“Thanks, Pualani, that helps a lot.”
After I hung up and related to Kat the whereabouts of Lance Mann, we wondered what kind of business he was on. We would check with Leilani, our amateur sleuth, to see what she knew.
Chapter 52
Our next step was to look over Kat’s notes on Bartholomew Sinclair. We didn’t have much, apart from our conversation on the phone with his mother, Anita Sinclair, and from what Detective Chen had given us.
When Kat had finished reading her notes aloud, we had to smile over the part where our friend Detective Chen had led us to believe Bartholomew Sinclair was the mysterious J. Doe.
Kat’s notes reminded us that he was on the island the day Nick Lang’s friend, Oliver, was murdered, and how the three of us discussed how it was possible he could be our murderer. By chance, Bartholomew might have seen Chas Baker and Oliver talking in the bar that night, and thought they were the ones blackmailing his mother. So perhaps he ended up killing both of them. And then later he killed Gary Smith, the other murdered victim, to protect his mother. That is, if Mrs. Sinclair’s story was true, and she had told Bartholomew about being blackmailed. But had she?
Then there was the other lie! Was Anita Sinclair a good mother as she said she was, or a terrible mother as Bartholomew said she was? Her story was that he left the house for about two years, but he said it was more like ten plus years. He said his growing up years were miserable, but she said he was always a good son and a happy one, and was raised in a loving and caring home.
Which one was telling the truth? And why would Anita Sinclair lie not only about her relationship with her second son, but also about her affair with Lance Mann, claiming it was rape?
We began wondering that if she wasn’t such a great mother, what kind of a wife was she? Her husband, Donovan, paid out a lot of money to send Bartholomew to university, and he kept it a secret from her. What kind of a person was our ex-client Anita Sinclair?
Was her story the true story, and was her relationship with Mann consensual? These questions kept running over and over in our heads. Who was lying about the affair? Was it Anita Sinclair or Lance Mann? And who was lying about the mother and son relationship? Was it her son, Bartholomew, or the mother, our ex-client? If we found out the truth about these questions, would it help us solve our homicide? Did it matter who was good or bad, lying or telling the truth?
In Kat’s notes, Detective Larry Chen said Bartholomew had been to the Big Island many times. But he went mostly to the other side of the island to Hilo, where his wife was from. His mother and father never knew about his family.
We also wondered why Bartholomew never told his father, Donovan Sinclair. They seemed to have had a pretty good relationship. The drive from Hilo to the Paradise Hotel where the murders took place was only about one and a half hours. He could have driven there, committed the murder and returned to Hilo without ever being missed.
We were hoping that in the near future Kat and I would be able to interview Bartholomew Sinclair, our ex-client’s son. We had to do it face to face to clear up at least one of the lies.
Chapter 53
We decided to call Detective Larry Chen and plead with him to tell us who Jane or John Doe was, or at least give us some information on him or her.
Chen said he had been talking to the Captain. After calling the University where Kat and I graduated from, and getting an excellent recommendation, the Captain agreed to let us in on what they had on J. Doe.
Detective Chen asked if we could come to his office the next day, as it would be more convenient for him.
We told him we would be there, to just tell us when. He said 11:00 am would be great for him.
Even though we arrived ten minutes early, Larry Chen was waiting for us. We followed him into a private office and while sitting across from each other, we eagerly waited to receive any information he was willing to give us about our mysterious John or Jane Doe.
Chen asked us that before we began, to please tell him if there were any other eliminations from our board of suspects, after talking with them again.
Kat said, “No, we’re still not sure. Actually, Kit and I have discussed our interviews with Nick Lang and Lance Mann, and we’ve gone over our notes on what you said about Bartholomew Sinclair, and have come up blank. We’re leaning on the possibility that all three of them could be innocent. We can’t figure out any true motive why any of them would kill our three victims. We think perhaps Bartholomew being on the island when Baker and Smith were murdered, could be a coincidence. Nick, Lance and Bartholomew seem to have a happy life. Nick Lang is engaged to a great gal, whom he seems to love. Lance Mann has been happily married for over thirty years. Then, there’s Bartholomew Sinclair who’s married with three kids, good job and things seem to be going well. That is, except for his relationship with his mother. Our gut feelings tell us they’re innocent, and there’s someone else we don’t know who should be in the picture. That’s why we’re asking you to bring your information to the table, and take us into your confidence about who J. Doe is.”
Chen gave a half smile. “I wanted to, but until now my hands have been tied. The Captain ordered us to tell no one, mainly because we had so little to go on. But as you know, he’s changed his mind and given me permission to share with you what little we have. I’m happy, as I have wanted to share J. Doe with you for a long time. Here’s what we have. I hope it’s not a wild goose chase.”
Chapter 54
Detective Chen continued, “Something prompted me a few days ago to check with the airlines flying from California to the Big Island, to see if there was a passenger who was flying here the days of the three murders – Oliver, Chas Baker and then Gary Smith. I believed they could be flying alone, and returning soon after the murders. My plan, if I found anyone, was to check with the hotels, give them a name and find out where our J. Doe was staying. And if by chance they were still there, to talk to them to see if I could shed some light on our investigation. I would then check with the airline about when that person was planning on returning to California.”
