Sandrift: A Lin Hanna Mystery Read Online Free PDF Page B

the
café, Lin selected a sheltered outdoor table that was in the warm morning
sun.   She tied Sparky’s leash to the
bench seat and then went in to place her order.   The warm aroma of fresh coffee and
sizzling bacon was almost irresistible.   Lin decided on a plate of scrambled eggs and bacon with a side of
sourdough toast.   As she poured
herself a generous mug of dark, steaming coffee she noticed several stacks of
newspapers on a table near the door.   She found a copy of the Charlotte
Observer among the out of town papers and decided to purchase it.   As she headed back to the counter, she
noticed a stack of local papers on the end of the table.   A bold headline caught her eye:   BODY FOUND IN WOODS.   She had to add that paper to her
purchases.
    Settled at her
table, Lin turned to the local paper while she waited for her food.   There was a large article on the front
page describing her discovery of the day before.   She noted, with relief, that she was not
named.   She was just “a woman
walking her dog in Nags Head Woods.”   Even though the officers and Eloise, were aware
that she was that woman, she would be happy for that fact not to become widely
known.   She didn’t wish to become a
local news item. Lin was glad the police had used discretion.
    The story began
in a relatively routine way, describing the finding of the body of the young
woman whose identity was now revealed as Dorothy Johnson who was from
Springfield, VA, a Washington suburb.   Her parents, who were identified as residents of Richmond, were quoted
as being shocked and grief-stricken by the news of their daughter’s death from
what appeared to be natural causes. The article went on to say that, while the
cause of death was still under investigation and the medical report was still
pending, there was no evidence of foul play found at the scene.
    As she turned
to the continuation of the article, Lin almost choked on a swallow of
coffee!   The reporter had
interviewed Dare County Sheriff Pete Midgett who said that the discovery of
Dorothy Johnson’s body might lead to the closing of the most famous cold case
in the area in recent decades.   Lin
continued reading the quote from the sheriff.
    “Dorothy Johnson—known
as Dorrie when she lived here more than ten years ago—was the prime
suspect in the murder of Outer Banks resident Elizabeth Frazier in November,
2000.   She disappeared from the area
at the time the crime was committed.   All apparent indications were that she stole some valuables from Liz
Frazier’s home, stabbed her with a kitchen knife, and then burned the home in
an attempt to cover up her crime.   Investigators at the time failed to locate Dorrie Johnson in spite of
exhaustive efforts.   Other possible
suspects were cleared at the time, and local officers have always felt certain
that Dorothy Johnson committed that crime.”
    Lin was
stunned.   The article went on to say
that, while officers would certainly look into where Dorrie Johnson had been
all these years and why she had chosen to return to the area now, they felt
certain that this discovery would close the case regarding the death of Liz
Frazier.   The Sheriff acknowledged
that no official cause of death for Ms. Johnson had been determined but he
noted that from all initial appearances she died of natural causes.
    Lin folded the
paper and sat back on the bench.   The waitress, a middle-aged woman, arrived with her food.
    “I see you’ve
been reading about that dead body somebody found yesterday, the woman said as
she placed the food in front of Lin, “more coffee?”
    Lin nodded and
the woman left to get the coffee pot.   She continued the conversation when she returned. “I sure am glad to
hear that Dorrie Johnson is dead—I mean, Liz was a good friend of
mine.   She didn’t deserve what
happened to her.   That girl came
here for the summer and stayed on.   She was a wild one and Liz sort of took her in—look where that got
her!”