“I’ll call John tomorrow,” Chris offered, “see what he thinks.”
Just then the doorbell rang. Chris rose to head back inside, “Who could that be at this late hour? It’s almost eleven.”
Lin was fully awake now and followed Neal inside. Chris opened the door to reveal Ben Ramirez and one of the younger deputies standing outside.
“Dr. Dawkins, I’m glad to find you’re still up. Dr. Smith, Ms. Hanna..” he nodded in their direction. “I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask all of you to come back to the station to answer some more questions.”
“Why?” Chris was astonished. “We told you everything we knew back at the site earlier. Can’t we come back in tomorrow if you need to talk to us more? It’s quite late and we’ve all had along day…”
“This can’t wait, Dr. Dawkins,” Ramirez was serious, “We’ve found Dave Jennings truck, someone pushed it down into the Canada del Oro wash—not more than 100 yards from where we stand. It looks like our killer is right in your backyard…maybe right here…after all Dr. Smith and Ms. Hanna were with Mr. Jennings yesterday afternoon and we don’t really know what you were doing Dr. Dawkins, now do we?
Chapter 5
Badly shaken, Lin and Neal finally arrived back at the casita about three a.m. after what seemed like endless grilling by Ramirez and a couple of his associates. The three of them had been separated and questioned over and over about their exact activities the day before. Finally, Lin and Neal had been released; albeit with the admonition that they shouldn’t leave town and perhaps they should retain counsel. Ramirez had threatened them with accessory charges, indicating that he felt they knew more about the crime than they were revealing. Apparently, he didn’t have sufficient evidence to actually charge them or detain them.
Chris Dawkins was a different matter. For some unexplained reason, he had refused to answer any questions about his whereabouts on Saturday afternoon after he had parted company with Lin and Neal. They could only share what he had said—he had some shopping to do—and the fact that he hadn’t joined them at the neighborhood pool. In fact, they hadn’t seen him after he dropped them off until he picked them up for dinner.
Since Chris was uncooperative, Ramirez had elected to detain him for the present. Chris had, somewhat desperately, asked that Neal try to find an attorney to represent him.
“I can’t believe what’s happening,” Lin remarked as she collapsed exhausted across the bed. She was bone tired but felt she couldn’t possibly get any sleep.
“I think Ramirez is just trying to close this case as quickly as Mark’s killing,” Neal remarked. “He certainly hasn’t had time to complete a thorough investigation; his evidence seems entirely circumstantial, but he seems dead set on making an arrest and closing the matter.”
“Well, one thing is certain,” Lin added, “Chris is in trouble and we have to help him. How do we find a good attorney here in Tucson? We don’t know anyone and I don’t want to trust someone just appointed. Sam Stevens got that and he’s still behind bars.”
“Yes,” Neal agreed, “but he did threaten Jennings and there are witnesses to that. Still, I’m going to call Chris’s wife in Flagstaff. I’m sure he’s probably called her by now, but just in case. They probably have an attorney there who might be able to help—at least who might know someone here.”
In spite of the hour, Neal got right to work on that problem. Chris had called home and his wife was fully awake already and quite upset. She was able to tell Neal that she’d already spoken with a local attorney, and he was working on getting someone in Tucson to represent Chris. She promised to call back as soon as she knew anything more.
“Hopefully, Chris can be released before he spends another night in jail,” Neal reported. “I’m not sure what else we can do right now. Maybe Chris’s lawyer will help us also—should we need it later.”
Lin could only nod her agreement. She was totally stunned by the turn of events. At this point North Carolina seemed a distant memory and their upcoming wedding seemed like an event in the far distant future. She absolutely couldn’t believe what had happened since they’d arrived in Tucson.
“This is a nightmare,” she said, “I really don’t know where to turn but I know that things are moving entirely in the wrong direction here. Chris wouldn’t be guilty of a crime like this and the real killer is still out there while he sits in jail.” She still wasn’t sleepy but she knew they had to rest sometime or they wouldn’t be any good to anyone. She began slipping out of her clothes, preparing to go to bed.
Neal did likewise. Lin looked up and saw that he was standing there beside the bed. There were tears in his eyes as he reached for her, drawing her into his arms and pressing her body close to his. “I don’t know what to do. Chris is one of my oldest and dearest friends and I feel so helpless. We have to help him but I don’t know how.”
Lin wrapped her arms around him, drawing him closer, wishing she knew how to comfort him. Finally, they slipped into bed and eventually into a troubled sleep nestled in each other’s arms.
***
The ringing of Neal’s cell phone woke them both from a relatively sound sleep. It was already mid-morning. Lin was surprised that they’d been able to sleep so soundly—even for a few hours—apparently exhaustion had won. She could tell from the conversation that Neal was talking with Chris’s wife. She got up and headed for the shower. Lin wished she could wash away everything from the day before, even the memories of events, but at least she could face the day feeling more refreshed.
Before she could rinse the shampoo from her hair, the shower door slid open and Neal slipped in behind her. She grabbed a sponge and began scrubbing his back.
