Out of the Dark

Kevin becomes the prime suspect because he is a photographer who dates Kristi, one of the phone-sex operators. His profession gives him access and a plausible cover for photographing the women, and his proximity to the victims makes him a convenient target for Lt. Meyers' investigation. The police latch onto him early despite lacking concrete evidence.

Bobo is the nickname for the psychotic killer who stalks and murders the phone-sex operators while wearing a clown costume. The character is revealed to actually be Kevin Silvers, Kristi's boyfriend, who uses the Bobo identity to commit the murders while maintaining his innocent facade.

Kristi searches Stringer's office after Kevin uses his one phone call to direct her there. She discovers evidence that connects Stringer to the murders, which initially makes him appear to be the killer. However, this evidence is later revealed to be misleading or planted, as Kevin is the actual perpetrator.

While detained for the motel murder, Kevin uses his one phone call to direct Kristi to search Stringer's office. This appears to be an attempt to redirect suspicion away from himself by framing Stringer, or to manipulate Kristi into dangerous action that could further confuse the investigation.

Dave Stringer is killed after discovering Kristi searching his office. During the chase through the building, Stringer pursues Kristi outside where a passing motorist swerves and strikes him with a vehicle. Stringer's death eliminates him as a suspect and momentarily clears Kevin when the evidence from Stringer's office is examined.

At the remote cabin, Kristi begins to suspect Kevin's true identity as Bobo. She discovers or deduces that her own boyfriend has been committing the murders, leading to the confrontation where Kevin finally attacks her, confirming her suspicions.

Once Kristi confronts Kevin with knowledge of his crimes, he attacks her in a desperate attempt to silence her and maintain control. The attack represents his final, violent effort to prevent being exposed, turning on the person closest to him.

Kristi shoots Kevin with a gun they kept for protection, believing she has killed him. However, Kevin revives and lunges at her again, forcing Kristi to continue fighting for her survival until Lt. Meyers arrives.

Lt. Meyers arrives at the cabin in the final moments, just as Kevin revives his attack on Kristi. His arrival suggests he continued investigating and tracked Kevin and Kristi to the remote location, though the exact method of discovery is not detailed in the summary.

The killer specifically targets the phone-sex operators working at the hotline. The reason appears to be opportunity and vulnerability, the women's occupation puts them in danger, and the seedy nature of the business means they are less likely to be believed or taken seriously by authorities.

The summary does not explicitly detail Kevin's psychological motivations for becoming Bobo. His actions appear to stem from psychological instability, possibly related to his relationship with Kristi and his access to the women through his photography work and dating relationship.

Stringer becomes a suspect because he is an accountant working in the same building as the phone-sex hotline. His presence in the victims' network and his access to the building make him a plausible suspect. The evidence Kristi finds in his office initially seems to confirm his guilt.