“You two love birds ready for dinner?” David teased, making some inaccurate assumptions regarding their afternoon activities.
Lin looked at the clock noting the lateness of the hour, “Indeed we are but I was napping and need a few minutes here to get ready.”
“Take your time,” Dave replied, “but when you’re ready come over to Chris’s place. Marla went to the store and has made plans for dinner—we’re eating here so we can talk about the case. I’ve got some news…”
“Save it,” Lin said, “I have one tidbit to add myself. We’ll be over shortly.”
“Don’t rush,” Dave replied. “Marla said it’ll be at least an hour before we’re ready to eat.”
Lin lay back against the pillows, enjoying the cool breeze created by the ceiling fan above the bed. Neal was awake also. She turned on her side, admiring his long, lean body stirring beside her. He opened his eyes and grinned at her.
“I believe David said it would be at least an hour before we ate and it only takes five minutes to walk over to Chris’s place so…” He reached out for her, drawing her body close to his. The warmth of his skin against hers aroused Lin and she gave herself over fully to his embrace.
***
Marla and Chris had prepared a great meal for everyone from delicious margaritas and appetizers to grilled ribs and succulent salads. Lin was surprised to realize how hungry she was and thoroughly enjoyed the food. After dinner they all settled in on the patio to enjoy fresh coffee. Despite the earlier heat, the evening was pleasant and the coffee was the perfect end to the day.
David was eager to talk about his trip to the reservation, but first Lin shared what she’d learned from the workman at the construction site. “I was surprised to learn he’d reported seeing that dirty blue truck along with Jennings’s vehicle,” she said, “especially since I was almost certain that Deputy Ramirez hadn’t shared that information with you,” Lin said.
“Indeed, he hadn’t,” David remarked. He also recalled that the truck they’d seen at Mrs. Garcia’s bore resemblance to the one the workman had described. “I’ll make sure to ask him about that. I’m going by to see him once more before I leave town tomorrow. I need to press him for more information regarding medical findings in the cases also. I’ve reviewed what I know and there are a lot of gaps I think he could fill in for me”
David continued, reporting on his talks with some of the demonstrators who’d been identified as followers of Doug Davison. “I’m of the opinion that most of these folks are not particularly focused on the work at the construction site. Of course, they’re concerned that their tribal history and heritage be treated properly but most of them expressed confidence in Dr. Manuel and his department to handle things the correct way. Frankly, I think Doug Davison is holding a gun to their heads, at least figuratively. I didn’t actually get any direct proof, but several folks alluded to Davison being involved in the sale of drugs there on the reservation, particularly to some of the young folks. There was one woman in particular who said that Davison implied that, if she didn’t support the demonstrations, he would tell the tribal police about her own son’s involvement in selling marijuana to his classmates. She seemed genuinely afraid that he might actually do that.”
“But couldn’t she get Davison in trouble as well?” Neal asked. “Couldn’t she turn him in for selling to the kids out there?”
“Apparently, none of the folks I talked to have any real proof, just indirect knowledge,” David continued, “but, before I left, I did stop by the tribal police headquarters and talked to a Sergeant Montoya there. He seemed like a straight-up guy and I think he’ll look into things further. Perhaps he can uncover more information. I hope so anyway.”
Lin was in deep thought. This story seemed to get more and more complicated. If Doug Davison had drug connections and the Garcia family had had such connections in the past as well, perhaps Mrs. Garcia’s suspicions regarding this Mendoza character had a basis in fact. It certainly gave rise to even more questions in her mind. She resolved to talk to Sue Gray as soon as possible to see if she’d learned anything about this man.
The five of them continued to talk about all the information garnered thus far and the facts as they now appeared. Cameron agreed that it was beginning to look as if drug connections might play a part; maybe this entire mess actually had nothing to do with the shopping center or the competing interests of the companies doing business in this area. Still, there remained the fact that Sam Stevens was still in jail, and Deputy Ramirez still seemed convinced that the business connection was the path to solving the case.
