“Because he believed Mills and Kohli were dirty, or because he is?”
“The former, I believe. This isn’t the act of someone protecting themselves but one of avenging. Your killer is systematic and sees himself as dispensing justice. He wants his victims marked as Judas, wants their crimes to be revealed.”
“Then why not simply expose them? The data’s there if you want to find it.”
“That isn’t enough. The loss of the badge, the disgrace. It’s too easy. Their punishment must come from him. He or she was punished in some way, very likely through the job, in a manner that is perceived as unjust. Perhaps he was falsely accused of some infraction. The system somehow failed him, and now cannot be trusted.”
“They knew him, or her.”
“Yes, I’m sure of it. Not only because the victims seem
to have been unprepared for the attack but because, psychologically, this connection only increases the rage. It’s very likely they worked with their killer. Possibly, some act of theirs was responsible, at least in the killer’s judgment, for the injustice that occurred to him. When you find him, Eve, you’ll find connections.”
“Do you see him in a position of authority?”
“A badge is a position of authority.”
“Of command, then?”
“Possibly. But not as one who’s confident of command, no. His confidence comes from his rage, and his rage, in part, from his disillusionment in the system he’s represented. In the system his victims had sworn to represent.”
“The system screwed him, they screwed the system. Why blame them?”
“Because they profited by its flaws, and he lost.”
Eve nodded. It jelled for her. “You’re aware now that the One twenty-eight is suspected of having a serious internal problem. The connection with organized crime. With Max Ricker.”
“Yes, your report to me made that clear.”
“I have to tell you, Dr. Mira, that it’s been established that Detective Kohli was clean, and part of an IAB operation attempting to uncover this corruption.”
“I see.” Her clear eyes clouded. “I see.”
“I don’t know if the killer is aware of this as yet, but I doubt it. What will his reaction be when he learns Kohli was clean?”
Mira got to her feet. Her training and her position made it necessary for her to put herself into the mind of murderers. As she did so, she wandered to the wide band of windows and looked out on the gardens where a sea of candy-pink tulips danced. She saw beyond them to the sweeps of shape and color, very much as Monet had reflected them in oil.
There was nothing so comforting, she thought, as a well planted garden.
“He will disbelieve it initially. He’s not a killer but a servant of justice. When he can’t deny it, he’ll turn to rage. It’s his salvation. Once again, the system has betrayed him and tricked him into taking an innocent life. Someone will pay. Perhaps someone in Internal Affairs, where it began. Perhaps you, Eve,” she said and turned back. “As you are the one who has, indirectly at least, shoved this horror into his face. He’ll be doubly fueled now. For himself, and for Kohli. Very shortly after he learns, and accepts, he’ll kill. He’ll kill, Eve, until he’s caught.”
“How do I make him turn to me, specifically?”
Mira walked back, sat down. “Do you think I would help you with that, even if I could?”
“It’s better to know his target than to guess.”
“Yes, you’d think so,” Mira said placidly. “Particularly if you can make yourself that target. But you can’t direct his mind, Eve. His logic is his own. He’s already selected his next victim. This information, when he learns of it, may alter his plans. He’ll have to grieve, then he’ll have to balance his scales.”
Eve frowned. “He has a conscience.”
“Yes, and Kohli will weigh on it. Kohli will cost him. But who he’ll blame? That’s the shading I can’t give you.”
“Why the hell doesn’t he go after Ricker?”
“He may, but first he’ll clean his own house.”
“How do you protect and investigate every cop in a precinct?” Eve murmured. “And how do you manage it when they look at you as if you’re the enemy?”