Chapter 1

The Interview

Moriah

Case 571, Erwin Bach, accused of multi-homicide first-degree murder, July 17, 2021. The crime scene suggests the attack was not premeditated, according to the police report. There was no evidence to suggest a link between the victims or a modus operandi. 

They were chosen at random, it seems. Detectives believe the attack was caused by some unknown event. An individual may become aggressive as a result.

Based on the photos of the crime scenes, anyone could come to the same conclusion. The evidence does not support a prior connection with the victims as a modus operandi.

The suspect was found at the crime scene. There are photographs of him with his victims. “Mm! This does not match the detective's assumptions.” Despite the suspect's residence being searched, and no evidence existed to suggest a prior connection to the victims. The suspect's body language suggests otherwise.

In the first photo, we see the suspect sitting on the floor leaning against a wall, watching his work. Two victims are in his sights. Samantha Crane and her father, John Crane. This same photo shows the way that the suspect arranged the bodies of his victims. 

On the floor, naked, the two victims are lying on each other's sides with their arms intertwined, facing each other.

The scene is very disturbing for a father and his daughter. At the time, I had to determine what was going through the suspect's mind. The second photo shows Sahara Crane, Samantha's mother and John's wife. In the corner of the room, the victim sits on the floor. She is fully clothed as she leans against the wall with her back against it. In the direction of her husband and daughter, her body is angled.

From the behaviour patterns of the victims, I can begin to identify what they represent to the suspect. Further, photos can be found here. There is an overwhelming amount of bloodshed by the suspect, as well as cruelty against John. It is completely disproportionate to the rest of his victims.

The story is familiar to me. However, authorities must consider proof and a psychiatric evaluation before taking any action. “Carla, come a moment please,” she is one of my assistants. With this volume of work, I need highly trained staff

Doctor Regina, how can I help you?” My name is Moriah, but I prefer to be addressed as Doctor Regina by my staff. “Thanks, Carla. Make an appointment for me with Our Lady of Piety psychiatric hospital for tomorrow at 4 p.m. Instruct the director to arrange a time to meet with patient number 571. Inform him that I want him lucid.” Carla left the office after taking note of everything.

I decided that it was time to head home when the clock struck seven in the afternoon. After calling a taxi, I went to the lobby of the building. Driving in this city is very complicated, so I have decided not to add any more complications to my life. Victoria Street is where I have my office. This is one of the busiest and most sought-after areas in Westminster.

After arriving at my residence, I was received by the doorman who had opened the door for me. Ronald knew my routine. “Thank you, have a nice afternoon.” I thanked him and continued on my way. I took the exclusive penthouse elevator. 

Since my father had enough money to buy it, it has been in my family. In addition to myself, he was highly regarded as a psychiatrist. That's where I acquired the tools to become number one in the country. It has not been easy to stay on top, because of new theories, scientific advances, and competition.

After entering my house, I went to my room. I am so tired that all I want to do is eat something and sleep, so I will do that. After changing my clothes, I went to the kitchen. In addition, I always have food in the refrigerator, I am not suited to cooking. It is best to reheat the packet and voilà, that has always been the case and, as far as I can tell, it will remain that way.

I regret not having a love life, and I know I am the one who has to deal with this. It has been impossible for me to separate the professional aspects of myself from the feminine aspects.

Sometimes I wonder if I even possess a feminine side. My training has made me a thinking and analytical machine. It never occurred to me that by demanding so much of myself, I would be killing another side of myself I was not aware existed.

Although I don't regret it, sometimes I wish I had a family life, whatever that means. It has always been my father and me. I think he has also experienced the same thing I have. We cannot maintain a loving relationship beyond a few dates. The pregnancy of my mother was a blessing for my dad. I was left in his custody even though she had no intention of contacting him as if she was punishing him with me.

I have no idea what my father said or did to her. He never wanted to tell me. I was a very life-conscious child, which was fortunate for him. The attention and affection that other children receive from their parents were not necessary for me. Or so I thought. That was unknown to my father, of course. Now that he is retired, he has decided to move to France. What is it about France? It's just a country like any other to live in.

The next day, I woke up very early, six in the morning to be precise, my usual time always, seven in the morning. My mood was strangely upset for some reason. No matter how much I review what I did or what I stopped doing, everything is fine. I am a person of habits and rules, so this unusual behaviour of mine does not make sense. Unless the changes are planned, there is no room for this.

I was thinking of the suspect who will be interviewed today. There's no reason to be nervous about meeting him. He's not the first or the most dangerous candidate I interviewed.

All of this, I will put aside, and concentrate on my work. Not for anything, they pay me a lot. The day gets better when I see my bank account with so many zeros. I am a materialist, yes, but for me, there is nothing else.

As soon as I was ready, I requested a taxi to take me to work. With normal traffic, I am fifteen minutes away. As a result, if there were no traffic one day, the distance would be very short. Although I have considered walking, the city is not very safe; I would not expose myself so easily, many lives depend on me.