Were investigating that aspect.
Kate waved her notebook, tried to raise a question, but Moore continued.
And, given Nelsons work, isnt it possible he could assume or steal anyones identity?
Yes, its 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 were 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 youre confident that number will rise?
Correct.
One more question, the Reuters guy said. Any idea on Nelsons 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 were arranging pool coverage, drawing names from the sign-in sheet. Okay, thank you, everyone, I think well wrap this-
Excuse me! Kate stood. Kate Page, Newslead. Captain, I think we need more than just five minutes here.
Kennedys face tightened.
Whats your question?
Captain, how close are you to determining the identity of the recently discovered remains?
As I indicated at the outset, theyre 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?
Were not prepared to discuss that at this time.
Did you find evidence at the scene to make the connection?
Were not going to discuss evidence. Kennedy stared at Kate.
What about Nelson? Can you put him in Canada at the time of Tara Dawns disappearance?
Were not going to discuss that part of our investigation at this time. Thats 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 Maes 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, were aware of your interest and your story. I say, with the greatest respect and understanding, that were 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 youre convinced your sisters a victim here?
How did you learn your sisters case was tied to this one?
What did you discover in Canada about your sisters 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 whod asked the last one.
Theyve been hard and Id 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.
Whats 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, whod loosened his tie, was waiting with the others.
Our hearts go out to you, Kate, Kennedy said. Were sympathetic to your situation. We appreciate that youve helped us, but our hands are tied.
Our hearts go out to you, Kate, Kennedy said. Were sympathetic to your situation. We appreciate that youve helped us, but our hands are tied.
Kate said nothing, letting her resentment bubble as Kennedy continued.
You have to let us do our job.
Im not stopping you.
Kate, we know- Kennedy stopped to see news cameras recording them on the other side of the glass. Would someone shut the blinds? Now, Kate, we know where youve been, who youve talked to and what youve been doing.
Youre stating the obvious, since I wrote about it for Newslead.
Yes, and I will thank you for keeping evidentiary details out of your story. That was important.
Im not stupid, Captain.
I wasnt suggesting that, Kate. Were concerned about tipping off the suspect to everything we know. Our focus is finding Nelson and arresting him while we determine the scope of his crimes and identify the victims.
And everything points to my sister being one of them.
Yes, Im afraid thats possible. We havent identified the remains yet. Kate, you have to brace yourself for the possibility that shes a victim.
Thats what Ive been doing all of my life, Captain. But if you know something that I dont, if those are Vanessas remains that you found, then you tell me right now!
At this point, we dont know who the deceased is. But when the pathologist confirms the identity, well release the information. Kennedy paused. Kate, were urging you not to interfere, to back off.
No. Im not going to be the docile, grieving family member on the sidelines. I have a constitutional right to ask questions. Ive lived with this all of my life. Ive got a blood right to the truth. Ill never back off.
Were asking you to exercise a little judgment here.
Kate. Kennedy rubbed his chin. Just to remind you, those charges against you can always be brought back.
Are you threatening me?
No, but consider the ramifications. Kate, its dangerous to get too close to a case, especially when it concerns a dangerous fugitive.
Hes right, Kate, Brennan said. Nelsons at large, and youre involved in this. You should dial things down.
No, Im not backing off.
All right, Kennedy said. I think were done here.
Leaving the town hall with Jay, Kate was stopped by reporters insisting on more comments. Kate kept them short, then headed with Raney to his SUV.
APs shooting still images for the pool, he said. Bloomberg will send copy. We should go with the pack to Nelsons house, see what we can find there.
Sure, but I have to file something first. Lets grab a coffee somewhere and Ill write.
At that moment, her phone rang.
Kate, this is Nicky Green from the library. I found that news story from Denver you wanted, the one about a license plate and missing girl in Canada.
Great. Can you send it to me?
Just did.
24
Rampart, New York
Three blocks from the town hall, Kate and Raney shared a booth in Sallys Diner.
Kate was anxious to read the old clipping from Denver, but her deadline was looming. She needed to file her story, and she was hungry.
While waiting for their food, they set up their laptops. Raney selected and adjusted images hed shot at the news conference. Kate inserted an earpiece, plucked key quotes from her recorder, consulted her notes and wrote, her keyboard clicking softly as she tuned out the noise around her.
By the time the waitress set their burgers down-My, you two are busy bees-Kate was well into her story, stopping at each paragraph to take a bite. When shed finished shed filed seven hundred clean, solid words to Newslead, just under the deadline.
Raney was on the phone to the photo desk in New York. While he talked, Kate went to her email and the Colorado article. It was from the Denver Star-Times, a community weekly that had ceased publication nearly ten years ago. It was a short item:
Police Probe Possible Denver Link to Missing Canadian Girl
By Will Goodsill
Denver detectives are investigating a possible local link to a ten-year-old Canadian girl who recently went missing from a truck stop in Alberta, Canada.
Tara Dawn Mae vanished last week from the Grand Horizon Plaza, along the Trans-Canada Highway at Brooks, Alberta, about 100 miles east of Calgary.
Canadian authorities gave Colorado law enforcement officials a list of partial license plates and descriptions of vehicles that were in the area at the time, with a request to verify them in relation to the Canadian case.
Were running them down where we can, eliminating possibilities. A few are promising leads, but its a needle-in-a-haystack thing, a police source told the Star-Times.
A stamp-sized photo of Tara Dawn accompanied the article.
Kate reread the piece, drawn to the quote A few are promising leads. Which few? What happened to them? Who was the source? Did Carl Nelson ever live in Denver?
I need to follow this, but its going to take time.
Raney ended his call, then snapped his laptop shut.
Ready to go, Kate? He signaled the waitress for the checks.
A few minutes later, Raney pulled onto Knox Lane and rolled by Nelsons modest ranch-style bungalow with its tidy yard.
The situation was different from when Kate was last here. The entire property was sealed with yellow tape and Rampart officers had been posted to keep people out. The street was sprinkled with news vehicles. Nelsons neighbors were giving doorstep and sidewalk interviews, their faces etched with concern. Some held their children close.
Kate and Raney approached a man and woman in their thirties, whod just finished talking to a TV crew on the sidewalk, two doors down from Nelsons house. The couple, Neil and Belinda Wilcox, agreed to have their picture taken and to talk about their missing neighbor.
It shocks you to the core. Belinda cupped her hand to her cheek and stared at Nelsons house. Its frightening. We had him in our home once.
Really? Kate took out her notebook. Tell me about that?
Well, it sounds cliché, Neil started, but Nelson kept to himself. He was a hermit.
Yeah, Belinda added. With his long hair and beard, he looked like one.
Yeah, well, one day in winter, Neil continued, he was clearing his driveway and Id run out of gas for my snowblower. I asked him if I could borrow some. Well, I got telling him how my computer didnt work and he volunteered to fix it. It took him about two minutes, the guys a genius.
Another time, Belinda recalled, I saw that he had like a ton of groceries in the back of his truck. I asked him if he was feeding an army, because we knew he lived alone. He was kind of startled and said he was donating a lot to a soup kitchen in Ogdensburg.