Page 66 of Dead Mountain

“What was his name?”

“Benjamin Cheape.”

“Cheape?” She shook her head. “Sorry, don’t know him. Did I mention we have twenty-three thousand employees?” She paused and frowned. “Is there some significance or connection I should be aware of?”

“No,” said Corrie. “I was just wondering.”

She glanced at Sharp, saw a disapproving look in his eyes.

“That particular homicide is not an FBI case,” Sharp said, as if reciting her thoughts verbatim. “It’s a matter for the local sheriff and State Police.”

There was a brief, awkward silence. “What now, Agent Swanson?” Abecassis asked. “We can drive northward along the fence, or go back?”

“We can head back,” Corrie said. “Thanks so much for your time. I’ve seen all that I needed.”

35

DRIVING SOUTH ON I-40, Corrie almost didn’t answer the call coming from a blocked number. But it was her FBI phone, so she picked it up.

“Special Agent Swanson?” came a smooth female voice.

“Speaking.”

“I have Dr. DeGregorio on the line, calling from Indonesia.”

Corrie hadn’t expected to hear back so quickly—or even at all—from the philanthropist. But in a moment another voice came on, clear and high-pitched. “Agent Swanson? This is Alex DeGregorio. Returning your call.”

Since she was driving, Corrie couldn’t take notes. But she didn’t want to call him back—she might not get him again. “Thank you. Sir, I’m an agent working on the Dead Mountain case—which I assume you’re familiar with.”

“Unfortunately, yes. I was good friends with some of the victims.”

“Since we’ve reopened the case, I was wondering if I could ask a few questions?”

“Now? Over the phone?”

“It’s voluntary and, naturally, if you’d feel more comfortable with an attorney present—”

“No need for that,” DeGregorio said. “I’m happy to assist any way I can. But how can I possibly be of help?”

“We recovered a knife with the initials ‘MHT’ on it at a place where several victims were found. We’ve connected it to Matthew H. Tanner, your former roommate at NMIT. He said what you just confirmed: that you were close to some of the victims.”

“Very much so. Especially Rod—Rodney O’Connell, the one still missing. He was about the best friend I ever had. If I may ask—any leads on finding his remains?”

“Not yet. We’re actively looking.”

“It really affected me at the time. I . . . well, I had to take a term off from my studies.”

Corrie moved into the slow lane so she could concentrate better. “Dr. Tanner wasn’t able to say how his knife ended up with one of the victims. He didn’t recall loaning or giving it to anyone. Do you have any recollection of that matter?”

A brief silence. “No. In fact, I don’t recall Matt having a knife at all, although I’m sure he must have. He was an avid outdoorsman.”

“The nine hikers appeared to be heading northward in the Manzanos, possibly toward a refuge of some kind. Do you have any idea of what that might have been?”

Another pause. “Sorry. None at all.”

Corrie decided to change tacks. “What was Rodney like? Was he an experienced mountaineer?”

“Very experienced. Adventurous, fit, ran every day.”

---