“People often favor information that confirms their existing beliefs, almost like it’s a way to justify their actions. It’s called confirmation bias. It could explain why some killers use religion to give reason to what they do,” Spencer rambled absentmindedly, his focus on the case file in his lap.

A subtle frown pulled at his lips, picking at the edge of the file holder. “It’s funny how people use religion in different ways. Most for comfort and peace, to purge their sins, then there’s…” he trailed off, his lips downturning as he looked over the crime scene photos and so-far collected evidence.

Sleep had evaded him, keeping him irritably tossing and turning in bed. Unable to find comfort in merely staring at a blank ceiling, he had walked over to your hotel room, positive that if anyone else was awake, it’d be you. He was never wrong.

Now he sat across from you, sitting cross-legged in a small armchair with the file perched on his legs. He flipped through the photos once more before shutting the file with a sigh.

“Y’know, most religious killers tend to be ‘mission-oriented killers’, driven by a strong belief or ideology — which, in their case, is religion,” he went on, staring down at the cover of the case file before his eyes flickered up to you. “Some believe in killing sinners, others in delivery a message that coincides with that of religious scriptures. But, mission-oriented killers often operate with a clear target in mind.”