With two cop’s dead, the police chief thought it would be a good time to bring in the FBI.
“About time,” Parker said as he and Tommy waited outside the cop shop for the press conference to begin.
“The only problem is by bringing in the Feds, they are doing exactly what this guy wants,” Tommy said. “He wants attention. He wants to be a big star. He wants people to know about him. I’m just surprised the idiots in editorial haven’t given him even more real estate.
Parker smirked and held up the paper. “Too late.”
The headline across the top of the paper in giant type said, “River Killer Strikes Again.”
“River Killer?” Tommy snorted. “River Killer? Please. They dropped the Mississippi part? That is the dumbest serial killer name I’ve ever heard. I mean, yeah, there was the Green River Killer and that one’s okay, but River Killer? Oh, brother.”
The police chief came out of the building trailed by a nondescript man with a hawkish nose and slicked back black hair who only came up to the chief’s shoulder. The man was wearing the FBI’s typical dark sunglasses and blue three-piece suit so Tommy assumed this was the agent.
The two men stood behind the podium at the top of the police station steps and waited for the crowd of reporters to quiet down.
“Thanks for coming everyone,” the chief said. “As you know we have a killer at loose in our city. Well, our good friends at the bureau have sent their best agent to town to help us stop this monster attacking our young men without provocation. I’d like to introduce you to Special Agent in Charge Andrew McConnelly.”
The reporters were silent. The chief looked surprised as if he expected them to clap.
“He acts like he’s stumping for re-election. What a douche,” Parker whispered to Tommy.
She agreed, rolling her eyes.
McConnelly cleared his throat. “Thank you for your time this morning and for your cooperation. The news media plays an important role in capturing suspects like this by helping us spread the word and convey important information to our citizens that not only serves to keep them safe, but also makes them alert so they can help us capture this fellow.”
It was Tommy’s turn to smirk. “Please. He acts like we’re all buddy-buddy and we’re out here to help them. We’ll help them as soon as they treat us better.”
Parker snickered.
McConnelly went on. “With that said, we also are asking the press to be careful with what they release to the public. As some of you know, it is often that one crucial piece of information that only the suspect knows that ultimately lets us build and sustain a legal case against him. It would be a shame if that one critical bit of information is leaked for the entire world to know and then our case crumbles into ashes and the bad guys walk free, able to strike again.”
Did Tommy imagine it or did the agent look right at her behind his dark sunglasses. Huh.