The Burial Hour (Lincoln Rhyme 13) - Page 35

--Shavings of Fe (iron), rust on one side (see photo).

--Limestone.

--Phone card, purchased at Arrozo Tabaccaio, Naples. No CCTV, cash sale. --Awaiting analysis from Postal Police.

--Fingerprints: --No match in Eurodac, Interpol, Europol or Italy; IAFIS (America); Ident1 (UK).

--Footprints: --Victim apparently in Nike running shoes, size 42.

--Perpetrator apparently in Converse Cons, size 45.

--Blood, other fluid: See above.

--Cash, EU11 and 30 dinars (Libyan).

--Miniature hangman's noose, made out of a musical instrument string--probably cello. About 36 centimeters long. (Similar to noose in New York kidnapping, according to NYPD.)

--Witness Account: --Witness on bicycle was approaching the bus stop, where the victim was standing. He noted that the dark vehicle was parked nearby, about ten meters away at the side of the road. Behind bushes. Suspect was possibly waiting for the victim, or drove up and hid after victim arrived. Suddenly he assaulted victim. A struggle ensued. No observed provocation. Witness then departed to find police assistance. (Information on witness on file; see Inspector Rossi.)

--Canvass: No one, other than the bicyclist, saw the incident or a vehicle.

--CCTV: None for 10km radius.

--Reports of missing persons: None.

--No apparent Camorra or other organized crime connection.

--Possible 'Ndrangheta operative in area, but no connection to the kidnapping verified.

--No known motive.

--Americans will supply analysis from crime scene in New York City.

--Postal Police are monitoring YouVid, prepared to trace, if suspect uploads video of the victim.

"Beatrice has done her typically solid job," Spiro said.

"Yes. She's good."

The prosecutor seemed to sway slightly as he stared at the writing. "What is that word?"

"Bacteria, sir."

"I can hardly make it out. Write more carefully." Then he scanned the photographs. Spiro mused, "So we have this American psycho who has come here on vacation to prey outside his usual hunting grounds. What patterns can we see?"

"Patterns?" Ercole said, smiling. He mopped a bit more water and rose.

The lean man, with the most intense black eyes that Ercole had ever seen, turned slowly. "I'm sorry?" Though Spiro was shorter, Ercole felt he was looking up into the prosecutor's eyes.

"Well, sir, I am not sure about that."

"'Not sure, not sure.' Tell me what you mean." His voice boomed. "I'm quite curious. You're not sure about something? What might you not be sure about?"

Ercole was no longer smiling. Blushing, he swallowed. "Well, sir, with respect, how can there be any patterns? He's picking his victims at random."

"Explain."

"Well, it's obvious. He finds a victim in New York City, a businessman apparently, according to the Europol report. Then he flees to Italy and selects, it seems, a foreigner of limited means at a rural bus stop." He gave a laugh. "I see no pattern there."

Tags: Jeffery Deaver Lincoln Rhyme Mystery
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