AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You joke, but I got a lot of creepy attention after I started my serial killer website. I was only sixteen, and I didn’t know how to deal with some of the weirdos who came out of the woodwork. The Internet has made it easier for these people to find each other. The idea is for the dominant one to nurture that fascination with serial killers to the point that the other one is willing to participate in murders. Like I said, it’s not common, but it happens. But I’m sure you’ve already considered this.”
“There have been a few events in this case that have led us in that direction,” Kendra said. “What we need to know is if it’s likely that a man who has a record of homicides like Barrett would take a partner for just one massacre or if it would more likely have to be an established relationship before it would take place?”
“It could go either way,” Suber said. “It depends on how strong the relationship between the two partners is. But it usually takes a long time to develop a complicated arrangement that would support a life-or-death decision.” He paused. “Unless both parties are natural-born or psychically damaged killers. Then it only requires that one can overpower the other emotionally or mentally and get their own way.”
“The Alpha personality,” Kendra said.
“Like I said, that’s usually how these duos manage to come together. A stronger personality goes looking for someone to conquer and they usually find them. Character traits can determine how deadly the relationship can be. Sometimes there are no murders involved. But more often the stronger individual wins the day. If they demand deaths, then there will be deaths.”
“But you wouldn’t think that Barrett would be the weaker considering his background,” Lynch said.
“You can never tell. How do you know what kind of background the person who killed Barrett had? Perhaps he’d murdered even more people than Barrett. But the only difference might be how clever he was since he wasn’t caught. Or if I were to make a guess, I’d bet that this was a longtime relationship and Barrett’s partner killed at least a few of the victims Barrett was charged with when he was arrested.”
“And Barrett didn’t give him up, but took the hit?”
Suber smiled. “But that’s how the relationship works. The Alpha dictates the rules and may kill if he wishes or may designate a kill.”
“And still get off scot-free? I can’t believe Barrett didn’t try to take him down.”
“Perhaps he was planning on it,” Lynch said suddenly. “Either giving him up to the law or finding another way to get rid of him. Maybe his Alpha partner realized he couldn’t trust him any longer and that was the reason he set those charges.”
“Actually, that’s quite reasonable,” Suber said. “These relationships are very secretive by both parties. No one outside the duo ends up knowing about them, not family, priest, or friends. You can see why? Shame or death must be fairly common.”
And Suber said that almost without expression, Kendra noticed. It was just an exercise to him. Well, who was she to criticize? Because he studied and became knowledgeable about these monsters, he could tell the rest of the world how to rid themselves of them. “You were studying case files from the last ten years last night. Could you weed out a few of the more likely ones that help us to understand them?”
“Or perhaps pick out one that might zero in on your killer?” He chuckled. “I told you that I wasn’t able to do that. Though I wish I could, for the sake of Metcalf and all those other victims. But I’ll be glad to try to point out a few that managed to catch the attention of family members or our own agents. I particularly remember one college student, David Spalman, who lived in San Luis Obispo.”
“I remember that,” Kendra said. “He killed several members of his high school football team.”
“Four. He died in an accident before he could be arrested. What you may not remember is that his father swore that he had fallen under the influence of someone else. Someone who practically forced him to do it. According to his dad, Spalman never would have become a killer if this mysterious ‘someone’ hadn’t come into his life.”
“Did the father have a name?”
“No. And investigators’ attempts to find this person went absolutely nowhere. Either he was amazingly good at covering his tracks, or he never really existed. The agents I spoke to tend to think the father was just looking for someone else to blame. The father had no proof, and the FBI couldn’t find anything to substantiate the claim. The question was moot because the kid drove his car off a cliff just as law enforcement was moving in. It sounds like there may be a similar dynamic at work in your case, so you may want to at least talk to this guy and a few others. Metcalf will give you the paperwork.” He added, “Good luck catching your monster. Be sure and give me credit when you lock him up.”
“It will be our pleasure,” Lynch said. “We’ll give credit to both you and Metcalf.”
“Oh, yes, that’s what I meant,” Suber said. “Let me know if I can help you again.” He ended the call.
“That came very close to what Jackie Gabert said,” Kendra said. “And it didn’t sound any better coming from Suber. In spite of his very educated accent, it’s still nasty stuff.”
“All the more reason for us to try to wrap it up,” Lynch said. “Come on, we’ll drive over to Metcalf’s and pick up those files. I’ll even volunteer to go to the front door and brave his mother while you cower in the car.”
***
3:40P.M.
Home of Gerald Spalman
San Luis Obispo, California
Kendra and Lynch had made stops at the homes of three other families whose files Metcalf had given them before they ended up at the Spalman residence that Suber had told them about.
Everything about the Spalman home appeared to reflect a typical middle-class California subdivision: red-tiled roof, stucco construction, scarlet hibiscus plant growing in a pot beside the front door.
Everything but the ten-foot chain-link fence encircling the property, and the faded graffiti marks on the walk approaching the front door.
A thin, gray-haired man met Kendra and Lynch as they reached the front porch.
