Chapter
Twenty-Five
“Sir, you have a call on line four.”
Batterson thanked his new administrative assistant and punched line four on his phone. “Batterson.”
“This is Tally Williams. When I got back to the office, I discovered something I thought you might find interesting. A police officer in Garden City contacted the FBI with information, but they didn’t take him seriously. He decided to call us and was referred to me.”
“What kind of information?”
“Seems this guy was convinced there was a reason for Ann Barton’s body being found with Dorothy Fisher. Investigating his suspicions led him to the real Malcolm Bodine. His name is Barney Clevenger. He went to school in Holcomb, Kansas. Left when he was eighteen. Took off with some other kid, a Darrell Fisher. Dorothy Fisher’s son. Appears to be connected somehow to the whole Blue-Eyed Killer spree. Darrell left behind a cassette tape with the song ‘Blue-Eyed Angel’ on it. Not sure what happened to him. May have parted ways with Clevenger years ago.”
“But it sounds like they started out together,” Batterson said. “Well, I’m glad to have the name, but I’m not sure what good this will do us now. Bodine . . . or Clevenger is dead. He’s not chasing my agent and my witness on that mountain.”
“Just part of the puzzle, sir. One other thing. I checked, and Tammy Rice’s son, Warren Killian, also went to school in Holcomb. Although he was a couple of years younger than Fisher and Clevenger, he would have known them. Now he seems to be chasing after your people for some reason. Of course, he might be looking for Gerard.”
“You believe it’s Gerard too, don’t you?”
“Yes, sir. I do.”
Batterson breathed heavily into the phone. “I think DeLuca was right all along. Gerard might not be B.E.K., but I think he killed Kelly O’Brien, and now he wants to make up for his failed attack on her sister. But why is Warren Killian in Shelter Cove? How in the world did he end up there? It can’t be a coincidence.”
Tally sighed. “I’m still trying to figure that out. I’m certain he’s aware Gerard isn’t B.E.K., so he can’t want revenge for his mother’s death. Gerard didn’t kill her. Either he’s trying to protect O’Brien and DeLuca, or . . .”
“Or what?”
“Or maybe he really did kill his mother and now he’s hunting O’Brien. Maybe he and Clevenger were partners.”
“But if he wanted to kill O’Brien, he could have done it any time over the past couple of years. Why would he go after her now?”
Tally was silent for a moment. “I just don’t have an answer for you, sir. Feels like we’re overlooking something.”
“I would say that’s a good bet. I got a call from the local Marshals in Shelter Cove a few minutes ago. They’re getting ready to head out. Decided not to wait for the FBI to clear them. Some of the other LEOs are going with them.” Batterson chuckled. “Sounds like a few of the feds are joining in, as well. Gutsy move.”
“Will they be able to reach O’Brien and DeLuca? Safely, I mean?”
“I have no idea, but I believe they’re thinking the same thing I am. Oh, and a civilian ham operator contacted our office. Got a call from my deputy, but it was cut off before it was completed. My deputy and my witness may not have much time left. If they’re gonna be saved, they need help immediately. Gerard may already have them. There’s no way to know.”
“This is a mess, isn’t it?”
Batterson grunted. “It’s certainly unique. Usually I know exactly who the bad guys are, but this time I’m just not sure.”
“Well, at least you know who B.E.K. really was.”
“I . . . guess so.”
“Something else bothering you?” Tally asked.
“Yeah. My gut. Like you said, it’s telling me something’s wrong, but I have no idea what it is.” Batterson leaned back in his chair. “And I don’t like it. I don’t like it one little bit.”
Leon picked up the phone. “Garden City Police Department. Sergeant Shook speaking.”
“Sergeant, this is Lieutenant Tally Williams with the St. Louis P.D. I’m calling about the information you sent us in reference to Malcolm Bodine?”
“You mean Barney Clevenger?”
Tally chuckled. “Yes, sir. Good catch there. Great police work.”
Leon could tell the policeman was sincere. After the runaround he’d gotten from the FBI, it was nice to hear from someone who didn’t think he was mentally simple just because he came from a small town. “I appreciate that, Lieutenant.”
