“Thank you for coming, especially those from out of town. I’m Captain Dan Kennedy, with the Rampart PD. We lead this investigation and we’re supported by a number of agencies, some of which are here. To my far right, Lorne Baker, Riverview County Sheriff’s Office, Max Insley, the New York State Police and to my left, Emmett Lang, with the FBI out of Syracuse. I’ll read you a summary of the case, then we’ll take a few questions.”
“At this time, our investigation into the deaths at the state property known as the old burial grounds leads us to conclude that the individual known as Carl Nelson did not die in the fire at an abandoned barn, as first suspected. We believe that Nelson murdered Bethany Ann Wynn, after keeping her in captivity for three years. Nelson also murdered John Charles Pollard and staged the scene to make it appear as though he had taken his own life.
“Additional human remains have been found within proximity of the barn leading us to believe that Nelson may have killed other people. Work is under way to confirm the identity of those remains, and we’re expanding the scene and bringing in more people for an extensive search of the area. We’re going to scour every square inch of the property. Now, based on evidence found at the scene, we’ve reason to suspect that the case is linked to the disappearance of Tara Dawn Mae, who’s been missing from Brooks, Alberta, Canada, for over fifteen years.”
Soft gasps rippled among the reporters along with the hurried turning of notebook pages. Kate glanced at Tara Dawn’s face, then at Brennan. It was more real, for now they were closer to talking officially about a link to Vanessa. Kate regained her concentration as Kennedy continued.
“We’re working with the RCMP on this part of the investigation. Finally, we believe Carl Nelson is alive and at large using an assumed name. A warrant has been issued for his arrest for the murders of John Charles Pollard and Bethany Ann Wynn. Today, the FBI will place him on its Most Wanted list. Nelson should be considered dangerous. He should not be approached by the public. We’re also appealing to anyone with any information concerning this case to call our tip line or their local police. Okay, we’ll take a few questions.”
Hands went up.
“Yes,” Kennedy said, “Marissa, from the Rampart Examiner.”
“Are you telling us that Nelson held one of his victims in captivity in that barn for fifteen years?”
“We know that, in the Canadian case, Tara Dawn Mae’s been missing for that time. We know that Nelson’s been in Rampart for ten years.”
Kate’s hand shot up, but she was passed over for a newspaper reporter from Rochester.
“Where was Nelson before that time?”
“That’s under investigation.”
Kate raised her hand, but Kennedy went to a reporter from Plattsburgh.
“Is the case connected to the abandoned insane asylum?”
“We’re looking into that. I see lots of hands—next.”
Again Kate tried but lost out to a TV reporter from Syracuse.
“Captain, how is it that Nelson, a computer technician and recluse, was able to keep prisoners at that barn for as long as a decade without anyone noticing?”
“The property was abandoned. We found evidence of confinement rooms concealed in a lower level. He stole small amounts of electricity undetected from the grid. Few people traveled that deep into the wooded area—in fact none to our knowledge, until the discovery of the fire. Next.”
Kate’s hand went up again, but the Bloomberg reporter got the question.
“You said you found confinement rooms. What was going on out there?”
“We don’t know.”
“It’s rumored there was bondage, perhaps torture?”
“We don’t know. We can only speculate that it was horrible. Next.”
Kennedy looked directly at Kate and she started to speak, but he shifted his attention, taking another reporter’s question. She knew what was happening and was tempted to raise her middle finger.
“Given that Nelson worked at the MRKT DataFlow Call Center, did you find Bethany Ann Wynn’s financial records there?” a radio reporter from Ogdensburg asked. “And did Nelson have access to them? Is that how he selected his victims?”
“We’re investigating that aspect.”
Kate waved her notebook, tried to raise a question, but Moore continued.
“And, given Nelson’s work, isn’t it possible he could assume or steal anyone’s identity?”
“Yes, it’s possible, next question.”
Kate waved her hand and again she was ignored.
“Did Nelson act alone?” the reporter from the Associated Press asked.
“It appears so, but we’re early in the investigation.”
Again, Kate raised her hand, and again Kennedy looked directly at her as he took a question from the reporter behind her from Reuters.
“To be clear on the victims, we have Bethany Ann Wynn and John Charles Pollard. So, two confirmed at this time, but you’re confident that number will rise?”
“Correct.”
“One more question,” the Reuters guy said. “Any idea on Nelson’s whereabouts?”
“Finding him is our priority, Jim.” Kennedy shifted the subject. “You all know that the site remains closed, but because most of you asked about getting pictures of the scene we’re arranging pool coverage, drawing names from the sign-in sheet. Okay, thank you, everyone, I think we’ll wrap this—”
“Excuse me!” Kate stood. “Kate Page, Newslead. Captain, I think we need more than just five minutes here.”
Kennedy’s face tightened.
“What’s your question?”
“Captain, how close are you to determining the identity of the recently discovered remains?”
“As I indicated at the outset, they’re with the pathologist. These matters take time.”
“Sir,” Kate continued. “What factors led you to connect this case to the cold case of Tara Dawn Mae in Canada?”
“We’re not prepared to discuss that at this time.”
“Did you find evidence at the scene to make the connection?”
“We’re not going to discuss evidence.” Kennedy stared at Kate.
“What about Nelson? Can you put him in Canada at the time of Tara Dawn’s disappearance?”
“We’re not going to discuss that part of our investigation at this time. That’s it for now, thank you, everyone.”
As Kennedy stood to leave, Kate raised her voice above the shuffle
