Chapter 52

After calling Sam Cross, the local defense attorney for Strauss, Jenna went into the interview room with Kane and Carter to discuss their questions for the suspect. Through the open door, she heard footsteps and looked up to see Jo Wells, with a laptop tucked under one arm. “Jo, great to see you.”

“I have crucial evidence in the case, exonerating Carter.” Jo glanced at Carter. “Oh, I’m glad to see you’re on this side of the desk. I figured when Maggie said you were all down here that you were being questioned in relation to the murders.”

“No, we caught a guy who looks just like me.” Carter smiled around a toothpick, stood, and pulled out a chair for her. “We’re just discussing tactics while we’re waiting for his lawyer.”

“Oh, Sam Cross is here.” Jo indicated behind her. “Rowley took him down to the cells.”

Jenna leaned back in her chair and looked at Jo. “What evidence do you have?”

“Oh it’s incredible and thanks to the fast work of Kalo and Agent Katz—they worked on these media files together—we have the original and altered footage. Here, I’ll show you.”

Excited, but wary, Jenna held up a hand. “Before we see this footage give me more information. This is putting the cart before the horse.”

“Right.” Jo pulled out a notebook. “I have the basics. Agent Katz is writing a full report and has emailed a request to the judge here in town for a search warrant for all computer equipment at the Diamond Bar Ranch. She traced the IP address and found it in seconds.” She scanned her notes. “As Kalo believed, deepfake technology was used to alter the footage. The government has many programs to detect deepfakes and he used one to prove Carter’s innocence. The person who altered the footage is very proficient. He was able to download the footage and replace it without leaving hardly a trace. As Agent Katz is incredible at cybercrime and so is Kalo, between them they managed to backtrack the files to the perpetrator’s hard drive, extract it, and compare it.” She grinned. “They hacked the hacker. All this is how Kalo explained it, but a full report will be ready ASAP.”

Astonished, Jenna nodded. “I don’t quite understand the mechanics of deepfakes, but I have seen the results. It’s incredible, but when this type of thing happens, it’s terrifying as well.”

“Yeah, being falsely accused of murder sure takes some getting used to.” Carter removed his hat and ran his fingers around the rim. He winked at Jo. “I knew you and Kalo would come through for me.”

“Can we look at the footage?” Kane drummed his fingers on the table. “We’ll need to interview Strauss soon. It’s getting late and I’d like him out of our hair and cooling his heels in County so we can collect Tauri. He’s had a bad week and us being late only makes things worse for him.”

Understanding his concern, Jenna squeezed his arm. “I called him before we came down here. I told him we were just next door and would be by after dinner to collect him. He’s fine. He gets to watch TV and eat hot dogs.”

“Here you go, watch this. You won’t believe it.” Jo turned her laptop toward them and started a video file.

Two video files ran side by side, one original and one using deepfake. It was without doubt Strauss in the original footage. The altered files showed Carter, and no matter how many times Jenna replayed the files would she have ever believed they were fake. “Oh, that is incredible.”

“The problem I see is if Strauss can do this so easily”—Kane’s face was like stone—“how long before more criminals learn how to do it? From my understanding it’s available software and more and more programs are coming onto the market daily. Unless local law enforcement agencies have access to this new fake-media-detecting technology real fast, video evidence won’t be admissible in court before too long.”

“Kalo told me there are a ton of detectors available now.” Jo looked at Kane. “But you’re correct, many small towns won’t be aware of the massive step forward in technology.” She shook her head. “AI is amazing but I can see many problems ahead. It’s moving so fast no one knows what the future will bring. Let’s hope it’s beneficial.”

Jenna looked up as Rowley knocked on the door. She smiled at him. “Can we interview the prisoner?”

“Yeah, Sam Cross says he’s ready to talk.” Rowley moved his attention to Kane. “Strauss is angry. Sam interviewed him outside the cell. He’ll need to be restrained or someone is going to get hurt.”

“Not a problem.” Kane and Carter stood in unison. “We’ll go and get him.” He looked at Jenna. “Maybe you and Jo should wait outside until we get him secured.”

Jenna nodded and stepped outside, followed by Jo. Rowley wasn’t exaggerating when he said Strauss was angry. Shackled hand and foot, Kane had a good hold of him as Carter secured him to the desk. When Sam Cross motioned to Jenna that he wanted to speak to her, she went to his side. She couldn’t quite recall when she’d seen the laidback lawyer looking so disturbed. “Is everything okay?”

“He’s admitted to killing the women and wants to tell his story.” Cross gave her a long searching look. “He’ll be pleading guilty to the four counts of murder you’re looking to charge him with, and I figure he was hoping someone would stop him. How sound of mind he is, is for the courts to decide, but I’ll be asking for an evaluation when we get to court for sentencing.”

