From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Re: forensic psychologist, Francesca Thorne
Christine,
As I told you last week, Iâve put Francesca Thorne on our case. If anyone can confirm the links between Arachne, the Queen of Hearts and Marionâs mystery prisoner, itâs Chesca.
The last few Oracle agents Iâve put on Arachneâs trail have encountered dangerous situations. Francescaâs an Athena grad, and I know she can hold her own, but I would feel more at peace with her involvement if she had backup on this investigation. You mentioned your great-nephew during our last call. Is he still between positions after recovering from that bullet he took in the line of duty? Heâs just the man Chesca needs.
Would you contact him about going to Boston?
D.
Dear Reader,
It was an honor when Natashya Wilson asked me if I would be interested in contributing to the Athena Force series. As an avid fan of all things Bombshell, I loved the idea behind the characters, conspiracy and cover-ups at the Athena Academy, and I knew I would have a blast getting to know Francesca Thorne up close and personally.
I loved Francescaâs commitment to digging deep into her preyâs psyche and unraveling clues to piece together a profile of motive and opportunity. Iâve always been a fan of forensic psychology, and watching Francesca maneuver her way around obstacles was a thrilling ride for me, one which I hope you will enjoy, as well.
Please stop by www.loriamay.com to say hello and share your thoughts on Francesca and Willâs Athena adventure!
Lori A. May
He pulled tight around her throat, choking her.
He didnât say anything. He didnât have to.
Francesca Thorne was accustomed to gathering information from criminals in what wasnât said, whether it was through a look, a nervous tic despite attempts to mask such a giveaway, or simply a change in vocal pitch.
It was what an opponent did not say that aided in the patchwork of piecing together a personality. Her role was simply to watch. Observe. Filter the subtleties of the subconscious into her puzzle-solving mind.
Whereas she would normally calculate facial expressions and measure the pupil dilation of her suspect, waiting for a flinch to reveal so much more than well-selected words, the opportunity had not been given with this particular hunt.
Instead, she had to count on the sound of his breath, the weight of his grasp as he held one arm tightly around her neck, choke-holding her into submission with her back facing him, unable to meet his eyes.
He had snuck up on her.
Though she had returned to the scene to analyze its meaning, determine why the killer had chosen this location for his latest victim, Francesca had not been counting on his presence. Not yet.
His attack had caught her by surprise.
The killer had demonstrated an odd pattern of returning to the scene of his crimes only to enact another, but in between he always committed a murder at a different location. That was his MO. Or at least the first five murders had suggested as much with his leapfrog style.
One location, then another, then back again.
By their calculations, he should have been somewhere else preparing to commit the sixth. She had chosen to come here with the hopes she could piece something together about his selection process, quickly enough to determine where the next crime would take place.
But his MO had changed.
It was inevitable he would switch it up.
Knowing his back-and-forth actions as she now did, he would have been caught sooner or later, with the FBI knowing to stake out his previous playground. And, really, it was just childâs play for him.
âYou like taking risks,â she said, holding her voice steady, not allowing even a shred of fear to show as the pressure of his grip grooved over her esophagus. âYet you refuse to show your face. Slightly passive-aggressive, donât you think?â
When in close contact with a serial killer, Francesca Thorneâlauded forensic psychologist for the FBIâpulled no punches in calling it as she saw it. That included tempting fate by asking somewhat dangerous questions, or igniting a suspectâs volatile nature. It was a trait for which she was known.