case files from the last three murders. Nothing in them helps identify Derrick’s partner.”
Bennett leaned against the desk. “Walk me through it, Emilia. I know serial killers can form partnerships, but I’ve never come across it personally in my career. Until now.”
“Generally, there is a dominant partner and a subservient one. Each of them gets something from the other. The dominant partner gets complete loyalty from the subservient one. The subservient receives love or attention.”
“Which was Derrick?”
“Based on what I know so far, subservient. Derrick was unorganized. He didn’t graduate from high school and had a history of drug abuse. I didn’t think he could commit these crimes. They were too well-planned and, frankly, he didn’t seem smart enough to carry them out.”
Bennett had thought the same. Until Emilia identified him as her attacker.
She crossed her arms over her midsection. “I remember thinking when he approached me in the parking lot that he was harmless. Derrick said he had information about the crimes I needed to hear.” She shook her head. “In the hospital, I felt so stupid for allowing myself to be fooled. Anyone can be a killer and profiling isn’t an exact science.”
“Except, it seems, you weren’t entirely wrong.” Bennett pushed off from the desk. “Let’s assume we have two killers working together and that Derrick is the subservient one. Derrick had a history of drug abuse.” He waved a finger at the women on the whiteboard. “Most of these missing women did too.”
Her eyes widened. “Derrick knew them. He was the scout, searching for potential victims based on certain parameters. Dark-haired. Pretty. Single. Once Derrick identifies a woman, he would confer with his partner, who makes the final decision.”
“Then Derrick grabs the woman, either through deception or by snatching them.”
“Right. Alice got in his car willingly for a ride home. I was—along with the other victims from last year—kidnapped.” She paced the room. “Derrick delivers the woman to his partner. The dominant one is the killer. He’s controlled. Patient. Everything is about him. The victim they choose, the poinsettia left with the bodies, killing during the holiday season. They have meaning for Derrick’s partner, not Derrick.”
“It explains so much. Your profile wasn’t wrong, Emilia. We didn’t have all the pieces.” Bennett moved down to the end of the board. “What I can’t understand is why they broke the pattern? All the other women are still missing—maybe dumped in the woods, as you pointed out. But Derrick and his partner drop these final three off in public parks.”
“Escalation. It wasn’t enough to kidnap women and kill them. Derrick’s partner wanted more. Placing his victims in a public place gives him a prolonged power rush. The news reports would’ve fed his ego. When the police don’t catch him, he becomes invincible. He keeps upping the risk. Ultimately, he had Derrick kidnap me.”
“And the message left on your doorstep?”
“The killer failed last year because I escaped. That would’ve been a blow to his ego. He’s compelled to finish the job before he can move on. The killer has to prove—to himself and me—that he’s smarter.”
Her words hit him like a gut punch. “He won’t stop coming for you.”
She met his gaze. “No, Bennett, he won’t.”
Two hours later, Emilia sang the closing hymn of church service. Gorgeous wreaths wrapped in white lights hung around the cross and a Christmas tree sparkled in the corner, but there were no poinsettias. She was grateful. The bloom triggered her anxiety, and it would’ve been difficult to focus on the service.
She closed the hymn book and placed it in the cubby on the back of the pew. Bennett did the same. “Did you like the service?”
“I did. I know we have work to do, but it was nice to steal an hour away for church. It restores my heart and soul.”
He nodded. “I agree. Even while working difficult cases, I try to slip away for service. It centers me.”
Emilia remembered. Their common faith had bonded them while working on the task force together. They’d attended church together on Sundays, and Emilia had missed having his company when she returned home.
In fact, she’d missed Bennett more than she wanted to admit. They’d only spent two days together, but it was like slipping back into a favorite shoe. Familiar and comforting. Easy. Even attending church together had felt as natural as breathing.
They’d taken their own vehicle to service, so Emilia waved goodbye to Bennett’s family before stepping outside. The sun was shining brightly, but it did little