Sandrift: A Lin Hanna Mystery (24 page)

“I think we
need to make a list of the people involved in this story and the facts we have
uncovered about each of them.
 
I
plan to talk to Ken Parker tomorrow, about our being followed; maybe I could
share some other things with him as well.
 
He might be more receptive now that we know we were followed on
Saturday.
 
I realize he thinks I’m
trying to do his job but…”

“I’m not sure
what he’ll think,” Neal seemed skeptical, “but it can’t hurt to try, I
suppose.
 
I remember your famous
lists,” he smiled, recalling earlier events.

Lin began
organizing information they had regarding each person involved. Soon they had a
relatively long list of information.
 
While Neal went to put their pizza in the oven, she reviewed what she
had written:

Liz
Frazier

·
     
Killed
about 10 years ago, stabbed and left in her home that was burned

·
     
Robbery
thought to be the motive.
 
Liz had
found some possibly valuable jewelry near a shipwreck made visible during a
storm

·
     
Case was
never solved.
 
Dorrie Johnson was
considered the prime suspect.

Dorrie
Johnson

·
     
Liz’s
roommate at the time of her death; she went missing about the same time as the
murder occurred

·
     
A troubled
young woman, into the local party scene, including drinking and drug use

·
     
According
to Dorrie’s family, she got her life together and completed school.
 
She had a successful career.

·
     
Dorrie
returned to the Outer Banks recently, supposedly to make amends with Liz
Frazier.
 
She’d left owing Liz rent
money and wanted to repay her.

·
     
During her
visit, Dorrie had been at Tim’s Bar and Grill where she learned Liz was dead
and she was the prime suspect.

·
     
Dorrie
visited Liz Frazier’s family.
 
She
paid her debt to Liz’s mother.
 
She
talked to Connie, Liz’s sister, about the crime and recalled an argument Liz
had with a boyfriend whose name Dorrie couldn’t recall.

·
     
Dorrie had
mentioned possibly going to Manteo to see if something would jog her memory of
the boyfriend’s identity and maybe locate him

·
     
A
shopkeeper in Manteo did recall Dorrie coming in on Friday, but he was unable
to help her as he had only been in business there a few years.

·
     
Dorrie
visited Billy Thornton to talk about Liz.
 
Apparently they had dinner together and returned to Billy’s apartment
for the evening.

·
     
Dorrie was
found dead in Nags Head Woods.
 
The
death was ruled accidental and was due to a severe allergic reaction, possibly
to a bee sting.

·
     
Dorrie had
strong drugs in her system at the time of her death.
 
She also had sexual intercourse with 24
hours prior.

·
     
There was
bruising on Dorrie’s arms and shoulders including a strange set of marks that
seemed to match an object found in the mud nearby.
 
Did she perhaps land on this object as
she fell? The item was identified as a type of bee cage.
 
Perhaps it was also used as a box for bait.
 
Does this object have any significance?

·
     
Dorrie
apparently drove to Nags Head Woods but would’ve been considered DUI based on
her autopsy results. Her car was found in the parking lot.
 

·
     
The clerk
at the Holiday Inn where Dorrie stayed reported that she seemed fine on Friday
morning, not appearing to be drugged or hung over. This raises questions about
when she took or was given drugs.

·
     
Had Dorrie
used or been given drugs while with Billy Thornton? She likely had intercourse
with Billy, was this case date rape? Was there negligence that contributed to
her death?

·
     
Dorrie’s
car had been parked at Nags Head Woods.
 
The keys hadn’t been found with her.
 
The Sheriff’s department towed it.
 
Her Dad picked it up.
 
The Kill Devil Hills police checked the
car and found only her father’s prints.

·
     
Dorrie’s
prints were not found on or in her car.
 
If she’d driven herself to Nags Head Woods they should’ve been
evident.
 
Who drove her there?

·
     
There are
unanswered questions about Dorrie’s activities and contacts, especially on the
Friday before her remains were found on Saturday.

Connie
Frazier

·
     
Talked
about her suspicions regarding her sister’s murder.

·
     
Had
expressed her view that Billy Thornton had killed Liz, not Dorrie Johnson, but
she had no proof of this.

·
     
Was at
Tim’s Bar and Grill on the Saturday night following Thanksgiving.
 
Drank heavily, argued with Billy
Thornton and accused him of killing Liz.
 
Billy left the bar in anger.

