Rick Mofina - Full Tilt

“Additional human remains have been found within proximity of the barn leading us to believe that Nelson may have killed other people. Work is under way to confirm the identity of those remains, and we’re expanding the scene and bringing in more people for an extensive search of the area. We’re going to scour every square inch of the property. Now, based on evidence found at the scene, we’ve reason to suspect that the case is linked to the disappearance of Tara Dawn Mae, who’s been missing from Brooks, Alberta, Canada, for over fifteen years.”

Soft gasps rippled among the reporters along with the hurried turning of notebook pages. Kate glanced at Tara Dawn’s face, then at Brennan. It was more real, for now they were closer to talking officially about a link to Vanessa. Kate regained her concentration as Kennedy continued.

“We’re working with the RCMP on this part of the investigation. Finally, we believe Carl Nelson is alive and at large using an assumed name. A warrant has been issued for his arrest for the murders of John Charles Pollard and Bethany Ann Wynn. Today, the FBI will place him on its Most Wanted list. Nelson should be considered dangerous. He should not be approached by the public. We’re also appealing to anyone with any information concerning this case to call our tip line or their local police. Okay, we’ll take a few questions.”

Hands went up.

“Yes,” Kennedy said, “Marissa, from the Rampart Examiner .”

“Are you telling us that Nelson held one of his victims in captivity in that barn for fifteen years?”

“We know that, in the Canadian case, Tara Dawn Mae’s been missing for that time. We know that Nelson’s been in Rampart for ten years.”

Kate’s hand shot up, but she was passed over for a newspaper reporter from Rochester.

“Where was Nelson before that time?”

“That’s under investigation.”

Kate raised her hand, but Kennedy went to a reporter from Plattsburgh.

“Is the case connected to the abandoned insane asylum?”

“We’re looking into that. I see lots of hands-next.”

Again Kate tried but lost out to a TV reporter from Syracuse.

“Captain, how is it that Nelson, a computer technician and recluse, was able to keep prisoners at that barn for as long as a decade without anyone noticing?”

“The property was abandoned. We found evidence of confinement rooms concealed in a lower level. He stole small amounts of electricity undetected from the grid. Few people traveled that deep into the wooded area-in fact none to our knowledge, until the discovery of the fire. Next.”

Kate’s hand went up again, but the Bloomberg reporter got the question.

“You said you found confinement rooms. What was going on out there?”

“We don’t know.”

“It’s rumored there was bondage, perhaps torture?”

“We don’t know. We can only speculate that it was horrible. Next.”

Kennedy looked directly at Kate and she started to speak, but he shifted his attention, taking another reporter’s question. She knew what was happening and was tempted to raise her middle finger.

“Given that Nelson worked at the MRKT DataFlow Call Center, did you find Bethany Ann Wynn’s financial records there?” a radio reporter from Ogdensburg asked. “And did Nelson have access to them? Is that how he selected his victims?”

“We’re investigating that aspect.”

Kate waved her notebook, tried to raise a question, but Moore continued.

“And, given Nelson’s work, isn’t it possible he could assume or steal anyone’s identity?”

“Yes, it’s possible, next question.”

Kate waved her hand and again she was ignored.

“Did Nelson act alone?” the reporter from the Associated Press asked.

“It appears so, but we’re early in the investigation.”

Again, Kate raised her hand, and again Kennedy looked directly at her as he took a question from the reporter behind her from Reuters.

“To be clear on the victims, we have Bethany Ann Wynn and John Charles Pollard. So, two confirmed at this time, but you’re confident that number will rise?”

“Correct.”

“One more question,” the Reuters guy said. “Any idea on Nelson’s whereabouts?”

“Finding him is our priority, Jim.” Kennedy shifted the subject. “You all know that the site remains closed, but because most of you asked about getting pictures of the scene we’re arranging pool coverage, drawing names from the sign-in sheet. Okay, thank you, everyone, I think we’ll wrap this-”

“Excuse me!” Kate stood. “Kate Page, Newslead. Captain, I think we need more than just five minutes here.”

Kennedy’s face tightened.

“What’s your question?”

“Captain, how close are you to determining the identity of the recently discovered remains?”

“As I indicated at the outset, they’re with the pathologist. These matters take time.”

“Sir,” Kate continued. “What factors led you to connect this case to the cold case of Tara Dawn Mae in Canada?”

“We’re not prepared to discuss that at this time.”

“Did you find evidence at the scene to make the connection?”

“We’re not going to discuss evidence.” Kennedy stared at Kate.

“What about Nelson? Can you put him in Canada at the time of Tara Dawn’s disappearance?”

“We’re not going to discuss that part of our investigation at this time. That’s it for now, thank you, everyone.”

As Kennedy stood to leave, Kate raised her voice above the shuffle of the closing press conference and news cameras were directed at her.

“Captain Kennedy, can you elaborate on how Tara Dawn Mae’s case is tied to that of Vanessa Page of Chicago, who went missing after a car accident in Canada twenty years ago?”

Kennedy and the others halted. He took stock of the other investigators before answering.

“Ms. Page, we’re aware of your interest and your story. I say, with the greatest respect and understanding, that we’re not in a position to discuss all aspects of our investigation at this time. Thank you.”

Reporters tried to get in last questions, but Kennedy waved them off as police officials gathered folders and left the room for a smaller glass-walled office adjoining it. The reporters immediately surrounded Kate and peppered her with questions under the glare of the TV cameras as the still photographers fired shot after shot.

“We read your story, Kate. Will you tell our listeners why you’re convinced your sister’s a victim here?”

“How did you learn your sister’s case was tied to this one?”

“What did you discover in Canada about your sister’s cold case and this one? Your story never said what Canadian authorities told you.”

“How have the past twenty years been for you, Kate?”

She looked at Anita Moore, the reporter who’d asked the last one.

“They’ve been hard and I’d give anything to see my sister again.”

At that point, Kate saw Brennan nodding at her from the doorway to the other officials in the glass-walled office. He mouthed the word now . She extricated herself from the press pack. Some reporters objected when Kate alone joined the cops in the office, for it appeared she was given journalistic preference.

“What’s going on, Ed?” the reporter for the Examiner asked.

Brennan dismissed them and closed the door after he and Kate entered the office where Kennedy, who’d loosened his tie, was waiting with the others.

“Our hearts go out to you, Kate,” Kennedy said. “We’re sympathetic to your situation. We appreciate that you’ve helped us, but our hands are tied.”

Kate said nothing, letting her resentment bubble as Kennedy continued.