Joe Exotic's Favorite

I see some people confused so let me explain the story so far.

The pastor is named Peter. He works at a church while taking care of orphaned children. The serial killer was one of the many children who grew up in the church. His name is John. Since John was a small boy, it's clear he's had... issues. Serial killers lack human emotions which is why they can do what they do. However, we see that John loves/cares for Peter.

Does Peter love John? I am not sure. Though he definitely cares for him. It's why he saved him and took him to hide in the church when he was going to be hanged. Even had an editor lie in the newspaper about John's execution (ch 8).

Now onto Penny. In the beginning, it's revealed that Peter is giving children to a p*dophile in exchange for profitable articles about the church. He asks John for help in taking the next child: Penny. John kills the poor boy. Why? He wanted to provoke Peter as he has done since he was a child—Peter says this.

The most recent chapter is taking us through the old days of John and Peter. Something happened between them that led to John completely losing it (ch 5). Peter abandoned John when he was 16... or so John says in chapter 5. I believe Peter was the one keeping him "controlled" until that event, which hasn't been revealed yet.