“I’m not sure. Maybe it’s someone that wanted to be an artist and feels scorned and takes out their frustration on their victim.”

Margaret tapped her finger on the wooden podium. “Interesting, but I don’t think that is what our killer is saying.”

Margaret pointed to someone else, and I leaned back against the wall and crossed my arms as each one of the students she pointed to tried to come up with their own hypothesis for what and why I did certain things with my art.

“Kirby, what do you think?”

I perked up and fixed my stare on her face. She looked like she’d rather be anywhere else as she squirmed in her seat. Everything she did was intriguing to me. The way she took a deep breath and straightened in her seat spoke much more about being called out by her mother rather than participating in the class itself. I wondered if this was why she was not applying herself, and I rubbed my chin as I contemplated the possibility and best to use the knowledge.

“I would say that you’re looking for a male. Someone that is skilled with a knife.”

“Is that all?” Margaret prompted.

Kirby bit her lip as she stared at the image.

“No, the killer is someone that is highly focused and kills without remorse.” She pointed to the soft bruising. “It’s also someone that didn’t just take this person for sexual pleasure, yet I’m sure the killer was aroused or even assaulted the victim. This individual sees themself as an artist and has a natural talent in expressionism. There is a dark beauty with the dancer.”

Kirby pointed at the screen.

“Her movements are elegant, but her face is drawn like she may have been an ugly personality or wearing a mask. So I would think that this person had secrets, maybe wasn’t a good person, but all those around her thought she was wonderful and perfect.”

My lip curled up as Kirby continued to speak.

“The body was left in a well-trafficked area. That building in the background is near a park downtown, but I’m assuming no one saw anything?”

“That’s correct.”

“Then he is someone that is local and probably has been local his whole life. He knows how to blend in and most likely works a job we see him doing daily. He also knows where the cameras are and is aware of the time of day that would be optimal to leave a body without being discovered. Whoever did this is highly intelligent and someone that is taking pride in the fact that we, as the FBI, haven’t found him yet when he is right under our nose. Maybe he has even shaken our hands.”