But Adele shookher head quickly. “No, I actually don’t.” She stared at the screen now, hercheeks heating. “The apartment was warm. I don’t think he did that. I think thevictim wanted the heat on. It was probably chilly; I don’t know. But that tellsme one thing—why didn’t that water evaporate on the bathroom floor? It wasthere for hours. A thin glaze of a puddle. How come it didn’t evaporate? Evenmost of the blood had dried except for the thickest parts. So why was the waterstill there?”
Robert tappedhis fingers against the desk now in a quiet drumming sound.
“Ice,” Adelesaid.
Robert looked upat her and he began to nod.
“There’s ice inthat toolbox,” Adele said. “Some of it was moved, displaced by the kidney. Thatice ended up on the floor and melted slowly. At the second victim’s crimescene, I remember opening the freezer. There was a tray of ice missing itscubes. Maybe he needed extra. This time, I’m confident he brought his own.” Sheturned, tapping a finger on the image of the grainy toolbox.
“At the secondscene he needed more ice?” said Robert.
Adele shrugged. “Idon’t know if he took it because he forgot to bring some of his own, or if hejust wanted more. But I bet you he had something to do with the missing ice.”
“But if there’sice in that toolbox…” Robert said, trailing off, “that means he’s not takingthe kidneys as trophies. He’s keeping them viable!”
Adele shook herhead resolutely. “What was his name—Mr. Waters, he said he was on the run backin the US for operating with a suspended medical license, yes?”
Robert nodded. “Youdon’t think he has something to do—”
“No. That’s notwhat I’m saying. My point is, I was looking into it a bit. The undergroundmarket, for faux doctors and those operating outside the law, or outsidehospitals, at least, is much bigger than you might think. He took the kidneyand had ice in his toolbox because I don’t think it was a toolbox. It lookslike it. But I think it’s a cooler. What if he isn’t a psychopathic killer, butjust someone stealing organs?”
Robert stared ather. “Sounds pretty psychopathic to me.”
“You know what Imean. What if he isn’t in it for the pleasure of the kill? There’s been nomutilation to the bodies. He doesn’t seem to have a sexual thrill. He doesn’tspend much time with the body as far as we can tell. That would explain nophysical evidence. He doesn’t get off on fear, either. Which would explain nodefensive wounds. They don’t even see him coming. He doesn’t enjoy the kill. It’sa necessity for his business.”
Roberthesitated. “That would explain why they’re nobodies. Recent expats, peopletrying to escape one life but yet to establish a new one. Vulnerable. Many ofthem without connections or friends. They would be alone half the time in theirapartments. Except for philanderers like Mr. Waters, there hasn’t even beentime for them to establish romantic relationships. Girls, alone, withoutconnections, barely able to speak the language, trying to make friends in a bigcity like Paris. They’re the perfect victims.”
“I think,” Adelesaid, hesitating, “what if all of this is organ harvesting? A black-marketoperation? What if he sells these kidneys?” She fell into silence as a slow,ominous prickle tingled down her arms. A serial killer might get scared—mightcall off an attack or go into hiding. Like her mother’s killer. But someonekilling for profit? There was no telling if they’d ever stop.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
At that moment,Adele heard a groan. She stared resolutely out the window, refusing to lookback toward Agent Paige.
But Paigeapproached, causing the floorboards to creak as she did. She snorted again, asif determined they respond to the noise. “Organ harvesting?” Paige snapped. “Areyou two stupid? It’s a serial killer. And you’re talking about a black marketof organ harvesting? Conspiracy theories in the DGSI offices. You’re gettingold,” she said, and Adele knew she was directing her comment toward Robert. “Andyou, well, it’s not like I would expect anything better.”
Adele closed hereyes, breathing quietly, trying to count to ten in her head. Part of her wantedto shoot the woman. But she supposed it might not be the most advised option.Still, punching Paige sounded very enjoyable at that moment.
She glanced downand noticed Robert reaching out and patting her on the leg in a gentle, calmingmotion. He pressed his hand against her knee and held it there as if trying toanchor her in place.
“Do you have abetter theory?” Robert said, coolly. Adele knew he wasn’t so much offended onhis own behalf as he was on hers.
“No,” saidPaige. “I don’t need a new theory. We are dealing with a psychopathic killer,preying on young women. Who cares what he’s thinking? Killers are alwaysthinking stupid things. And you, both of you, are wasting our time. Interpol ornot, you’re working in the DGSI, and you’re jumping to the wild conclusions ofa first-year rookie!”
Adele turned atlast, glaring at the woman. “Shut up,” she said, her temper boiling.
“Oh? Good one,”Paige retorted.
“I said, shutup!” Adele shouted.
Paige’s eyesnarrowed. She flashed a crocodile grin. A smirk devoid of joy and fueled onlyby malicious pleasure. “You’re inept and impossible to work with.”
“I’m impossibleto work with?” Adele said, stunned. “You’re unconscionable!”
Paige gruntedand turned. “I’ve had enough of this bullshit. I’m reporting you to Foucault. Ican’t work with stupid and her lecherous old sugar daddy.”
With a spring inher step, Paige hurried out of the room, up the hall. Robert lifted his hand,and he nodded toward the door. “Probably best you’re in that room when theyhave that conversation.”
Fuming, Adeleextricated herself from the desk and hurried into the hall as well. Sheadjusted her sleeves as she raced after Paige, her blood pulsing in her earswith throbbing pumps. She strode down the hallway and ignored the elevator,watching the door slide shut as Paige entered. Adele made a beeline for thestairs, hurrying up them three at a time. She passed a couple of coworkers butignored them, despite their nods of greeting.
Just before shereached the top floor where Foucault’s office was, she heard the ding ofthe elevator above her. The noise was accompanied by the sound of slidingdoors, then quick, hurried footsteps.
Adele cursed andput
