Chapter Three

When Avery became a cop, he always wanted the best for victims and their families. Avery himself was also a victim of child abuse. His father, Avril Dexter, was only in his mid-thirties when Avery was neglected and abused, and Avery was only fifteen years old. He was just a teenager when his father, Avril Dexter, came into his bedroom and started beating him with a baseball bat. His sister, Mackenna, was eight years old when she saw Avery being beaten by their father. Avery and Mackenna were born seven years apart, and Mackenna loved her big brother, Avery. Mackenna would have been twenty-one years old by now if she were still alive.

Avery told Mackenna not to tell anyone, including Child Protective Services, about the beating he had endured. Mackenna promised Avery that she would not tell anyone and said that she loved her big brother and would not reveal anyone's secrets.

This was a flashback Avery was having. After the flashback ended, Avery was at his desk in the NYPD squad room, reading information about his sister Mackenna's death, including how she had been murdered. It was nighttime, and everyone had gone home except Avery. He was researching Mackenna's case.

The case was being reopened without Captain Jonson's permission. Detectives Sally Armstrong and Jack Long, who had been assigned to the case by the NYPD a long time ago, had never been able to find Mackenna Dexter's body. Avery read through every detail of the paperwork in Mackenna's case. When he saw a photograph of Mackenna inside the file, he began having flashbacks of her once again: the special bond they had shared and how their relationship as brother and sister had eventually begun to fade.

The chalkboard in the middle of the precinct was a graveyard of missing faces. FBI Special Agent Banner was looking at the chalkboard when he found a piece of evidence. Detective Avery Dexter stood across from his desk, watching the FBI agent do his job. He grabbed his cup of coffee and took a small sip, despite the heat.

Detective Hunter Connor rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. He watched Banner work at the board.

"The timeline fits," Banner said, his voice cracking as he looked away from the chalkboard. "We are looking at a highly organized, competitive serial killer who committed murders between 1996 and 2006. As you mentioned, Avery."

Banner sighed.

"That's been ten years," Hunter muttered, his voice soft.

"Ten years, and nobody connected the dots until Avery pulled the old files," Hunter said.

"That's because the NYPD didn't see them for what they were. They viewed them as isolated runaways or local abuse cases," Avery said with a sigh.

"This guy went completely dark for fifteen years. Then, of course, he killed Mackenna Dexter in 2013 and struck again, targeting Emelia Joy in 2021. He is intrigued by the fact that he feels remorse because these girls are so young, and he wants them to see that he is stronger than they think he is," Banner said.

"He didn't just stop; he changed his pacing," Hunter said.

As a profiler, Banner did not merely look over files; he read them word for word. He also read people. He noticed the barely perceptible tremor along Avery's jaw. He knew Avery was a victim of child abuse, which had left scars he could not seem to comprehend.

"It's twisted," Avery said.

"Yeah," Banner said.

Banner paced back and forth.

"The remorse makes him wait, but the urge to kill keeps him highly impulsive, and he is not afraid to do so," Banner said.

Avery sighed. "True."

Avery felt chills run down his spine. It was a sign that he was grappling with his own personal struggles. The memory of a baseball bat and his father Avril's shadow in the bedroom doorway when he was a teenager threatened to surface. He forced it down and stared at the chalkboard.

"My father went down in 2006," Avery said, lowering his voice because he did not want the whole precinct to hear his painful words. "That was right when the first wave stopped. But Mackenna died in 2013."

Avery looked up at Agent Banner. His eyes darted around the room.

"If my dad was locked up when Mackenna was killed, then Avril Dexter wasn't the only bad guy in our house. The killer was watching us the whole time."

In Avery's flashback, he remembered being angry with Mackenna after their father had beaten him because Mackenna had told their mother that their father was beating Avery. Avril was arrested and charged with multiple counts of assault and endangering the welfare of a child. Avery later found out that Mackenna had also been beaten by their father.

Avery felt hopeless. The offense was classified as a Class A misdemeanor, and Avril was sentenced to one year in a local jail. Avery's father was released from prison by the time Avery turned sixteen. Two years later, Avery went to college to begin a career in law enforcement. He had not spoken to his father in years.

Meanwhile, in his flashback, Avery told Mackenna that he did not like her anymore, that he would never speak to her again, and that they were no longer friends. Just one week after Avery became angry with Mackenna, she was murdered.

