‘Yes I do, and that brings me to my first why. Why the hell did he confess? Why would he confess to such heinous crimes if he didn’t commit them and he knew he’d get death?’
‘To end his life with something,’ Hunter said decisively.
‘Excuse me?’
‘You’ve heard about people that don’t have the guts to commit suicide, so instead they buy a gun and walk down the street waving it about. The police arrive, tell the person to put the gun down, the person waves it about a little more and the police shoot him dead.’
‘Yes, I’ve heard of suicide by cop.’
‘Correct. This follows the same theory. As I’ve said Mike was a loner, no friends, not much of a life and no prospect of getting a better one either. He obviously knew about the Crucifix Killer.’
‘Everyone knew about the Crucifix Killer, the press made sure of it.’
‘Right, so you won’t be surprised to know that there were some religiously fanatical people out there that actually thought the Crucifix Killer was doing the right thing. Killing sinners.’
‘And Mike was one of them,’ Garcia completed Hunter’s sentence.
‘He probably ran the fan club.’
Garcia laughed.
‘Anyway, to these people the Crucifix Killer was a hero, someone doing God’s work, and suddenly Mike was handed the opportunity to become his hero.’
‘You mean take the rap for his hero?’
‘It makes no difference. To the rest of the world Mike Farloe’s name would become synonymous with the Crucifix Killer. He’d leave his life of obscurity behind. His name would be mentioned in books and studied in criminology classes. He would in death have the fame he never had when living.’
‘But you said Mike knew certain things about the victims that probably only the killer would know . . . like the reasons for killing them. He’d mentioned things like one of the victims fucking her way to the top of her company. How would he know that?’
‘Because the killer told him,’ Hunter concluded.
‘What?’
‘Just think about it. You’re the killer right, and you want to frame someone for what you’ve done. You finally find the right person. You befriend him.’
‘Something that wouldn’t be very hard to do since Mike had no friends.’
‘That’s right. Most of your conversations would revolve around the Crucifix Killings. How great a job the killer is doing in ridding the world of sinners or what have you. Now you start filling Mike’s head up with rumors. “I’ve heard that one of the victims was a diseased prostitute . . . another had sex with everyone in her company just to get to the top.”’ Hunter put on a different voice pretending to be the killer.
‘Preparing him for when he got caught,’ Garcia cut in.
Hunter bit his bottom lip and nodded.
‘But why not tell him about the real Crucifix Killer’s carvings to the back of the neck.’
‘Because no one knew about it except the real killer and a handful of people that were working the case. Telling Mike Farloe about the real symbol would’ve made him instantly suspicious. Mike was fucked up, not stupid.’
‘Meaning he would’ve thought the person telling him about it was the real killer?’
‘Possible but not probable. Mike would’ve thought the guy was full of shit.’
‘Why?’
‘How do you think Mike got to know about the Crucifix Killer in the first place?’
‘Through the papers and the press.’
‘Exactly. Mike probably read and watched everything about the Crucifix Killer the media threw at him. And he believed every word of it. People are very impressionable. Telling Mike that what he read and believed was a load of crap would’ve pushed him away, not gain his confidence. Who do you think your normal street man would believe, the papers and TV or a complete stranger?’
Garcia thought about it for a moment. ‘You’ve got a point.’
Hunter nodded. ‘The killer knew what he needed to do to gain Mike’s confidence.’
‘Do you think the killer was counting on Mike confessing?’
‘Maybe, I’m not sure.’
‘He had nothing to lose,’ Garcia concluded, but still looked bothered by something. ‘But why?’
Hunter threw him an alarmed look. ‘Have you been listening to what I’ve said? I’ve just explained to you why.’
‘No, why frame Mike?’
Hunter paused and stared at his cup of coffee. ‘That was about to be my next question. What are the reasons for framing somebody?’
‘Revenge?’
‘Not in real life.’