Buried Prey
Chapter 12
by Sandford, JohnThe chapter introduces the Jones girls’ killer, a physically imposing and deeply discontented man living in a cluttered, overheated home. He spends his time mindlessly watching TV, struggling with chronic fatigue, anxiety, and health issues like obesity and hemorrhoids. His past as a failed electronics worker turned porn site operator highlights his financial struggles and disillusionment. The discovery of the Jones girls’ bodies in his former home has reignited his paranoia, as he fears being identified by old neighbors or law enforcement.
The killer’s life is marked by instability, both financially and emotionally. He barely scrapes by on income from his declining porn sites and eBay resales of random junk, like silk kimonos. His manic-depressive tendencies worsen as he recalls his history of abducting and murdering young girls across the Midwest. A turning point came in the 1990s when he shifted to sex tourism in Thailand, preferring the anonymity and lack of risk compared to his earlier crimes.
His deteriorating mental state is compounded by physical discomfort, including headaches and the stifling heat of his home. The chapter underscores his isolation and growing desperation, as he prepares for an encounter with an old man—possibly a family member—who arrives in a Cadillac. Their strained interaction hints at a shared history of dysfunction, with the old man’s dismissive attitude mirroring the killer’s own bitterness.
The chapter closes with tension as the killer retrieves antique Indian clubs, possibly a weapon, while awaiting the old man’s arrival. The scene sets the stage for a confrontation, emphasizing the killer’s volatility and the lingering threat he poses. His past crimes and current instability create a sense of impending violence, leaving the reader uneasy about what will unfold next.
FAQs
1. How does the author characterize the killer both physically and psychologically in this chapter?
Answer:
The killer is portrayed as a physically large, overweight man with unkempt features—rolls of fat, thick black hair, heavy eyebrows, and a perpetually petulant expression. Psychologically, he is deeply troubled, suffering from anxiety, insomnia, and manic-depressive tendencies. His life is marked by failure and dissatisfaction, as seen in his unsuccessful career in electronics and marginal existence running porn sites. The chapter also reveals his violent history, including the murder of multiple young girls, which haunts him. His current state is one of exhaustion, financial stress, and paranoia about his past crimes being discovered.2. What role does the killer’s financial situation play in shaping his actions and mindset?
Answer:
The killer’s financial instability is a central stressor, driving his desperation and criminal behavior. His porn sites generate minimal income ($2,000/month), forcing him to supplement his earnings by reselling junk on eBay. This financial strain exacerbates his depression and fuels his need to “travel,” a euphemism for his predatory trips to Thailand. His inability to afford first-class travel highlights his declining quality of life. The chapter underscores how his economic struggles intersect with his violent tendencies, as his past crimes (like the Jones girls’ murders) were partly motivated by opportunity and his marginalized existence.3. Analyze the significance of the killer’s transition from abducting girls in the U.S. to participating in sex tours in Thailand.
Answer:
The shift reflects both practical and psychological changes in the killer’s modus operandi. In the U.S., his crimes were high-risk, involving abduction and murder, which left evidence and potential witnesses. Thailand’s sex tourism offered a “no fuss, no muss” alternative, providing legal (though exploitative) access to victims without the same level of personal risk. This transition also reveals his racial preferences (“little yellow ones”) and his desire for convenience as he ages. The chapter suggests his crimes evolved not out of remorse but from a calculated effort to minimize consequences while satisfying his violent urges.4. How does the author use the killer’s living environment to reinforce his character traits?
Answer:
The cluttered, oppressive living space mirrors the killer’s mental and physical decay. The overheated den with servers symbolizes his stagnant, tech-dependent life, while the smell of “pizza and beer and black beans” reflects his slovenly habits. The Indian clubs under the couch table—a failed eBay item—hint at his futile attempts at improvement. The air conditioner “eating his money” underscores his financial anxiety. These details create a visceral sense of his isolation, decay, and inability to escape his circumstances, reinforcing his identity as a man trapped by his own failures and crimes.5. What does the interaction with the old man reveal about the killer’s relationships and emotional state?
Answer:
The exchange is terse and devoid of warmth, highlighting the killer’s emotional detachment. The old man’s dismissive attitude (“What’s this shit?”) and the killer’s sarcastic offer of “Budweiser and Budweiser” suggest a relationship built on habit rather than affection. The old man’s physical ailments (hemorrhoids) and “plodding” demeanor mirror the killer’s own decline, implying a generational cycle of dysfunction. This interaction underscores the killer’s loneliness—his only human connection is with a similarly broken individual, reinforcing his alienation and lack of redemption.
Quotes
1. “A mouth that said that nothing had worked for him: nothing. Ever.”
This quote powerfully captures the killer’s lifelong sense of failure and resentment, establishing his psychological state and worldview. It introduces the theme of thwarted ambition that runs through his backstory.
2. “Porn supposedly was a mainstay of the Internet, an easy way to get rich. Maybe it was, but if so, where was his money?”
This ironic reflection reveals both the killer’s economic struggles and his pattern of chasing get-rich-quick schemes that never pan out. It shows his disillusionment with the digital economy he once pinned his hopes on.
3. “Then, in the middle nineties, he’d discovered the sex tours to Thailand. You could get whatever you wanted in Thailand, if you had the right contacts. No fuss, no muss, no risk … and he liked the little yellow ones.”
This chilling passage marks a key turning point in the killer’s evolution, showing how he transitioned from domestic murders to international exploitation. The casual racism and dehumanization reveal his complete moral bankruptcy.
4. “He suffered from anxiety, and felt that he had a right to.”
This concise statement perfectly encapsulates the killer’s self-pitying worldview and sense of entitlement. It shows how he rationalizes his psychological problems rather than addressing them.
5. “The Jones killer did the books, processing the credit card numbers as they trickled in, a few every day, but, it seemed, fewer every day.”
This detail provides ironic contrast between the killer’s mundane financial struggles and his horrific crimes. It highlights the banality of evil in his everyday existence.