Dead Deceiver (18 page)

Patience turned sad eyes on him. “What good would that have done? We couldn’t stay here last night and at least you were able to finish your class.”

Her husband squeezed her arm, “You are always thinking of others.”

And I am thinking of
you,
thought Osborne. He and Lew had already decided to check on Charles’ alleged art seminar. Was he really in Milwaukee? Did he have someone who could verify that?

“Speaking of others,” said Lew, “Charles, do you have any idea who might have done this? We’re working on the premise that this is likely related to the computer fraud but anything else come to mind? Any person you are aware of who might be holding a grudge against you? Or your wife?”

Charles shook his head.

“Patience?” said Lew, “I know I’ve asked you this before— any new ideas?”

“No,” said Patience. “I stopped by my office this morning though and ran into Dani. She said she was working on the computer network last night and was able to monitor spam coming in so she went down to check—”

“What time last night?” said Beth, interrupting. “Chief Ferris, twice now I have told that young woman that she is not to approach anyone who may be using the network unless I’m there, too. If she sees something, she’s to alert both myself and you. Oh, this is upsetting.”

“And very risky,” said Lew. “From now on, when either of you is on campus at a time when you expect to see activity in the system—I want to be there, too. Understood?”

“Absolutely,” said Beth. “I’m no action hero. I know Dani needs the money and wants to put in as many hours as she can but I have made it very clear: we are looking for an individual who is committing a crime and could be dangerous. But, you know? Loon Lake is such a nice little town, I can see from the expression on her face she doesn’t take me seriously. Look, I’ll hammer this into her before I leave today.”

“Going back to what Dani told me,” said Patience, “it was after nine that she saw an Ethernet connection in use down in the culinary arts classroom but when she got there the room was empty, lights off. Think she made a mistake?”

“Doesn’t matter. That is exactly what I do not want her—or Beth—doing,” said Lew, angry. “They see something—they call me. I keep my cell on 24/7. Make sure she knows that will you, Beth?”

Beth nodded. Exhaustion crept across her face and Osborne speculated that in spite of her recent tragedy, the family and the funeral plans for her murdered friend, she was still staying close to the investigation. Likely not getting much sleep, but a trouper.

He caught Lew’s eye and her expression was grim. He would be sleeping alone until this was resolved. No way would Lew allow those young women to be working alone on campus during the hours the spam was entering the system.

C
HAPTER
24

T
wo hours later, Bruce Peters was on Highway 51 heading south to the Wausau Crime Lab with evidence packages containing the stained bedclothes and the remains of the laptop computer. He had spent most of his time gathering fingerprints from both rooms and from all five individuals. Charles had not hesitated to be printed. Nor had he balked when Bruce asked for a DNA sample.

After helping Bruce load his van, Doc invited Lew and Beth to join him for a quick lunch at the Loon Lake Pub.

“I am beginning to wonder if Charles Mason is bipolar or something,” said Lew over her tuna salad, and giving a quick glance around to be sure she wasn’t speaking too loud. But the restaurant was packed and the noise level high enough to hide anything short of a shriek.

“I find him hard to read. One minute he’s so low-key it’s like he’s on meds. But when he talks with his voice so high and tight, it’s as if he’s really tense.” She decided not to mention the inappropriate phone call in front of Beth.

“He never makes eye contact,” said Doc, unrolling the paper napkin taped around a knife and fork. “Not a good sign in my opinion but I’m no psychiatrist.”

“You’re right!” said Lew, pointing her fork. “I
knew
there was something. That’s a control issue, I think. I’ll have to look it up. Beth, what do you think? He’s fairly attractive, right?”

Osborne answered before Beth could finish chewing a cracker she had buttered. “Attractive, Chief? With that grey skin and those skinny legs? You must kidding—he doesn’t look healthy.”

“I didn’t ask you, Doc,” said Lew with a twinkle in her eye. “Beth?”

“Certainly better-looking than Dr. Schumacher,” said Beth, “but he’s got one of those bland faces you have a hard time remembering. I wouldn’t call him handsome, Chief Ferris, but something about him does catch your eye. Speaking of Dr. Schumacher—she seems on the verge of tears all the time She isn’t always like that. I’m surprised. Especially now that we can reassure her that she did nothing to cause the breaching of the computer system.

