Earthcrack: A Lin Hanna Mystery

by Sharon Canipe

· Cullen Honeyestewa had found some old pottery which was deemed valuable through photographic evidence by his friend Neal Smith

  · Cullen wanted to sell the pots to help his nephew with his financial problems

  · Smith put Cullen in touch with John Sessions

  · The deal never was concluded—Darren Steele reported Cullen did not show up at the meeting.

  · Darren himself disappeared about the same time. He turned up in the area again shortly before he was found dead

  · Smith had continued to search for the pottery for some months working with his archeology students

  · After the recent killings, Smith broke off any further possibility of dealing with John Sessions. He wanted no part of any black market trade any more.

  · Sue Gray had posed as a potential buyer and had reason to believe John Sessions would procure art objects for her without regard to provenance.

  · Isaac Tsosie, Sessions’ assistant said that he did sell stolen items but he would probably be afraid to report this to authorities

  · Sue had found no evidence in media sources that Sessions had ever been suspected of black market activity.

  · Sue had found articles that implied that Lee Chou, a Chinese art dealer in Santa Fe, might be involved in the black market—but no specific charges had ever been brought against him.

  “That is quite a list,” Sue reflected, “ and, in reading it, you can see some patterns emerging. I would say all of these activities somehow relate to the black market in art and artifacts from this area.”

  “Yes,” Lin agreed, “but what we have here is simply a pattern. Patterns are not proof. There certainly could be a link to Cullen’s death here but, then again, that could be another story all together. There is no real proof here.”

  Lin read the list again, troubled by how many of the links she observed could only be supported by including all the information Neal Smith had shared—and she had given him her word she wouldn’t share this information unless the investigation into Cullen’s death was reopened and, at present, it hadn’t been.

  “But there is a significant link here between Raymond Tso’s business and Lee Chou, assuming he was the man Michael saw talking to Tso,” Sue spoke confidently. “We also don’t have all of the information which the sheriff’s investigation might have uncovered—there were still a lot of questions in the report which you saw. It was not complete by any means. They may know more now. I think what we have here should be shared with Billy Taylor. Who knows, these bits of information may fit with other things already discovered to complete a picture of this crime.”

  “I can’t disagree,” Lin replied, “ I know you have to be at work soon, but I plan to stay in town awhile. I’ll call David Cameron and see how Michael’s talk with Billy went this morning—then I’ll try to see Billy myself. I can share this information with him but…”

  “…You will not tell him all of what Neal Smith told you,” Sue completed Lin’s thoughts.

  “I can’t, not yet. I gave Neal my word on that. The investigation into Cullen’s death is still closed, anyway, and he has no direct information about the current case,” Lin realized she sounded as if she were making excuses—maybe she was! “I will tell you that I’ll try to talk to Neal again. I ‘ll encourage him to come forward on his own.”

  “I really think he should, for a lot of reasons,” Sue said. “I have a strong feeling that everything we have written down here is interrelated somehow. We may not have all the gaps filled but these three deaths are related in some fashion.”

  Lin could only nod in agreement—she felt the same way. “I’ll talk to Neal, I promise.” That was all she could say for now.

  The two women gathered their materials and prepared to leave the library—agreeing that they would meet back at Sue’s apartment after she got off at five.

  “I’ll stop at that sandwich place near the jail—I believe it is called Wildflowers—Lin offered. I’ll bring us something good. We’ll be hungry by then. That great breakfast will be worn off and we are skipping lunch,” Lin smiled as Sue exited the building ahead of her.

  As she emerged from the library, Lin almost dropped her files. That same blue SUV was sitting at the end of the parking lot. Lin grabbed Sue’s elbow, “I am beginning to think that blue SUV down at the end of the lot is following me.” She related to Sue having seen the van leaving Walnut Canyon that morning and again in the parking lot near Walgreens after breakfast.

  “It may be just a coincidence, but it’s spooking me a little,” Lin confessed.

