Dennis Collins, better known as The Butcher, was a hired killer known for ruthlessness. His signature was to kill with piano wire. He was hired by Wallace Larson to kill Arthur Lester.
Personality[]
He was a paid assassin of great talent, and appeared to enjoy the thrill of a hunt.
He heard music and songs in his head, which constantly varied, the latest being Peggy Gordon.[1] He compared the acts of hunting and killing to a symphony: most of the times he worked in pianissimo, by being stealthy and killing unnoticed, but sometimes fortissimo was required, for instance when he gave chase to Arthur by firing a shotgun.[1]
Description[]
John described him as a short man with a thin, greying beard. His eyes were a pale blue, nearly appearing grey. He had an Irish accent.[2]
He typically wore a hat of unknown style, with short salt-and-pepper greyed hair visibly sticking out from beneath it. Between the scraps of hair, he was visibly balding.[2]
History[]
After telling Marie a story of one of Elijah Strong's cases, Arthur recalls that he thinks the Butcher was mentioned in the story: Strong and his associates were pursued by a man who could have been the Butcher. Arthur resolves to think about who he could ask about this.[3] Later, the Butcher himself reveals that he has killed Elijah Strong in prison and made it look like a suicide.[1]
In Prelude, the Butcher meets with Larson in the confessional booth of a church. He is hired to kill Arthur, and to make it excruciatingly painful.[4] The Butcher catches up with Arthur on the train to New York City. In this confrontation, he notes that Arthur doesn't seem to be able to see him.[2]
The Butcher reappears at Daniel Saltzman's house, giving chase to Arthur. After capturing him, Larson informs the Butcher that Daniel survived as a witness.[1] At Lenox Hill Hospital, the Butcher dresses as an orderly to get close to Daniel, but is lured into conversation with Arthur. He is knocked out when Oscar hits him over the head with a bedpan.[5]
In The Order of the Fallen Star, Kayne explodes the Butcher's head, killing him.[6]
Known Abilities[]
He seemed to be an ordinary human, with a knack for violence. While he carried a gun, he preferred to kill with piano wire. He found a gun to be too loud. Piano wire is easier to hide, quieter, and easier to send a message with.[4]
He enjoyed torturing his victims and he was proficient in that.[1]
Trivia[]
- He claimed to hate Mondays, but it could have simply been a joke.[1]