Chapter 28 – Returning to the Scene of the Crime
Realizing there was nothing more to ask, they left the interrogation room so Rodney could finish up with Walter. As they began walking toward the front desk, Amanda felt weak. Lee noticed that her face had become pale and guided her to a chair in the front entrance. As they sat side by side, Lee put his arm around Amanda's shoulder and pulled her closer so he could comfort her.
"I just don't understand. How could he not know him? Why are we here? Surely someone didn't decide to use Billy's death just to get closure on a stolen goods case," Amanda said in a soft voice.
"I don't know. There has to be something we are missing. Will you be okay for a minute? I want to call Francine and see if there is any news," Lee said as he looked in her eyes to make sure she was really okay before getting up.
She bravely nodded and said, "Please call Francine. Maybe she has been trying to reach us and has some information for us."
Lee walked to the front desk and spoke to the receptionist. He told her who he was and showed her his badge. She remembered him arriving with Officer Rodney. He asked her if she could provide a list of the people involved in the Mirror Lake State Park Case. He needed the last names before he made his phone call. It took her a few minutes and a few calls, but she was finally able to produce the list. Then, he walked to the nearby payphone and called the Agency's 800 number. He was immediately transferred to Francine's direct line.
"Lee? Is that really you? Are you and Amanda alright? I was ready to ask the local police to go check in on you," Francine said with obvious concern in her voice.
"We are fine Francine. I'm sorry that we haven't had time to call sooner. Is there any word on Billy or the case?" Lee asked while trying to remain hopeful.
"I'm afraid not. We keep coming up with dead ends here. What about you?" Francine asked while realizing he wouldn't be asking her if he had good news.
"Nothing. I do have some names to run through the agency's computer for me. Can you take these down and see what you come up with for each of them? We are actually at the local police department now. When you are done, you can call back here and ask for Officer Rodney. He'll be able to locate us and relay the information."
"Sure Lee, who do you want me to check on?"
Lee quickly read the list to Francine, "Harold Stein, Walter Mackenzie, Jacob Rivier, Louie Barton, and Willie Laramie"
Francine quickly read the list back to him and then asked, "Is that everyone?"
"No, why don't you add in Marcia Clement too," Lee decided. She was on the list that the receptionist had provided Lee. He wasn't sure, but he felt like he should include her.
"Sure, give me a few hours. Do you need anything else?" Francine asked.
"No, just find out what you can about each of them. Thanks Francine," Lee said gratefully.
"I'll call the PD as soon as I can. Bye Lee," Francine promised.
"I know you will. Bye Francine," Lee said as they both hung up.
Officer Rodney had already emerged from the interrogation room and handed Walter off to a guard for booking. Rodney and Amanda were deep in conversation as Lee approached them.
"So the next step is to go pick up Jacob before he finds out we have Walter. Maybe if we tell him that that Walter has been talking with us, he will decide to open up too. Why don't I take you back to the park so you can keep an eye on Louie for me? Since you are staying there, it will be less obvious that you are watching him than an undercover officer. I don't want him to get word that his partners are talking and leave town before we can arrest him," Rodney suggested.
It was a sensible suggestion so everyone agreed. They all rode in silence back to the park. Rodney pulled off just a short distance from the front entrance so they wouldn't be spotted getting out of the car. It was a beautiful day and it had been a busy day so it would be nice to just walk together. As they prepared to exit the car, Lee remembered to tell him about his phone call with Francine. He told Rodney that she should be calling back later with information about all those involved. He explained that the agency computer would include much more information than what Rodney's database would have access to. Rodney agreed and promised to deliver the message as soon as she called.
Lee and Amanda began walking back to the park. They found that the walk truly was a welcomed distraction, so they both were taking their time. Just before they reached the entrance, they heard a strange noise coming from the woods. It took a few seconds to identify what it was, but then they both chuckled. A huge black bear was trying to relieve an itch by scratching its back against a tree. He was a magnificent creature with shiny black hair. He was huge at nearly seven feet tall standing on his hind two legs. They both enjoyed watching the display he put on. The bear paid no attention to them as it groaned in pleasure as it hit the right spots. Suddenly he dropped back onto all 4 legs and ambled off into the woods.
"It's so peaceful out here," Amanda remarked as they began walking again. "I know if this was different circumstances, I would really love being here as a tourist."
"Well maybe someday we'll have to come back here for fun then," Lee said with a wink and a smile.
Amanda couldn't help but smile back. They had reached the office so they stepped inside. Harold was sitting in his chair by the window. He seemed lost in thought as classical music played in the background.
"That's beautiful music," Amanda said as they entered. Harold was clearly startled at the interruption.
"That is Mozart. There is nothing more soothing than listening to Mozart," Harold responded.
"Well especially when it is played on such a beautiful stereo system," Lee said as he went out to check out the cabinet full of stereo equipment.
"Oh, do you like it?" Harold asked proudly. "Louie bought it for me. He said he found it on sale downtown one day and immediately thought of me. The boy surprises me sometimes. His mother begged me to hire him to keep him out of trouble. I think the park has been good for him."
"We heard that he is your nephew?" Amanda decided to risk admitting they knew.
"Yeah, I don't tell many people. He's been in trouble a lot. He didn't come from the best of families. I think he has changed now though. I know he has been a big help around here," Harold said with a far away look in his eyes. Amanda couldn't help but wonder if Harold was trying to convince them, himself or all of them.
Lee asked, "Where is he now?"
"I have him in the north section of the park cutting up firewood. Since the weekend is coming, we will need more wood around the campsites. Why do you want to know?" Harold suddenly sounded suspicious.
Amanda smiled and said, "Oh we were just curious. We haven't seen him around for awhile. We met Marcia though. She seems like a nice young girl."
"Yeah, she came bursting in on me one day about a month ago and begged me for a job. I told her that I couldn't pay her much but she insisted that she didn't care. She just really wanted to work here. I could definitely use the help and she was so determined that I finally let her. I told her that I didn't want her boyfriend hanging around though. She's here to work and not to play with him."
"She has a boyfriend?" Amanda and Lee both asked at the same time.
"Yeah, she says they intend to get married next summer. She wants to do it here by the lake. The girl is completely crazy for the guy. I don't see anything special about him but I guess I'm not the one who is going to married him," Harold chuckled at his own joke while not noticing the shocked looks on Lee and Amanda's faces.
"I think we better get back to our campsite before it gets any later," Lee blurted out and then said, "Oh I almost forgot, we came in here to buy some food." They quickly picked out a couple of things they could cook for dinner. They paid for the items and then headed back up the trail to their camp. As soon as they were far enough away, they stopped and looked at each other.
"I know, I know. Why was she coming on to me if she is getting married? Amanda, nothing in this place makes sense?" Lee said in frustration as he swiped his hand through his hair.
TBC
