All in the Eyes of the Beholder

Chapter 3

They went to the new Suffolk County Convention Center and introduced themselves to the manager and his assistant. They explained why they were there. The manager and his assistant listened in horror about the seven murders and the police's theory that one of the artists may be the primary target. "Any way  or anything that we could do to help the police and the F. B. I. we will do. You have our full co-operation" the manager said. " If you could get us a list of the artists and guests will be a great help. Also if you could get us into the reception and the show it will be even better, this way we could observe and discreetly ask around maybe set up some extra security. We would greatly appreciate it. Here are our cards. Call us if you notice anything unusual like strangers hanging around, acting weird, threatening letters, calls or messages directed at anyone in particular?" Detective Roberts explained. The manager shook his head no to the last question as he reached for a folder on his desk. He pulled out invitations to both events for the three officers. They thanked him. Garrett wrote down his cell number on the back of his card as the other two handed the manager their cards. "Could we look around the facilities and see if there are any access areas that this person could use to get in unnoticed?" Garrett asked. The manager showed them around. They made note of a couple of key areas and then thanked the manager and his assistant for their co-operation and left.

      They then went over to Stonybrook University and met with the Special Events Co-ordinator. She was very efficient and personable. She was a petite woman with iron gray hair and a welcoming smile as they introduced themselves to her. "Some of the artists will be staying  here on the campus during the show but there are a few that live locally or have family close by. One actually lives in the big city and has her studio in her loft. She is the one that actually put this benefit show together. She wanted to honor the Doctor who gave her her vision back and the Professor who encouraged her to make photography her life's work. She had personally started up two scholarships in their names. Bobbie Silverfox, that's her name. She is such a wonderful and caring young woman. She was too honors in all her classes and in sports she was amazing. I guess it is the Native American blood in her; always kind and helpful to everyone around her. She is spending time in her loft before coming out for the reception and the show" she explained as she showed them around the reception hall. They looked around and figured they could station officers at key access points. They hadn't told her why they were actually there; instead they explained it to her in a different way. "There are going to be a lot of very important people attending both events and we are being put in charge of handling the security for them" Detective Medina explained. She nodded her acceptance of his explaination but continued to wonder why a Federal Agent would be involved. She didn't voice her question though. She was not only the Co-ordinator but a librarian at the University and had heard about the killings of those women photographers. It sent shivers through her and made her uneasy. They thanked her for her time and left.

     "Well what do you think?" Detective Roberts asked as Garrett sat back in the car, deep in thought. "Is there any way we could access this guest list and check into the backgrounds of everyone who will be there?" Detective Medina asked. " Maybe we should and we should start with the name that the Co-ordinator gave us, Bobby Silverfox. Maybe someone has a grudge against her after all she was the top student in her classes and sports. She has to be a prominent photographer if she helped to put this event together. Maybe there is someone from her past that she rejected. I just find it unusual that her name was the only one the Co-ordinator mentioned and I feel that the Co-ordinator knew why we were there from the start. I have to check in with my Chief as soon as we get back and get the access code for the background investigation. I'm also going to have to get a tux for this event next week. You guys have any suggestions on that as well?" Garrett said. He was still deep in thought, 'That name, why does it sound so familiar?'