·
     
Connie
left a short while later.
 
Was
apparently attacked by someone as she was leaving and was beaten.
 
She was killed and her body tossed in
the dumpster.

·
     
There were
witnesses to her argument with Billy but none reported seeing her killed.

Billy
Thornton

·
     
Local
pawnbroker and friend of Liz Frazier

·
     
Investigated
at the time of Liz’s death but was cleared as he had an alibi

·
     
Admitted
to having a “date” with Dorrie Johnson, said he really liked her

·
     
Was seen
arguing with Connie Frazier the night she was killed and left Tim’s in a rage

·
     
Arrested
and charged with Connie’s murder

·
     
Police are
considering charges related to negligence in Dorrie’s case, possible date rape
charges

Mike___________

·
     
Works for
Mark Simon at gallery in Manteo

·
     
Followed
Lin after she visited the gallery

·
     
Followed
Lin and Neal as they traveled down the Banks.
 
Left at the ferry landing on Hatteras
Island

·
     
Does he
hang out regularly at Tim’s Bar and Grill?

·
     
Was he
hired by someone to harass and intimidate
them
?
Possibly Billy Thornton

·
     
Could he
have seen Dorrie at Tim’s or in Manteo?

·
     
Could he
have seen Connie, Neal, and Lin at Starbucks?

·
     
Could he
be the prowler at Kate’s house?
 
Was
he the person who threatened Lin?

Even though
he’d contributed to the list as she wrote it, Lin gave it to Neal to read
through. “Should anything be added?” she asked,
 
“or have I put anything down that we
don’t know?”

Neal perused
the list and put it on the table, “It looks good to me.
 
Where you’re not sure of your facts,
you’ve put questions—questions that need answers, I might add.”

He sat back in
his chair, “It’s surprising how much you’ve learned, and seeing it all on paper
really shows that.
 
There are some
key unanswered questions here.”

“And I fully
intend to find answers to those questions, or make sure someone does?” there
was a glint of absolute determination in Lin’s eyes.

The following
day dawned clear but chilly and breezy.
 
Neal was scheduled to work all day at Fort Raleigh.
 
The full archeological team was due back
this morning and expected to put in a full week, the last before the
universities closed for the holiday break.
 

“I expect I’ll
be pretty busy all week,” Neal said as he dressed for the day. “This will be my
last opportunity to work with this team as I’ll be back at NAU when they
return.
 
I’m really enjoying these
guys, and I think we may turn up some really good artifacts, provided this
weather holds and we can actually work all week.”

Lin smiled at
Neal’s enthusiasm.
 
She was happy
that he’d found something he really enjoyed to participate in while he was
here.
 
Her own schedule at the park
was a bit lighter.
 
She was expected
to lead field trips only on Tuesday and Thursday; beyond that she’d made no
specific commitments.
 
That was
likely a good thing as Eloise was on her case about getting ready for the
upcoming holiday party and she needed to begin planning food for a houseful
that would be descending on them in less than two weeks.
 
She was excited about having her family come,
thrilled that they would have a chance to get to know Neal better, and happy to
have some time with her grandkids.
 
Lots to do but well worth the effort, she concluded.
 
She and Neal had decided that they would
wait until the family had arrived to tell them about their engagement.
 
Lin thought they’d be happy with that
news.

“I’m going to
get started making plans for the holidays, you know meals and such, and I must
make time soon to get together with Eloise about party plans, but today I’m
going to make some time to talk to Ken Parker.
 
I want to know if he has found out who
was following us.
 
If he’s willing
to talk to me, I’m going to share that list we made,” Lin added.

Neal bent to
kiss her goodbye as he headed for the door, “Just be careful and try not to
tell him what to do,” he winked and hurried out before she could respond.

It was still
early so Lin decided to have another cup of coffee before she went upstairs to
shower.
 
She let Sparky out in the
yard and settled herself on the porch to enjoy the view. A pair of Great Blue
Herons was feeding in the edge of the marsh.
 
Several graceful white egrets were also
there.
 
There were two small
sailboats skidding across the sound in the stiff breeze.
 
No wonder Kate never wants to leave
here, Lin thought.
 
This is such a
beautiful spot.
 
She sipped her
coffee and let her thoughts wander through the things she wanted to accomplish
today and the rest of the week.
 
A
busy time, holidays, she thought, but a good time too.
 