“She’s got an excuse these days,” said Lew with a sigh. “Dr. Patience Schumacher does not have much under control. How long have you worked at the college, Beth?”

“Almost three years. I guess … if you want my opinion, I think she tries hard, too hard, to live up to what she imagines her father would do. She makes little asides that—again this is my opinion—imply she’s always second-guessing her decisions. She isn’t happy in her own skin if you know what I mean.”

As Beth spoke, Osborne was struck by her level-headedness, the quiet authority with which she expressed herself. Like Lew. Is that what is meant by being ‘happy in your own skin?’”

Lew was quiet, finishing the lemon chicken soup that she had ordered. The three of them ate industriously, cleaning their plates of the home-cooked food the Pub was known for. Finally, Lew spoke, “Something about that couple reminds me of a case we studied when I was in law enforcement classes.

“A high school teacher was accused of having sexual relations with one of his female students, a junior just fifteen years old, and it turned out that she was one of many girls he had victimized over his career. When he was finally exposed as a serial predator of young women, he gave an interview to a group of psychologists in which he said that the moment a new class of students walked into his classroom, he knew which girls were emotionally vulnerable. Knew it instantly.

“I feel like Patience Schumacher has always been one of those emotionally weak women.”

“A natural victim?” asked Osborne. “That’s a sad thought.”

“An easy mark,” said Lew. Beth threw her a concerned look as though she wasn’t sure exactly what Lew meant.

“She certainly didn’t marry a man like her father,” said Osborne. “That guy was as tall as Charles but strong, intimidating. Hearty, loud—you sure knew when he was in the room. I have a hunch he would not be happy with his daughter’s choice of a husband.”

“Who happens to be next on my list,” said Lew. “I would like to know just where Charles Mason has been these last forty-eight hours. As soon as I’m back in the office, I’m calling the university—see if he really was attending a seminar. She handed her plate and soup bowl to the waitress and said, “I imagine I’ll be in voice mail hell trying to find the right people who would know.”

“Let me try,” said Beth, rummaging in her purse before pulling out an iPhone. I got this for my birthday and it is so cool. If you don’t mind, let’s allow technology to save you some time.” With that, Beth flashed her first smile of the day. “Watch,” she said, holding the phone so Lew could see her fingers work. “It is so amazing.” And she was right. Within seconds, the iPhone had located the number for the university art department. Beth put the call through and handed the phone to Lew.

“Hello,” said Lew when a young male voice answered. She introduced herself and explained that she was interested in confirming that a certain individual had attended a recent two-day seminar held on the campus. Beth and Osborne listened as she spoke.

“I believe you are calling about the encaustic and emulsion seminar,” said the man. “I’m one of the grad students who organized it. I am afraid I can’t answer your question as we had over a thousand people attend. They did not have to register beforehand but paid at the door. It’s one of our ‘Learning in Retirement’ programs that we offer to the general public every month.”

“Do the people attending stay on campus?” asked Lew.

“I would have no way of knowing that,” said the man. “The majority of the attendees are local and go home after the various workshops. Sorry I can’t be of more help.”

“I don’t suppose you would have any photos or video of the people attending the seminar?” Lew grimaced as she asked the question knowing it was a long shot.

“No, sorry—but wait, there is one thing that may help you. Everyone had an opportunity to buy materials in order to participate in the workshops. Why don’t you check to see if your person bought any of those?”

“Thank you,” said Lew. “Well.” She looked around the table and pushed her plate away. “Maybe it’s a start. Maybe not. This is frustrating. Plus I’ve already run a background check through our police records and found nothing under the name of Charles Mason.”

Beth was taking a final sip of her coffee as Lew spoke. “What about public records? Have you researched those? I teach a class on search engines and it’s amazing what is available online. Court reports, divorce agreements, tax liens. People do not realize how much information they think is confidential—is not. I have time this afternoon to do a public record search if that’s okay with you?”

