Among the serial killer club, not a single person dared to confront the machinery of the state head-on. Even though the United States' state machinery did not run particularly smoothly, and the law enforcement components meshed even less tightly, leaving plenty of loopholes to exploit, most people chose not to discuss the matter. Everyone understood without saying it: they simply were no match for it, so why talk about such depressing things?
Although both Americans and foreigners had a tradition of mocking the Federal Bureau of Investigation, it was like mocking France. The other four permanent members could make France the butt of jokes, but that did not mean smaller countries could do the same. Anyone foolish enough to try would learn that France's lingering might was still very real.
No matter how incompetent the Federal Bureau of Investigation was, it was not something a lone serial killer could handle. The main reason they had not been caught was simply that American law enforcement agencies were only responsible for maintaining social stability. If things did not become too serious, they would not truly crack down.
But once things really blew up, never mind the American mainland—even if you fled abroad, you could still very easily commit suicide by shooting yourself eight times.
At least among the vast majority of serial killers Schiller knew, the lower-profile, the better, and the more ordinary their jobs, the better. They might be plumbers, garbage truck drivers, supermarket cashiers, or students. Even being rich or homeless counted as an unusually conspicuous occupation, because such people had too many chances to deal with law enforcement officers.
For that very reason, after the economic downturn, contact within the group gradually weakened. Everyone was busy making money. Even the Joker had to go home and buy groceries and