Finally, Lin noticed that Marla was beginning to yawn and suggested that they all should try to get a good night’s rest. She and Neal bid goodnight and goodbye to David who planned to depart early the next day. “I’ll keep you posted if we learn anything more,” Lin said, observing that Neal looked as if he wanted to say something at that point. He didn’t, however, but merely shook hands with David and wished him safe travels.
Turning to Chris, Neal spoke, “I’m not sure what, if anything, we could accomplish at the site tomorrow. What do you think?”
“I agree. Our work there is largely done. Just closing things down when Pete Tedder gives us the word. I do plan to call him tomorrow first thing; maybe we should try to go to the museum and help with the unloading and organization of the artifacts and remains.”
“Good idea,” Neal responded. “Just give me a call after you’ve talked to him. I’ll be ready whenever you are.”
On that note they said goodbye and headed back to their casita. It was too late to call anyone back east, but Lin vowed that would be the first thing she did the next morning. Hopefully, Sue would have found something that might open up some connections.
***
The next morning Lin was surprised to realize that she’d slept much later than she’d planned. She awoke to find that Neal was up already. Coffee was made and he was sitting on the patio enjoying the cool of the desert morning and perusing a copy of the Daily Star. He smiled as she joined him with her own cup of dark roast.
“Look at this,” he thrust the front page in her direction. There was a photo of Doug Davison just above a headline that read, “TEACHER ARRESTED IN DEATH OF DEVELOPER.” The story went on to say that Davison had been arrested and charged in the death of David Jennings and was also being questioned in the case of Mark Garcia. Sam Stevens’s attorney was quoted as saying he expected his client to be released today and all charges against him dropped. The article went on to describe Davison’s activities in opposition to the mall development; however, no mention was made of any connection to drug trafficking on the reservation.
After reading the story, Lin was a bit puzzled. It seemed, at least on the surface, that the evidence connecting Davison to the death of Jennings was no greater than that which had led to Chris Dawkins being questioned. His fingerprints were found on the passenger side of Jennings’s truck and, of course, he had been leading the demonstrations against the building of the mall both on the reservation and at the construction site. Once again, Lin had a sense that all wasn’t really being explained here. She folded the paper and sat back, thinking about all the facts that were known and the many things that were not known in these cases.
“I’m going to call, Sue,” she said to Neal. “It’s already almost noon back east and I want to know if she’s learned anything through her research.”
“You go ahead,” Neal replied. “I’m going to call Chris and then get showered. I need to find out when he wants us to go down to see Tedder at the museum. Maybe he’s talked to him already.”
Lin nodded her agreement and then turned to her own call.
Half an hour later, Lin ended her conversation and joined Neal in the bedroom where he was getting dressed for the day.
“What did Sue learn?” he asked.
“Not a whole lot it seems,” she replied, “but she did find several articles about the drug cartel in Mexico operating adjacent to the Tohono
O’odham lands and some of them did make mention of one Jose Mendoza, as being a suspected ring leader in the operation. Apparently though, he’s managed to avoid arrest and easy identification. There were no pictures of him, for example, and no one reported directly talking with him. Still, some of the reports seemed to indicate he was a major player in the business, operating on both sides of the border. I think someone on the reservation, maybe Mrs. Garcia, even knows more than they are saying about this man and his activities. Someone needs to look into this more closely, in my opinion.”
“Well, perhaps someone will,” Neal replied, “but today I have to get back to doing archeology. Chris and I are due at the museum in half an hour and I’m pretty sure we’ll be there all day. Apparently, Pete Tedder wants us to set up the lab for working with the remains and that could take awhile. Chris will be here to pick me up in ten minutes.”
“Good, you’re leaving our rental car with me,” Lin smiled. “I won’t be stuck here with no transportation.”