He shrugged. “Don’t ask me why California. I have no idea, but that was what my gut feelings were saying. After checking, I found a Dale Doskie flew over here first class on the days of the murders. But I couldn’t find a return trip. I knew he must have returned, because he came back to Kona on the same airline when the second murder occurred.
“So I began to wonder how he managed to return to California. I found our John Doe had returned after only one night on the Big Island by another airline, also first class. So we began to check with both airlines about the forwarding address, phone number and email he’d given. All these details were false.”
Kat asked, “You said he. Dale could also be a female name.”
“That’s correct, Kat, but we know it’s a he because on the form the airline gives us to fill out just before landing, about having in our possession fruits, veggies, animals and such, there’s the question about being male or female. Dale Doskie checked male. Does the name Dale Doskie ring a bell with either of you?”
I looked at Kat. She shook her head. I said, “Sorry, neither of us has heard that name before. But it looks like he has something to hide. I mean, how many people fly to Hawaii for one night, use two different airlines and fly first class on the two days that two different murders take place. It all sounds very fishy to me.”
Kat nodded in agreement. “Do you have anything else?”
“Not at the moment. We’re going to check with the other passengers who flew first class on those dates with the airlines, both coming and going, to see if someone remembers our John Doe, who we know now as Dale Doskie. We’re hoping someone will be able to give us a description of what he looks like. We can then tie this in with the airport video of arrivals. The airline has surrendered their entry cards to us, which has been a blessing. We’re checking the question on the form that asks each passenger where they’re staying: either a hotel or with a friend. We
’re looking at the first class passenger list only, so it shouldn’t take too long. Some might even be staying at the same hotel as the two of you. And we’re hoping they’re still on the island and not off visiting or staying on one of our outer islands.”
Chen looked at us and sighed. “If they are, we’ll probably not know what hotel they’re staying in and may have to wait until after they return to their home in the Mainland, and work with the local police there. Sorry, but that’s all the information I have at this time. But I think you’re right, it does sound pretty fishy. My thoughts are when we find out who Dale Doskie is, we’ll find out who murdered Baker and Smith.”
Chapter 55
There wasn’t much more to discuss since we had all of the information that Detective Chen knew. We would have to wait patiently for the other airline forms, and the whereabouts of the other first class travelers.
We mentioned to Larry Chen that Lance Mann had checked out of the Paradise Hotel where we were staying, and he was checking in at the Fern Grotto Hotel. We said that as soon as we left the station, we were going over there to ask Leilani if she had some news for us. Of course, Chen wanted to go with us, not just to check on Lance Mann, but to see Leilani!
He said, “If I get any chance to see my special girl, I’m taking it!”
He asked us to wait while he cleaned up his desk, and made a couple of important phone calls.
He directed us to two soft and very comfortable chairs, and disappeared. He returned with two cups of very dark strong coffee. One sip was all we could take, and wondered if it was coffee brewed from the day before!
Chen came back and noticed our coffee cups were still full. He smiled. “I guess neither of you like left-over coffee.” And with another smile, “Actually, it was fresh this morning. The person who makes it says we need strong coffee to keep us awake and on our toes.”
Kat asked, “Does it work?”
“Sometimes it does, depending on the day! I’m ready and anxious to see Leilani, and yes, to find out more about this Mann character and why he left the Paradise Hotel and is now registered in the Fern Grotto Hotel in Kona town. But to be truthful, it’s really Leilani I want to see. I haven’t seen her for a couple of days. She’s been on Oahu, picking out her wedding dress.”
Before Kat and I could make a comment, he said, “By the way, Kit, would you like to be my best man?”
Chapter 56
Our time with Leilani was good. She and Larry Chen looked very much in love. Kat and I were happy that we had found two new friends on our venture in Hawaii. We congratulated them and sat in on their plans for the big wedding day. Leilani asked Kat if she would help out at the reception, and of course Kat was more than delighted to be of assistance in any way she could for the big day.
Mr. Lance Mann was not there. He was off somewhere on a business deal. Leilani said he was planning on returning to the Paradise Hotel the next day. With that in mind, Kat and I thought we would just wait until then to talk with him.
The four of us had lunch together, enjoying the day and relaxing.
We left Larry Chen with Leilani at the Fern Grotto Hotel. Chen said he would be going back to the station, so Kat and I started back to our hotel, for what was usually a forty-five minute drive. On the way, we talked about Dale Doskie and who he might be. Kat and I kept wondering who would benefit from the deaths of Chas Baker and Gary Smith? We drove in silence for about ten minutes, mulling over our thoughts and conversation.
I pulled the car over and asked Kat, “Who would have the most satisfaction of seeing the two men dead?”
