Profile of Retribution: FBI Profiler Romantic Suspense (Profile Series #3) (14 page)

“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out my perp is targeting Bradley and Tisha Lucas, the parents of Devan and Evan Lucas.”

“I agree. I read your report and think your theory is correct. Your suspect is a white male who lost a loved one to the Gamers. It was this specific stressor in your offender’s life that fueled and built up his desire to harm the Lucas couple.”

“It’s no secret he’s pissed off and looking for someone to blame,” Cameron added.

“Losing a loved one to violence often causes the victims’ families and friends to be angry, but your suspect is more than angry. He’s vengeful, and believes the only way he can honor the death of his loved one is through exacting revenge on the murderers. Since their sons are unavailable for his wrath, it is logical for him to focus on the Gamers’ parents.”

“Help me narrow down the suspects, Carly.”

Pulling out her notes, she said, “Your unsub is antisocial. He may appear to be outwardly friendly, but at the same time he is the bogeyman who harasses the Lucas couple and means them harm.”

“What are your thoughts on his personality?”

“Your suspect has a vindictive personality with an inability to forgive. He obsesses over a slight or insult. He has anger issues and needs to feel he is in complete control at all times. His type of anger slowly builds and eventually explodes. He’s volatile, so it could take just the threat of disrespect, disloyalty, or mistreatment to set him off.”

“Do you think this is the first time he’s sought revenge?”

Carly shook her head. “No. This is not the first time he’s retaliated over a perceived offense or mistreatment. Your suspect has a history of getting even with employers who have mistreated him, relatives who have offended him, and friends who have been disloyal. His perception of the event is the key here. Keep in mind, he may perceive insults when there were none.”

Cameron was quiet for a moment. Carly could hear the click of his keys as he typed notes on his computer. “I assume my perp would think the murder of his family member as a milestone life event.”

“That’s an understatement. He’d perceive the murder of a family member as victimization for which he would go to great lengths to exact revenge. His desire for revenge could quickly turn into an obsession, making it difficult for him to think of anything else.”

“Got anything to add to a physical description?”

“He’s in good enough physical condition to handle the bloody rock and the paint vandalism of the Lucas business office. I doubt he is a stranger to physical altercations, so he’d have to keep himself fit to win fights. Because his crimes were committed on various nights of the week, he may be either unemployed, retired, or employed at a job where he can make his own hours.”

“Interesting.”

“Did you enter the information about the crimes in the ViCAP database?”

“Yes, and got nothing. I don’t think our guy has done anything like this before. I think the murder of his loved one pushed him over the edge. He can’t get past his rage and need for retribution.”

“I’m not sure I agree with that theory. I think it’s likely your guy has a criminal record for assault, vandalism, and/or stalking. Your suspect is not afraid to get confrontational and physical. After reading your notes, I think his behavior is escalating, and your fears he may harm Bradley and Tisha are realistic. He will not stop until he perceives they have paid enough. Ultimately, that could be with their lives. The unsub believes that only retaliation will bring him peace.”

“The rock-throwing incident was well-planned.”

“I agree. He’s an organized offender who carefully plans his attacks. Bringing blood to the scene to coat the rock is a good example of his planning, as is using gloves to ensure his fingerprints were not left behind to identify him. Your offender is methodical, spends time watching his victims, and displays control over the scene. If he escalates to using weapons, you will find that he brings the weapons to the scene, and they leave the scene with him.”

“What about the letter?”

“It was interesting that he chose David, the author of the Psalm 109, which calls upon God to destroy his enemies in the most horrible ways. Note that David not only sought the punishment of his enemy, but also the painful consequences brought on his family. Your unsub may have studied the Bible a great deal to discover this psalm to justify his actions. It’s also possible that your guy is a religious fanatic with an ‘eye for an eye’ mentality.”

“To say I was disappointed the lab didn’t find DNA or fingerprints on the letter is an understatement.”

