The Coffin Maker

Chapter 18

Wu's heels clicked loudly on the polished concrete floor as she followed Sheriff Petersen and his entourage through the underground tunnel from the Sheriff's office to the Hennepin County Government Center. Blackwood, suffering the effects of a sleepless night, was unprepared for the scope of the outdoor press conference, mobile media vans, cameras, swarms of reporters and a bank of microphones including the national networks. Sheriff Petersen stepped up to the lectern and began.

"My name is Reginald Petersen. I am the Sheriff of Hennepin County. I will begin by providing a brief summary of developments in recent missing persons cases and the murders that have plagued our community. To my immediate right is Ms. Li Li Wu, Special Agent, FBI, head of the FBI regional field office here in Minneapolis. Following my summary, Ms. Wu will speak and there will be a short question period.

Yesterday at approximately 3:00 p.m., a suspect in the murders of Amber Kalita and Morgan McMahon and in the recent kidnapping of Riley Pacocha was taken into custody. He was apprehended at a remote hunting camp in Pine County about two hours north of the city. The suspect is currently in the Hennepin County Jail. Approximately ten days ago, I called in the FBI to assist local law enforcement with the investigation, which led to the capture of the alleged offender. Unfortunately, the apprehension of the suspect did not result in the rescue of Ms. Pacocha, whose whereabouts the department and the FBI are vigorously pursuing. The suspect is acquiring counsel and later, that individual may issue a statement. I now ask Ms. Wu of the FBI to say a few words."

Wu briefly heralded the tireless work of dedicated individuals in a collaborative effort of all levels of law enforcement and quickly turned the podium back over to the Sheriff who said he was ready to take questions.

Petersen fielded the typical queries. He explained some details of the capture and the reasons he would not release the suspect's identity until charges were laid. Unexpectedly, a reporter asked, "Is it true that one of your investigators, a 27-year-old female by the name of Ailsa Craig is also missing?"

The question caught Petersen off guard and at a loss for words. Wu reckoned the leak originated in the police department, came forward and acknowledged Ms. Craig's disappearance. "Sheriff Petersen and the FBI notified Ms. Craig's family yesterday. I want to make it clear that Ms. Craig is an independent investigator hired by a private source...no, I will not disclose the source."

"Did clues unearthed by Ms. Craig lead investigators to the suspect?" asked a voice in the crowd.

"Ms. Craig's work was instrumental in locating the suspect, yes," said Wu.

"How is it that she went missing?"

"We believe she went missing during the course of her pursuit of the suspect."

"Did she communicate her findings to the police or the FBI?"

"Ms. Craig lost her means of communication," explained Wu.

"Do you mean her mobile phone?"

"Yes."

"Was the suspect in possession of Ms. Craig's phone?"

"Yes."

"Do you think Ms. Craig and Ms. Pacocha are being held at the same location?"

"Yes."

"Do you believe the suspect is responsible for the deaths of Amber Kalita and Morgan McMahon?"

"We have a suspect. It is up to the court to determine guilt."

"Do you believe that Ms. Craig and Ms. Pacocha are still alive?

"Yes."

"Is it true you have dubbed the killer, the Coffin Maker?"

It was obvious someone in Petersen's shop was passing information to the media. Although the question surprised Wu, she remained calm. "Law enforcement is concerned with the apprehension of offenders not the application of monikers," she said.

"How do you intend to discover the location of the missing women?"

"Through proven investigative methods including interrogation."

"Is it true you also have a suspect in custody charged with the theft of Ms. Craig's automobile? Do you consider this individual an accomplice in the disappearance of Ms. Craig?"

Sheriff Petersen, visibly embarrassed by the seepage of information from his department, adopted damage control mode and nudged Wu from the microphone.

"No, we believe the theft of Ms. Craig's vehicle is unrelated to her disappearance. That's all the time we have..."

A television reporter shouted out, "Can you tell us more about the hunting camp?" but the inquiry dangled in the air unanswered.

***

Wu was furious with the Sheriff. "Son of a bitch, Petersen, a fucking talking parrot could keep a secret better than your officers. One of them is on the media payroll, you can be sure of it. Find out who!" Walking back through the tunnel, the clicking of Wu's heels on the concrete floor was the only sound.