"You're okay where you're staying," asked Stacy.
"Yes, I'm fine but need to find an apartment soonest."
"We've a nasty case we're working on," said Stacy. "Let me brief you." About fifteen minutes later, his coffee mug empty Stacy finished adding the drug screen report. Emma made a note of that in her book.
"What do you think about where this perp acquired the drugs which everyone knows is prescription only," asked Dan.
"There's a health clinic on campus and that's the first place we'll visit. Also before I forget it, Em would you call Lance to see what he found out about that license plate he was to check on?"
"I'll do that right now," she said standing up walking to Stacy's desk phone. While she was busy on the phone, Stacy chatted with Dan.
"Dan I forgot to tell you that the father of the victim committed suicide early this morning. He'd made some mistakes and I guess couldn't live with his wrong doings. What that means is the media will have a field day with newspapers sporting giant bold type letters across the front page. What that means to us is the perp will withdraw even further into the shadows."
"Obviously you think the perp is a local person and still in the area," asked Dan.
"I sure do and believe he is scared to death. Let's hope he makes a mistake and we see the mistake. Meanwhile we keep digging and digging." Em came back and said:
"Lance said nothing came up. No such thing as VO or OV. Ranger Rick must need glasses."
"That's kind of strange," said Stacy. Dan noticed Stacy, if in deep thought, had a faraway look in her silver grey eyes. She continued, "I thought Rick had it together, but maybe he was just trying to help too much."
Emma said, "If you are finished Dan let me show you the new office we've got for you."
Stacy was still thinking hard and really didn't see Dan follow Emma to his new office. She looked at her watch seeing 9 am plus a few minutes. Digging out her smart phone, she text Rhona to ask for a few minutes of her time. A text came back saying she was available. Stacy rang her up. "Rhona, a big favor if you please, and if it's possible. I'd like a get together with the entire group that attended the Blue River Lake parties. I've some questions that need answers."
"We want the bastard found who did her Stacy. We can meet at any time after three pm. There's a small park area in front of the library on State St. It's not hard to find."
"Thanks and I'll be there. Also a quick question, do you know if Patsy knew anyone who worked at the health clinic on campus?"
"She probably did Stacy," Rhona said laughing. We all lost count how many times she had a vaginal infection treated there."
"See you at 3 pm Rhona and thanks."
A Visit to the State Police
Stacy called Lance to see if he was available. He told her he was at her disposal. She told him that they were on the way shortly. He said, "Happy to see you grace our office Stacy."
Dan was her new driver. She made that abundantly clear from the beginning. Dan didn't mind one bit as he liked to drive. Driving you learn your way around. Riding you see the sights. Nowadays it was much easier as on board GPS and address finders were ubiquitous. Dan liked the old fashion way of directions: turn right, go straight and or turn left kind of thing. Now with one eye on the road and the other eye on the screen, he worked their way to the state police office. It wasn't hard to find. It was located off Gateway east of I-5. It took about fifteen or twenty minutes to drive there from their downtown area office.
On the way Stacy's cell flashed a call from Rory. She cheerfully said hello and he said, "Hey Super and I'd a super weekend. Okay that guy Rob Werner does indeed work for a construction company out of Roseburg. My friend is trying to track him down as we speak. The job was winding up and the crew was supposed to be coming home, but some delay as the inspector and on and on it went. I'll let you know when I hear something. How's it going; we heard about the guy hanging himself. Life is not easy for some. Okay Super got to run. Be safe and love is a gift from above."
Stacy smiled swiping her cell clean. She looked up seeing a parking lot full of state police cars. Dan parked in the visitors' area and Stacy was half way to the door before Dan caught up to her. Inside she told the desk person who she was and who she wanted to see. In short order detective Lance came out with a grin on his face. After a good morning he said, "Follow me please."
