chapter three

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA

Kyle Mason was no stranger to going missing – or putting his family through hell.

Loved ones certainly hadn’t forgotten October 2004, when the 12-year-old bolted from his teaching assistant at Churchill High School. The family made a public plea through the media for his safe return.

“We love him and I want him to come home,” the boy’s grandmother, Carol Mason, said through tears.

Kyle’s behaviour had been erratic in the weeks preceding his disappearing act. There were numerous arguments and blow-ups with family members that usually ended with him running from the house.

Once he was found with his older brother and once he spent the night at the home of a stranger after making up a story about being kicked out of home.

Family members launched a desperate search for Kyle, including driving around the streets at all hours of the day and night.

“I’ve been living in my car,” his stepfather, Al Baxter, said. “We just want the boy to come home.”

The family pointed to a recent Winnipeg Free Press story about a child molester police were searching for.

“A runaway is at risk from these people,” Kyle’s grandmother said.

She said her grandson probably had a false sense of safety after spending a few nights away from home without anything terrible happening.

Winnipeg police said they would keep an eye out for the boy, but were not actively looking because of his history of running away. If he was younger than 12, different rules would apply.

Kyle eventually came home – four days later. He wouldn’t say much about where he’d been or what he’d done while away, but explained that he didn’t like the restrictions he faced at home or school and wanted some freedom, albeit temporarily.

Kyle pulled a disappearing act of a different kind the following year, when his curiosity got the best of him while exploring one of Winnipeg’s riverbanks.

He got too close to the water and slipped in the mud, his feet and legs becoming stuck. Firefighters were eventually called out to rescue him from the sludge.

There had been other close calls with Kyle, who seemed to be a magnet for trouble. Yet despite this background, Kyle’s family were absolutely convinced this time that something truly terrible had happened to him.

•••••

It had all began to unravel on Friday July 21 – the day Al Baxter brought home the stranger.

Baxter worked in construction and had been toiling away at a roadside project in Headingley, just on the western outskirts of Winnipeg. A new hire had showed a few days earlier. His name was Robert Summer.

Ken Melnyk, general manager of Con-Pro Industries, had approved Summer’s hiring. Summer had told the on-site supervisor he desperately needed money.

Summer was quickly put to work alongside about a dozen other employees, including Baxter. The two men spent some time talking that day and realized they had something in common.

Summer said he was from Newfoundland, a member of the Coast Guard who had been out in Calgary working with his brother while on a four-month leave. Now he wanted to make it back home to visit his estranged wife and two children.

Baxter’s common-law wife, Jennifer Mason, had been born and raised on the east coast. Baxter shared this detail with Summer, along with other information about his family. He talked about some of the trouble back home, including his troubled stepson, Kyle, and his penchant for running away.

Summer mentioned needing to find a temporary place to stay – he was currently living out of his van – and wondered if Baxter had any ideas. Baxter said he might – but that they needed to check with his wife first.

Following work that day, Baxter invited Summer back to his place. Mason and her four children were home at the time and introduced to Summer. Baxter suggested to Mason that they could maybe help Summer out.

“I feel so sorry for him,” Baxter told Mason in a private conversation. Summer was sitting in their basement at the time.

“I’m not sure that’s what I want to do,” said Mason.

She had some concerns, especially about bringing an outsider into a home that was already filled with tension.

Summer eventually came upstairs and interjected, telling Mason he didn’t want to be a burden. He suggested they go out for dinner – his treat – and talk about it further. They ended up at a local Chinese food restaurant.

Mason eventually agreed to compromise, telling Summer he could stay as long as he wasn’t alone in the house with the children.

She explained that a caregiver came in several times a week to provide assistance and that Summer would have to make sure he left the house whenever she or Baxter weren’t home.

Kyle interrupted the conversation. “Hey dad, I know you just got paid today. Gimme $20,” he said.

“No,” said Baxter.

“Awww, c’mon, give it to him,” Summer said, jokingly.

Baxter didn’t seem to find it funny. “No, we don’t give him money anymore. He just uses it to buy pot,” said Baxter.

Summer said he understood. “I worked in social services for four years. I’ve dealt a lot with getting kids off drugs,” he said.

Baxter and Mason were all ears. But Summer was clearly having second thoughts about the potential living arrangements.

“You guys have a lot going on in your lives, a lot of chaos,” said Summer. “I’m not really sure I should stay.”

Mason insisted he should. Although leery at first, she was feeling comfortable with Summer after further discussions – especially as he spoke about his life in Newfoundland. He seemed like a friendly, charismatic fellow – and his background with the Coast Guard had curried some favour.

Summer said he wanted to thank them. “I’ll show you I’m a good guy. Let’s go buy some groceries,” he said as they left the restaurant.

Mason and Baxter said that wasn’t necessary.

“You know us Easterners, we’re giving like that,” Summer said with a smile.

