Outline of a Butcher
The cooperation with Miami Metro had provided an interesting twist. Being brought in as merely a profiler of sorts, giving assistance in a particular gruesome series of murders, a new, far more interesting matter had arisen. One of the detectives seemed intrigued and repulsed by her findings. She had decided to keep a closer watch on him. A theory started to develop in her mind..
Whenever people became uncomfortable around her, during lectures for instance, she knew what they were thinking. They often imagined themselves to be psychopaths. Or they recognized the behavior she described in someone close to them, a partner or family member. Most of the time these ideas were based on absolutely nothing. Everybody could have some anti-social tendencies, and seeing that kind of behavior in someone else was generally a projection. This cop probably had the same problem. But it would be interesting to toy with him a bit, provoke a reaction.
He had startled when she made an attempt at small talk with him. His eyes were darting across the room but he refused to look her in the eye. It had been most intriguing. She decided to take a leap and give a more balanced view on psychopaths, which was usually not positively received in police circles and an opinion she was careful not to ventilate too often in their company. This time, however, the policeman, named Harry, jumped at the bait and was glued to her lips. So, he did want to hear an absolution.
Slowly building some trust between them finally paid off. Today, he had revealed his secret. His son, his adoptive son, had problems adapting. She tells him this is natural behavior for adopted kids, but he doesn't agree. It wasn't your ordinary commitment or abandonment issues. He seemed to have no conscience. No real connection to anyone or anything. Perhaps autism, she ventured, but Harry shook his head.
The drawings made Harry's concern clear. The boy, Dexter, did seem very isolated from his family. His crayoned fantasies were violent and bloody. A bit more than usual for a boy his age. Having lost her own two sons a few years before; one to death and one to life, an idea begins to shape in her head… This might be an opportunity. This boy could become an adoptive son she could try to mold. Her own boy was locked away, but this child could still have a chance. Now that she was an expert she should try and help this man, this boy, because she couldn't help her own son. If she had known then what she knew now, she would have taught him a thing or two. She would have helped him to live life a certain way. Direct his fantasies and feelings in a more acceptable manner. Develop a code for him to live by. It is as if life is giving her a second chance; a way to make things right.