KILLER ADDICTION: When Murder Becomes A Habit

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

LEONARD HAD AN EXTREMELY strict routine with his mail. He would collect it after work each day from his post office box at the Washington Square Post Office and put it straight into his briefcase without looking at any of it. Then he would get home to his apartment, remaining in his suit to stay in work mode. He would open all the bills and official mail, deal immediately with any urgent matters and put others in his in-tray on his roll-top desk for action on the coming weekend. On the rare occasions that he had any personal mail, he would leave it unopened on the dinner table. He would then get changed out of his suit into his casual slacks, polo shirt, black cashmere sweater, and brown loafers. Next step was heating his dinner, then settling down at the table that Esmerelda had set for him. The last step in the routine was to open his personal mail and read it while enjoying his dinner, finishing with one of his favourite long, thin Cuban cigars—the famous Cohiba Lancero.

Tonight was a good night; a letter from Ryan was waiting for Leonard. He had enjoyed the suspense since collecting his mail, wondering what was in store for him, but now it was time to find out. After his initial shock at Ryan’s request to imagine the murder of The Junkie, Leonard had enjoyed mapping out the strategy and developing the plan to feed Ryan’s imagination. It had seemed to help his pen-pal, and Leonard had enjoyed the distraction from his own mundane existence.

Leonard opened the letter and slowly absorbed every word. Normally he was a man on a mission and practiced speed reader, but he liked to take his time with Ryan’s letters. They were his only genuine connection with another human being.

This time Ryan talked about his smoking habit and that he was thinking about giving up. He had joined a Quit Smoking group, and everything had been going fine until this one guy opened his mouth and just killed the vibe of the whole group. He was a loud, arrogant asshole who had abused everyone, including the group leader and Ryan himself. Ryan talked about how poorly the guy treated his wife and kids, how he was worthless and sponging off his wife, and how the world would be better off without him.

Then Ryan shared the idea he had of what he imagined would be a perfect way to take him out, symbolic of his chronic smoking habit. Leonard smiled at the thought and imagined what an interesting end that might be for such a pig of a man. He pulled out his notebook and made some meticulous notes and diagrams to help feed Ryan’s imaginings.

Leonard found his thoughts disturbing, but oddly compelling.