Avery remembered that detectives had come to tell him and his mother that Mackenna had been killed in the woods. She had been outside playing with her friends when one of them went home. Mackenna was then shot to death. The weapon the suspect had used was never found. Detectives Armstrong and Long spent months looking for the suspect who had killed Mackenna, but eventually the case had to be closed.

Avery was devastated by the loss of his little sister. He remembered the last thing he had said to her before she died: that he no longer wanted a relationship with her. Avery felt guilty about what had happened to Mackenna. He thought he had caused his little sister's death.

During Mackenna's funeral, Avery and his mother were supported by the people who attended and offered their condolences. Avril was devastated that his baby girl had been murdered. He felt terrible about what had happened to Mackenna and about what he had done to his son, Avery.

Avery had not spoken to his father since Mackenna's death. Emma Dexter, Avery's mother, was deeply depressed over what had happened to Mackenna. She spent months in bed, doing nothing but crying herself to sleep and waking up wishing she could be with Mackenna again.

It had now been twenty years since Avery had lost Mackenna. After the flashback ended, Avery continued staring at the photograph of his little sister in the file. Then he returned to reading the police report. He saw in the paperwork that the person who had called the police and the ambulance had told the dispatcher that he had heard footsteps in the woods before discovering Mackenna's body.

Avery thought the person who had killed Mackenna had already been in the woods when the witness called the police. The witness told the dispatcher that he thought he had heard footsteps in the woods, as though someone were following him.

Avery sat in his chair and thought for a moment. He flipped through the paperwork and continued reading about Mackenna Dexter's case. He had taken the case file out of the file room before beginning to read the police report on Mackenna's cold case.

Mackenna had been murdered in cold blood. So had Emelia Joy. Avery decided to look over Emelia Joy's case while reading Mackenna's. He noticed that both Mackenna and Emelia Joy had died in cold blood.

The witness, Mrs. Gopher, who had found Emelia Joy's body, also said that she had heard footsteps in the woods and thought someone was following her. She had reported this to the 911 dispatcher.

Detectives Armstrong and Long were not assigned to the case this time because they had resigned from the police department. Now Avery and Hunter were investigating Emelia Joy's case. Hunter was worried that Captain Jonson would discover Avery investigating Mackenna Dexter's closed case, but Avery desperately wanted answers.

Then Avery heard footsteps approaching the squad room. Captain Alex Jonson, the captain of the NYPD Manhattan Homicide Squad, walked into the squad room and noticed Avery sitting there alone at eleven o'clock at night.

"Avery?" Captain Jonson said.

Avery looked at Captain Jonson. "Captain?"

"What are you still doing here? You should be on your way home," Captain Jonson said.

Avery sighed. "I'm just trying to solve a case. Emelia Joy's case is making me suspicious."

"Oh? Well, being a cop and having to find out why your victim was killed can be quite a burden when you want answers," Captain Jonson said.

Avery nodded. "Yeah."

Captain Jonson could tell that Avery was furious about the investigation.

"Avery, let me tell you something. I remember when I was a detective. I was investigating the cold case of a young girl named Sarah Katie. She was murdered in Central Park back in 1995, and I nearly lost my mind because I desperately wanted to understand why the killer had murdered Sarah. She was only eight years old. She was the same age as my daughter when she was killed," Captain Jonson said.

"Your daughter? You had a daughter?" Avery asked.

"Yeah. I miss her," Captain Jonson said.

"Did they ever find out who killed your daughter and the other girl, Sarah Katie?" Avery asked.

"Yeah. It was my husband. He was sent to prison and sentenced to life. He was also convicted of raping Sarah Katie. I sometimes feel guilty for not seeing the signs that my husband was a murderer and a rapist," Captain Jonson said.

Avery sighed and nodded.

"So I understand what you're trying to do. Just don't let this desire for answers become your entire career. Otherwise, you'll go insane," Captain Jonson said.

Avery nodded again and said nothing.

"Well, I'm going to pick up the jacket I forgot in my office before I head home. I'll see you in the morning. Go home, Avery," Captain Jonson said before walking past Avery and heading to her office.

Avery sighed. He closed the files, stood up from his chair behind the desk, and turned off the light. He grabbed his black leather jacket, which was hanging over his chair, then picked up his car keys and wallet before walking away from his desk. Eventually, Avery left the squad room and headed to his car.