  “It would bother me also,” Sue agreed. “You keep watch and do be careful. Tso’s men may be onto you also—they may have connected you with Sophie. They may know that you are trying to help Michael and Teddy. Stay in well-lit places and don’t let your guard down. If anyone tries to approach you or threaten you in any way call the sheriff’s office immediately,” Sue warned.

  “You take care also,” Lin urged her friend, “After all, whoever it is was at Walnut Canyon this morning. Sophie has been staying with you and you have been doing your own fair share of snooping around.”

  ***

  Lin watched as Sue drove out of the library parking lot heading back to work at Walnut Canyon, the blue SUV was still parked at the end of the line of cars. Lin decided to remain at the library for now so she chose a bench near the entrance as a spot to sit. She needed to call Billy Taylor to see if he could talk to her later and—she needed to talk to Neal Smith.

  She had just taken her phone from her pocket to make the call to the sheriff’s office when it rang—the caller was David Cameron.

  “Hello David,” Lin answered, “I hope you are calling with good news.”

  “I am,” the young attorney responded, “the talk with Deputy Taylor went well this morning. I think he believed the boys—though he still has some hard questions. What helped most was a call from Tuba City confirming that Raymond Tso and two of his sometime employees are currently being held by the tribal police—for the attack on Sophie and the beating of her father. Actually, Tso himself was in custody already, along with the guy who attacked Sophie, when the beating of Mr. Honeyestewa occurred. The guy who did that was picked up later.”

  And there may be other “guys” still out there doing Tso’s bidding, Lin thought. Perhaps the man in that blue SUV hasn’t heard his boss was arrested yet. She didn’t mention her concerns to David though; maybe she would mention them to Billy if she could reach him.

  David continued, “ Michael and Teddy are to be released to the custody of their parents. They have to promise not to leave home or the jurisdiction of the Coconino County Sheriff’s office for the time being, however. Charges related to their work with Tso are still a possibility, but I don’t think they are being looked at for the murder charges anymore.”

  “Will Tso be charged in these murders?” Lin asked.

  “Not immediately,” David reported, “right now he and his men are being held only in connection with the attacks on Sophie and her father. The investigation is ongoing though, and Taylor seems to believe that Tso may be responsible for the recent murders also. He told me he thinks maybe Darren, who was Tso’s cousin, may have been trying to double cross him on some sort of art deal. Tso would not take such behavior kindly—we all know that.”

  “Taylor is still trying to locate more evidence, especially the gun used to shoot Darren Steele and whatever was used to stab the other victim, ” David continued. “He thinks they will turn up, somewhere. Tso runs a pawnshop and that gives him easy ways to dispose of weapons and such. Deputy Taylor still feels confident that he has his man and the pieces will fall into place soon. These men can be held on the assault charges for a while and bond should be set pretty high.”

  “ I expect that Tso has the resources to make bond—I hope Billy finds that weapon soon!” Lin responded. She definitely needed to share the information she had with Deputy Taylor as soon as possible. Perhaps it would help him to build his case.

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p; “Me too,” said David, “ I have to go now, Teddy’s parents are coming to town to pick him up this afternoon, but I must take Michael to the hospital. Deputy Taylor agreed to let Sophie sign the release papers there since she has no transportation. I’ll witness and return them to the sheriff’s office.”

  “Please tell Sophie to call me or Sue if she needs anything—Michael may need some clothes or even a place to stay,” Lin added as she ended the call.

  Lin continued to eye the SUV that was still parked nearby as she placed her call to Billy Taylor. As she expected, he wasn’t in; however, the receptionist did say he was expected back at the station by three-thirty and he had no appointments after that time. “Please put me down then,” Lin asked, “and tell him it’s important that I talk to him.”

  Having secured her time at the sheriff’s office, Lin turned next to the call she dreaded making—to Neal Smith. If she was going to talk to Neal at all today it had to be soon. It was already almost one. She wasn’t sure talking to Neal today was truly a good idea. He obviously needed time to reflect upon what he should do and she was, emotionally at least, at a somewhat vulnerable point where he was concerned.

