“The first victim was named Estelle Robertson.  She was thirty years old.   The second was Karen Waters.  Karen was thirty-four.  She had worked at the Satin Doll about a year,” Jennifer said, as Dobey, Hutch, and Starsky listened. 

They were in the captain’s office and Jennifer was giving a report on what they had discovered so far.  Hutch kept his eyes on Jennifer as she spoke, but he could feel the tension emanating from his friend.  Starsky was unusually quiet, avoiding eye contact with him.  It was unnerving.  They had always spoken with their eyes. Hutch moved uncomfortably in his chair.  He was still puzzled over the statement Starsky had uttered in the alley.  “My god, what have I done?”  Starsky had said it with such sorrow and then ran to his car before Hutch could intercede.  Hutch had hoped to corner his friend once he got back to the squad room, but Dobey had halted that idea when he called all three detectives to his office.

Hutch attempted to make eye contact again, but his friend sat rigidly in his chair, his eyes focused on Jennifer.  Hutch startled when Dobey pounded his fist on his desk.  “

It’s a damn serial killer.  “Some freak is going around killing blonde women,” the captain said, wiping his brow with a handkerchief.

“Blonde girls,” Starsky said distractingly.

“So what do both girls have in common other than being blonde?” Dobey asked.

“Both hope to become actresses.  They were trying to earn enough money so they could go to Hollywood one day,” Jennifer replied.

“I’ve written a profile on the possible perp,” Jennifer continued.  All eyes were on her as she continued.

“He’s young, late twenties to mid-thirties.  He’s white and possibly a professional.  He believes these women are immoral.  Probably goes after blondes become he was hurt by a blonde once.  It’s like he’s killing her over and over again.  Punishing her as he was once punished.  This guy may believe his life was destroyed because of her.”

“What makes you say that, Jennifer?  I mean, we know nothing about this guy.” Hutch asked.

Jennifer looked at the men in the room before answering.  “In a previous life I worked as a profiler for the Boston police department and I’m a licensed psychiatrist..”

The room was silent as the information sunk in.

“That’s why I’ve decided to assign her to this case full-time.  I want her on the streets with you two.” Dobey added.  “And her profiler abilities don’t leave this room.  You understand?  People still believe that profiling is some sort of hocus-pocus trick. Something for the sideshows, but Jennifer’s record speaks for itself.”

“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t talk about the psychiatrist part too.  People get nervous around me when they know.”

“Won’t say a word.” Hutch said, looking at Starsky.  Starsky didn’t seem to care.  He seemed only interested in the case.

Starsky cleared his throat.  “So you say this killer was hurt by a woman who looks like the victims?

“Yes.  And he will continue to kill until he’s caught.”

“He’s a clever son of a bitch,” the captain added.  “Never leaves a clue.   Knows how to cover his tracks.”

Hutch leaned forward in his chair, his eyes scanning his companions, “We’ve only had two murders, Cap’n.  Might not be a serial killer.”

Dobey sat back in his chair and wiped his brow.

“He’s gonna kill again.  It’ll be another blonde, thirties and it will be tonight,” Starsky said his voice barely above a whisper.

Hutch looked at Starsky.  Saw the determined set of his eyes, the sweat glistening on his face.  Starsky locked eyes with him and for an instant it was as if he were looking at a different man.  Hutch felt the claw of fear trace down his spine.

 Dobey cleared his throat, “You three get out of here.  I don’t want another death on our hands.  Find this bastard.”

Starsky stood and left the room, Hutch and Jennifer following.

***          

The cafeteria was abuzz with the sounds and smells of the lunch hour.  Hutch sat across from Jennifer who appeared lost in thought as she moved her fork around the salad.  Starsky had returned home complaining of a growing headache.  He had rebuffed all attempts by Hutch to follow him home so Hutch had agreed to have lunch with Jennifer.  At least they could compare thoughts on the serial killer. 

“So how did you become a profiler?” he asked.

“It was simple.  My parents insisted that I become a doctor so I went to medical school and became a psychiatrist.  I grew up and wanted to pursue my real dreams of becoming a cop.  I walked away from my practice and some very disappointed parents and became a cop.  My training as a psychiatrist gave me special insight into the minds of criminals allowing me to quickly move up and here I am.”

Hutch was impressed.  He had also spent a few years in medical school eventually leaving to become a cop.  He decided not to mention it.  It was a long time ago and he didn’t want to discuss his family.  He had more important things on his mind.

“So you’re really Dr. Jennifer Reese?” Hutch asked, sipping his coffee, his eyes meeting the brown eyes of Jennifer.

“Yes, but I don’t use the title.  It just doesn’t describe me.  I’m a cop, plan and simple.”

“Okay, Doc, and I want tell a living soul.”

“Good.  I only told you because we’ll be working together on this case.  I didn’t want you questioning my methods when I start describing this guy.”

“So you really think it’s a guy who’s killing because he hates the woman who destroyed his life?”

“Yes.  But you have to remember one thing.  Nothing is certain.  Profiling is based on averages.  The women look alike, almost like sisters.  That indicates that he’s killing the same woman over and over again.  It could also mean a lot of other things.”

Hutch sat back in his chair.  “When does it stop?”

“When we catch him or he stops hurting.”

Jennifer pushed the salad around in her plate.  Hutch took a sip of his coffee.  There were two women who looked so much alike they could have been sisters.  But Hutch knew there was a third woman—a woman who drove her car into an icy lake almost a year ago.

“What have I done?”  The words echoed in Hutch’s mind.