Incident on Ten-Right Road

by Randall Silvis

  Notes:

  How many other people knew about the key? Missy Cochran, Tad Blyler, Alex Gessler, and Hickman for sure. Meghan’s father? Other Fletcher acquaintances?

  How many of those individuals informed others of the key’s placement? Could be dozens.

  Second interview with Alex Gessler

  Because of the information about Elizabeth Tenney recovered from Alex Gessler’s phone, and the implication of some of those texts, I decided that Gessler would be more receptive to further questioning if alone with me and not accompanied by his parents in the comfort of their home. I telephoned him at 8:00 a.m., and, fortunately, he was not eager to be questioned in front of his parents, and agreed to meet me a few miles from his home.

  DeMarco: The following interview with Alex Gessler is taking place in my vehicle in the West Middlesex Dairy Queen parking lot. Today is August 15th and the time is 9:11 a.m. (pause) So, Alex, thank you for the use of your phone. Turns out we have a little more to talk about, don’t we? Do you want a coffee or cold drink before we get started?

  Gessler: You got all the texts?

  DeMarco: We did. So you know what I’m going to ask now, right?

  Gessler: You want to know about Liz.

  DeMarco: Elizabeth Tenney, to be exact. Age 23. The loan office at the Huntington Bank in Hubbard. That’s the Liz we’re talking about here, correct?

  Gessler: Same one.

  DeMarco: How long have you had a relationship with her?

  Gessler: I met her during orientation at college. First day. She was one of the orientation leaders.

  DeMarco: And that’s when you started dating?

  Gessler: I wouldn’t call it dating. She was already engaged. We started fooling around.

  DeMarco: Having sex? (pause) I need a verbal answer, please.

  Gessler: Yes, having sex.

  DeMarco: And eventually it became something more serious?

  Gessler: I guess so. I mean… After she got married it was like…she didn’t want to be with him anymore. She started finding all these things wrong with him. And that’s when she said she wanted to be with me. That we’d be good for each other.

  DeMarco: You were still seeing Meghan during this time?

  Gessler: Not as often, though.

  DeMarco: And Liz knew about this?

  Gessler: She was cool with it at first. Then after she started getting annoyed with everything her husband did, she wanted me to stop. But I said as long as you’re having sex with him, I should be able to do the same with Meghan.

  DeMarco: She was planning to divorce her husband?

  Gessler: She was going to file around the first of the year sometime. So we’d be free and clear by the time I graduated.

  DeMarco: Was her husband aware that she was going to ask for a divorce?

  Gessler: Still isn’t, as far as I know.

  DeMarco: So you were okay with the idea of eventually marrying Liz?

  Gessler: Well, like she always said, we’d be good for each other.

  DeMarco: Good how?

  Gessler: Professionally. She had a degree and a good job, she was intelligent and spoke well, dressed nice, knew how to act around people.

  DeMarco: And Meghan didn’t?

  Gessler: We moved in different circles. She wouldn’t have fit in.

  DeMarco: This is what you thought or what Liz thought?

  Gessler: She’s the one who said it first but…I always knew it was true. Ever since high school. So did Meghan. (pause) It turned out that Liz’s father and mine knew each other. Even played golf together a couple of times. Her dad works for Wells Fargo Advisors out of Youngstown. He has lots of good connections.

  DeMarco: Which bode well for your future career.

  Gessler: I guess you could say that.

  DeMarco: And that’s why you panicked when Meghan told you she was pregnant.

  Gessler: I didn’t hurt her! I had nothing to do with what happened to her.

  DeMarco: Why was your DNA found in her bedroom?

  Gessler: What?

  DeMarco: Do you need for me to repeat the question?

  Gessler: We had sex there. Lots of times. In her bedroom and in the living room. And out back in the yard. Her mother was gone every day until 2:00 or so.

  DeMarco (after a pause): What exactly did you think Liz meant when she suggested, in reference to Meghan, that you “scare the life out of her?”

  Gessler: I don’t know what I thought. Threaten her, I guess.

