The Broken Window (Lincoln Rhyme 8)

* * *

UNSUB 522 PROFILE

* Male

* Probably nonsmoker

* Probably no wife/children

* Probably white or light-skinned ethnic

* Medium build

* Strong--able to strangle victims

* Access to voice-disguise equipment

* Possibly computer literate; knows OurWorld. Other social-networking sites?

* Takes trophies from victims. Sadist?

* Portion of residence/workplace dark and moist

* Eats snack food/hot sauce

* Wears size-11 Skechers work shoe

* Hoarder. Suffers from OCD

* Will have a "secret" life and a "facade" life

* Public personality will be opposite of his real self

* Residence: Won't rent, will have two separate living areas, one normal and one secret * Windows will be covered or painted

* Will become violent when collecting or trove are threatened

"Helpful?" Cooper asked.

Rhyme could only shrug.

"What do you think, Sachs? Could it be anybody you talked to at SSD?"

She shrugged. "I'd say Gillespie came the closest. He seemed just plain odd. But Cassel seemed the slickest--in terms of putting on a good facade. Arlonzo-Kemper's married, which takes him out of the running, according to Terry. I didn't see the technicians. Ron did."

With an electronic trill, a caller ID box popped up on the screen. It was Lon Sellitto, back home but apparently still at work on the Expert Plan that Rhyme and the detective had put together earlier.

"Command, answer phone . . . Lon, how are we doing?"

"It's all set, Linc."

"Where are we?"

"Watch the eleven o'clock news. You'll find out. I'm going to bed."

Rhyme disconnected and turned on the TV in the corner of the lab.

Mel Cooper said good night. He was packing up his briefcase when his computer dinged. He looked over the screen. "Amelia, you've got an e-mail here."