Jenna nodded. “Did he give you the impression this had been going on for a time before he came to Black Rock Falls?”

“You know I can’t discuss my client’s thoughts with you, Jenna.” Cross hunched his shoulders as if carrying a great weight. “As a sheriff I suggest you do what you normally do to follow up in a homicide.”

Raising one eyebrow, Jenna met his gaze. “Yes, I’ll follow normal procedure and notify all states. I can’t believe he confessed. It sure makes our work easier.”

Surprised as Strauss looked anything but cooperative, Jenna indicated toward Jo. “You know Agent Wells. She’d like to get as much information from him as possible. Interviewing psychopaths is her specialty and any information to add to her behavioral research will help us understand what makes them tick.”

“I don’t figure anyone will understand them or how their minds work.” Cross folded his arms across his chest and then shook his head. “I’ve never met one the same as another, but if she wants to probe his mind, go right ahead. I wouldn’t mind finding out why he killed women either.”

Waving Jo toward the door, Jenna smiled at her. “He’s admitted killing the four women in Black Rock Falls, but I figure this murder spree goes back a little further. He’s way too slick to be just starting off on his life of crime. You see what you can get out of him. Rowley already got a signed confession from him.”

“Okay, I’ll see what I can do.” Jo walked past her and into the room.

Flanked by Kane and Carter, with Sam Cross sitting beside Strauss, Jenna relaxed and went through the usual procedure of setting up a recorded interview. She’d already read Strauss his rights in a previous interview. “This is Special Agent Jo Wells. She is a behavioral analyst and author of a number of books on the subject of criminal psychopathic behavior. Are you willing to speak to her?”

“I want to kill both of you right now.” Strauss glared at them with black empty eyes. “My lawyer said talking would make things easier for me when I’m sentenced. I know I’m going to jail. Now I know the girl I tried to murder is the sister of a deputy, I’ve got no chance of walking, have I?”

Unfazed by his anger, Jenna met his gaze. “No, I’m afraid you picked the wrong woman this time.”

“What makes you feel like killing, Mr. Strauss?” Jo leaned forward in her chair and tipped her head to one side as if examining him.

“Arrogant women like you and her.” Strauss glared at Jenna.

“So this need to kill has been around for a time?” Jo’s expression was passive. “When did it start?”

“Right around the time my mom took me to a cop station and left me there. I was six.” Strauss spat on the table and glared at them. “Do you know how that feels? No, you don’t, do you?”

“That must have been terrifying for a young boy.” Jo frowned. “What about your dad? Was he in the picture?”

“Nope.” Strauss shrugged. “It got worse from then on.”

“Tell me what happened.” Jo leaned back in her chair. “It must have been difficult for you.”

“It wasn’t any different from most kids of the same age and in the same position. Nobody cared. We were just problems to be dealt with. I figure they would have had us euthanized like unwanted pets if it was possible.” Strauss lifted one shoulder in a half shrug. “Mine is the usual story I guess you’ve heard over and over again. I was tossed around in the system for years and when I got out my life changed. I found I could communicate with computers and was very successful at college. My job paid me a fortune from day one. I met other gaming nerds and after hearing their experiences, I figured my resentment toward women was normal. Then I met a girl and my life seemed to be going okay. We got engaged but then she threatened to leave me for another man. I got angry and hit her and she left, but I hunted her down and murdered her.” He smiled. “If I couldn’t have her, then no one else could. I know all women are like my mom. I give them a chance, act nice, but it takes only one wrong word and I’ll murder them. It was messy at first but I got better as I went along.” He paused for a beat as if savoring a memory. “I made millions creating games. My money made it easy to hide the murders.” He leaned forward, his chains clinking, and stared at Jo. “Do you know you can hire people to clean up a murder scene? Dispose of bodies? It just takes money.”

“Do you remember the names of the women you killed?” Jo glanced at Jenna and back to Strauss.

“Yeah, they are all on my computer.” Strauss chuckled. “In a code you’ll never break.”

Jenna needed information. “The stun gun. Did you change the amperage to make it lethal?”

“Nope.” Strauss smiled. “I purchased it on the dark web. Did you know you can find anything you like on there and anyone you need?”

The angry man had turned docile and was trying to use his charm. The idea made Jenna’s stomach roll. She needed to end this interview. She had a confession and Jo had his reasons for killing. It was time to send Dallas Strauss off to County to await his court hearing. “So I hear.” She glanced at Jo, who gave her a nod. “Thank you for being so honest with us. That’s all we need for now. My deputy will take your statement and once that’s signed you’ll be on your way to County. Mr. Cross will advise you what happens next, then my deputies will take you back to the cells.”

“Better hope I don’t escape, Sheriff.” Strauss chuckled and his black eyes bore into her. “I know where you live.”