  DeMarco: Threaten her with what? Threaten her life?

  Gessler: I never could have done that. I just figured she wanted me to hit her or something. But I never would have done that either.

  DeMarco: Could Liz do something like that? Does she have it in her?

  Long pause.

  Gessler: Maybe. Probably so.

  DeMarco: She sounds like a very ambitious woman. Is she more ambitious than you?

  Gessler: My parents don’t think I’m ambitious at all. Dad calls me a coaster. Says I just coast along through life.

  DeMarco: Is he right?

  Gessler (after a pause): I guess so.

  DeMarco: What kind of vehicle does Liz drive?

  Gessler: A Jeep Wrangler. Why?

  DeMarco: What model?

  Gessler: The Sport. Soft top.

  DeMarco: Year and color?

  Gessler: Inca Gold. The idea of being surrounded by gold appealed to her. She bought it new two years ago when she got the job at the bank.

  DeMarco: Four-wheel drive?

  Gessler: Yes sir. Why does that matter?

  DeMarco: Does she do much off-roading with it?

  Gessler: That’s sort of why she bought it. I guess her husband’s into that kind of thing big-time.

  DeMarco: Any chance you might have told her Meghan’s address?

  Gessler (after a pause): No.

  DeMarco: But she knew Meghan’s last name, right? And where she went to high school?

  Gessler: Actually….

  DeMarco: Spit it out, Alex. This is not the time for secrets.

  Gessler: She made me drive by her house one time.

  DeMarco: Liz made you drive by Meghan’s house?

  Gessler: She wanted to see where she lived. I guess because I was always defending Meghan to her, telling her how poor she was, how rough she had it. But I wish I hadn’t done that. Liz just made even more fun of her after she saw her house. Called her my redneck girlfriend, my hillbilly honey, stuff like that.

  DeMarco: Did you tell her where the front door key was hidden?

  Gessler: God, no. Why would I tell her that?

  DeMarco (after a pause): What kind of vapor cigarette does Liz smoke?

  Gessler: How do you even know she smokes them?

  DeMarco: What kind?

  Gessler: She hardly ever does it. Not around me anyway. She knows I don’t like it.

  DeMarco: What kind, Alex?

  Gessler: It’s one of those disposable minis that come two to a pack. Vanilla. Why are you asking me all this?

  DeMarco: So the time you drove past her house. You just drove past? And then what?

  Gessler: We went down to the end of the road, turned around, and drove back to my place.

  DeMarco: That’s all you did?

  Gessler: That’s all.

  DeMarco: All those times back in high school when you visited Meghan at her house, did the two of you ever go down to the Game Lands?

  Gessler: Lots of times, yeah. She loved walking down there.

  DeMarco: On the Game Lands trail?

  Gessler: Yeah, it’s a nice quiet place to walk.

  DeMarco: Did you ever go all the way to the Conservancy?

  Gessler: A couple of times. It’s almost five miles roundtrip, so not that often. She used to practice on it when she was running track.

  DeMarco: Did you ever take Liz back that trail?

  Gessler: Never.

  DeMarco: Neither walking nor driving?

  Gessl
er: No sir. My car’s not made to go off-road.

  DeMarco: How about in Liz’s Jeep?

  Gessler: She didn’t like me riding in her Jeep. She was always afraid somebody would see us together and tell her husband.

  DeMarco: I want you to think back on the time you drove Liz past Meghan’s house. You went down to the end of the road, which is the Game Land’s trailhead, and you turned around. But did you sit there for a while and talk?

  Gessler: I guess that’s possible.

  DeMarco: Did you or she happen to mention the trail?

  Gessler: I suppose one of us might have. I really can’t remember what we talked about. I mean, why is any of that important?

  DeMarco (after a pause): We’re done for now. But you need to avoid all contact with Liz until I tell you otherwise. Do you understand?

  Gessler: What if she contacts me?

  DeMarco: You don’t respond. Period.

  Gessler: Okay.

