Sometimes it doesn't work out...

and when it doesn't, a lot of people are thrown for a loop. I use the frustration. It's my fuel. So you got away today. I followed you back to your place. One night, when you're tired, and a little drunk, I'll have my way. You'll hit the light switch inside your door, and it won't come on. With just a little edge, I'll have you.

And then?, I get to release the frustration of losing you the first time.

You've gotten away this time. Enjoy your reprieve. It won't last.

Choices, choices...

I've got it all set up here for you, my dear. It's a bit like Russian Roulette, but I think more exciting. You may choose between these six syringes. Some of them will leave you feeling quite nicely. The others, however, contain some nasty surprises.

Now, go ahead and pick. Oh, and please don't struggle so, you'll mark up your wrists with rope burn.

I'm waiting just outside.

Watching you inside, carrying on as normal. It's hard to see the quiver of fear in your hands. It's only perceptible because I know it's there. But you'll do it, won't you? You'll deliver everything I asked because you believe I'll hold up my end. You believe that we'll be even.

When I see him drop to the floor, isn't that what I said? When he drops to the floor, you'll be free. But did you really think I'd keep my word?

Silly fool. The whole deck is stacked against you.

Here, in the dark...

It's where I always find them. Struggling so hard to be individual, to be interesting, and really, I know them. The ticky tacky little houses they come from, shrines to the mundane and the banal. They want glamour, they want intrigue, they want to be somebody.

Well, I give it to 'em, however briefly. It's one last thrill from me, and I release them from the mediocrity to which they're destined.

When you're a beautiful victim in an unsolved case, you live forever in the press. Nobody said you'd get to enjoy their fame.

Waiting

Patience is so difficult for people today. For me, the journey is as important as the destination. Yes, the catch is beautiful, the control, the mastery, the money...

But sitting, watching you, learning your routines, slowly forcing my way into your life, these are the real joys of life. Of course, I love the destruction, the personal take-down, the torture, even. Watching you slowly lose control over your own life, nothing beats it.

I followed you home...

But it's not your home, is it? Who is he?
You know that I'll find out either way. By the time you leave, it's going to be pitch black in your neighborhood. And everyone around there is asleep, so they won't hear you struggle.

And then, you can begin to pay me back. On my terms.

Interactions with the police...

It's about keeping cool. Not only is nothing wrong, but you're supposed to be where you are, and there's no need to explain yourself. Just because the local constable is searching the area for a certain missing person, just because I'm walking out of the woods at a strange hour, there's no reason to make myself look like a person of interest.

I respond to the questions calmly, face positive, friendly, a small look of empathy when they tell me the reason they're stopping me. "I hope you find her," I tell them with friendly concern, as I go on my way.

And you, what about you? Have you regained consciousness? Are your wrists and ankles bleeding from struggle against your bindings? I'll be back soon, you know, and you'll tell me everything I want to know.

So many memories...

An out of the way motel, a bottle of booze, a forced lock, a room invasion...it always starts off well. A knife in my hand, daring you to make a noise. The lights stay off as I leave, when you wake up, you'll have so many questions, but the answers have all gotten away with me.

Walter didn't believe me...

when I told him about my plans for you. He said no one in their right mind would fall for my trap. He said it was too simple, and that you'd get away before I would succeed.

If he could speak right now, I think he'd warn you to be careful.

He shouldn't have doubted me.

I knew when I met you...

You were ready to give it all up. Maybe it was the lights, maybe it was all the things I told you, but you walked away from a life in an instant. Who did you leave behind? Was there a husband? Did you leave a child circling the carousel as you followed me into the darkness? You were looking for an escape, and I was it. You'll never have to go back there again. You gave up, surrendered to me...and now it's all over. I gave you the release you were afraid to ask for. Will they ever find you ? Will they get to give up like you did? No, their pain has just begun.

When the sun starts to dip...

Things get a little easier for me. I dip in and out of the shadows, staying on you as you make your way around town. When no one else is around, I'll be on you before you can scream. Nobody will ever notice.

I've been mining for gold.

I set up some rusty old dental equipment in the back of an abandoned warehouse in the factory district. The sounds of the heavy equipment drown out any noise you can make. Those fillings of yours are going to come out.

What? No, I won't get that much money for them.

Extraction is just a bit of a hobby.

Smooth.

Tipping me off to the police, you thought that would work? Oh, you bought yourself some time, but there wasn't any real evidence, and they had to drop the case. You knew they would. I've found you now, and I'm learning your new patterns. It's time to pay up, whether or not you've got the cash.

I heard you left town.

Caroline said you were running away from me. I overheard her at the bar. You told her you needed to get away from "that creepy little clown before he ruins me."

Well guess what. Turns out that town was no good for me, either, so I decided to try some new digs. And you'll never guess who I've found.

You're a dirty little bird, you know that? Well. You're mine now. You don't know it yet, but it's all about to come crashing down on you.

In the News This Morning...

My contacts are all drying up.

Something's scaring them off. All the whispers are gone. I've got no information. The 5-0's been sniffing around, and all those weak souls have run away.

Without the intel I need, I can't get as much done. This is NOT how I like to work.

Ugh. This is ridiculous.

The police have been sniffing around a lot. They've been checking all of my hiding places, rifling through the spoils of my work. It's just undignified.

Somebody has a big mouth. Somebody is the only one who knows these things besides me. It's you. Now I've got no one I can trust, and I'm stuck here in this attic.

You can bet your sweater, though, I'll be out of here soon. And when I am, you'd better hope it's the police that have me because if they don't, you don't have much time left.

You'd better get your affairs in order.

Oh, no!

What's this?


You can't get up? Oh, how very sad. Oh, my foot's on your chest?

Well then, why don't you hand me your wallet, and then we can talk.

Editor's note:

Due to a terrific sinus headache, Spitzle is in bed this evening, and will not be committing any mayhem. Please come back in a day or two for more crime without consequences.

It's so satisfying.

I'm not sure that there's anything better than leaving a crime scene. - my crime scene - just as the police are arriving.

And not a soul stops me. Detectives, indeed.