Understanding A Killer

Desperately reckless

"Jackson Pawell. A freshman in college. As an orphan, he spent his whole life in foster care. The average he spent at one place would be 2 months." -  Jack read from a file out loud. "6 months ago, he was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called Werner syndrome. A particulary bad case. Lots of complications. His life expectancy is no longer than 10 years."

The crowd who listened to Jack consisted of Will, agent Bates and a few more behavioural specialists, all gathered in a tight FBI meeting room.

"And, guess who was the first person who diagnosed him?" - Jack inquired.

"Doctor Greg Spheare. The first victim." - Agent Bates anwsered.

"Correct." - Jack lifted his finger, "Jackson Pawell fits Will's profile perfectly."

"And since when is Agent Bates part of our team?" - Will mentioned scoffingly.

"Since you went to prison and your lovely student has been deemed mentally unfit for the job." - Agent Bates mocked, "It's no suprise the bureau has concluded you need new people."

"Yeah. Right. And since when are you a behavioural specialist?" - Will continued in the same tone.

"Will, drop it." - Jack interrupted.

"I may not be experinced in the particular subject, but I have noticed something immensely interesting." - Agent Bates got in front, reading from a file. "Our suspect underwent psychiatric treatment 5 months ago. The person who treated him was no other than Docor Frederick Chilton. How's that for a 'outside influence' you mentioned, Agent Graham?"

"You're right. That is interesting." - Will massaged his temple as a bad feeling washed over him. "But it could be completely irrelevant."

"Do you really think so?" -  Bates spoke with pride in his voice, "There have been loud theories that Chilton made Abel Gideon belive he was the Ripper. Wasn't he also the one who conducted unorthodox therapies on you while you were imprisoned?"

"I think that's enough theories for now." - Jack's voice was annoyed, "Let's go meet our suspect."

To Will's irritation, all three of them were to visit Jackson's place. He lived in a small apartment near the campus, barely
a worthy living space.

Jack knocked a few times, but there was no response.

"Maybe it's unlocked." - Jack sighed as he pulled the doorknob.

His hopes were anwsered as the door ended up opening.

"Jack, I have a bad feeling about this." - Will whispered, avoiding Bates's gaze.

"Jackson? Hello?" - Jack called out while looking around.

Jackson was, however, nowhere to be seen, and the apartment basically consisted of only one room, so they didn't have space for more searching. They walked around, eying the mess his room consisted of. Things were scattered all around, dirty dishes filled the kitchen sink and trash laid in every corner.

Most of the trash was not random, as it consisted of advertisements and invitations that promoted religious communities or self proclaimed healers. In the middle of the apartment was a white board with more places providing hope, curative products and magical crystals.

Looking for a miracle? Look no further! - was just one of the flyers glued to the board.

"Wow. This guy would really settle for anything." - Jack commented.

"He's just 18. Far too young to feel this way." - Fill's face turned to a sad frown.

"It's just as you said." - Agent Bates asessed, "He was most definitely prone to manipulation."

He opened the laptop that laid on table, studying it promptly. Will and Jack gathered around as Agent Bates scrolled through the opened tabs. He went through the emails, finding one particular adress that stood out. It read Frederick Chilton's name, and numerous unanwsered messages.

"I tried what you suggested. I am so grateful for your help."

"Why aren't you anwsering? I don't feel so good. Maybe I made a mistake."

"I haven't been able to sleep for a few days. I think it was a horrible mistake, after all. Please, respond."

"Doctor, since I can't reach you, I'll have to meet you in person."

The email thread ended with the last message being sent yesterday.

"So, he felt guilty after he killed those people. And he went to find the one who apparently suggested it." - Jack noted.

"A psychiatrist who pushed him into it. A master manipilator." - Agent Bates exclaimed with delight.

Will refrained from commenting, gritting his teeth in anger. He leaned in to Jack, speaking quietly. "I knew there was something off about this case. Whatever we find in Chilton's house... It's gonna be very bad."

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Chilton's house was completely empty, and the man hadn't shown up for work.  As the suspicion grew im the FBI circles, a weekend home in his possesion came up in a meeting. A warrant was issued, and agents came swarming in, prepared to bring Chilton in.

What they found, instead, was Chilton's dead body, seemingly killed from blows to the head. There was no trace of Jackson Pawell.

As they continued searching the house, even more evidence came up. A secret room that led to a giant basement filled with fridges, and frozen organs inside them. There were drugs on the shelves, the legal and illegal kind, mostly used for altering one's psychological status.

At this point, Will was entirely sure the organs would be identified as the Chesepeke Ripper's victims. As the Ripper got reckless, in the end, he was killed by his own project. He tempered with the wrong person, an unstable teeneger that did the unexpected. Chilton fit the Ripper profile perfectly, and there were suspicions even prior to this incident. The man possesed intelligence, wealth, status, closeness to the police and surgical skills. So, it didn't come as a suprise. Chilton was the Chesepeke Ripper. Or, so the FBI was made to believe.

As the sirens wailed in the distance, Will watched as another thread of his patience seemed to be taken away. How long could he play this game?

Jack joined him with s sigh. "Chilton will be proclaimed the Ripper. If no new murders arise, the case will be closed."

"Yeah." - Will spoke without looking at Jack. "But why did he do it now? He had no reason to set up Chilton."

"Or, maybe he did." - Jack raised both eyebrows.

"Yeah... This is rushed! It's reckless." - Will turned around, making sure no one was around to listen. "It's a desperate move. Is he scared he'll get caught?"

"There is no reason to be scared, unless... He's afraid of what Miriam has to say."

"We have no idea where Miriam is. But... Even if she were to be found dead, it would put suspicion on him, based on Eliana's statement. So, he made Chilton the Ripper as a precaution."

"Which means Miriam definitely escaped." - Jack's voice shook.

"Well, that anwsers our question. Our real Ripper is anxious. But he needs more time... He can't leave yet. For whatever reason." - Will smirked, "I never expected to see him make such a pathetically desperate move."

"So, did we just get closer of further from catching him?"

"I don't know. But he's shown us a new colour... One that could turn the tide."