Profiles 20

Beverly, Deanna and Picard arrive at the crime scene just as Alyssa and Miles do. They all gather around the lead officer on the scene. He brings them up to speed on what he knows.

"Lady and a dog found the body. Was stuffed inside a burlap bag inside a basket. She opened it just enough to see an arm and called us. All we did was verify and called you all. Figured it might be one of yours. We've got a perimeter set up with crowd control." He waves his arm in the direction of the gathering crowd being held at the corner by several officers while others set up road blocks on either end. Picard thanks him and asks him to stick close. They all go to see what exactly they are dealing with.

Alyssa takes photos while the rest examine the basket and the surrounding area. Picard waves for several officers and Beverly instructs them on how she wants the body removed. What they find is shocking. Inside the burlap bag is the torso of a woman. Her head, legs and left arm have been removed. Just like the previous bodies, this one has been scrubbed clean post mortem. Beverly estimates the time of death to be no more than 12 hours. The amputations seem to be similar to the previous bodies as well.

Picard organizes a group of officers to search the neighborhood for witnesses and for the missing body parts while Alyssa, Miles and Beverly do their work. He then leaves for his office. The phone calls will be starting soon.

Meanwhile, Deanna backs up from the scene. Her interest is not in the body itself but in the people working. She pays attention to everyone working on the site, especially those who worked the previous crime scene. She keeps a close eye on Geordi LaForge. She also periodically scans the crowd, looking for anyone who seems out of place or that she might recognize. No one stands out at her.

A woman at the nearest barricade is yelling and waving her arms. She turns her attention toward that. It seems that the woman is trying to gain Keiko's attention. Keiko goes to her and speaks to the officer holding the woman back. He lets her in. Deanna moves closer so that she can listen to their conversation.

"Mayde. We really need to stop meeting like this." Keiko says.

The woman smiles. "I keep meaning to call but, you know how it is, busy."

Keiko nods. "You know I can't tell you anything."

Mayde laughs. "Can't blame a girl for trying. Oh and I just wanted to give you a heads up, bigwigs at the station want to give this guy a name. Want me to be the first to say it. Thinking "The Butcher" of Hollywood is sounding good."

Keiko sighs. "I wish you wouldn't do that. Really don't want this guy thinking he's anything special."

"I know. Can't stop it. Thought you would appreciate the warning."

"Thanks for that. Hold it as long as possible?"

Mayde nods. Keiko turns and sees Deanna close and waves her over. "Deanna Troi is our department psych. Deanna this is Mayde Gonzalez. Channel 7 news. I try not to hold that against her."

The beautiful Latina laughs and takes Deanna's hand.

"She's right about the name thing." Deanna says. "It won't help us at all."

"I understand but it's out of my hands. I'll try to put it off until the 11:00 edition but that's the best I can do."

She turns to leave with a "call me" gesture to Keiko. Keiko laughs. "I'm still not telling you anything."

"yeah yeah."

Deanna goes to find Beverly. "Anything?"

"Yeah. But nothing helpful. Left a hand to get fingerprints so maybe we'll have a chance of an ID. Not that it's going to do much good but you never know. I'm done here. Gonna meet my new friend back at the lab. You need a ride?"

Deanna shakes her head. "I'll catch a ride back. You'll be there for a while?"

"Undoubtably."

After another hour of observation with no insight, Deanna rides back to the station with Alyssa. Picard has called everyone in for an update and first impressions while junior officers knock on doors looking for possible witnesses.

"Looks like you and Beverly figured things out?" Alyssa asks.

Deanna looks at her. "You don't miss much do you?"

Alyssa laughs. "Hazard of the job."

"We talked. Things are good for now."

"I think you two did more than talk." Alyssa says with a wink.

Deanna just shakes her head.

The team gathers around the conference table to share what they know. As usual, Miles starts.

"This one's a puzzler for sure. Gut says it's the same guy but things don't add up. I mean, what kind of whack job goes after men and women? Couples I've seen but switching teams? I don't get it."

"It is unusual," Deanna offers, "but not entirely unheard of. Says this isn't a sexual thing. The motive is going to be more complicated than that."

"We're sure this is the same guy?" Picard asks.

Beverly nods this time. "Yeah. Cuts are identical to the first two. Got a hit on the prints."

Miles quickly writes down the name.

"Looks like she's homeless too." Beverly adds. "Most recent arrest was for loitering and public intox but she's also got a few for prostitution."

"Beautiful," Miles mutters. "Just beautiful. Got anything else? Wanna head out to the mission before dinner starts. See if anyone has anything for us."

Picard dismisses Miles and Alyssa then turns his attention to Deanna.

"We need a profile Counsellor. Yesterday."

Deanna nods. "Understood. I'll get you a full report tomorrow but off the cuff I say young male, 20's to mid 30's. Uneducated. Single. Familiar with the homeless camps. Not homeless now though. He's got a place where he does his thing. Somewhere out of the way. Or a place that masks the smell. He's not smart enough to be making this up himself. He's got someone telling him what to do. A plan. He's not going to make a mistake until he gets what he wants. I'm guessing attention."

"Merde." Picard swears again. "We have to wait for the endgame?"

"No. I don't think so. We can get ahead of this. Figure out what he wants. What the plan is. He won't be able to adapt. We can predict his next move. We just need more information."

"Well then let's be damn sure we get some. Get this to Ogawa and O'Brien and to Keiko too. Figure out what to tell the press. I'll handle the precincts. Unless there's more, go home. Tomorrow's going to be a rough one."

He gets up and leaves Beverly and Deanna alone in the conference room.

"How're you doing?" Beverly asks.

Deanna laughs. "That's my line! Tired. Frustrated. Got a headache coming on."

"Come home with me then."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course I'm sure. I just want to talk. And Rudi misses you."

"Just talk huh? That all?"

Beverly smiles. "We'll see."