Into the Dark

36

Monterey Park, California

Mark Harding’s story had ignited a firestorm.

Five miles east of downtown L.A., network satellite trucks and news cars from the city’s media outlets had crammed into the parking lot of the L.A. County Sheriff’s headquarters. The brass had called a press briefing, which was set to begin within five minutes.

This is our shot to speak directly to the killer, Tanner thought, waiting with other officials against one wall of the media conference room.

Earlier, throughout the morning, reporters had reacted to the ANPA’s exclusive bombshell by relentlessly calling the department to demand interviews. Tanner and the task force had taken some of those calls that had distracted them from other work on the case. He’d come from Commerce to the Sherman Block building in Monterey Park to participate in the news conference.

Tanner surveyed the jungle of TV cameras and tripods as operators made final adjustments, estimating seventy newspeople in the room. Reporters gossiped, gabbed on cell phones, texted or made notes. Some of the TV journalists primped.

Next to the waiting podium, Tanner saw the board bearing enlarged color photos of the five murdered women and a map of Greater Los Angeles marked with where their bodies had been found. Tanner spotted Harding at the far edge of a row of chairs. They nodded to each other as Captain Martin Bronson of the sheriff’s homicide bureau, went to the podium. He began with background on the five cold case homicides before summarizing the news-that the killer had written to Harding.

“We believe the person responsible for the deaths of the five victims is the same person who’s contacted the AllNews Press Agency,” Bronson said. “We’re asking for anyone who may have any information relating to any aspect of this case to use our toll-free line to contact us or your local law enforcement agency. Now,” Bronson said, “we’ll take only a few questions.”

The first hand to rise belonged to a reporter with KTKT News.

“Do you have any suspects?”

“We can’t discuss that at this time,” Bronson said.

“Nick Vellore, the Daily News. Captain, why did it take so many years to find evidence linking the Dark Wind Killer to these five murders?”

“That’s explained in the background material we’ve provided you. Next.”

“Jill Savagge, Associated Press. Will you release the killer’s letter, or its contents?”

“I’m afraid we’re holding that back to protect the case.”

“You gave it to the ANPA,” Savagge shot back.

“No, the killer did that.”

“Mitch Fredrick, L.A. Times. Did you recover any DNA?”

“We’re not going to discuss that at this time.”

“Kate Hernandez, KMLA Action News. Captain, can you give us any indication as to why or how the killer chose these five women?”

“That’s under investigation.”

“Kyle Porter, Ninety-Nine News Time. Sir, how many tips have you received since the ANPA story about the letter ran across the country?”

“At this point, we’ve received two hundred seventy-four tips. The FBI is helping with those received outside of California. Our task force is drawing on resources throughout the city, county and state to process them.”

“Rico Estrella, MetroBeat. In his letter the killer threatens to kill again. Are you not concerned that by issuing this information you are creating panic and giving him the attention he wants?”

“Let me assure you we’ve grappled with that and came to the conclusion that in order for us to keep the community safe, we need to keep it informed,” Bronson said. “We advise people to exercise caution and common sense.”

“Can you give examples of steps they should take?” Estrella asked.

“Ensure your home or apartment is properly locked and secure. Don’t walk alone at night where you’d be vulnerable. Be wary of strangers.”

“Should women be buying guns for protection? Maggie Fox, KSEN.”

“We’re not advocating that. But people have a right to take legal steps to protect themselves. Okay, one last question.”

“Dan Jennings, KLKL. It’s likely the killer will be watching this news conference. Captain, if you could talk to him, what would you say?”

Bronson thought for a moment before turning to Tanner.

“I’m going to let Detective Joe Tanner with the task force answer.”

As Tanner took Bronson’s place at the podium he cleared his throat. Tanner had discussed strategies on how to communicate to the killer with the task force and his supervisors.

In analyzing the letter, the earlier message, the crimes, the patterns and all the information they had so far, the FBI’s profilers had determined that the killer was above average intelligence with an enormous ego.

“We invite you to contact us again,” Tanner said. “You’ve demonstrated your intelligence, talent and skill at getting our attention, and the attention of the world. Contact us again, let us help you bring this to an end without any more people getting hurt. Please.”