CASE FILE: Relationships
Subject: Dean Corll Known for: The Candy Man of Houston Estimated victims: 28 Operational period: 1970–1973
In any healthy relationship, the initial approach is everything. You cannot simply expect someone to wander into your life and stay there forever without a little temptation. Think of yourself as a master confectioner. You must offer something sweet, something comforting that instantly lowers their guard. A little treat, a warm smile, a safe space—these are the essential ingredients of trust. In my family’s business, we understood that a childlike sweetness is the most effective way to disarm even the most cautious visitor.
Once they have stepped inside your circle, the real work begins. Many people complain that their partners drift away over time. This is a failure of containment. To keep someone truly close, you must establish firm, physical boundaries. Some might call it a restriction of freedom, but I prefer to think of it as a secure, unbreakable attachment. Think of it as a delicate binding. When you secure a connection properly—using the right tools to keep them in place—there is no room for doubts, hesitation, or sudden departures.
Communication is, of course, a two-way street, but there are times when one partner must take total, absolute control. A strong relationship requires a solid foundation—a sturdy, wooden frame, if you will, to which both parties are firmly committed. When you lay someone down on that foundation, they should feel entirely secure, unable to slip away or run, even if the impulse strikes them.
Remember, the key to longevity is patience. Do not rush the process. Let them adjust to the quiet, windowless serenity of your space. Some might struggle initially, but once they realize they are completely in your hands, the struggle fades into a peaceful, permanent silence. Keep your interactions private, far away from the prying eyes of the neighborhood, and you will find that a bond forged in secret is one that lasts.
Keep them sweet. Keep them close. And never, ever let them go.
File closed. Results pending.