  Lin decided that she needed to go ahead and talk to Neal, if she could reach him, but that she didn’t really want to be alone with him just now. She decided that meeting him in some public spot would be the best solution, somewhere they could talk without being overheard but where others were about. She knew she would feel less vulnerable emotionally in such a setting. There was a beautiful wooded area, Wheeler Park, between the library and the Flagstaff City Hall. She would go there and call Neal. Hopefully, he would agree to come meet her.

  She rose from the bench and headed for her car where she deposited her papers on the back seat. Then she crossed the bridge that spanned the Rio de Flag channel heading toward the park. Lin still couldn’t adjust to the fact that rivers in Arizona often held no water at all. She had been told of floods in the past where the Rio de Flag escaped its banks and invaded streets and neighborhoods, but today the channel was dry with only rocks and grass visible.

  From the top of the arched bridge Lin paused to look around. The blue SUV was still parked in the same spot, but now the tall man in western clothing, whom she had noticed earlier, was getting out of the car. Lin tried to take note of the color of his clothing and his general build. She wanted to be sure she knew where he was.

  Proceeding into the park, Lin chose a bench under a large oak tree. Here she had a good view of the side of the park nearest the library. There were people about and a couple of food vendors nearby. She felt reasonably safe here and she could keep an eye out for the man driving the SUV. She dialed Neal’s direct number but was disappointed to reach the departmental secretary.

  “Dr. Smith had a luncheon meeting today and hasn’t yet returned to his office,” Lin recognized the voice as that of the person Neal introduced to her last evening. “I can take your number and ask him to call—he should be in within the next half hour.”

  “This is Lin Hanna, I met you last evening when I came to Dr. Smith’s office,” Lin said, “ Please do ask him to call me as soon as possible. Tell him I have something very important to share with him,” Lin tried to sound urgent.

  “I’ll give him that message, please let me have the number where you can be reached,” the woman said cordially.

  Lin gave her the number and ended the call. She could only hope that Neal would want to talk to her and would call as soon as he got to his office. For now all she could do was wait until her appointment time at the Sheriff’s office. She decided to abandon the bench for a stroll around the park. It was a warm, sunny spring afternoon and she was far too stressed out to just sit still.

  As she walked, Lin tried to observe the library parking lot. The blue SUV was no longer there. Glancing around, she didn’t see the man anywhere in the area. Where had he gone? She must have missed his leaving when she was on the phone—perhaps he had turned in the other direction when he left. She felt a bit of relief; maybe she was just being paranoid about being followed anyway. After all, the man had not tried to approach her at any point. It was still strange that he had remained in the places she had visited but then, why abandon his surveillance now?

  Deciding that she couldn’t do anything about this anyway—after all, the man had done nothing threatening or illegal—she decided to buy a tall cup of lemonade from one of the vendors and take a longer walk through town. She could be back at the park in minutes if Neal called. First though, she needed to move her car. The permit card provided by the library for stays longer than an hour had already expired and she didn’t want a ticket. She had intended to move it after she made her calls anyway. Soon she had settled the car in another spot in the municipal lot across the street that was good for another hour. If she hadn’t heard from Neal by then, she would simply leave and go elsewhere.

  Lin strolled several blocks along Aspen Street toward downtown window- shopping as she went. Avoiding San Francisco Street where John Sessions’ gallery was located, she explored the Old Town Shoppes some more and the area around Heritage Square. She also went into Babbit Brothers outfitter’s store. Maybe, before the summer was over, she might have time for a camping trip; she thought, as she examined the array of equipment and gadgets available for outdoor recreation. Returning to the street, she decided to head back to the park. It was almost two—surely Neal would return and call her soon.

  Her phone rang just as she arrived back at Wheeler Park; it was Neal. Lin answered quickly.

  “Thanks for calling me back, Neal, I was hoping you could come out for a few minutes and meet me in Wheeler Park, I have an appointment later but I really need to talk to you—if you can spare a few minutes,” Lin hoped she sounded casual, not revealing the stress she actually felt.