Avery and Hunter, along with members of the TARU unit, were tracking phone calls between the number that had anonymously messaged Avery and another random number. Two men had been speaking to each other about wanting to murder a girl.

The TARU unit was tasked with collecting, processing, and transcribing digital evidence, including video and cellphone data. Additionally, TARU supplied investigative technical equipment and tactical support to all bureaus within the department. The unit also extended its assistance to other city, state, and federal agencies.

"So these two men are talking about torturing and murdering young girls, and these phone numbers are being traced back to Brooklyn and Manhattan," explained Rodge Garrison, a member of the TARU team.

Standing over Rodger's shoulder was Agent Banner. Sent from the Behavioral Analysis Unit, Banner adjusted his jacket and spoke up. He had been brought to help map out serial killers behind the screen. Banner stepped forward, before looking closely at the data layout. "The geographic spread isn't any random thing but this kind of coordination between the escalation moving from digital voyeurism to active planning—suggests a dominant offender who is organizing the others. They aren't just speaking but violating each other's fantasies."

"So you're saying these phone calls are being traced to different parts of New York, and the people involved may have known Emelia Joy?" Avery asked.

"Yeah. But I found something else. I traced more phone calls between these people, and it showed that they had apparently made contact with three other people in the Bronx," Rodge said.

Avery sighed. "Okay, and what are these people's names?"

"Well, I was only able to get one name using this phone number: AJ Michael. He is only ten minutes from the police station," Rodge said.

"Okay, thanks," Avery said.

Avery turned around, and he and Hunter left the TARU unit.

Once they arrived at AJ's apartment, Avery banged on the door.

"AJ Michael? This is the police. Open up!" Avery shouted.

Avery banged on the door again.

"AJ!" Avery shouted.

"Okay, okay. I'm coming!" AJ answered.

AJ opened the door. Avery showed him his NYPD badge.

"AJ Michael, we're detectives from the New York City Police Department," Avery said, putting away his badge.

"Cops? What did I do?" AJ asked.

"Well, you tell us. Do you like torturing young girls?" Avery asked.

"What?" AJ said.

"We have a lead that you were with some friends when you and your buddies decided that you didn't like little girls," Avery said.

"Is this about the girl who died in the woods?" AJ asked.

"Yes," Avery answered.

"Look, I may not be fond of little girls, but I don't murder people," AJ said.

"Then why did you torture Emelia Joy by pushing her into a ditch?" Avery asked.

AJ sighed. "Okay, it's not what it looks like. She came up to me, calling me names. Emelia told me I was being rude to her and her friend, whatever her name was. I pushed her to the ground, and she started screaming and freaking out."

"You do realize she was only eight years old and sometimes had temper tantrums?" Avery asked.

"Well, it's not just that. When she was screaming at me, she cried murder," AJ said.

"So Emelia cried 'murder' while screaming?" Avery asked.

"Yeah. She freaked out on me," AJ said.

Avery thought for a moment.

"Well, thank you, AJ," Hunter said.

Avery and Hunter turned around and walked away from AJ. AJ shut the door, and Avery and Hunter left the apartment complex.

Back at the police department, Avery and Hunter continued investigating Emelia Joy's and Mackenna Dexter's cases. In the squad room, Avery was reading about Emelia Joy's history of violence. When Emelia was seven years old, her mother, Mrs. Joy, had never told Avery or Hunter that Emelia had been sent to a psychiatric hospital multiple times during the previous year.

Avery was reading about how Emelia Joy had been sent to a mental institution because her mother reported that her daughter was always upset and angry, and that she could not control her.

"So why would Emelia cry 'murder' before she was murdered?" Hunter asked.

"I don't know. But there's something else. According to this report—not a medical report, but another report—Emelia had been sent to a mental institution not once, not twice, but eighteen times during the last year," Avery said.

"Wait, why?" Hunter asked.

"To find out, we first need confirmation from her doctor. Secondly, we cannot access Emelia Joy's medical records without a subpoena," Avery explained.

Hunter sighed. "And where is this particular doctor?"

"Dr. Joe Hilton. He's a doctor at Manhattan Psychiatric Hospital. The last time, he refused to hand over a patient's medical records to another detective because he believed doing so was illegal," Avery said.

Hunter nodded. He and Avery stood up, gathered their belongings, and left the squad room together once again.

At the hospital, Detectives Avery and Hunter spoke with Dr. Joe Hilton in his office. Agent Banner was present as well.