Inside a conference room, Lance sat down with a note pad. He thought correctly she had some research done. Stacy said, "I'd like a very thorough back ground check done on Rick Loomis and in particular if any relative of his is in the health care field. Also run a check on Rob Werner from Roseburg who works construction. If he's in the Eugene area, pick him up for questioning. We know he was about to or had completed a job, but who knows.
I presume you read the autopsy report concerning the drug tox?"
"Yes I did and I'll get on that background check right away. Portland does a good job with that end of things," said Lance. Anything else Stacy?
"I'm meeting with the vic group of fellow students and friends at 3 pm today. It might interest you to be there. I've also having Emma send you a transcript of my interview with two of the vic's friends, Clancy Lane and his wife Fran. Pass it on to your captain."
"Where on the campus Stacy?" She told him a small park near the library. "I know where it is. Let me send you the address so you can put it in your onboard computer. Okay, I'll get to work on what you need," he said standing up ready to walk both out the front door.
Cathy Proves Worthy
Stacy called Cathy Miller to see if she was available. Stacy asked if she wanted to meet at her office or Stacy's office. She said love to get out of her office and how about 11 am. They agreed and Dan drove back to their office.
Emma had been busy on her own researching the staff at the health clinic. She was a little excited when Stacy came in. Before they discussed anything, a 'cuppa' was in order. Dan had coffee direct from Starbucks. He was in heaven he told the girls.
All three sat in Stacy's office talking. First Emma said, "Patsy Lane was a regular customer at the clinic. Not only for a yeast infection, but other STDs as well. I asked for a list of the employees and their phone number faxed over to us. Here is the list and if you'll notice, underlined, is a health professional named Dorothy Loomis of Blue River area. I discovered she's an older sister of Rick Loomis the forest service employee who knows the group of university students."
"Wow, Em good work girl. We're making progress left and right." Stacy went on to tell Em about the meeting upcoming with Cathy and the request from detective Lance on a background report on Rick Loomis and Rob Warner.
Meanwhile, as they chatted back and forth, Dan went to his office to do a little organizing. The irony was he'd virtually no experience setting up an office. He would be saved by Emma who gleaned his lack of office skills. Be that as it may, he took the opportunity to call home.
In Stacy's office, while they were chatting, Stacy's cell alerted her to a call from detective Lance. He said, "Rob Werner is an ex-con who does some part time construction work. He was just released three months ago for rape and assault. Furthermore, he's not to be found. His boss said he's skipped out, gone and told a worker friend the heat was on. He's driving a small dark colored pickup with a canopy on it. I've put an APB out on him. That's it for now. See you later this afternoon."
When Stacy hung up she looked at Em with disbelief. "I'll be knocked over with a feather. It would seem our prime suspect is Rob Werner from Roseburg. He's just out of Salem from and assault and rape charge. He's skipped the area, as near as his boss and fellow workers are stating. He was or is driving a dark color small pickup truck with a canopy. That's just like the one Ranger Rick saw. There's an APB out on him now. However, he's had plenty of time to exit the state by now. Such a deal, as an old friend of mine used to say. However, we keep going on the drug path of the case," said a downtrodden Stacy.
Cathy came in right at 11 am with a cheerful smile and a sack
full of various bakery items. She was introduced to Dan and he shyly accepted a chocolate donut. Stacy had a huckleberry muffin and it tasted like the ones in Bandon: delicious. While they drank tea and coffee, Stacy related what the morning was all about. The last thing was the Rob Werner saga. Emma wrote the name down and hustled to her office for a complete rap sheet on him
"Cathy we're having a meeting with all of the victims friends on campus this afternoon at 3. You're sure welcome to attend. I think our perp is among those who partied at Blue River Lake. It doesn't have to necessarily mean a fellow student killed her, but a visitor like Rob Werner or someone like that could have visited or saw a group having a party. As promiscuous as Patsy Lane was, anyone stopping by could have her attention; which leads to her name; which leads to her wealthy family; which led to her death."
"Have any calls come in with a visitor to the lake having seen something," asked Cathy.