“That would be helpful, Beth. It might be wise for me to bring you on board as a subject matter expert—a short-term deputy specific to this case—if that’s not a problem for the college. Let’s head over to my office and I’ll have you complete the paperwork. Sure you have time?”

“I do today. The funeral Mass and wake for Kathy Beltner is not until Friday and all the arrangements have been made. We’re waiting for her son to return—he was in Germany. Junior year abroad. I’ll just need Charles Mason’s full name. Does he have a middle initial?”

“F. For Franklin,” said Lew. “I’m pretty sure. I’ll check when I get back to my desk but they put their full names on a form I had them fill out after our first meeting.”

“The middle initial will certainly help. If we’re going to meet over at the police department, would it be too much trouble to include Dani? I’ll get the records search started but I may have to hand it over to her …”

“In that case, I should have her deputized the same as yourself. Covers the legality of any search results. Do you think she’s available to meet in half an hour?”

“I’ll give her a call,” said Beth as she reached again for her iPhone. After a brief conversation, Beth looked back to Lew. “She sounds excited about being deputized,” said Beth with a soft grin.

But then a look of concern crossed Beth’s face. “Wait,” she said, “maybe this isn’t such a good idea. I work for Dr. Schumacher and now I’m running a background check on her husband? That could get me fired and Dani expelled. Chief Ferris, can you find someone else to do it?”

“I take full responsibility,” said Lew. “It’s my business and only my business who I employ to run a records search. Dr. Schumacher does not have to know—that is confidential information.”

“Good,” said Beth, “I feel better knowing that. And, frankly, I think we’re doing it to protect Dr. Schumacher, right?”

“Yes. We may find absolutely nothing out of the ordinary about Charles and that helps the college investigation, too. Are you comfortable with this, Beth? We’ll have to be sure that Dani knows to keep this confidential as well.”

“I’ll take care of that,” said Beth. “Oh, and by the way,” she said, holding her iPhone up so Lew and Osborne could see the screen, “I took a picture of the gentleman in question when he wasn’t watching. Got one of Bruce Peters, too. And you two. Thought the photos might be nice to have in case there are images of anyone named Charles F. Mason on the Internet. Any problem with that, Chief?”

“Fine with me,” said Lew, getting to her feet. “If you two don’t mind, it’s time to head back.” Lew glanced at Beth, “Sorry to rush off but I need to check on my two officers who have been holding down the fort for me. Today is the official opening of the fishing tournament. Keeping my fingers crossed that we have no crowd problems.

“Doc, I have to call Rob Beltner back sometime today. He sent me an email this morning asking if we had any leads on his wife’s death. I sure hope something breaks soon,” said Lew, a defeated look on her face. She pulled her parka on.

“I am certainly not law enforcement,” said Beth, her voice cracking as she reached for her jacket, “but … you know … if I can do anything to help.” Tears welled in her eyes and she reached into her pocket for a Kleenex. Lew gave her shoulders a sympathetic squeeze. Osborne looked away. Sadness is catching.

Minutes later, as Osborne followed Lew’s cruiser back to the department in his own car, his cell phone rang.

“Doc,” said Lew, “I just walked in and was told that an old guy stopped by early this morning with a note for Ray. Looks to be from his friend, Walter Frisch, who wants him to stop by his place. Said he found what Ray has been looking for.”

“Really? Did he say anything else?” asked Osborne.

A moment’s silence, than Lew said, “If I can read his scrawl, I’ll give you the exact message, which is and I quote: “C’mon out—found what you’re looking for—in the garage.’”

“I’ll get Ray and we’ll drive out there right away. If we’re lucky, he found the other snowshoe.”

Osborne drove through town and up the north side to Squirrel Lake where the fishing tournament was underway. He paused at the top of a hill to look down at the huge tents that had been set up along the shoreline to house the vendors and the events. Trucks bearing the names of the participating teams filled the parking lot near the tents.

Out on the lake, he could see the colorful teams of fishermen hovering over holes in the ice. Each team had been assigned a specific location and clusters of bystanders huddled at polite distances to watch the jigging. Looking off to his right, he saw that the ice shanties for the contest had been set up a good half mile from the fishing area so as not to disturb the hungry residents beneath the ice.