  DeMarco: No texts, no phone calls, no face-to-face. No direct or indirect contact of any kind whatsoever. You don’t give anybody else a message to convey to her. If I find out you’ve done otherwise, there will be consequences. Are we clear on this?

  Gessler: Yes sir. We’re clear. Am I, uh…so I’m not in any trouble then?

  DeMarco: We’ll see how it goes.

  End of interview.

  Notes:

  He’s still holding back. Who is he afraid of? Me? His parents? Liz Tenney? Prison? Yep; all of the above. But he’s my ace in the hole. I need just a little more pressure in the hose, and then I’m going to flush him clean.

  Narrative of August 15th activity

  Based on the results of my examination of the Game Lands #42 area, and the texts exchanged between Alex Gessler and Liz Tenney a few hours prior to the murder of Meghan Fletcher, and the information gleaned from my most recent conversation with Gessler, I thought it prudent to take a preliminary look at Mrs. Tenney’s vehicle asap. At approximately 10:40 on the morning of August 15th, I found it parked in the Hubbard, Ohio Huntington Bank parking lot. I drove my personal vehicle and was dressed in plainclothes.

  The vehicle appeared to have been washed and waxed recently. However, the left front fender of the vehicle bore scratches that might have been incurred by driving the vehicle down a narrow lane lined with trees and bushes. Clumps of dried mud and grass could be observed packed into the undercarriage. The tread pattern on her tires appeared to match the tread marks I photographed on the Game Lands road.

  At this point I contacted Station Commander Lukovitch by telephone and apprised him of the situation. With his approval I contacted Hubbard Chief of Police Ron Jeffries and informed him of the texts, the tread marks, the e-cigarette, and Gessler’s confirmation that Liz Tenney smokes e-cigarettes identical to the one I recovered, and I requested that the vehicle be seized. He agreed to do so. He dispatched Deputy Simpson to the scene.

  Deputy Simpson arrived on the scene a few minutes before the tow truck. I informed him of the situation. He proceeded to photograph the vehicle and its visible contents. He also collected samples of the mud and grass lodged in the undercarriage.

  Mrs. Tenney emerged from the bank as the tow-truck was being moved into position. She first approached Deputy Simpson and demanded to know what was going on. He referred her to me. As Ohio is a one-party consent state, and as I feared that Mrs. Tenney would not agree to be questioned if she knew I was recording the conversation, I chose not to inform her of that fact. The following is a transcript of that recording:

  Tenney: What are you doing with my car?

  DeMarco: Is your name Elizabeth Tenney?

  Tenney: Who are you?

  DeMarco (here I showed her my badge): I’m Sergeant Ryan DeMarco of the Pennsylvania State Police. That man by your vehicle is Deputy Simpson of the Hubbard Police.

  Tenney: This isn’t Pennsylvania, you know.

  DeMarco: That’s why the deputy is here.

  Tenney: Then maybe I should ask him what the hell you’re doing with my car.

  DeMarco: So you are the owner of this vehicle?

  Tenney: How many times have I said ‘my car’ already? Why is it being hooked up to that truck?

  DeMarco: I’m investigating a crime that took place in Pennsylvania a few days ago. A vehicle matching your Jeep’s description was seen in the area around that time.

  Tenney: Do you know how many Jeep Wrangler’s look just like mine?

  DeMarco: Where were you between 5:00 and 8:00 a.m. last Saturday morning?

  Tenney: I was in bed, where I should have been.

  DeMarco: Can your husband corroborate that?

  Tenney: He was at a weekend golf outing.

  DeMarco: And where did this outing take place?

  Tenney: Quail Hollow.

  DeMarco: In North Carolina?

  Tenney: The one in Painesville. Why are you asking me these questions?

  DeMarco: So you were alone that morning?

  Tenney: I just told you I was alone all weekend.

  DeMarco: And you were not in French Creek Township, Pennsylvania?

  Tenney: I don’t even know where that is.

  DeMarco: Do you know Meghan Fletcher?

  Tenney: Who? I don’t know anybody named Fletcher.