“Lin…” Neal started to say something more but hesitated. She could see the concern in his expression and moved to give him a reassuring hug.
“Please don’t worry, Neal. I really don’t know yet what I might decide to do today. For one thing, I might decide to do some shopping. Whatever I do I promise I will be careful and I will be back here by dinnertime. I’ll have my cell with me and you can call me at any time.” Lin was careful not to make any promises regarding looking into the case information further. She was going to keep her promise to herself to always be honest with Neal, but at the moment, she really wasn’t sure what she was going to do and she wanted to keep her options open. “One thing I can tell you. Before I make any plans, I’m going to call Marla Dawkins. She’ll be on her own with Chris gone. We might as well make some plans together.”
That seemed to allay Neal’s concerns, at least a bit. At that moment Chris sounded a horn outside. Neal gave her a quick kiss and off he went.
Lin dialed Marla’s number and the two of them agreed to meet in about twenty minutes. First they’d get some breakfast, then they’d decide what to do next. They agreed that Lin should drive. Marla was still tired from her travel the day before.
As she headed for the shower, Lin thought about what she wanted to accomplish. For one thing, she really wanted to try to talk to Ben Ramirez and see what he had to say about the arrest of Doug Davison. She decided that she’d use her knowledge of the dark blue truck as an entry into the conversation. She didn’t want to cast any suspicion on Mrs. Garcia, but she was relatively sure she could avoid that. It seemed highly unlikely that Mrs. Garcia would drive the truck to Tucson, and she certainly wouldn’t have played a role in her own son’s murder—Lin felt sure of that. Perhaps, however, she could shed some light on who the owner or driver of the truck might be. Ramirez should also be interested in learning more about Doug Davison’s drug connections on the reservation and David Cameron was no longer in town to talk to him. Thus armed with plans, Lin set about getting ready for the day.
Chapter 8
By the time Lin and Marla had finished their omelets and toast at The Good Egg, it was pushing toward mid-morning. Lin was eager to try to see Deputy Ramirez and Marla agreed that it might be a good idea. “It can’t hurt,” she offered, “it does seem as if he isn’t paying close attention to all the information coming his way.”
The two of them set out and soon arrived at the law enforcement complex. Lin approached the young officer on the desk and asked to see Ramirez. The young woman hesitated, but when Lin explained she had some information on the recent murder cases to discuss with him, she agreed to tell him they were there.
Soon they were ushered into a conference room. Ramirez appeared shortly thereafter but he seemed to be rushed. He slapped a short stack of folders on the table impatiently and flopped down in a chair opposite where the women were seated.
“This is a very busy day, and as you know, I have two murders on my hands so I would appreciate it if you ladies would state your business quickly so I can get on with my work.
“Thank you so much for agreeing to see us,” Lin smiled pleasantly. “I’m sure you’ll want to know about this information.” She proceeded to tell him that the truck the workman had spotted parked at Dave Jennings office might be the same truck she and David Cameron had observed at Mrs. Garcia’s home on the reservation. “I know that the workman reported the sighting to you earlier. Frankly, I wondered if the truck might belong to someone in the Garcia family,” Lin remarked.
Ramirez flipped through the papers in the topmost file, finally selecting one sheet to review. “Just as I thought,” the foreman I talked to did mention that truck but with no substantial identifying information. Ms. Hanna, I’m sure that Pima County and the reservation are full of dark blue, dirty trucks. I’d need more information than that to learn much of anything.”
“Certainly,” Lin agreed, “but you have arrested Doug Davison and he has many contacts on the reservation. Perhaps he or some of his demonstrators might shed some light. I’d expect that Sergeant Montoya of the tribal police might be willing and able to look into some of these questions for you. Certainly, everyone knows how busy you must be.”
Ramirez couldn’t very well say much of anything at that point. It was clear that Lin was aware of the fact that he’d not made use of the tribal police to help in the investigation and there was no apparent reason why he hadn’t done that. However, he covered himself well. “I’ll consider giving him a call, Ms. Hanna. Perhaps later today. Now I really must be getting on with this investigation.”
