“But why kill Allen and Dowd?”
“There’s a complex history that we’re still trying to sort out. But we think the event that triggered the Allen/Dowd slayings was that Ashleigh photographed Warrington and Freeler together.”
“When was this?”
“A few days before the murders. Ashleigh had taken her biology class to Upper Bar Lake to collect water samples. Using a digital camera she took a lot of photos of the students. They were on a CD I took out of her camera. Several photos showed a couple on the east shore across from where the students were wading,” explained Sue.
“Freeler and Warrington?” probed Tyrrell.
“Yes, they were in the distance at the edge of the photo. I didn’t even notice them the first time I looked at the pictures on screen. And, given how far they were from Ashleigh, she might have not recognized them. But when I enlarged the photos, there they were, holding hands. No question about their identities.”
“So,” said Ray, picking up the narrative, “here’s our theory. Freeler and Helen thought that they had been discovered. Freeler, on his own or with Helen’s prodding, committed the murders to protect their secret.”
“Great theory, but so what? They were consenting adults.”
“We’re not dealing with rational people,” responded Ray.
“And the fire?”
“The arson investigator wouldn’t commit to a specific cause, but I think there’s a good chance that Freeler, or Helen, or both working together started the blaze. ”
“Motive?”
“The photos, they wanted to destroy the evidence. Ashleigh’s camera was in her apartment and lots of prints of her students doing field work.”
“Why didn’t they just take the camera?”
“Speculation again—perhaps he thought we would have noticed the camera was missing.”
“Why did he try to kill you?” Tyrrell prodded.
“Again speculation,” Sue answered. “But perhaps in their confused world they thought that Ray was getting too close. And if they killed him it would stop the investigation. It was just the two of them against the world. With Ashleigh dead, Ray was their most immediate threat.”
“But you haven’t been able to question Helen about this?”
“I’ve had several conversations with her psychiatrist. At this point she’s catatonic,” Sue said.
“Four deaths,” said Tyrrell, “Ray shot. What an enormous amount of carnage.”
“And Arnie Vedder,” added Ray, “An unintended victim. We think he fled to his shack after he witnessed the murders or found the bodies.”
“And Arnie Vedder,” repeated Tyrrell. “What’s happening with him?”
“He’s been moved to a nursing home. He’s made some progress,” said Ray. “But the prognosis is uncertain.”
“Poor bastard. That kid never had a chance,” muttered Tyrrell. He dropped in a chair at the head of the table and looked at Sue and then Ray. “So, we can charge Helen with a lot of things, but she may never be competent to stand trial.”
They both nodded their agreement.
“What an appalling way to save the county money.”
A long pause followed, finally Tyrrell turned to Ray and said, “I hope you’re going to take some time off. How long has it been since you’ve had a vacation?”
“It’s been a while,” Ray responded. “And as soon as I’m a bit more ambulatory I’m going to get away for a few weeks.” “Where to?”
“California. I’ve got some personal business I need to attend to.”
Author’s Note
In the process of writing and revising this book I received help and encouragement from a number of people. Detective Sergeant Mark Henschell of the Michigan State Police provided counsel on police procedures and DNA evidence. Don Shapton lent his knowledge of the workings of rural fire departments and helped with cover concepts.
I am very grateful to the early readers of this manuscript, Anne Stanton, Anne-Marie Oomen, and Lori Hall Steele. Their insightful suggestions helped me grow the story during the many revisions.
My thanks again to Lori Hall Steele for her skillful editing and her help in bringing this project to completion.
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