Work Text:
The problem with killing your captive is that you need to find a new one.
Seduction is work, and preparing a captive is a matter of timing and isolating.
The other problem with killing is disposal - or, in his mother’s case, non-disposal.
Norman has gotten messy and the hunger for death never leaves, so he takes to leaving the women in the second room in the basement and locking it up.
Part of himself wants to be caught so he leaves the blood smear on the set of keys. He tells Marion Crane that it’s from his taxidermy practice, knowing she’ll still be curious and uneasy.
Part of himself doesn’t want to be caught, and Norman decides to bring Marion inside his house and to the basement.