“Although the lab didn’t find DNA or prints, it is still significant in that someday it will provide the proof you need to arrest him, if you find another letter or similar writings on his property.”

“Yeah, if I ever get a suspect to search.”

“You will, Cam. I just hope you find him before he does his worst.”

Chapter Twenty-nine

Robynn

Just because Robynn Burton agreed to interview Kaitlyn Reece for Cam Chase didn’t mean she had to like it. Conflict of interest, she understood, but did the interviewee have to be the sister of one of the Gamers’ murder victims? Evan and Devan Lucas may have killed seven young women, but it didn’t end there. There were two or three times that number of victims left behind, whose lives had been made a living hell, thanks to two sick, teenaged boys who made murder a game.

Robynn felt nothing but compassion for the families of victims. That’s what made this case difficult. One of the grieving may be seeking his or her own justice. And it was the job of law enforcement officers like Robynn and Cameron Chase to put a stop to it before someone got hurt.

She drove through a black iron security gate and onto the long paved driveway leading to the Chase home. Robynn marveled at the beauty of the grounds, which looked more like a state park than a residence. A morning spring shower had left the plants glistening like jewels. There was a thicket of trees, branches covered by buds, on either side of the driveway. Shafts of light speared through the trees, reminding Robynn of walks she used to take as a child with her foster mom long ago.

Soon a massive redwood and stone house appeared, looking more like a nature lodge than someone’s home. A series of long tinted windows graced the front and side of the house, opening it to the surroundings. Robynn, who’d always lived in town, wondered what it was like to live in such a grand place at one with nature. By the time she parked her vehicle and gathered her things, Gabe Chase was waiting for her, his muscular arms folded across his chest. The good looks gene was alive and well in the Chase brothers. However, this Chase brother looked very annoyed, which was not a surprise.

“Good morning, Gabe.”

“Can’t say I feel the same.” He scrubbed a hand across the roughened stubble of his face in frustration.

“Look, Gabe, I’m not exactly thrilled about having to interview Kaitlyn, either. But she has to be interviewed, even if it’s just to rule her out as a suspect. It’s a conflict of interest for Cameron to do it, so he asked me.”

“Just make it quick and as painless as possible. Kaitlyn is grieving for Abby, the sister Evan and Devan Lucas took from her. She’s been through enough.”

Robynn nodded. “I understand.”

“Just so you know, I think it’s ludicrous to think of Kaitlyn as one of the suspects for crimes against the Lucas couple. She’s one of the kindest people I know. This is a woman who avoids stepping on ants. Do you really think she could coat a large rock with animal blood, let alone thrust it through a glass window? It’s just not in her DNA to harm animals or people.”

Robynn angled her body toward the front door. “Thanks for sharing that, Gabe. But I still have to interview her.”

Taking the hint, Gabe led her inside the house into a huge room that held a wall-to-wall stone fireplace on one side and a bank of windows on the other. Two sofas faced each other over a dark wood coffee table in front of the fireplace, and several comfortable chairs were grouped together near tables with lamps. Various magazines and books lay on the tables. Overhead was a soaring ceiling with maple beams.

“Your home is amazing.”

“The house belongs to all three of us, Brody, Cam and me. It was built by my parents and was intended to become a nature lodge one day when they retired. The house is divided into six suites. Kaitlyn and I live in one upstairs, and Cam has a suite down here. Soon we will start construction on the home that Kaitlyn and I are building. Our parents always wanted their grandchildren to grow up on this land together. My brothers and I will make that happen.”

“So for now this is the only structure on the property?”

“No. There’s a guest house in the back that my parents named the ‘Honeymoon Cottage.’ It was a wedding present to my mom from my dad. They lived there while the house was being built. Brody was born while they lived in the cottage. Brody and Carly live there now, and when they return from their honeymoon, they will call it home.”

“I see. How much property is here?” Robynn was in awe. She’d never visited such a massive and beautiful place.

“We have three hundred acres of woods, hills, valleys, a fishing lake we stock, and miles of running or walking trails. We like our privacy. No hunting is allowed on our land. The only thing we aim at wildlife is our cameras.”