“Tally.”
“Then I’m Leon.”
“Deal.”
“Tally, I just went through the rest of the box that belonged to Darrell Fisher. This guy was definitely involved with Clevenger. There are a couple of Valentine’s Day cards addressed inside to Tammy and Ann. I’m pretty sure they were meant for Tammy Rice and Ann Barton.”
“Listen, Leon. Just keep that stuff safe. I’m going to contact the FBI and send them to you. They need to secure this box and its contents immediately. I heard they weren’t too receptive when you tried to help them initially.”
“Well, they certainly didn’t roll out the red carpet. But hey, I’m not that sensitive.”
“Good.” Tally cleared his throat. “So, any opinions about this thing, Leon? We know that Clevenger was the Blue-Eyed Killer. Any idea how this Darrell kid fits in?”
Leon considered Tally’s question before speaking. “I’d say he was involved. The two of them started out together, but somewhere along the way Darrell either dropped out or got out. I understand Clevenger died alone. Isn’t that right?”
“Yeah. When we found his body, we traced him back to a sad little apartment in a bad part of town. Didn’t seem to have any friends. Appears as if killing was his only hobby. We’re sure he was B.E.K., but . . .”
Leon was quiet. It was clear that Tally was getting ready to tell him something he probably shouldn’t.
“Between you and me, several things bother me about Clevenger. For one, we didn’t find any trophies. Most serial killers keep them, you know. But there was nothing in that apartment to tie him to the murders. Nothing. And B.E.K. was the smartest serial killer I’ve ever encountered. No evidence left behind that could be traced. Except for Tammy and Ann, no bodies. Clevenger just doesn’t seem that bright. Didn’t fit the profile.”
“I hear you,” Leon said. “It doesn’t sound right, does it?”
There was no response signaling that he and Tally were in agreement.
“Hey, if you don’t mind a suggestion, I’d start checking cemeteries,” Leon interjected. “You might find other bodies. Actually, it’s a brilliant strategy. Who’d think to look for dead bodies in graveyards?”
Tally snorted, and Leon chuckled. “You know what I mean. Can’t even use cadaver dogs. Wouldn’t help. Especially if he wrapped all the bodies in several layers of heavy-duty plastic like he did Ann Barton.”
“Seems risky, though. Wouldn’t people notice an old grave that’s been dug up?”
“Depends. Two reasons it could work. A new grave or an old one. Lots of gravesites are abandoned because family members have passed away or moved. Might go unnoticed easier than you’d think.”
“Yeah, that makes sense.”
“I feel Clevenger had a reason to bury Ann in Dorothy’s grave. Or at least his friend did. I have to wonder if Dorothy Fisher’s death was really an accident.”
“I see where you’re going,” Tally said. “Maybe she was the first victim. Sure would like to see a picture of her.”
“I’ll go back and talk to her brother. See what I can find out.”
“And ask about Darrell. We need to locate him as soon as possible.”
“He says he doesn’t know where Darrell is, but I’ll check again.”
“Thanks, Leon. Would you do one other thing for me?”
“Sure.”
“Before the feds pick up Darrell’s things, will you send me a copy of the boys’ pictures? Barney, Warren, and Darrell? Might not lead to anything, but I’d like to have them anyway. Just in case.”
“Not a problem. I’ll make copies and email them to you right away. Give me your email address.” Leon wrote down Tally’s address as he rattled it off. “Got it.”
“Hey, Leon. Glad to get to know you. Hope Garden City, Kansas, knows what they’ve got in you.”
Leon chuckled. “Hey, they put up with me. That might be all I can ask for.”
The men said good-bye and Leon hung up the phone. He opened the yearbooks and took several pictures of each boy. Then he sent them to his own email address and forwarded them to Tally. He wasn’t sure if the pictures would help, but at this point, they needed to follow every lead. Even if it felt like they were chasing the wind. Hopefully, the more pieces they found to the puzzle, the faster the picture would become clear. Before putting everything back in the box, Leon bowed his head and prayed for guidance.