"Nothing and we need to check with Ranger Rick if he's heard anything about his notices he supposedly put up," said Stacy.
"Now to the drug lead. As we all know it would take some health professional or some student of medicine to know what and how to administer those drugs we found in her body. Especially the Midazolam. Also where is the syringe," said Cathy.
Emma came back with Rob's rap sheet. "This guy is a two time loser. The next one he goes away for life. The first time he was convicted of manslaughter of a college girl in Salem. He only spent three years behind bars. It says he was a model prisoner. The second one happened in Ashland at SOC where he raped and beat the hell out of a college student. He spent five years is all. Wow, this guy gets off easy. By the way, he's thirty three years old and looks twenty five."
"Well looks like he's heading up the list of suspects Stacy," said Cathy.
"Maybe and maybe not. There's still a lot to learn from this case. Now Cathy what's the scuttle on the city manager suicide," asked Stacy.
"A note was found by his wife. She showed no remorse about his death; only the daughter's passing. In the note he says that too much resides against him and he failed as a father and husband. The best thing is to remove self to let life advance without him."
"Kind of morbid," said Emma, "however nothing deters me from lunch. Let's order in and I'm sure Cathy knows a good place that delivers delicious food?"
"You name and we can do it," said Cathy. "I prefer deli rather than a heavy meal, but anything will suffice; even Chinese takeout is good."
Three O'clock at the Park
After deciding on Chinese they made some questions for the upcoming meeting. Stacy suggested to Dan to go work on his office. Emma feeling sorry for the guy went with him. That left Stacy and Cathy to work up a plan for the meeting.
An hour later her new cell went off playing a Christmas tune. "How do I change the ring message," she said to no one as Lance was on the line.
"Portland sent a fax on Ranger Rick, as you call him. He's clean as a whistle. Almost too clean. I'll fax it over to you after we finish here. By the way, Rhonda says hi to you from Portland. Also she said congrats were in order."
"She darn good at her job Lance. She has a feel for the cases she works on digging information out for the investigators. Also she must have some persuasive power to elicit financial information from various sources."
"We've nothing to report on the APB of Rob Werner. He put two and two together and high tailed it out of here. If he's driving the vehicle, which we think he is, somebody will find him in not so long a time. Okay, see you soon," said Lance signing off.
"Let me see your phone Stacy. It's the same as mine and I'll change your answering program to something more appropriate. What would you like for an alert a call coming in," asked Cathy.
"Let's see, not music, but a musical set of chimes might work; if that's available," said Stacy handing her phone to Cathy.
While Cathy was working on the phone, Stacy's private line rang telling her Washington was calling. She dashed to the desk and said, "Marshall Foreham speaking."
"Wow, so formal," said Connie Wilson her supervisor and head of the US Marshall Section of the Justice Department. "How are you doing Stacy?"
"I'm fine, but didn't know it was you calling. I thought it best to play it safe."
"I see and hear you've hit the ground running. The state boys asked for help huh," asked Connie.
It all started this past Friday and I'm doing what I can to solve the case," said a tentative Stacy.
"Let me be frank with you Stacy. The Oregon State Police Superintendant called me to slightly complain that you didn't want to assist the state police on a kidnap murder case. I assumed, from what I've read, that the victim's father was a city official in Eugene that wanted the crime kept low profile. I know whom I hired for the job and that person would not play political football with anybody. Good for you. It appears all is well from what has transpired in the case; albeit, the suicide of the city manager. I'm trying not to interfere Stacy, but just for the record, how's the case coming along?"
"We've a suspect, but I yield to say a prime suspect at this point in time. The suspect is a two-time loser who has a history of rape, assault and manslaughter on his rap sheet. He befriended the victim and her group of friends. Our vic, was extremely promiscuous with an insatiable appetite for men. Apparently, he's skipped the country. An APB is out, but that remains outstanding at this time.
"I hate to speculate Connie, but the vic was full of drugs and they had to come from somewhere. I feel that's our trail to follow to solve the case."