  DeMarco: Do you know Alex Gessler?

  Tenney: He’s, uh…yeah, his father and mine are business associates. I’ve seen him a couple of times.

  DeMarco: So you wouldn’t call him a friend?

  Tenney: Why? Has he done something wrong?

  DeMarco: Would you call him a friend?

  Tenney: I don’t know him well enough to call him a friend. Where are they taking my Jeep? And how am I supposed to get home today?

  DeMarco: So you do not have a sexual relationship with Alex Gessler?

  Tenney: What? Why would you even ask such a question? I’m married. So no. I do not have a sexual relationship with Alex Gessler or anybody else other than my husband. Don’t you need a search warrant to take my Jeep?

  DeMarco: We can seize it without a warrant. A warrant will be obtained in order to search it.

  Tenney: Why would you search it? What are you expecting to find in there?

  DeMarco: Would you mind if I have a look at your cell phone?

  Tenney: Hell yes, I mind. Look, I have to get back to work. I need to know where my Jeep will be at 5:00 tonight so that I can pick it up. I assume you will be bringing it back here for me.

  DeMarco: I’m afraid it won’t be available to you tonight. Have you ever been to Meghan Fletcher’s home?

  Tenney: Who the hell is Meghan Fletcher?

  DeMarco: So you deny knowing Meghan Fletcher, and having a relationship with Alex Gessler?

  Tenney: This is bull. This is illegal. You can’t stand here at my place of employment and talk to me like this. I’m calling my lawyer.

  At this point Ms. Tenney returned to the bank.

  Notes:

  On the basis of the several falsehoods stated by Ms. Tenney, I requested that Deputy Simpson obtain search warrants for the Jeep Wrangler, the Tenney home, and for a DNA swab from Ms. Tenney. I apprised him of the items of interest to look for, namely the knife involved in the assault, an e-cigarette mini, the missing photo of Meghan and Alex, the missing jewelry box containing $1000 or more, and any shoes or articles of clothing that showed traces of blood. I turned over to him the e-cigarette recovered near the Game Lands, and sent to his phone my photos of the tread marks made in the Game Lands trail. I then returned to Mercer County to await the results of the requested searches.

  Third Interview with Alex Gessler

  DeMarco: This interview with Alex Gessler is taking place in the Troop D Pennsylvania State Police barracks in Mercer, Pennsylvania. In addition to myself and Mr. Gessler, his attorney, David Ardmore Esq., is also present. Today is August 16th, and the time is 9:04 a.m.

  As with my previous interviews with Mr. Gessler, my cell phone is recording this conversation. The session is al
so being videotaped.

  DeMarco: First of all, Alex, thank you for coming here this morning.

  Gessler: I didn’t really have a choice, did I?

  DeMarco: The coffee okay? Either of you need a refill?

  Ardmore: We’re good.

  DeMarco: So you’re aware, I assume, that earlier this morning, Mrs. Tenney was arrested and taken into custody.

  Ardmore: We have been so informed.

  Gessler: I can’t believe she did it. I just can’t get my head around it.

  DeMarco: There’s just one last bit of information I need from you.

  Gessler: If I have it, I’ll give it to you.

  DeMarco: Somehow Mrs. Tenney knew how to let herself into Meghan’s house. I need you to explain that to me.

  Gessler: I really don’t know.

  DeMarco: Mr. Ardmore, would you care to remind your client of the benefits of being forthright with me?

  Here the videotape will show Ardmore whispering to Gessler.

  Gessler: I would’ve told you before but, it’s just…. I’m embarrassed by what we did. I’m ashamed of myself.

  DeMarco: Let’s start with the “we” in that statement. To whom are you referring?

  Gessler: Me and Liz.

  DeMarco: And what did you and Liz do?

  Gessler: We went inside.

  DeMarco: Just for clarity’s sake: Are you saying that you and Liz Tenney went inside Meghan Fletcher’s house?

  Gessler: Yes sir. That day I told you she made me drive past the house so she could see it. She said she wished she could go inside and see how people like Meghan live.