenties."

"That's right." - Eliana's eyes sparkled with a newfound enthusiasm, "And I think there's a reason Greg Speare was the first victim! The killer found a sense of power particularly in killing THIS man, that's why he continued."

"The killer could be a patient. One that doctor Speare diagnosed."

"So, we should look for a young person who is an orphan, and had a recent serious diagnosis by doctor Greg Spheare." - Eliana's enthusiasm suddenly dropped, "I mean... YOU should look."

"That's about right." - Will's expression turned into a tender smile, "And this is why I think you should continue being a profiler... You can even leave me speechless."

"Yeah... But I don't think I like being so insightful." - She dropped her head, but lifted it once again as a new idea came to her. "But since I am, I can't help but notice there's something off here... The killer doesn't strike me as someone who'd just come to this idea. He's angry, sad, probably all alone... But he's not evil.  Why would he suddenly switch from searching for a real cure, to feeling temporary pleasure?"

"That's right, it doesn't make sense. I noticed it, too. And I was wondering if you'd say the same thing." - Will stared pacing the room, "The killer was willing to accept anything, as long as it provided him relief. Since he's misguided and alone, he's an easy target for... outside influence. So what if someone came to him, and suggested he starts killing?"

"So... You think someone manipulated him into killing?" - Eliana frowned.

"If I had to guess... I's say yes."

-------------------------------------------------------------

Author's note: This scene turned out to be very long, so the storyline will be extended into the next chapter.