She didn’t notice that Eloise had come
over until she heard a tap on the porch door.

“Come in,” she
opened the door for her neighbor, “how ‘bout another cup of coffee?”

“Perfect,”
Eloise replied.
 
Lin went into the
kitchen and poured another cup for herself and one for her guest.

“I don’t want
to bug you, I know you’re busy, but I do want to get things lined up for our
Christmas party as soon as possible.
 
It’s less than two weeks away now and both of us have other things to
do.
 
You’ve family coming and so do
I.” Eloise was a paragon of planning and efficiency.
 
She’d brought her calendar and a small
notebook along.

Lin would’ve
happily postponed thinking about all this, but she realized that Eloise had a
point.
 
If they got a head start
things would go more smoothly. “Let me get my calendar and we’ll make some
plans,” Lin smiled as she headed for the kitchen.

An hour later
they both had several dates marked and had made lists of things to do.
 
Cooking and shopping chores were divided
up and “to do” lists were made.
 
By
the time Eloise departed, Lin already felt tired, and her day hadn’t even
begun.

By the time she
had showered and dressed for the day, things didn’t seem so overwhelming. After
all her daughter Lucy and daughter-in-law Erica would be coming, and while they
couldn’t help prepare for the party, they could and would help with other
holiday meals and plans.
 

First things
first, she thought, as she grabbed a jacket and headed out.
 
I’m heading to the police station, and
hopefully Ken Parker will be available and willing to talk.

Before she went
to the station, she decided to stop by Tim’s Bar.
 
It wasn’t time for the restaurant to be
open, but it was already ten so someone should be there.
 
Maybe she could learn something.

There were a
few cars parked near the rear of the lot as Lin drove in.
 
She parked near the main entrance.
 
It was locked, of course, but she
knocked loudly, hoping someone would hear her.
 
When no one came she walked around back,
hoping to see someone or to find another door.
 
A young man was emptying garbage into
the dumpster.

“Is Tim here
yet?” Lin asked.

“Yeah, but
we’re not open,” was the response.

“Could you
please tell him Lin Hanna is here, and I need to talk to him, it’s important?”
she pled her case.

The young man
looked skeptical, but nodded and went back inside.
 
In a moment he reappeared, “Tim says go
‘round front, he’ll let you in.”

By the time Lin
arrived back at the entrance, the genial bar owner had the door open.
 
He invited her in and asked if she’d
like a coffee.
 
He indicated a booth
in the corner so she seated herself.
 
When he returned, he had a tray bearing two steaming mugs of coffee and
a plate of freshly made doughnuts.

Lin rolled her
eyes, “I just ate breakfast.
 
These
look great but I can’t possibly eat more right now.
 
I’ll enjoy the coffee, though.”

Tim shrugged as
he bit into the warm pastry, “That’s ok.
 
I’ll put some in a doggie bag and you can take’em with you.
 
What can I help you with today?”

Lin described
for Tim her experience with this “Mike” person who had apparently followed her
both in town and on the weekend trip.
 
She described the truck and asked if Tim knew anything about this
person.

“I’d have to
say yes,” he responded quickly, “ that has to be Mike Clark.
 
He drives an old model black pick up,
and he’s a regular around here.
 
If
you’ll recall, I told you he was the one who told Dorrie Johnson about Liz and
about how she was the main suspect.
 
He hangs out here all the time—works in town but lives here at the
beach.”

Immediately,
Lin did remember her earlier conversation with Tim and the mention of that
name. “Was he here the night Connie was killed?”

“I think so,
yeah, yeah he was,” Tim nodded.

Lin continued,
asking what Tim knew about this Mike Clark, whether he might be dangerous in
any way.

Tim was
thoughtful.
 
“I don’t see Mike as a
big time ‘bad boy’ or anything but he might be willing to follow someone or try
to scare them, if the price was right.
 
He’s sort of a loner, doesn’t have much to say, seems sullen and angry a
lot of the time.”

Tim’s
characterization went along with the impression she’d had observing Mike at the
gallery and as he’d followed them on Saturday.

“Well, I’m
pretty sure he’s the guy who followed us, and I think he might’ve tried to
break in at the place we’re staying,” Lin explained. “I’m on my way to the
police station right now, but if he comes in, I’d appreciate your not
mentioning that I asked about him.”

