The Coffin Maker

Chapter 8

Ailsa thought about her visit to the farm the previous day and her mother's disclosure. Every son or daughter has difficulty imagining a parent suffering the angst of youth, she thought. Why is it we refuse to believe that romance could be anything other than an exclusive right of the now generation? It felt special that her mother shared her life-long secret with her.

She drove downtown to the FBI regional office knowing that Blackwood's arrival would kick the investigation into overdrive. His absence made her feelings for him grow stronger and she struggled with his notion that self-imposed celibacy was the only way to avoid missed clues in an investigation. Her own experience showed the opposite...some of her best eureka moments came while lying in bed, bathing in relaxation, her creative mind free from clutter. He carries the weight of Shania Johnson's death around like a ball and chain, she thought, as though he alone were responsible.

Ailsa was with Wu in the FBI office discussing some newly released movie trailers when there was a knock at the door and Wu's administrative assistant escorted Blackwood into the office. Wu got to her feet. Blackwood grasped her outstretched hand and much to Ailsa's surprise, planted a kiss on Wu's cheek. "It's good to see you again, Lily!" said Blackwood. Lily? An enduring nickname of endearment? Ailsa watched as Wu ran her fingers across his temple and kissed his ear. Blackwood turned, offered Ailsa a cursory handshake and asked, "How are you, Craig?" A wave of embarrassment flooded her body and she felt the blood rush up her face to the tips of her ears. How can he be so cold? I thought he liked me. This is going to be a lot harder than I thought.

Foregoing small talk, Wu gave a rundown of the investigation to date and provided a general summary of the Petersen meeting. She asked Blackwood to give his assessment of the offender. He wasted no time and delivered a profile of the offender without the aid of notes.

"Voyeurism is a sexual disorder under the category of paraphilias when it is characterized by seeking sexual gratification by the observation of unsuspecting strangers undressing, in a naked state, or engaged in sexual activity. Our man is a voyeur," said Blackwood. "With the exception of the initial seizure event, his victims remain untouched because he has no desire to touch them, only to watch them. He might prefer that they are unaware of his presence but, in his control, he may actually believe his captive wants to be observed."

Ailsa's mind wandered. The tone of Blackwood's voice harkened back to the chicken dinner at the sheep farm and the shared liter of wine. She had to force herself to concentrate.

"In his youth, he spied on the girl next door and on the women in his neighborhood," said Blackwood. "He may have learned this activity from another child, possibly an older female who organized 'play doctor' events, you know, "I'll show mine, you show yours" and developed an appetite paralleling her enthusiasm. He was a minor participant in social activities but not so little that he stood out as a loner. However, while his classmates were getting laid, he wasn't and over time he developed a preference to be alone in his pursuit of gratification requiring only a source of stimulation. He is at least in his late forties. He is married but it is a marriage of convenience so he can fit in and present himself as normal."

Ailsa was mesmerized listening to him... his wisdom, experience...artistry. It was as though he had a palate before him painting a wanted poster of the perpetrator.

"In adulthood, he frequented strip clubs until he no longer had the privacy deemed essential for his sexual experience. With increasing age, he lacked the strength or stealth to peer into women's backyards and bedrooms and he has constructed a hideout using a basement, a garage, or an isolated cabin as a lair to imprison victims. This hideaway may have a stripper's pole that his victims are encouraged to utilize and this is where things get scary. He links compassion for the victim to his criteria for pleasure and if she stimulates him...in a manner mimicking of an unsuspecting victim, he rewards her with food. If not...if she hides her womanliness, he withholds the nourishment necessary to sustain life. This might explain why Morgan McMahon lived considerably longer than Ms. Kalita. He feels absolved of murder when they die because he believes it was their own decision that led to their demise. The pathology reports show no wounds or marks on the wrists or legs but although she is unrestrained, the horror experienced by the victim is incalculable. She may suspect he is watching her but is uncertain whether her kidnapper is present at any given time. He may visit her only for a short time and possibly not every day. He is a budding DIY woodworker and has a workshop where he is at liberty to build his coffins free from interruption and suspicion. He is beginning to think that his cleverness knows no bounds. His signature coffins are indicative that he believes he is immune from capture. He will continue to search out victims until apprehension. Catching him will be a challenge. It will require each of us getting into his head, thinking as he does."