“Ah, that feels so good,” he turned to smile at her. “I feel like I need to wash away everything from yesterday…”
“Just the way I felt, too,” Lin responded continuing to bathe herself while Neal reached for the shampoo, “What was the call about?”
“Two calls actually,” Neal replied. “Chris’s wife, Marla called to say that David Cameron was on his way down from Flagstaff already. He wants to at least get things started for Chris himself and felt he could take a couple of days to do so. If necessary, he’ll try to team up with someone local here, he went to U of A law school and does know some folks…he and Chris are good friends though and he wants to help. The second call was actually from Cameron himself, asking us to meet him at the jail about noon.”
“That’s the best news I’ve heard since this whole mess started, I didn’t realize Marla and Chris knew David,” Lin said, continuing to rinse the soap from her hair and body. She’d met David Cameron earlier when he was appointed by the courts to defend a young Navajo boy accused of murder. She knew that he was a competent, caring young attorney who would certainly want to look beyond the surface of this situation. “I have a lot of confidence in Dave.”
“I’ve met Cameron but I don’t know him well,” Neal responded, “but apparently Marla feels the same way. She sounded relieved that he was going to come down and help personally. As I said, he expects to be here by noon.” The shower was still running although they had both finished bathing. Neal reached to turn it off, then grabbed a large towel and wrapped it around them both, drawing Lin into a close embrace. “That gives us another hour and I know just how we need to spend the time.” He drew Lin closer still, kissing her deeply as he gently dried her hair with the towel.
In spite of their lingering fatigue and emotional stress from the previous days events, their lovemaking was comforting to Lin. Just knowing that Neal was there, in her life to stay, gave her a sense of being loved and belonging, a sense of security. Whatever happened they would face it together.
***
Shortly after noon they arrived at the jail. Cameron was already there and they were told he was talking with Chris in an interview room. Lin really wanted to hear that discussion, but she and Neal were relegated to the waiting area. Finally, the young attorney emerged and spoke to the o
fficer on duty at the desk, handing her some official looking papers.
“I’ve arranged for Dr. Dawkins to see the presiding judge this afternoon at four,” He said. “I expect him to be released at that time. I’ve done the preliminary paperwork here. Is there anything else I need before I go to court?”
Learning that everything was complete until the judge actually issued his ruling, Cameron turned to greet Lin with a big hug. “Good to see you again,” he smiled.
“Not as good as it is to see you,” Lin responded, “I think you’ve met my fiancé Neal Smith.”
“Yes, we met briefly some time ago, good to see you again,” he offered Neal his hand. “I understand you and Chris are working together on this project.”
“I probably should say were working together,” Neal expressed his frustration, “ since all this mess has happened our work is basically shut down.”
“I really need to talk to you folks about this mess. Would you have time to grab some lunch and bring me up to date?” Dave asked. “I need to get a handle on what’s going on and I understand you two could possibly need some help—legal that is—later.”
“Hopefully not,” Lin responded, “but I don’t think Ben Ramirez is convinced we don’t know more than we’ve told him. He’s threatened to charge us as accessories.”
“I see,” Dave responded. “Well, please tell me everything that’s happened and all you know at this point—then I can better help Chris and better judge whether or not you folks might need counsel.”
***
Over a late lunch at the Tohono Chul Tea Room, Lin and Neal tried to bring Cameron up to date. Neal filled him in on the work done at the site thus far, the urgency felt by Lancer Ltd. to move forward with construction, and the respective roles of Mark Garcia and Dave Jennings, the two victims.
“It seems to me that Deputy Ramirez is separating the cases while I think they must be connected somehow, even though I can’t see how myself, at least not exactly,” Neal said.
“I think you’re probably right,” David Cameron responded, “Our job may include trying to determine just why he wants the case completed so quickly.”
Lin jumped in at that point, “I agree. Actually, I think there may be something broader involved here. There’s the protests and threats raised by Doug Davison and the demonstrators and then there’s Mrs. Garcia, Mark’s mother.” She went on to relate to David what the woman had said when she initially learned of the arrest in her son’s murder. “She very quickly assumed that the arrested man was someone named Mendoza. When we told Ramirez about this he didn’t seem to think it was relevant.” Lin also mentioned that Sam Stevens seemed to imply that Mark Garcia had something in his past that wasn’t known by the folks at Lancer. “I don’t know why, but I have a gut feeling that there are some answers to be found by talking more to folks down on the reservation. Frankly, I don’t think that the deputy will do this, nor do I think he’s talked to the tribal police. I may be wrong but…”
Dave Cameron cut her off, “I doubt that you’re wrong. I’ve seen your instincts operate before remember. I think that we should pursue this ourselves. Perhaps, I should make you my legal investigator for this case…”
Neal spoke up at that point. “No way, I don’t think Lin should be poking around on the reservation or anywhere else on her own.” He could see Lin bristle a bit at these words and continued in a more amenable tone, “I do agree that this needs to be done. I just don’t want her to go it alone. I’ll go with her maybe, maybe John Manuel should lead this endeavor, he knows everyone…”
Lin reached out and covered Neal’s hand with hers. “Don’t worry so much. I’m not going to walk into any sort of dangerous situation on my own. It’s almost time for Dave to go to court. Hopefully, Chris will be freed and all of us can talk about this at home later. I’m sure we can come up with a workable plan but,” she turned to Cameron with a smile. “It is encouraging to have someone else agree that these things need to be looked into and not just swept under the proverbial rug.”