“You got it, Ms.
Hanna,” Tim smiled, as he took a brown paper bag from behind the counter and
began loading it with the uneaten doughnuts. “You be careful,” he added as she
left.

Lin felt sure
she now had a positive identification for Mike Clark, but she proceeded to the
police station anyway.
 
She wanted
to try to talk to Ken Parker, hoping to convince him that he needed to look
into Dorrie’s Friday activities more closely.
 
She planned to share her list of facts
and questions.

The
receptionist at the station was the same young officer they’d seen the day
before.
 
She greeted Lin with a warm
smile.

“Sgt. Parker
thought you might come by,” she reported. “He said he wanted to talk to you.”

Lin was
surprised at this welcome after Parker’s earlier reaction to her activities,
but she happily followed the young officer down the hall to the conference room.
 
She was forced to decline the offer of
more coffee, however.
 
She’d already
exceeded her quota of caffeine for the morning.

She’d only been
there a few moments when Ken Parker entered the room.
 
He didn’t say anything at first but his
demeanor seemed more relaxed and friendly than the last time they’d
spoken.
 
He arranged some files on
the table and then extended his hand in greeting.

“Glad you came
in, Ms. Hanna, I’d already decided I needed to talk to you again, and then
Officer Brown told me you and your friend came by yesterday with this license
number.”

“Yes, I’m
pretty certain this guy was following me earlier and both of us on Saturday,”
Lin decided not to speculate that Mike was also their prowler, at least not at
this point.

Parker pushed a
sheet of paper toward her.
 
“The
truck is registered to Mike Clark.
 
He’s a resident of Nags Head.”

Lin nodded as
this matched the information Tim had given her, “I know that he works in Manteo
at the Simon Gallery.
 
That’s where
I first saw him, at least where I’m sure I first saw him.”

“What do you
mean by that?” Ken asked.

Lin took a deep
breath, “Well, I certainly can’t be sure of this, but I think he might be our
prowler.”
 
She described his size
and hulking shape.
 
“I didn’t ever
see the prowler’s face; I couldn’t make a positive identification, but I just
have a gut feeling he’s the one.” Lin waited for Parker to dismiss her
accusations.
 
To her surprise he did
not.

“I guess you
know that’s not enough for a positive identification.
 
I can’t arrest this guy and charge him
with anything—not attempting to break into your place nor really
threatening you in any way.
 
That
crowbar we found at your place had no identifiable fingerprints either.
 
It wouldn’t help in any case.
 
You did say he never approached you or
anything when he appeared to be following?”

“That’s right,”
Lin had to agree, “I know we can’t prove anything, but it’s enough for me that
you understand our concerns and that you are taking them seriously.”

Lin decided to
venture a bit further, “I’ve taken the liberty of writing down some of the
information that has…er,” she wasn’t sure how to put this, “come my way since
all this started.”
 
Ken raised his
eyebrows in interest. “I thought you might be interested.
 
Maybe something here can help your
investigation?” Lin didn’t want to sound presumptive.
 
She took out her list and pushed it across
the table.

Parker picked
it up and began reading.
 
When he’d
finished he leaned back in his chair. “ You have a good bit of information
here,” he admitted, “including a couple of items I haven’t uncovered yet.
 
I haven’t talked to that young man at
the Holiday Inn,” he admitted, “but I’ll do that later today.”

“There are a
lot of unanswered questions,” Lin offered, “ You’ve filled in the gap about the
identity of the guy who followed us.”
 
Lin didn’t reveal that she’d gotten the same information from Tim.
 
The truck registration did provide
confirmation.

Parker nodded
his agreement, “Indeed there are.
 
Some of these I’ve already answered but others I’m still looking into.
 
Let me assure you, Ms. Hanna, that we
will get to the bottom of all this.”

“Please call me
Lin,” she replied. “I’m glad I could provide at least one piece of new information
for you—I’m talking about the clerk at the Holiday Inn and what he
observed, of course.”
 
She realized
that Parker was not going to fill in any gaps for her by revealing additional
information he might have.
 
She
decided not to press him further on these questions.

She reached for
her list, preparing to leave. “May I make a copy of this?” Parker asked. “You’ve
organized this list very well and you have raised some important
questions.”
 
He didn’t go so far as
to say he hadn’t thought of some of these himself, but Lin felt some
satisfaction in the fact that he apparently thought her findings had some
value.
 
“Please do,” she responded
to his request.