It took about three minutes of silence. Then when two big smiles came over our faces, we turned and looked at each other, and simultaneously shouted out the same name. We finally had a person who we were sure was the murderer!
The Murderer’s Thoughts
Chapter 57
That was a pretty clever thing I did. A different airline coming and going. So glad I kept renewing my passport with my given and family name over all these years. Don’t know why, but it came in handy. I was amazed how easy it was through the mail, and every so often sending a new picture. And then when I changed my name, and convinced the clerk to remove my true name from the records, that was truly a terrific idea. Even though the clerk didn’t want to, saying it could get him in a lot of trouble, my convincing ways were rewarded.
I’m a genius. Besides, who has ever heard of Dale Doskie? I’ve always hated that name, and who would ever check both of the airlines looking for a reservation under that name? I was going to kill the blackmailer, whoever he or she was. It was easy, once I got their name and a picture. I must confess I was a little confused when I found out there were two of them involved.
Getting the plane reservation on such short notice was a snap. Thank goodness it was slow season for Hawaii at that time. Of course, going first class made it a lot easier. Finding Chas Baker’s room number was not too hard. Once I spotted him walking around I followed him to his room and waited. When the hallway was empty I knocked on the door, and when he opened it, I opened fire. Those silencers are amazing. I worried about buying the gun, but the owner of the shop where I bought it will never tell. They found his body a few days later with three shots in his chest. I wore sufficient makeup not to be recognized on his security cameras, and was careful not to leave fingerprints. I did exactly the same at the hotel. I took my gloves off only when I was inside the door, and put them on again to open it to leave. So far it’s an unsolved case. From now on three is going to be my lucky number!
Now Smith was a little more difficult. He was always looking around, afraid for his life after I killed Baker. I don’t blame him. He must have known he was going to be next. But he, like all thieves, made mistakes. His was inviting me up to his room. He said for a drink, but I knew better. After I bumped into him, of course by accident, ha-ha-ha, and acting like I had too much to drink, the invitation came. Once in his room the rest was easy. Again, I am so thankful for silencers.
Oh yay, one other very clever thing I did was checking the male box, instead of the female box on the form the airline handed me just before we landed. I repeat, I am a genius!
Thanks to Kit for telling me where he and Kat were staying. I figured their hotel must be where Baker was also staying. I was right, and must admit it was kind of fun! Yes, three is definitely going to be my lucky number from now on.
Chapter 58
We turned the car around and returned to the police station. We wanted to tell Larry Chen about our revelation on who we were now sure was the murderer, and see if he would agree with us! As we drove there, Kat and I kept going over the evidence, and it became more and more plain to us that we had come up with the right person.
Before we arrived at the station, Kat called Lance Mann on his cell phone, and asked him if the name Dale Doskie meant anything to him. He said the last name did sound familiar, and to let him think it over for a few minutes. He said he would call us right back. It didn’t take long. About four minutes, and he confirmed who we thought was the murderer.
When we walked through the door at the police station Chen saw us and hurried over to see why we had come. In his office we laid out our thoughts about who we knew was the person we were looking for, as the murderer of Chas Baker and Gary Smith.
He said, “It sounds good but we still need proof. And what’s with the name of Dale Doskie?”
Kat and I smiled at each other, nodding our heads to let him know we had something more. We then told him what Lance Mann said that would confirm the connection, and our suspect of who Kat and I knew without a doubt, was the murderer.
After hearing that, he agreed it was promising evidence, and was hoping he could find someone on the plane who would identify the person. He asked if we had a picture of the suspect. Yes, we did. The murderer probably didn’t realize that when we set up our new offices, we had installed a security camera in each room. So getting the picture would be easy.
Chen said, “If
you’re right, checking the male box on the form was very clever.”
He said he had already surfed the internet for the name Dale Doskie, but nothing came up. It was like the name never existed. But we were pretty sure it must have, because to board a plane a passenger had to show a driver’s license or a passport with that name on it. And if that was her maiden name, as Lance Mann had told us, why was it not recorded?
Chen said, “I’m wondering if there are any brothers or sisters, or an aunt or uncle or two who might help us to confirm the name Dale Doskie belongs to our suspect?”
Kat said, “Not sure, but maybe we can ask Lance Mann if he knows.” She paused for a second or two. “I wonder if there are any old files from the Hollywood studio where she first worked that still might have records? The studio does exist. My guess would be that the studio was the one that changed her name from Dale Doskie to Dena Davis, and who we know as Anita Sinclair.”
Chapter 59
Before Larry Chen could check any further, his phone rang. He explained the call was to do with another case he was working on, and there was someone waiting for him in another office. He said he would further check on the studio to see if they still had records, and would let us know tomorrow. He also said he was sorry, but the people waiting had made an appointment with him and he had to go, and he was already fifteen minutes late.
We said we understood, since we had no appointment and would be heading back to our hotel.
“Please do not make any contact with our suspect until you hear back from me. If everything pans out, we’ll call the precinct in the Hollywood area where our suspect lives and have her arrested.”
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