They all headed to a neighbourhood Safeway store where Summer agreed to pick up the $150 tab. He said he didn’t want to be a burden on them and would certainly do more than his fair share around the home in exchange for their gratitude, including paying rent.

Summer then surprised Mason with yet another offer. He wanted to take Kyle camping.

“Just for a couple weeks, to get him away from some of the bad influences,” Summer explained.

Mason quickly rejected the offer, somewhat taken aback.

They returned home, with Mason heading straight to the kitchen to put the groceries away and tidy up. Baxter and Summer stayed outside in the backyard.

The men eventually came inside – and Summer told Mason they had come up with a plan.

“Me and Al are going to take a trip,” he said.

“What?” asked Mason.

Summer explained that he had arranged to buy a truck in Regina and needed to pick it up. He said the only hitch was what to do with the van he was currently driving.

Summer had come up with a brilliant idea. “I’ll give you guys the van,” he told Mason. “Al’s been a good buddy to me.”

There was one small catch – Baxter needed to come along for the ride to Saskatchewan. Once there, Summer would get his new vehicle and Baxter could have the van. For free.

Baxter was certainly impressed. The family was of limited means and could use any help they could get.

Summer brought Kyle back into the mix, now suggesting that perhaps the boy could come along with the men for the ride. Summer said it would probably do Kyle some good to get away from the big city for a few days.

“Mom, can I go, can I go?” asked Kyle, who was standing nearby and heard the whole conversation.

Mason agreed a change of scenery might be a good thing but was still nervous. Her concerns were softened by the fact Baxter would be going as well and could keep a close eye on Kyle.

She reluctantly agreed, and Summer suggested they leave immediately. He said they could get to Regina by morning, and be home the next night.

•••••

It was about 9:30 p.m. when Summer, Baxter and Kyle pulled out of the driveway and were on their way.

They hadn’t got out of the city yet when Summer suggested they stop somewhere to clean out the van. He told Baxter he didn’t want to leave him something so dirty and dusty.

They ended up pulling over in Headingley, at the construction site where they’d met, and gave the van a good once-over. Several papers and food items were tossed in the trash.

Baxter called Mason around 11 p.m., telling her they had stopped but were about to get on their way. He said he would call her in the morning from Regina.

•••••

BRANDON, MANITOBA

Baxter slowly opened his eyes, taking a few seconds to get re-acquainted with his surroundings. The clock on the van showed it was after 1 a.m. He had slept most of the two-hour drive from Winnipeg and now looked around to see they were parked at the Brandon bus station.

Summer was still behind the wheel, with Kyle seated in the backseat. Summer had a look of concern on his face.

“There’s a problem with the van,” he told Baxter.

Summer said the vehicle had been stalling and probably wasn’t going to make it to Regina. Then he dropped another bombshell.

“When we cleaned the van out last night we threw out a bag. It had $2,000 in it,” said Summer.

Baxter couldn’t believe it. He hadn’t seen the money, but Summer insisted it must have got mixed up with some of the garbage from the floor.

Summer had an idea. He wanted Baxter to hop on the Greyhound and go back to the construction site to get the money. The bag of money would hopefully still be in the garbage, he said. Summer said he would stay behind in Brandon to go get the van fixed. Since they didn’t have an appointment, it was probably going to take the whole day anyway.

Summer also suggested Kyle stay behind. He said the pair had been talking while Baxter slept and Kyle really wanted to go camping. Summer said he would pay for Baxter’s bus ticket, plus a one-way plane ticket from Winnipeg to Brandon so Baxter could get back as soon as possible. He could get back by the end of the day, the trio could camp for the night, and then carry on to Regina the following morning.

Baxter was uneasy about the plan but knew he was still getting a good deal out of this – a new van, at least to him. And he agreed some time spent in the great outdoors might do wonders for Kyle’s behaviour. He talked to Kyle, who was very excited about the chance for adventure. Baxter agreed to go.

Summer got him the bus ticket and Baxter was on his way just before 7 a.m. He told Kyle he’d see him real soon.

•••••

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA

Jennifer Mason was furious with her common-law husband. Despite her earlier protests, he had left her son alone with a virtual stranger. And in Brandon, too.

Baxter had returned to the construction site but had no luck finding the money that Summer described. He’d poured through the garbage – finding other items he did recognize from the van – but no bag filled with cash.

“You brought a strange man into your house and let him around the girls,” Mason’s mother told her in a phone chat that morning. “And how convenient the van broke down,” she added.

Mason was starting to wonder if Summer had deliberately misled the family. Yet she held off on calling the police, somewhat leery based on her previous dealings over Kyle’s exploits. Mason knew her complaints might be met with resistance from officers once they looked up the family’s history. Still, she was very concerned.

“How could you leave my son with a stranger,” she yelled at Baxter when he returned home that afternoon.Mason started doing some digging on her own, calling several repair shops in Brandon asking if a man and teen boy had come in with a broken van bearing Alberta plates. Nobody had seen them.

