Chapter 5 The Suspect

Pete Sanders was the lead detective in the case of Chrystal Peterson's murder. Sitting at his desk, he was reviewing the file and the boyfriend's statement. Brady was campus police at Columbia University, where the victim went to school. They had been dating for almost three years. The couple went to dinner at a local restaurant for the deceased's birthday the night of the incident. Suspect claims he took the vic home after their date and left her at the entrance to the apartment complex where she shared a unit with two other students. No witnesses and no one to confirm.

They had nothing to hold him so they had to keep investigating the case.

Pete had scheduled a meeting with the roommates after interrogating the boyfriend. they were both together in the apartment and confirmed the others story. The restaurant, the college and the apartment were all within three blocks of each other and all bordered Central park where the girl had been found. So far the only suspect in the case had no confirmed alibi but also didn't have any motive to kill his girlfriend. Just then his cell phone rang. "Hello, this is Pete, can I help you?"

Lane:

Lane had checked into his hotel and Susan went home. Susan recommended the hotel since it was just around the corner from her apartment. It made things easier to be in the same area so driving was not necessary. There were a lot of people in the city and sometimes it was difficult to get places if you couldn't walk to get there. He found himself thinking about Susan's smooth blonde hair, creamy skin, and beautiful green eyes. She had curves in all the right places with a small frame, standing at only five feet two inches. He remembered kissing her plump lips under the stars lying on a blanket in the pasture of his parents ranch. Lane had planned to propose to her and set up a small evening candlelight picnic. Lane never pressured her into doing anything she didn't want to do and they never slept together. Susan had always told him he was such a gentleman. They had a wonderful evening and everything went well until he took out the ring. Susan's reaction was nothing like he had expected. She had gotten upset and said no. She left their date and that was the last time he saw her until now. After Lane had completed his chores the next morning, he found the note, and found his sister gone.

Lane took a shower and refreshed after his flight. He found the note he had written down the phone number that called him telling him about Chrystal"s death. A raspy voice answered.

"Hello, this is Pete, can I help you?"

"Yes sir, this is Lane Peterson, can we meet fro lunch and discuss my sister's case?"

"Of course Mr. Peterson. There's a place by the college called Tom's. I can meet you there in thirty minutes." Pete disconnected the call.

Lane was staying at the Park West Hotel. His room had a view of Central Park, and was only two blocks away from Susan's apartment. The view had him wondering if maybe there was a witness to what happened with his sister that hasn't come forward yet. There were a large number of places with windows facing the park, a large number of possible witnesses.

He dialed the number that Susan had given him to contact her if he needed anything. "Hello?" she answered after the third ring.

"Hey, it's Lane. I am meeting the lead detective in Chrystal's case. Do you know a place called Tom's? He wants me to meet him there in 30 minutes. Would you join me to meet him?"

"Yes, I would like to speak to him again. I want to know if he found out anything useful from Brady yesterday. Let me change my clothes and I will meet you in the lobby in about 15 minutes." Susan sounded a bit excited.

Lane found himself gazing out the window toward the park again. He was still in shock at the news of his sister. She was still young and didn't even have a chance to live her life yet. She was his only sibling, and that left him alone in caring for their parents. His mother will be devastated when she finds out that Chrystal had been murdered. She was already frail, everyday was harder and harder for her to move around. She was only in her late 60s but hadn't aged very well and she seemed as if she were much older.

Lane's thoughts were interrupted by a text message, "I'm here." It was Susan. He grabbed his jacket and headed to the hotel lobby.

Pete was sitting at a small table with a glass of water and a half of a sandwich. He looked up and recognized Chrystal's roommate Susan with a tall intimidating man dressed in jeans and a button up shirt and wore a black cowboy hat. He looked out of place in the city. not very often you see a large cowboy in NY. Pete assumed that the man was Chrystal's older brother Lane with whom he spoke on two occasions, the background of the family read that they owned a ranch in Oklahoma, and he definitely fit the bill.

He stood and offered his hand to Susan as they approached, "Hello Miss Prise, it's nice to see you again. You must be Mr. Peterson, please have a seat." he said after shaking his hand. He waved for the waitress as they all were seated.

"I'll have some sweet tea, please" Susan addressed the waitress.

"Coke for me, ma'am." Lane nodded in thanks to the young lady that served them.

"Would you two like to have something to eat as well?" she asked.

"No, Thank you," the two said in unison.