Chapter 9 - First Interrogation

When Esther and Leo arrived at the police station, they left the police car in the parking lot and led 'Mad Dog' inside. He was immediately taken to a cell, where he was to wait for the first interrogation, which was to take place on the same day. First, Esther and Leo prepared the documents needed for the interrogation, and handed over to the laboratory the items found on the man - a dagger and a rope. Samples of his DNA and an imprint of teeth were also collected, both before and after his metal jaw was removed, after which it was also included in the evidence. Until the results were obtained, which were to check the similarity to the traces found on the bodies of the dead victims, the detained man was to remain in a cell at the police station. As these tests has been classified as urgent, the results should be delivered in two days at the latest, the next day at the earliest. Before the results came out, however, Leo and Esther were to interrogate the suspect, as so far this status was given to the man.

- I'm gonna put pressure on this bastard so much he'll say it all...- said Leo, clearly angry and eager to do so.

- Leo, I think I should question him.- Esther replied, looking at him with concern.- I won't let you talk to him if you're behaving like this. First of all, you need to get your emotions under control. He may be a murderer, but you have no right to beat him or something. Secondly, until the tests confirm one hundred percent that it is him, we are not sure if this man is a 'Mad Dog'. There is such a thing as a presumption of innocence, and until we have hard evidence, we cannot treat the detainee as a criminal. The fact that the would-be victim called him that way, and we found few things on him, it may only indicate suspicion, but doesn't mean that he's the killer for sure.- she reminded him.

- Yeah, I know. But who said I was going to beat him?- Leo asked, indignant.

- I can see your facial expression. You're so angry now that I'm not sure if you will be able to control your nerves.- Esther noticed.- Besides, it has happened to you a few times, so don't be surprised that I have such a feeling.- she added after a moment.

Leo wanted to cut in, but hearing her last words he fell silent immediately. Esther was right, several times he had lost his nerve while questioning a criminal. After that, Leo had a lot of trouble and a chat with the Chief.

- See?- Esther said, breaking a brief moment of silence.- I'll question him, and you'll sit in the next room and watch through the semi-transparent glass, okay?- she offered, and Leo just nodded.

Then they both started going toward the interrogation room.

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Esther entered the interrogation room where the man was already sitting. She had a paper folder with her, which contained the man's personal data, determined on the basis of the identity document he had with him. Of course, these data were immediately compared with databases, which only confirmed his identity. Esther sat across from him, setting a paper folder on the table and opening it immediately. She quickly scanned the sheets of paper in it and only then looked up at the man sitting across the table. He was looking at her with kind of bored expression on his face. His hands, handcuffed, were placed on the table.

- Let's start by confirming your identity, shall we?- Esther spoke up without taking her eyes off him for even a second.

- Sure.- he answered shortly, and only now, in this empty room, Esther heard the man's accent, which only confirmed that he was not British.

- Your name is Laurens Vermeulen, 30 years old, born in Dragør, Denmark. Is that right?- she asked, peeking at the papers from time to time.

- Exactly.- the man confirmed in a tone as if he didn't care.

- You live in Cardiff for 5 years now and work at a Sainsbury's supermarket on Queen Street, and rent a place not far from there, on Adamsdown inner-city, Sapphire Street. Correct?- Esther continued reading, then looked up at him.

- Yes, that's right.- the man sighed and ran his fingers through his blonde hair.- Why do you ask me these questions if you already know everything? You must have checked me thoroughly. Besides, I had my ID with me, right?- he continued, a little annoyed.

- Of course, but these are the procedures. We need to confirm the information with you.- Esther answered calmly.- Don't worry, Mr. Vermeulen, we'll move on to a more specific part of this questioning in a moment.- she assured, watching him all the time.- Since I confirmed the data, let me ask you a few questions ... - she began to say.

- Yes, I am the 'Mad Dog' you are looking for, although I don't like this name and the fact that people think I'm doing something wrong.- the man interrupted her in mid-sentence.- Yes, I was in this woman's apartment because I wanted to punish her. She is a whore, and deserve it, believe me. Each of them deserved what happened to them.- he concluded.

