that doesn't happen
to you." Then Kara looked over the evidence chart. "You do this in all your cases?
Write down all the clues and things you've learned?"
"That's right," Sachs confirmed.
"Here's an idea-most magicians specialize. Like the Conjurer doing
both quick-change and large-scale illusion? That's unusual. Let's write down his techniques. That might help narrow down the number of suspects. "
"Yeah," Sellitto said, "a proille. Good."
The young woman grimaced. "And I'll have to find somebody to replace
me at the shop. Mr. Balzac was going to be out of the store with that friend of his.... Oh, man, he's not going to like this." She looked around the room. "There a phone I can use? You know, one of those special ones?"
"Special one?" Thorn asked.
"Yeah, in private. So there's nobody around to hear you lie to your boss." "Oh, those phones," the aide said, putting his arm around her shoulders and directing her toward the doorway. "The one I use for that's in the hall."
THE CONJURER
Music School Crime Scene
Profile as lUusionist
. Perp's description: Brown hair, fake beard, no distinguishing, medium build, medium height, age: fifties. Ring and little fingers of left hand fused together. Changed costume quickly to resemble old, bald janitor.
. No apparent motive.
. Victim: Svetlana Rasnikov.
. Full-time music student.
. Checking family, friends, students, coworkers for possible leads.
. No boyfriends, no known enemies. Performed at children's birthday parties.
. Circuit board with speaker attached.
. Sent to FBI lab, NVc.
. Digital recorder, probably
containing perp's voice.
All data destroyed.
. Voice recorder is a
"gimmick." Homemade.. Used antique iron handcuffs to restrain victim.
. Handcuffs are Darby irons. Scotland Yard. Checking with Houdini Museum in New Orleans for leads.
. Destroyed victim's watch at exactly 8:00 A.M.
. Cotton string holding chairs.
Generic. Too many sources to
trace.
. Squib for gunshot effect. Destroyed.
. Too many sources to trace.
. Fuse. Generic.. Too many sources to trace.
. Responding officers reported flash in air. No trace material recovered.
. Was from flash cotton or flash paper.
. Too many sources to
trace.
. Perp's shoes: size 10 Ecco.
. Silk fibers, dyed gray, processed to a matte finish.. From quick-change janitor's outfit.
. Unsub is possibly wearing brown wig.
. Red pignut hickory and Parmelia conspersa lichen, both found primarily in Central Park.
. Dirt impregnated with unusual mineral oil. Sent to FBI for analysis.
. Black silk, 72 x 48". Used as camouflage. Not traceable.
. Illusionists use this
frequently.
. Wears caps to cover up prints.. Magician's finger cups.
. Traces of latex, castor oil, makeup.
. Theatrical makeup.
. Traces of alginate.. Used in molding latex
"appliances."
. Murder weapon: white silk-knit rope with black silk core.
. Rope is a magic trick. Color
changing. Not traceable.
. Unusual knot.. Sent to FBI and Maritime
Museum-no information.
. Knots are from Houdini
routines, virtually
impossible to untie.
. Used disappearing ink on signin register.
. Perp will use misdirection against victims and in eluding police.
. Physical misdirection (for distraction).
. Psychological (to eliminate suspicion).
. Escape at music school was
similar to Vanished Man illusion routine. Too common to trace.
. Perp is primarily an illusionist.. Talented at sleight of hand.. Also knows protean (quick change) magic. Will use breakaway clothes, nylon and silk, bald
Marian Tee
Tori Kiss
Veronica Henry
Lynda La Plante
D. H. Sidebottom
Sue Margolis
Randall Wallace
Roman Gitlarz
MAGGIE SHAYNE
Randy Wayne White