"Sounds good Stacy. Nobody is pushing you. Do what you do best and let me know if you need some assistance from anyone who might help but is reluctant to provide. I have to go Stacy. Keep in touch."
"That the boss person," asked Cathy. Who handed Stacy her phone. "I'll call you and see if you like it." The ring tone was a soft melody of small bells ringing. Stacy's eyes opened wide and nodded a yes.
"That was my boss lady Cathy. All is well. I see we're getting close to having to leave. Let's check on Em and Dan to see how the office is shaping up," said Stacy. There was no need to tell Emma about the big boss state police calling DC to cry a little. Stacy smiled at the thought, but nobody saw her inner satisfaction.
Enlightenment at the Park
Dan was the driver and passengers Cathy, Stacy and Emma felt the heavy cloudy day upon the campus as they drove through to the park. Word, of course, had spread and students were nervous with apprehension of the recent crime of a fellow student.
Like most university or college campuses parking was always at a premium. This university was no exception. The best Dan could do was finding the least illegal parking spot available close by. He required a place where he could see if a patrol car came by with his or her ticket book in hand.
Lance was already in attendance. He stood out like a sore thumb. When Stacy saw him, she felt sorry he was so obvious. She also noticed the park was jammed with students sitting or standing around chatting, texting and or just being silent. Stacy spotted Rhona and Aggie sitting on the grass surrounded by both students and tall fir trees. Rhona saw Stacy coming and waved.
"Are we ever popular Rhona; or is it always this crowded around the park," said Stacy smiling sincerely. Stacy related to these students very well. It hadn't been that long she walked her legs off around the University of Chicago.
"Yes, you are very popular Stacy. We all want to help in any way we can. We've about ten of us here who were regular visitors to the campground. I'll ask all to form a half circle so you can see us. I, or we, made a list of names for you and Aggie went so far as to have name tags for our shirts."
"I'm greatly impressed Rhona and my strong right arm Emma here will take the list and also take notes as we go along."
"Chad brought a lawn chair for you to sit on. It's easier to see us all from a wee bit higher up," said Rhona as Chad, a stout looking young man came up shyly setting up her chair. Dan, Lance and Cathy had to stand or sit; it was their choice.
Stacy said, "Many thanks for coming forward to help find the killer of one of your friends." Stacy let that sink in a little as other concerned students were gathering around to hear what was being said. "I don't need to know anything more than what is tributary to Patsy Lane. What we need to know is whom she was attracted to lately, say ---in the last few weeks. Right now we understand Rob Werner was the man of the hour. Well, he disappeared sometime over last weekend and probably last Saturday. If anyone has any knowledge of seeing or hearing from him since Friday night or Saturday raise your hand."
Nobody raised or said anything. "Okay then, he wasn't a nice guy. He has a record of assault and rape. He's spent time in Salem at the big house. At this point he's a suspect and we're looking hard for him.
Here's my first question. How many times was Rob at the campground having fun with the group of regulars?"
Surprisingly Chad raised his hand and said, "Three times that I know of. The man was crazy over Patsy. He even asked me who her father was and if they were rich or what. I never liked the guy and most of us here didn't like him either."
"Thanks Chad. Anybody else have a comment on Rob?" A petite student said, "That guy Rob hit on all of us girls. I guess sort of like Patsy, he was kind of a sex maniac."
"Thanks and next question. This is a tough one guys. As Patsy liked variety, did anyone notice or see Patsy refuse Rob and pay attention to another male," asked Stacy.
A student in the back, Jeremy raised his hand and said, "I saw Rob get jealous of Rick when he stopped by on occasion. I saw Patsy light up when she saw the tall ranger in uniform. Me and Tom were sitting together at the table when Rob looked pissed off at Rick for butting in his territory."
"I agree," said Aggie. "Patsy had to tell him to back off or go home. I heard her say he'd didn't have a legal title to her. He walked over to his pickup and quietly left."
Murder Mysteries # 4 Page 5
