I Can Hear a Serial Killer's Voice in My Head

I pause, making sure I have everyone's full attention before continuing.

"First," I say, holding up one finger, "let's consider the baby - the child of the caretaker who was left unharmed. This is a significant departure from our killer's modus operandi. In all previous cases, they've shown no hesitation in attacking vulnerable victims, including a disabled grandson. Yet, in this instance, they consciously chose to spare a child."

I let that sink in for a moment before elaborating. "This decision could indicate a personal connection or sensitivity to young children. It's possible our killer might be a parent themselves, or have some significant relationship with children in their life. This could be a moral line they're unwilling to cross, or it might trigger some personal memory or emotion that stays their hand."

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Detective Park Minho speaks up, his brow furrowed. "Couldn't it just be that killing a baby was too risky? More likely to draw attention or leave evidence?"

I nod, acknowledging the point. "That's certainly a possibility we need to consider. But given the killer's meticulous nature in other aspects, I believe this was a more personal decision. It's a humanizing element in an otherwise ruthless pattern of behavior."

Ko nods thoughtfully. "It's an interesting angle. What's the second point you wanted to raise?"

"The attempted arson," I say, moving on to my next point. "This is entirely new behavior, and I believe it might have been born out of necessity rather than planning."

I pull out the relevant page from the case file. "The killer gathered materials and started a fire in a trash can, but then extinguished it themselves. This suggests they may have been injured during the attack, possibly cutting themselves and leaving blood evidence behind."

A ripple of excitement moves through the team at this revelation.

"If the killer was injured," I continue, "it would explain the desperate attempt to destroy evidence. They might have realized they were bleeding and panicked, trying to cover their tracks in a way they hadn't needed to before."

Sergeant Yoon Jia leans forward, her eyes sharp. "So you think we might actually have DNA evidence this time?"

"It's possible," I nod. "The fire was extinguished, which means there might still be traces of blood on the partially burned materials. We should have the forensics team go over that trash can and its contents with a fine-tooth comb."

Ko's eyes are alight with the possibilities. "This could be the break we've been waiting for. If we can get a DNA sample, even a partial one..."

"Exactly," I agree. "But more than that, this incident tells us something crucial about our killer. For the first time, we've seen them make a mistake, act on impulse rather than careful planning. It humanizes them, shows us they can be rattled."

I look around at the team, seeing the mix of hope and determination on their faces. "These two elements - the spared child and the potential injury - give us new avenues to explore. We should look into recent hospital or clinic visits for suspicious injuries. We should also consider whether our killer might work with children or have young ones in their family."

Ko nods decisively after hearing my explanation about the trash can. "I'll inform the forensic team immediately. We need to reexamine that evidence as soon as possible." She pauses, then looks at me expectantly. "What's your next move?"

I consider for a moment before responding, "I'd like to visit each crime scene, one by one. Seeing the locations firsthand might give us some insights we've missed from just reviewing the files."

Ko nods approvingly. "Good thinking. I'll organize a car and team for you right away." She turns to bark out orders, and within minutes, we're heading out.

As we drive towards the first scene, Ko flips through the case files, her frustration evident in the tightness of her jaw. "I just don't understand," she says, breaking the silence. "How is it possible for the criminal to dodge all the CCTVs? It's like they're a ghost."

I nod, understanding her frustration. "It does seem impossible at first glance."

Ko looks up at me. "Could it be a local? Someone who's lived in the area for a long time and knows all the blind spots?"

I shake my head. "I don't think so. Living in the same place for a long time doesn't guarantee you'd know all CCTV locations. Plus, camera placements change over time. This level of evasion requires more than just familiarity - it requires meticulous planning and observation."

Ko sighs, clearly not satisfied but understanding my point.

As we near the first crime scene, an idea strikes me. "Could you ask the driver to drop us off at the nearby subway station instead?" I ask Ko.

She looks at me, puzzled. "Why the subway station?"

