Part Two
Ford
GABRIELLA'S BRACELET SITS BETWEEN US.
Detective Barrera started work early today, and considering my pathetic two-hour sleep last night, I figured the best thing I could do was to just get up and get the statement out of the way already.
When I did manage to dip into unconsciousness, the vivid memory of drugging Genevieve darkened my mind and I woke with a jerk, my body blanketed by a thin sheen of perspiration. Maybe that's the way guilt manifests in my body instead of physically experiencing the emotion.
I've already provided Detective Barrera with my account of last night by omitting the fact that Genevieve and I received a message from Jean Sommers. Given the lack of information he was able to supply me with, it seems pointless even mentioning it. But because we're both Red Alert, he licenses the ambiguity of my statement and has hastily segued to Gabriella's bracelet, leaving my name out of the official public investigation.
We're situated in a standard interrogation room with the one-way mirror. What settles me is that I know for a fact no one's observing our discussion, considering our frequent mentions of Red Alert and alluding to the fact that I have evidence I'm keeping private from the cops.
"It was covered in Gabriella's blood. We had to test it before we could clean it for you. Figured you'd rather it was freshly washed than marred with dry blood," he announces, gesturing at the bracelet between us that isn't nestled inside an evidence bag. "We want to pin this fucker, but they're not giving us much." Detective Barrera leans forwards on his elbows. "Tell me what you're thinking. I know you've got a penchant to profile."
"I believe the selection of girls—minus Gabriella—have been random. When they've left them on our doorstep, they've not been neatly arranged or positioned. Rather, they've just been dumped carelessly, suggesting they have no emotional connection to the victims and feel no guilt or remorse over what they've done. Because of this, I believe the entire thing is privatised. They want to keep it strictly between Red Alert and them, and more specifically, us six guys in our house. Based on the graduation of MO to dismemberment, I believe it's someone who's been exposed to a world of crime since a young age... maybe even have some affiliation to Red Alert, and they want our world and every intricate detail to be exposed to the town." I pause as Detective Barrera assimilates my theory. "Were Gabriella's limbs arranged precisely where Demi's were? And were they dismembered post-mortem?"
"Dismembered post-mortem, and yes, the arrangement of her limbs mirrored Demi's. There's something disturbing there. Our medical examiner noted that the incisions were cut carefully to dismember them, but not professionally. Suggests theory research but no practical research or expertise."
I nod. "Maybe they work in a profession where they need calculations to be perfect and have to check them repeatedly—something to that degree, because the amputations are not medically precise. The accuracy of the cutting has been improved too, almost like Demi was a trial run." I pause again. "Tell me about the girls."
He inclines his head thoughtfully. "I'd assume you've researched them on West Point."
"I have, but I can only garner so much information. You've got the grounds to interview family members and friends."
"Based on what others have said about them, it contradicts what you believe about the girls being random. Riley, Demi and Gabriella were all lonely. Riley and Demi were depressed with low self-esteem, so it can be inferred that no one would entirely miss them. Iesha had already been isolated from her friends and family with Bullet and Red Alert's typical involvement with your... game. It seems Gabriella was an opportunity not to be missed to toy with you further, given she conformed to the standards the killer required of the girls. They're intentionally choosing girls that aren't entirely happy with a raging social life."