Kaitlyn entered the room with a large brown dog. “Hello, Detective Burton.”

“Please, call me Robynn.”

“Okay, Robynn. Won’t you please sit down?” Kaitlyn waved her hand toward the sofas and sat down across from Robynn, the dog sitting erect at her feet.

Robynn had never been an avid dog lover. She’d seen too many K-9s take down suspects. This one was making her a little anxious. Its eyes hadn’t left her since it entered the room.

“I just brewed some fresh coffee. Would you like a cup?” Kaitlyn offered.

“Yes, thank you. That sounds great.”

“I’ll get it,” Gabe said, over his shoulder, as he left the room.

Robynn lay her briefcase on the floor next to the coffee table and returned her attention to Kaitlyn. “Tell me about your dog.”

Kaitlyn let out a sigh, as if she were relieved to be asked to talk about something pleasant. Smiling, she stroked the dog affectionately. “This is Godiva. Gabe and I found her in a box someone placed in the middle of a highway. Godiva belongs to both Gabe and me, but she’s become the best friend I’ve ever had.”

Robynn couldn’t help but warm toward the dog when she cuddled against Kaitlyn’s leg as she patted her head. “I think she feels the same way about you. Why did you name her Godiva?”

Kaitlyn’s smile widened and the dog curled up at her feet. “The vet said she was a Chocolate Labrador Retriever, and Godiva is my favorite kind of chocolate. She’s a loyal dog and smart, too. She just started training with Frankie Douglas-Hansen to become a search dog, like her Giant Schnauzer, Hunter.”

“No kidding?”

Kaitlyn looked like a proud parent. “Godiva is just beginning her training, but Frankie said that last week she tracked a handkerchief with Gabe’s scent that was hidden under a rock.”

Gabe walked into the room wearing a chef apron and carrying a large tray, which he set down on the coffee table between the sofas. On the tray was a carafe of hot coffee, two mugs, a small pitcher of cream and bowl of sugar, along with a basket of blueberry muffins. “Enjoy, ladies.” He poured hot coffee into the mugs.

Watching the muscular man as he left the room, Robynn picked up her mug to sip her coffee. “Does he always run around in a chef apron?”

“Only when it’s his turn to cook. Each of us takes a turn to make dinner. He’s putting some things together for tonight’s meal before he leaves for his office. I think he’s making a potato salad to go with the steaks we’re grilling.”

“Great system.”

“It’s kind of a tradition. No matter how hectic our days have been, we sit down to a good meal with the rest of the family for dinner. My family was never all that talkative, so I really enjoy our evening meals. We each share what’s happened during our days. Law enforcement is such a demanding job and it’s good for Carly, Brody, Cam, and Gabe to have a place to vent.”

Robynn noted the opportunity to segue into the interview. “What about you, Kaitlyn? Do you need a place to vent?”

“If you’re talking about my work as an elementary teacher, then the answer is sometimes. There are times when the children in my class tell stories of their home life that break my heart. If you’re referring to the support group I helped start for families of murder victims, the answer is still yes. I’m grieving for my sister, and it helps to talk with people who have lost their loved ones the same way I lost Abby.”

“Tell me about your support group.”

“Margaret Bennett, a mental health counselor, heads the group, which provides families of murder victims some emotional support in dealing with their terrible loss.”

“But your particular support group is a little special compared to most groups that support murdered victims’ families, right?”

Kaitlyn’s eyes narrowed, and for a moment Robynn thought she might not answer her question. But she did. “Our group is made up of families of the seven young women who Evan and Devan Lucas, the Gamers, tortured and murdered. We understand what those who have never lost a loved one to violence cannot. Each of us knows what the other is going through because the same teenaged sociopaths senselessly snuffed out the life of a daughter, sister, mother, or wife belonging to someone in the room. We understand because we are each experiencing the same kind of nightmare, thanks to the same perpetrators.”