Just as Ramirez rose to leave, the young woman from the front desk burst into the room. “Deputy Ramirez, you’re needed over at the jail right away, “ she realized she couldn’t say much more in front of Lin and Marla, “There’s been a…there’s a problem and they need you there.”
“I’ll be right there,” Ramirez said coolly as he turned to his visitors, “excuse me ladies and thank you for sharing this information.” With that he took his leave.
As Lin and Marla returned to their car they noticed several emergency vehicles heading toward the part of the complex where the jail was located. Without saying a word as she started the vehicle, Lin turned to follow them at a distance, making sure to stay well back and not to block any passages through the parking lot.
“I want to find out what’s going on there,” she said, “is that OK with you?”
Marla nodded her agreement, “Why don’t you park over to the side of the lot. We can get closer if we walk, I think.” It was evident her curiosity was as great as Lin’s.
It took a couple of minutes but Lin managed to find an open space at one side of the parking lot. The two women carefully made their way toward the scene at the end of the area. They stopped short of the yellow police tape that now surrounded an ambulance and a patrol vehicle. A single deputy stood guard, keeping curious onlookers away from the jail entrance. Soon a gurney appeared flanked by a pair of EMTs. A sheet completely covered the form of the person being transported.
“Whoever that is,” Marla commented, “clearly isn’t headed for the hospital. Someone must have died at the jail.”
Lin nodded and looked around for someone to ask, but seeing only the deputy standing guard, she decided against doing that. She felt sure he’d been instructed not to answer any questions and there seemed to be no point in placing the young man in a difficult position. Instead she turned to Marla and signaled her to follow. They carefully retraced their steps back toward their vehicle, but before they arrived there, Lin noticed that there was a TV news van parked at the entrance to the parking lot. The driver was engaged in conversation with yet another deputy who appeared to be trying to prevent the news folks from entering the area. Lin noticed that the driver of the van appeared to be irritated; however, he backed up and parked the vehicle to one side.
Signaling Marla to accompany her, Lin approached the news van and spoke to the driver.
“I see t
hey wouldn’t let you in,” she said.
“Not yet, anyway,” the person responded, “the guard said we had to wait until the ambulance left.” He indicated the small camera he held in one hand. “At least I can get a clip of the vehicle leaving—something to show with our story.”
“Which is?” Lin ventured.
“Apparently, a suicide at the jail,” the newsman responded, evidently realizing that Lin wasn’t a newsperson who might scoop his story. “We got a call earlier saying that a prisoner hanged himself in his cell.”
“Any name?” Lin asked.
“None given, at least not yet,” the man responded. “I guess they have to notify next of kin first so all we know is it was a man.”
The ambulance was approaching and the reporter left his van to get his video. Realizing that there was no further information to be gained at this point, Lin and Marla returned to their vehicle.
“That’s sad,” Marla commented as they started the car and drove from the parking lot. “Evidently that person was very upset and despondent.” Lin realized that Marla had to be thinking of Chris having been in jail overnight earlier, certainly grateful that his state of mind had been more positive, perhaps because he had the support of friends, family, and a good attorney.
The news that there’d been a death at the jail left both women feeling somewhat out of touch with reality. Lin wasn’t sure what to do next. They hadn’t really discussed how they wished to spend the rest of their day. She suggested to Marla that they stop at the nearby Starbucks for a break while they thought about their plans.
***
A short while later, fortified by a refreshing iced latte, Lin had come up with an idea of what they might do next. “I think it might be worthwhile if we took a ride out to Sells, perhaps to speak with John Manuel about that old blue truck we saw at Mrs. Garcia’s house. He might know to whom it belongs and maybe why it was parked there. I didn’t ask before, because at that point, I didn’t realize it might be significant.”
Sonoran Sun Page 10