  “Anything, for you—beautiful lady,” there was warmth in Neal’s voice, “but can’t you come here to my office? We could talk more privately here.” There was a suggestion in Neal’s voice that talking was not the only thing on his mind.

  “ Really, I can’t,” Lin insisted. “ I do have another appointment later, nearby,” she was stretching the truth a bit here but… “We can easily talk here and it’s such a lovely afternoon…”

  “OK, you win.” Neal laughed. “I’ll be down in fifteen minutes.”

  Lin breathed a sigh of relief as she ended the call. She wasn’t sure how Neal would react to what she had to say. She wished that she didn’t feel the need to press him about his decision, but she also knew that his information might be very important to this case and that what he decided to do would be very important to their future relationship—if they were to have a future relationship.

  She returned to the bench she had occupied earlier. There was still no sign of the blue SUV or its driver so she put them out of her mind. Soon she saw Neal striding across the street from the same municipal lot she had parked in. He was really a handsome man, she thought. The sunlight highlighted the silver in his hair; he walked with a youthful, athletic gait. His face lit up with a broad smile as soon as he spotted her. She returned his smile but avoided his offered embrace as he joined her on the bench.

  “ Can we save that?” she locked eyes with him, “ there are other folks about and, besides, we do need to talk….” She took his hand, not wanting to appear distant, “there will be time later,” she spoke hopefully.

  Neal slipped his hand from hers but managed to brush her thigh as he withdrew it. “Yes, Ms. Hanna, I’ll try to behave myself.” there was merriment in his gaze.

  Lin reached into her bag and withdrew the list that she and Sue had compiled. She handed it to Neal who perused it carefully before returning it to Lin. He appeared thoughtful, staring at some distant point. Lin didn’t say anything, she wanted to give him time to reflect and have the facts sink in. Finally Neal spoke, “That’s quite a bit of work you’ve done—you and Sue—you have a lot of information here.” He remained quiet for a few moments more and then s
poke again, “ and it appears that quite a few pieces of this information are linked to what I told you last night.”

  Sensing the uneasiness in Neal’s response Lin turned to him, “ and I ‘ve not shared any of this with the authorities, as yet—nor do I plan to, at least not now. Not unless, or until, Cullen’s death is investigated further. I will keep my word to you but I hope you realize how important a link you are in all of this. Some of the information you could share might help determine if there are any links between whatever happened to Cullen and the present case. I don’t have access to all of the information that the authorities may have uncovered, but I think this information might help to build connections in the case.”

  Taking a deep breath, Lin pressed on. “People have been hurt here, Neal; Sophie was attacked and last night her father was beaten. Others could be hurt still. Your information could be important.” Lin looked directly into Neal’s eyes as she continued, “ I know you are in a quandary about what to do, but I hope you realize that you have to do something.”

  Neal seemed to withdraw somewhat. He was obviously considering what she had said. When he spoke though, it was in a cooler, more distant voice.

  “I’m not sure I entirely agree with you here, Lin,” Neal reflected. “ The information I have doesn’t really relate to the current case, in my opinion. It’s true that I don’t want to have anything more to do with John Sessions, or with any black market art business, but this case is about murder and I have no evidence that the business I was trying to help Cullen with has any connection to this business now.”

  “There is no evidence, that I can see, that links John to the current case. The fact that one of the victims worked for him a year ago isn’t enough to establish such a link. The evidence seems to point to this Raymond Tso. Frankly, I don’t see how my information would actually help all that much—and it could do me great personal harm,” Neal added.

  “ But, you do see where there might be connections if your information were added to what the authorities already have, don’t you?” Lin continued to push her point. “I understand your dilemma,” Lin reached for his hand, “I believed you last night and I believe you now. I also believe that you want to do the right thing—for yourself and for everyone,” Lin added. “Why don’t you talk to an attorney for good legal advice? I believe David Cameron could recommend someone to you.”