It was over … (part 2) Short Story

The morning papers read:

MORNING AFTER MURDERER STILL ON THE LOOSE

Kyle Berringer a detective with CPD  read a few lines of the paper and wrote his notes.

“Another murder  … in Chicago. This makes the fifth of  what appears to be a series of  murders. The first in New Orleans, the second in Seattle, third in Boston, fourth in San Francisco, and now Chicago.”

He continued to read:

“Sources have few clues other than: a fillet knife driven through the heart of a man in his forties, dark hair, a professor at the University of Illinois, body found at The Elysian, room 465. No prints, no sign of anyone with the victim at or around time of death,  breaking and entering ruled out.”

The detective scratched his head. All the murders were in big cities, a year apart, the men were prominent professors at leading universities, it was always an upscale room with the number combinations of 4, 5 and 6. Up until now the police had thought the pattern was a coincidence. They realized now that this was a serial killer profile.

“How observant,” Kyle mumbled.

He wanted to add, “how did these incompetent cops manage to let this killer get this far?”

Kyle looked back at the growing file:

Profile One – Gregory Denison – a handsome professor from the University of Louisiana in New Orleans, dark hair and eyes, in his early forties. He was said to have had a fling with a college co-ed. The co-ed went missing; several weeks later the professor was found in room 645 at the  Hotel Monteleone ( a four star hotel)  with a fillet knife in his heart.

“So why didn’t they pursue the angle of the estranged lover?” Kyle wondered.

Profile Two: Andrew Wasdahl – a handsome, dark haired professor from the University of Washington in Seattle.

” Hmm could have been the first guy’s twin.”

One year from the anniversary of the first murder, room 456 at the Edgewater. Single – had a policy of never getting involved with students. Everything else the same down to time of death.

Profile Three: William Proctor prof at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. No known relationships with female students.  Room 654 The Ritz Carlton. Yep this killer was OCD.

“I can see a pattern; can anyone else?” Kyle said sarcastically.

Profile Four: Wesly Lewis professor at University of   San Francisco. This guy was extremely well-off. No known love affairs, room 546, The Fairmont.

“Any sign of extortion guys??? Good taste in hotels. Killer must know upscale hotels would offer more privacy. How does the killer get these guys into the hotel when they live in town? Might be a woman. Possibly a team? Too late to check to see if another room was used. They could have used two.

“What was the motive?” Kyle wondered. “No sign of money being taken from the victim’s wallet. Crime of passion?  No that doesn’t make sense. The murders are all over the country. Revenge? Or some sick twisted hatred for good looking, Literature professors – Hmmm. Serial killers rarely work with others though he or she may have used someone along the way.

“Well we have a year to determine the pattern and stop this guy,” Kyle dragged his fingers through his hair in disgust.

Several Months later:

MORNING AFTER MURDERER STRIKES AGAIN??

Memphis Hilton reports the death of an elderly professor with a fillet knife plunged into his heart. In a nearby room, a young woman is also found with the traditional fillet knife plunged thru her heart and the teddy bear that she is clutching.

Kyle reads:” Based on the DNA test findings the man and the woman are relatives. Further investigation reveals victims are Charles Sedgewick Sr. and Mae Sedgewick – father and daughter. Police are searching for the son and brother for questioning. Charles Sedgewick dark, handsome, in his late thirties, adjunct professor of Literature at various Universities.

Detective Berringer believes the murders might be over but is curious about the motive…

Thank you for the Shot of the Historic Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco

(http://www.flickr.com/photos/misterskeleton/4358847512)

Thanks to the The Tenth Daughter of Memory for the writing prompt “The Morning After.” If you like excellent reading go read the other TTDOM stories.