Dave rose to leave and Neal started to follow. Lin signaled him to remain, however. “Let’s have more of this good Prickly Pear Lemonade,” she said. “They won’t be finished in court before 5 and, if Chris is released, it will take a bit more time to get him checked out. We can meet them back at the casita later. Why don’t we find a good take out place and get some dinner for all of us. I’m sure Chris will want to kick back and relax for awhile.”
Cameron agreed that was a good idea and they decided on Mexican. Then he was off. Lin turned to Neal as the waiter replenished their drinks. “ I really am glad that David Cameron decided to come down here. I trust him and he has an open mind where these things are concerned.”
Neal agreed, “I’m sorry if I sounded overprotective while ago. You know how I feel and sometimes I just can’t help myself, but actually, I have to agree with you. The only way I can think of to lift this thing from Chris Dawkins is to find out who the real culprit is and I don’t think Ramirez is trying to do that. I just don’t want you, or anyone for that matter, to get hurt.”
“Then all of us will have to be really mindful and move carefully to gather information. When we have enough to be convincing, we can turn it all over to the authorities. Then they will have to look at it.” She realized that she sounded confident, but in reality, she wasn’t so sure of herself. Putting her doubts aside, she picked up a paper napkin and grabbed a pen from her purse. “Let’s think about dinner and make a list of dishes we would like to have for Chris’s welcome home party, she refused to think he wouldn’t be released. Then I’ll call El Charro and place our order.”
***
Dinner proved to be rather later than usual. Chris had been released on his own recognizance but was under strict orders to remain in the area. “They really don’t have enough evidence to keep him in jail or even require a bond,” Dave Cameron said stirring his margarita as he watched Lin arrange the food they’d purchased on the patio table. “Of course, the full examination of evidence found on Jennings truck isn’t completed yet. If they find anything linked to Chris…”
“They will,” Chris said, “they’ll likely find my fingerprints. Actually, I’ve been in that truck several times—including late yesterday afternoon.” This revelation was news to Lin and Neal. It appeared to be news to David Cameron as well.
“Maybe, you might be ready to talk to us about yesterday,” Dave suggested, “but I’m starving so let’s get some food first.”
They loaded their plates with green corn tamales, shrimp tacos, carne seca, churros, and calabacitas. Everyone seemed grateful to have such a spread. In spite of their late lunch, Lin was still hungry—after all it was after eight-thirty, almost nine. Processing Chris from the jail had taken a lot longer than they’d thought. Lin had kept the food warm in the oven; however, and it was still quite appetizing.
After they’d all satisfied their initial hunger, Chris began to tell his story. “I didn’t want to talk with the deputies because I knew that eventually they’d find my fingerprints and think I’d killed Dave Jennings and dumped his truck in the wash. I knew I needed counsel before I answered any such questions so I just kept my mouth shut. I think that Ramirez knew he couldn’t keep me, at least not very long but eventually, probably tomorrow, I’m going to have to talk to someone.”
“I’ll be there for you then,” Dave Cameron responded, “but let’s wait to hear from them. The fingerprint issue might not be as clear-cut as you think. After all, you’ve been working there and have good reasons for riding in that truck.”
“Yes, but what about the fact that the truck was practically dumped in my back yard here?” Chris lamented.
“Who knows,” Lin spoke up, “maybe the killer wanted to implicate you or perhaps he didn’t even know where you were living and that part is just a coincidence.”
Dave Cameron nodded his agreement. “All good points we will make but only if we have to. Now, how about you telling us how you
came to go back to the work site and why you were riding in that truck yesterday.”
“I went back because I was worried about getting this work completed,” Chris said. “Even though the site was being released back to us after the investigation of Mark’s death, I knew about the protesters and I also realized that the whole story of Mark’s killing hadn’t really emerged as yet. A lot of things could still happen. Jennings was so set on getting construction done. I went to talk to him about the possibility of a quick removal of the burials—labeling them, photographing them, but taking the material to the state museum to complete the actual work. In fact, I planned to talk to Pete Tedder about that today—until I was detained that is. It’s not ideal, but it would protect the burial remains from possible damage and could help move the entire project forward. Jennings and I talked about it and he asked me to ride with him up to the Superior site at Avra Valley Road just to see if they were doing any work up there yet. He seemed very stressed about it but he was also in a hurry to get back home for the Diamondbacks game. We were only gone about twenty or thirty minutes—nothing yet happening at the Superior site—we drove back to Twin Peaks and he dropped me off by my car. The last I saw of him he had parked at the office and was going in to get his stuff, I presumed, before heading home.”
“Did you see anyone else at the site, or any other vehicles?” Cameron asked.
“No, but I really couldn’t see the area behind the office. There are some parking places there also,” Chris seemed relieved to have finally told his story.
Sonoran Sun Page 7