Mason also called the Coast Guard, wanting to follow up on Summer’s claims of working for them. It took some effort but she eventually got the answer she feared – they’d never heard of Robert Summer.

•••••

It was early Sunday morning when the phone rang. Robert Summer was on the other end.

“Is Al there?” he asked.

“Where the fuck are you?” a furious Mason shouted into the phone.

“Calm down,” said Summer.

“Where’s Kyle,” Mason demanded.

“He’s right here,” said Summer.

Summer assured her everything was just fine, that there was no need to worry. He said they had some problems finding someone to fix the van at a good price and were now searching for a “backyard mechanic.”

Summer said Kyle was having a good time and had enjoyed camping out the previous night. Mason repeatedly asked Summer exactly where they were. Summer would only say just outside Brandon but gave no specifics.

Mason ordered him to put Kyle on the phone. “Where are you,” she asked her son.

“I dunno,” Kyle said.

“Kyle, look around, can you see anything? Any streets, any signs?” his mother pleaded.

“I don’t see anything,” he said.

Summer was now back on the line. “Quit freaking out. I’m gonna bring him back tonight.”

That wasn’t good enough for Mason. “I never told you you could take him. You don’t have my permission,” she said.

Summer said everything would be fine – then abruptly hung up the phone.

Mason knew what she had to do next.

•••••

The next few hours seemed like an eternity. Mason was still livid with Baxter for putting Kyle in this position. And she was sick with worry, despite Summer’s claims that all was well.

She didn’t believe this was another case of Kyle simply being rebellious. He was in trouble. And she had now brought the police in.

That night, Mason sat alone on her front steps, clutching a pillow and blanket. She was fighting sleep, her eyes tired and heavy but opening at the sound of every passing vehicle. She was waiting for Summer and her son to return.

But it never happened.

•••••

Mason and several other family members drove out to Brandon the following day, intent on finding Kyle themselves.

She didn’t believe police were taking her report seriously – especially given Kyle’s prior history – and couldn’t sit around doing nothing.

“Why would your husband leave your son with this stranger?” the confused call-taker had asked Mason. She tried to explain the situation but found herself tripping over her own words, her anger growing by the minute.

“He was left behind with a parent,” police said in explaining why they couldn’t do much for her.

Mason reminded officers that she was the legal guardian – and she hadn’t given Summer the okay to disappear with her boy.

“They’re probably just on an adventure,” one officer told Mason. “Maybe (Kyle) is having the time of his life.”

•••••

While in western Manitoba, Mason stopped at several area campgrounds, checked numerous gas stations and visited every mechanic she could find. She was carrying a photo of Whitmore.

“This man’s got my son,” she explained.

•••••

It had been Wednesday July 26 when Winnipeg police released a public alert through their daily news release. Although investigators were somewhat skeptical, there was enough reason for concern given the passage of time and his mother’s emotional pleas for help.

Police released a brief news bulletin which ran the following day in the Winnipeg Free Press.

Kyle Mason, 14, was last seen Saturday around 6:45 a.m. at the bus depot in Brandon. The youth, who is from Winnipeg, contacted his family from a pay phone near Brandon the following day but did not provide further details.

Police believe he may be traveling with a Caucasian male who is between 40 to 50 years of age, with curly blonde hair and blue eyes, is 5-11 and weighs between 180 and 200 pounds.

Sgt. Kelly Dennison said the older man is an acquaintance of the family but could not provide further details.

It’s believed the two are riding in an older model, light blue van with brown panels along the side and Alberta license plates.

Mason is 5-6 and 151 pounds with short brown hair and green eyes.

•••••

Several more days had passed and still no word about Kyle’s whereabouts. Jennifer Mason wasn’t going to stand pat. She took it upon herself to begin calling media outlets in town, practically begging for more news coverage of her son’s disappearance. This time wasn’t like all the others, she said. Kyle must be in danger.

Mason was also playing amateur detective – including collecting cigarette butts from her backyard that she believed had touched Summer’s lips. She gave them to police, asking for a DNA analysis.

Mason had recovered a piece of packaging that fell from Summer’s van and landed in her yard. It apparently had contained some type of chain. She also told police about a tattoo she remembered seeing on Summer – the name Josh, surrounded by a heart, on his arm.

Mason had also gone online, checking various websites for high-risk criminals who might be at large. She didn’t come across any matches. She and several family members also made up their own missing posters which they spread around the Brandon area.

Finally, she learned the Winnipeg Safeway store they’d gone shopping at days earlier was equipped with surveillance cameras.

“They probably have him on video,” Mason told police, who promised to look into it and get back to her.

Mason was doing everything humanly possible to find her son and felt like she had finally – finally – convinced police that sometime terrible had happened.

Unfortunately for Mason, she was right. And Kyle’s story was about to go national.