- So you admit your guilt, Mr. Vermeulen?- Esther asked, obviously surprised by his sudden confession.

- Yes.- he confirmed, looking at her.- And don't be so surprised, detective. You've got evidence on me anyway, don't you? Why would I argue if you took my DNA samples and toothprints? When the results come, I'll be accused anyway, right?- the man continued, his expression bored all the time.- Of course, in my opinion, I didn't do anything wrong, I just punished the harlots... But it won't convince you anyway. I'm just a murderer to everyone around. You are blind and can't see that I'm only cleansing the world of spoiled women.- he added at the end, livening up slightly.

- You punished them, is that right?- Esther gave him a slightly mocking look.- First of all, who gave you the right to punish anyone? Secondly, did you have to punish them in such a brutal way? Since when promiscuity is punishable by torture and death?- she asked with obvious resentment.

- In the old days such women were stoned, so what I do is not much different.- the man replied with such calmness that Esther was speechless.- Besides, before they die, I give them a little pleasure, exactly what they like, right?- he asked, an ominous smile on his lips.

- Are you talking about the brutal rape of these women? It's no pleasure for them, but another torture.- Esther grunted through her teeth, trying hard to stay calm. At that moment, she understood Leo's feelings about this man perfectly.

- Torture?- he laughed lightly.- They spread their legs in front of just anyone. You can't rape such a woman. You didn't see what I saw on their faces. They were resisting, but liked it, each one of them. Body language doesn't lie.- the man added, still looking amused.

Esther had a feeling she was going to throw up, therefore wanted to end this interrogation for the time being, so she closed the paper folder in front of her.

- Detective Moore, why don't we talk about what really interests you?- she heard the man's question and immediately looked up at him.

- What do you mean?- Esther answered the question with a question. She ignored the fact that he knew her last name, this man must have heard who was dealing with his case.

- When we were in the apartment, you curiously aksed about the 'Scarlet Angels' I saw, detective Moore. Judging by the look you had at the time, I conclude that you are very interested in this subject.- the man replied, leaning forward a bit, getting closer to her.

- Wouldn't you like to know more, hmm?- he asked in an almost whisper, which was so sensual that Esther felt a shiver run down her spine.

- End of the interrogation.- she gasped, getting up quickly from the chair, propping her hands on the table, because she felt that her legs were like jelly.- You can take the accused to the cell.- she said through the door and knocked several times. Shortly thereafter, two policemen entered the room, took the man by the arm and led him away.

Immediately after this, Leo literally burst into the interrogation room.

- Esther? Is everything all right?- he asked, seeing her palce face.

- I'm okay.- she assured him immediately.- I just can't believe what I heard from him. That a human being can say something like that.- Esther continued.- And he doesn't seem to regret what he did. At all.- she added, looking up at him.

- He's a psychopath, of course he has no regrets.- Leo replied firmly.- This kind of people always think what they do is right, even if they murder others. They always find an explanation for their crimes, and most often it's some higher mission that no one else understands.- he added with obvious contempt.

- This is terrible.- Esther admitted, staring at the floor as she clutched a paper folder to her chest.

- Listen to me.- Leo took her face in his hands, forcing Esther to look at himself.- Don't take it so personally. We just have to punish this man for what he did. That guy confessed, we have it on tape, so the lab results will be just a formality.- he continued, looking into her eyes.- Do you remember how much you wanted to catch him? Well, we have this man, we caught the 'Mad Dog'. You should be happy he won't kill any more women. Besides, the congratulations, bonus, respect from colleagues, maybe some media mention... It will probably come true now.- Leo added, smiling slightly.

- You're right, I should be glad we finally got him.- Esther admitted and smiled as well. She also felt immense relief at the thought that 'Mad Dog' is already in their hands.

- Now let's get out of here, it's time to go home and rest. It's very late.- Leo released her face from his hands and opened the door.- We both need a good night's sleep now, so we'll be ready for the results that may come tomorrow or in two days.- he added as they both left the room.