Free Dead By Dawn by Juliet Dillon Clark Page A

the senior class and pointed out Charles Davenport. He moved through the rest of the pictures and stopped at the ranch hand. His name was Bing Taylor. His picture was right next to Martin Van Buren’s in the alphabetical listing.
     
    “This is him,” Fred said. “This is the guy who worked at Davenport’s ranch.”
     

Chapter 20
     
    Lindsay drove home, excited that she may have a link to the murders. There was too much coincidence that Bing Taylor’s name had surfaced twice now. She called Dixon Calhoun and told him about the conversation with Fred Carlson.
     
    “Some coincidence that his name is involved with all of the victims,” Dixon said. “What now?”
     
    “Who is handling the murder investigation on the two bodies found at the ranch?” she asked.
     
    “Taylor Kragen. He’s out of the office but, I’ll call him and give him your number,” Calhoun said.
     
    Ten minutes later, Kragen called her. “Calhoun tells me you were one hell of a homicide detective. I understand you may have some info on the Carlson case,” he said.
     
    Lindsay laughed. “He exaggerates. I may have something. I talked to the victim’s brother. He says that his parents always thought that Charles Davenport or Martin Van Buren may have been the baby’s father.”
     
    Kragen whistled. “Big names around here.”
     
    “I was hired to look into the murders that happened in nineteen seventy seven. The only survivor is looking for a sister that he thinks may be alive. Those two names came up as well, as a Bing Taylor.”
     
    “Is Taylor alive?” he asked.
     
    “No, he was found murdered out in the desert shortly after the murders in ‘77,” she said.
     
    “Well, I’ll be talking to the family that owns the property tomorrow morning,” he said.
     
    “You are coming to Los Angeles?”
     
    “Yes,” he answered.
     
    “I was hired by the Dorans. Would you mind if I sit in?” she asked.
     
    “I would be open to a second set of eyes and ears. Meet me at their home at nine o’clock,” he said.
     
    ***
     
    Detective Kragen was not what Lindsay expected. He looked like a computer nerd. He was a small, thin man with a crew cut. His dark hair and dark eyes were a stark contrast to his very pale skin. His skin was so pale that he looked he might burn if he stayed in the sun more than five minutes.
     
    When Lindsay sat down with him and the Doran’s at their dining room table, she ogled the ocean view from the window. Martha Doran noticed and commented. “The view is beautiful in here. It’s my favorite room in the house.”
     
    “Yes, it is lovely. Especially, on a sunny day, like today,” Lindsay answered.
     
    Martha offered everyone coffee and fresh baked cinnamon rolls. Detective Kragen started his interview. “How long have you owned the property in Shandon?”
     
    Robert Doran answered, “Since the 70s. We invested in it with our daughter and son-in-law.”
     
    “My understanding is that you lost your daughter on the same property. Is that correct?” Kragen said delicately.
     
    “Yes. We were surprised by this development. The property seems to be cursed,” Robert Doran answered tersely.
     
    “I have to ask. Did you know anything about the bodies on the property?” Martin asked.
     
    “Nothing,” Robert answered.
     
    “Did you know Letty Carlson?” Martin asked.
     
    “No. We didn’t live in that area,” he answered.
     
    “I know you hired Ms. Carter to look into the possibility that your granddaughter may still be alive. Some names came up in conjunction with that,” Martin said. He sipped his coffee. “You know Charles Davenport?”
     
    “Yes, we were in-laws,” Doran answered.
     
    “Did you know him before your daughter married his son?” Marin asked.
     
    Martha Doran answered, “We knew them from a distance. The kids dated for three years before they got married. We would see them when we visited our daughter at school.”
     
    “Before that?” Kragen