"I think it's likely our killer arrived at the scene by subway," I explain. "It would be easier to blend in with the crowds of people coming and going. Plus, if they used a car, there's a higher chance of being caught on dashcams or the black boxes of parked vehicles."

Ko's eyes widen slightly as she processes this. "That... makes a lot of sense actually. It would explain how they've managed to avoid detection so consistently."

She relays the instruction to the driver, who nods and changes course slightly.

As we step out of the car at the subway station. We stand for a moment, taking in the bustling station around us. "So," Ko says, her voice low, "we put ourselves in the killer's shoes. Arrive by subway, blend with the crowd..."

I nod, my eyes already scanning the area, noting possible routes and blind spots. "Exactly. Let's retrace their steps, see what they might have seen. Every detail could be crucial."

As we walk from the subway station towards the first crime scene, Ko glances at me, her expression a mix of curiosity and hesitation. After a moment, she speaks up.

"I hope you don't mind me asking," she begins, her tone careful, "but is it true that you have someone influential backing you? Someone who helped you get into the Seoul Metropolitan Investigative Unit?"

I feel a familiar twinge of frustration at the question, but I keep my voice level as I respond. "No, that's not true at all. I got into the unit based on my own merits and hard work."

Ko looks slightly surprised at my directness.

"Who told you about this rumor?" I ask, curious about its source.

She shrugs slightly. "It's not just one person. Even before you came to Gwangju, it was common knowledge. People believe it's practically impossible for a low-level officer like yourself to join such an elite unit without help from someone powerful."

I sigh, understanding the perspective but feeling the need to correct it. "I can see why people might think that, but it's simply not true. I worked extremely hard to get where I am."

Ko nods slowly, seeming to consider my words. "I see," she says, her tone neutral but thoughtful.

We continue walking in silence for a few moments, the bustling city around us a stark contrast to the grim purpose of our journey. I can feel Ko stealing glances at me, perhaps reassessing her initial impressions.

As we approach the crime scene, I feel a moment of hesitation. The familiar voices in my head - Bundy, Manson, the others - are quiet for now, but their potential to emerge at any moment weighs on me. For a fleeting second, I was asking myself what will happen if I share this unique aspect of my investigative process with Ko.

But almost immediately, I dismiss the thought. How could I possibly explain that I hear the voices of notorious serial killers in my head, that their twisted insights sometimes help me solve cases? Ko's questioning about my position in the Investigative Unit is one thing, but this... this would be incomprehensible, likely seen as a sign of severe mental instability.

I glance at Ko, who's focused on surveying the street before us. She's a good detective, dedicated and sharp. But there's no way she could understand or accept the truth about the voices. It's a burden I must bear alone, a secret that must remain hidden if I want to continue my work.

As we round a corner, the street where the first murder took place comes into view. The ordinary-looking houses seem at odds with the horrific events that occurred here.

"We're here," Ko says as we approach the crime scene.

As we stand before the house where the first murder took place, I notice Ko shifting slightly, her gaze flickering towards me. There's a tension in her posture, a slight parting of her lips as if she's on the verge of speaking. I can sense that there's something more she wants to ask, perhaps another question about my background or the rumors surrounding my appointment to the Investigative Unit.

For a moment, the air between us feels charged with unspoken words. I brace myself, wondering what other assumptions or suspicions she might voice.

But then, almost imperceptibly, Ko seems to catch herself. She presses her lips together, her expression smoothing into professional focus. Whatever she was about to say, she's decided against it.

I feel a mix of relief and curiosity. Part of me wants to know what she was thinking, what other rumors or doubts might be circulating about me. But I push that thought aside. Now isn't the time for personal concerns or office politics.

"Shall we?" I say, gesturing towards the house.

Ko nods, her voice all business now. "Yes, let's start with the entry point."

As we approach the house, I consciously shift my focus. The lingering questions in Ko's eyes, the weight of unspoken doubts - all of it fades to the background. What matters now is the scene before us, the story it can tell about our killer.