The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

Chapter 799: [THE SHADOW WITHIN] (VIII)

THE late afternoon light came through the thin windows in Lewisʼs office. Dr. Stevens sat behind Lewisʼs desk, leaned back a little in the detectiveʼs chair while he looked through reports that floated above the desk. Across from him, Lewis sat in the chair meant for visitors. His elbows rested on his knees as he watched the doctor scroll through the files.

At some point during the past five days, the seating arrangement had just happened without either of them commenting on it. Dr. Stevens now sat behind the desk, and Lewis took the chair across from him.

Lewis could not remember the exact moment it started. Stevens had come in to review the case files with him, taken the seat closest to the desk, and somehow the situation had stayed that way ever since. Now the psychiatrist sat in Lewisʼs chair like it was normal, going through the investigation materials without a care, while Lewis sat where people usually sat when they came to see him.

Lewis leaned back slightly and rubbed his temple.

”What about the anonymous calls?” Stevens asked without looking away from the screen he was looking at.

Lewis released a tired sigh. ”Still nothing useful. We tracked every call that reported the bodies. Different locations every time.”

Stevens shifted the file aside, so another report appeared in front of him.

”It came from public Terminals,” Lewis went on. ”All of them.” He waved a hand toward the wall display. ”This planet is not rich. Many people still cannot afford their own personal Terminal, so public ones are everywhere. Bus stops, shops, street kiosks. Anyone can walk up, make the call, and blend back into the crowd.” He let out a short breath. ”Five days ago, I would not have thought much about that. Now I see it for what it is. The killer had a perfect way to report the bodies leaving no trace.”

Stevens listened without changing his expression. Lewis shook his head in irritation.

”It works for regular people who need the service,” he added. ”But it also works for someone who wants to stay hidden after killing someone.”

Stevens finally looked up from the screen. ”The person responsible probably understood that perfectly.”

Lewis gave a small, humorless exhale before leaning back into his chair. ”Then thereʼs the hospital.”

Stevens nodded slightly, signaling for him to continue.

”Weʼve been going through everything connected to Greyhaven,” Lewis said. ”Staff members, maintenance workers, security, medical personnel. Weʼve also started reviewing the patient records from the psychological department.” He gestured toward the files floating in the air above the desk. ”Hundreds of names. People currently in treatment, people who finished treatment months ago, some who stopped showing up altogether.”

Stevens folded his hands loosely in front of him. ”Have any of them stood out?”

Lewis shook his head. ”Not so far.” He leaned back and crossed his arms. ”Weʼve interviewed several patients already. Most of them barely knew the victims. A few had crossed paths in waiting rooms or group sessions, but nothing that connects them directly.” Lewis paused for a moment. ”Then again, if there was someone who stood out right away, we probably would have caught the killer already.”

Stevens remained quiet, considering the information while the case files continued to hover above the desk between them.

”Well, if it helps, I think I now have a profile of the culprit,” he said. ”If you want to hear it, I can give it now.”

Lewis looked up from where he sat, clearly surprised by the statement. ”Go ahead.”

”The culprit is most likely male,” Stevens began. ”The physical strength needed to restrain victims and perform the kind of procedure weʼve seen would be difficult for someone without significant upper body strength.”

Lewis nodded slightly but did not interrupt.

”The killer is organized,” Stevens continued. ”He plans when the bodies will be found, choosing locations where they wonʼt be discovered right away. He also removes anything that might tie him to the scenes. The pattern in the dates suggests that order matters to him.” He paused briefly before adding, ”The blood trail at the first scene suggests he was still learning. A mistake from inexperience. But the second and third scenes show no trace of that. He corrected himself fast. That tells us he learns quickly and adapts.”

Lewis leaned back in his chair. He had listened carefully to everything Stevens said, letting each point settle in his mind. ”That sounds like someone who spends a lot of time thinking ahead.”

”Yes,” Stevens said. ”This is not impulsive behavior. The murders are planned.” He moved one of the victim files slightly aside. ”The culprit also shows a level of familiarity with basic anatomy. Removing a heart from a living person without killing them immediately requires knowledge of where to cut and how to avoid damaging the organ. That does not necessarily mean formal medical training, but it suggests exposure to medical information or environments where such knowledge is accessible.”

Lewis glanced toward the hospital files hovering in the air. ”Greyhaven again.”

”It is a strong possibility,” Stevens replied. ”Either the culprit works there, has worked there in the past, or has spent enough time inside the facility to become familiar with the environment and the people connected to it.” Stevens continued calmly. ”The victims also share another characteristic. All three were socially isolated in different ways. They lived alone, had very limited family connections, and were unlikely to have many people monitoring their daily routines. Individuals like that are easier to approach and easier to control without drawing attention.”

Lewis slowly nodded. ”They disappear for a while and nobody immediately notices.”

”Exactly,” Stevens said. He paused briefly before continuing. ”The culprit likely observes his victims for some time before selecting them. The presence of the sedative shows preparation, and the timing of the murders suggests he operates on a schedule that allows him to plan each step carefully.”

Lewis tapped a finger lightly against his arm. ”What about age?”

Stevens considered the question. ”Based on the level of organization and patience involved, I would estimate late twenties to early forties,” he said. ”Someone younger might struggle with the discipline required to maintain the pattern weʼve seen.” He finished the explanation in the same calm tone. ”The person weʼre looking for is intelligent, methodical, and comfortable operating alone. He believes he is in control of the situation, and the sequence of the killings may give him a sense of satisfaction or personal meaning.”

Lewis remained quiet for a moment after Stevens finished speaking.

He leaned back in the chair and studied the man across the desk. The explanation had been clear and carefully reasoned. Nothing Stevens said sounded exaggerated, and most of it lined up with what the investigation had already uncovered. Even so, Lewis took a few seconds to process the information.

He had worked enough cases to know that profiles were not magic answers. They were educated guesses based on patterns in behavior. Still, when they were done properly, they could help narrow down the type of person the police should look for.

”So in simple terms,” the doctor said, ”we are looking for an organized man in his late 20s to early 40s who blends into normal society, plans his actions carefully, and targets people who live quiet and isolated lives.”