Three Libras - BLACKBIRD book 4

15. focus

The hall buzzed with TV crews setting cameras, microphones, wires, lights. Reporters from all kinds of media outlets picked their seats before the podium. They were many more than expected and it would take a little longer to accommodate all of them, but the agent in charge of the Press Office swore they would be able to start the conference by five p.m. tops.

Brock had taken a break to grab a late lunch and now he was back to the third floor. He stood near the double doors, watching the techs work, when Russell joined him. Brock arched his eyebrows, as if asking what he was doing there.

"We can deliver the profile to Banks' staff when you're done here."

Brock scowled—Russell had profiled both subjects, by himself, in only a couple of hours?

Russell held his eyes, at the brink of a smirk. "Didn't you want me to focus on the case? Well, I am focused."

Brock heard the two words Russell didn't say—are you? He wasn't about to engage in that conversation now. "What do we have?"

"Both white. The dominant is in his late twenties. According to the footprints analysis, the submissive is physically smaller, and I think he's several years younger. The dominant allows the submissive to use his weapon of choice and shoot their victims to keep him engaged. It looks a lot like a mentor/mentored bond." Brock nodded. "At least the dominant has a record. They're both local and blue-collar."

"Blue collar?"

"They blend in at the bad areas of the city, where outsiders stand out and usually get assaulted by gangs."

Brock frowned. "Roxbury is a working-class area, but the first victim was found..."

"Between Roxbury and Jamaica Plain, off Blue Hill Avenue. That part of Roxbury is okay, and Jamaica Plain is a nice neighborhood. But that specific area along this avenue is dangerous. Few people venture on the secondary streets at night. Nina Evans did because she lived only two streets away from where she was killed."

Brock nodded. No outstanding conclusions out of the box. Could it be that Gillian hadn't been poking around after her visit to the Coroner's? "Anything on the signature?"

"I'm convinced it's one of the stabs. This far, we've found two which are exactly the same on both victims. A slicing blow across the throat and a puncturing wound on the palm of the right hand."

Brock narrowed his eyes, thinking. "The throat is a killing blow, while the hand..."

Russell nodded. "T is searching VICAP now."

Brock was about to ask something more when a man his age walked into the hall with Aldana and approached them.

"Frank, this is SSA Brockner, in charge of the case, and SSA Coleman," she introduced, and said to Brock. "This is Frank Muller, sir. He received the second message."

They shook the man's hand while Aldana excused herself and left.

"Nice to meet you," said Russell. "Hope you're doing well."

Muller flashed a tight smile. "Just wishing this were all over for good. Feels like a nightmare." He shrugged. "Not only for me. This is hard for the boys in blue too. It's Lloyd's murder all over again."

Russell nodded with an understanding grimace. "Yeah. I knew Lloyd myself. He was a fine guy."

"Yes, he was. I still remember his funeral. Banks was devastated. I think he escaped the hospital to attend, because he could barely stand. Yet there he was, with Gillian to hold him up."

Brock narrowed his eyes, as Gillian's words echoed in his mind. D'you think you're the only one who lost a loved one to the Libra?

"Yeah, it's hard," Russell said. "Mr. Muller, we may need your help during the conference, in case—"

"Don't worry, Agent. I've already talked to Gillian."

Brock's face darkened. Gillian not poking around. Sure. Anytime. She'd instructed Muller? What about?

Muller didn't notice his questioning scowl and nodded at the chairs. "Now if you'll excuse me." The man went on into the hall to pick his seat.

Brock turned to Russell. "What was he talking about?"

Russell swallowed a sigh. "Andrew Lloyd, the local cop the Libra killed back in 2006. He was Banks' best friend. And yes, Reg knew him and was friends with him too."

Brock breathed in, another flashback from his argument with Gillian echoing in his mind. I can tell you the fear and grief he caused are still right there. So don't come tell me I don't know what I'm talking about. Now he knew what she meant. But if anything, it only fed his anger. She'd said he was too emotionally involved? When the Libra had killed one of her friends? Cunning, arrogant and now hypocrite too! Looked like the list of her virtues grew longer by the hour.

Before he could say anything about it, an agent approached them. "Agent Brockner, we're ready, sir."

Brock followed him as Aldana came back into the hall. She joined Russell with a concerned look at Brock. "How is he?"

"Loathing Reg. Currently for being able to keep her head cooler than him," replied Russell. "But if you ask me, it's better for him this way, Al. Being so angry at her keeps him from reliving his wife's death too much."

Aldana frowned. "You don't think she's doing it in purpose..."

"No. So we better don't tell'er about it."

Aldana sighed, agreeing.