Page 87 of Line of Sight
“Talk about a family dogged by bad luck.” Dan scanned the screen. “The Kings had two children, Anthony and Robert. Robert was the older of the brothers by two years. He died when he was thirteen. Drowned in the pond in their own backyard.”
“Well, if Anthony inherited the family fortune, that explains the address. He can afford it too.” He stilled. “Where was he when his parents died?”
Riley chuckled. “I know what you’re thinking, because by now I know how your mind works, but you’re wrong. I’m looking at an article written after their death. He was still in Toronto when his parents were killed. He came back to the US in the summer of 2010—for their funeral. Afterward, he stayed in Boston.”
Dan got up and went over to the board. “So… ten years in Canada. A time span that fits neatly into the gap between Mark Wilson’s murder in ’97 and Heather Kelly’s in 2013.” He smiled. “Mr. Anthony King begins to interest me.”
“Find out all you can about him,” Gary instructed. “Sean said they’d held reunions every six years since graduation. Find out who organized the one in 2012, and see if King was there.”
Dan nodded. “And there’s something else we can do that’s even more important.”
Riley gazed at him with obvious interest. “Yeah?”
“Barry Davis searched VICAP for brutal murders in Massachusetts and beyond, but I bet he stuck to the US.” Dan’s eyes shone. “What about Canada? I wonder if they have any deaths on their books that have gone unsolved? Deaths that look like murders from thrillers?”
Gary liked that a lot. “You’re right. Let’s check it out. Let’s also find out what we can about him from the company.” His phone pinged, and he glanced at it. “Kathy Wainwright’s on her way down.”
Riley instantly smoothed his hair and adjusted his tie.
Gary laughed. “Are you still crushing on her? Just ask her on a date, for God’s sake. It’s been a while since the last time you bombed out.”
Riley glared at him. “Remind me, why don’t you?”
Gary grabbed a chair for her.
It was time to get a glimpse into the mind of a psychopath.
Chapter Fifty-Nine
KATHY WAINWRIGHTcame into the office. “Gentlemen—and Riley—what can I do for you?”
Riley pouted. “Hey, not nice.”
She laughed. “I’m just teasing. You’re such an easy target.” She sat on the chair Gary had put out for her. “You said you want to talk about psychopaths?”
Dan was buzzing, and he wasn’t really sure why. He couldn’t escape the feeling that the conversation was going to be vital to their investigations.
Psychopath is a word bandied about so freely nowadays. Maybe we’ve lost track of its true meaning.And if their killer truly was a psychopath, then what they needed was a photofit that would help them recognize the guy when they saw him.
Something to help them catch him before someone else died.
Gary nodded. “What can you tell us?”
Kathy bit back a smile. “How long have you got?”
“How do we recognize a psychopath?” Dan blurted.
She leaned back in her chair. “Well, first of all, you could be looking for someone who suffers from ASPD—that’s Antisocial Personality Disorder.”
Riley frowned. “Antisocial? They’re reserved?”
“That’s the common assumption, but antisocial here means someone who goesagainstsociety, its rules, and other behaviors that are more commonplace.”
Dan huffed. “I’d say a serial killer fits into that description.”
“I take it a psychopath doesn’t run around with a machete, laughing maniacally,” Gary remarked.
“Far from it. They can hide their natures really well, usually beneath a mask of charm and charisma, but asuperficialmask. Over time it wears off. Psychopaths are masters of deception. They lie easily, they exaggerate, they fake remorse or concern for others…. In short, a psychopath has no sense of right and wrong. They rarely take responsibility for their own actions.”
