‘Listen up, people …’
The whole team turned to face Gabrielle. Having been ordered to attend an urgent briefing, they were curious to find out what was going on.
‘The lab has just sent over their results. They ran the skin samples … and we’ve got a name.’
A buzz of excitement rippled around the room. Everyone had been hoping that the skin cells extracted from underneath Kassie Wojcek’s fingernails would provide a concrete lead, but you could never rely on these things. If the sample was contaminated, or if the offender was not on the system, then you were likely to draw a blank.
‘Take a look at this.’
She handed a sheaf of papers to the nearest detective, gesturing to her to pass the pile on once she’d taken one herself. The single sheets had a photocopied mugshot of a round-faced, white male and underneath it the offender’s rap sheet.
‘Jan Varga’s attacker is a Joseph White, more commonly known as Joe. He’s originally from Cicero. His family still live there and Detective Suarez is with them now, but obviously our man is currently in central Chicago.’
The team were already taking in White’s ‘credentials’.
‘He has multiple convictions for trespass and public order offences. He’s a Peeping Tom. He also likes to expose himself, to intimidate people, and has been involved in a couple of fights – presumably when his victims took against him. Interestingly, he has been arrested three times on suspicion of burglary, but never charged. Given the MO of our killer, given the fact that his physical description matches the description given to us by Wojcek, I’d say this is our guy.’
A couple of officers whooped a heartfelt ‘yeah’ and there was a smattering of applause. Gabrielle held up a hand to calm them.
‘I’ve circulated his photo to all the major media outlets. We are naming him as our prime suspect and asking members of the public to be vigilant. I’ve asked for extra operators to man the hotlines – and I’m pleased to say Superintendent Hoskins has agreed to the request – so your job is to get out on the streets. Talk to community leaders, uniformed officers on the beat, shop owners, bartenders – this guy has to eat and drink, has to buy gasoline, has to take the “L”. He was in work today, but left early afternoon, presumably so he could execute his attack on Jan. He probably won’t return to work once his name is in the press, but I’m going to send a pair of you there anyway.’
Gabrielle’s phone started to buzz, but she ignored it.
‘Top priority now is to bring this guy in safely. He has little violent crime on his record, but is clearly highly dangerous and will be armed, so if you spot him, call for backup immediately. I know this is a big case, but I don’t want anyone playing the hero.’
Still her phone buzzed and looking down Gabrielle saw that it was Suarez. Immediately she broke off, snatching it up and answering the call.
‘What’s up?’
‘I’m at the family home now,’ Suarez replied down the phone, his voice hushed. ‘I think I may have an address for you.’
‘Go on,’ Gabrielle replied, turning away from the team.
‘It’s in the Lower West Side, 353 West Cullerton Street. It’s a shared house, I think, mixed tenants. I’m texting you the details now.’
‘Why there?’
‘His sister says he left it as a forwarding address. Welfare cheques for him occasionally get sent to the family home, though if you ask me the sister hasn’t been too diligent about passing them on –’
‘When did he give this address to her?’ Gabrielle interrupted.
‘Six months ago, he moves around a lot.’
‘That’s good enough for me. Stay with them, get as much as you can.’
Ending the call, she turned back to the team with a broad grin on her face.
‘Right, boys and girls, saddle up …’
The team rose, grabbing their jackets.
‘… we’ve got a killer to catch.’