"Mr. Hilton, was Emelia Joy your patient?" Avery asked.

"Yeah. She was here eighteen times because her mother couldn't control her," Joe said.

"There's an investigation into Emelia Joy's murder. She was killed a couple of weeks ago, and we have a subpoena issued by the court requiring us to see her medical records," Avery said.

A detective such as Avery Dexter may be able to access medical records; however, this is not a straightforward or unrestricted process. Typically, detectives are required to possess a valid legal mechanism, such as a court order, subpoena, or warrant, to acquire medical records during an investigation. HIPAA regulations permit certain exceptions that allow law enforcement to access protected health information without the patient's consent, particularly in the context of a criminal investigation.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act provides for the disclosure of protected health information to law enforcement under specific conditions. A common method for detectives like Avery to obtain medical records is through a court order or subpoena, which legally obligates the healthcare provider to release the records. In certain situations, detectives may also obtain a search warrant to access specific medical records relevant to a criminal investigation.

Even when law enforcement is authorized to access medical records, the information disclosed may be restricted to specific details relevant to the investigation, as specified in the legal document, such as a court order. Disclosures may also be allowed in the public interest, such as when a crime has been reported or when the information is necessary to identify or locate a suspect, fugitive, material witness, or missing person.

"What? You can't do that," Joe said.

"Under HIPAA regulations, we can. Here's the subpoena," Avery said, handing Dr. Joe Hilton a copy.

Mr. Hilton took the subpoena from Avery and sighed.

"Is this really necessary?" Joe asked.

"Yes," Avery answered.

"Well, I—"

Joe was interrupted by Avery.

"Mr. Hilton, let us do our job," Avery said.

Joe sighed. "Detective, you're making a big mistake."

"Why? Just as you told the last detective who tried to access one of your patients' medical records because you thought what they were doing was illegal?" Avery asked.

Joe sighed once more, and Avery continued to stare furiously at him.

After gaining access to the medical records, Avery and Hunter left the office. They headed to the parking lot after exiting the hospital.

Back at the police station, in the squad room, Avery and Hunter read through Emelia Joy's medical records and discussed them.

"Well, since Mr. Piper has no record of murder and claims that he wasn't following Mrs. Walnut and her daughter, Callie, to their home—he says he was only following them and wasn't spying on them or intending to harm them—is it possible that we could be looking at Dr. Joe Hilton, who may have murdered Emelia Joy?" Hunter asked.

"I mean, he didn't want us to see her medical history, but murdering her? Nah," Avery said.

"So, you never told me whether you have any other family members. I know Mackenna was your youngest sister, but do you have any other siblings?" Hunter asked.

Avery sighed. "Yeah. I have an older brother. His name is Alex Dexter. He lives in Brooklyn, is married, and has two children. Let's just say that he and I don't have as close a connection as Mackenna and I did," Avery said, flipping through the pages.

"Oh. Not every family member gets along with one another. So why don't you and Alex have a close relationship? Does he know what happened to Mackenna?" Hunter asked.

"He was always the center of attention in my family. My mother and father were very close to me and my sister, while Alex had his own things to deal with. It's just that he doesn't seem anything like me or my little sister. He never even came to the funeral," Avery said.

"What? He never came to your sister's funeral?" Hunter asked.

"Yeah. He heard what happened to her, and I asked him whether he cared about our family. He just didn't care about anyone but himself," Avery said.

"Oh. Does he know what happened to you—about what your dad did to you?" Hunter asked.

Avery thought for a moment. "Like I said, he only cares about himself, not me or my sister," he said.

Hunter nodded understandingly because of what Avery had explained to him about Mackenna and his older brother.

"I'm sorry. But do you still talk to him? Maybe he should know that Mackenna died a horrible death. I'm sure you would have appreciated it if he had come to the funeral," Hunter said.

"I tried to get him to come, but he didn't show," Avery said.

"Oh. How did your mother feel about that, since your sister passed away after your dad was sent to prison, if you don't mind my asking?" Hunter asked.

"She took it very seriously and very hard. My mom tried everything to get Alex to understand that he had been a real jerk to the family. After that, he packed his bag and ran away. We haven't seen him since my little sister died," Avery said.

"Hmm," Hunter said.

Avery smiled softly at Hunter, then looked down at the paperwork and cleared his throat as he sighed.