(Besides doing other investigating work throughout the day Garrett has been doing his own stakeout at Sylvia Quade's house at the same time each day. He thought from 4:00PM to 8:00PM would be the best time to watch at a distance and see if something would happen that could be more information or a possible lead. While on his the stakeout Garrett notices an older man walking a dog regularly the same time each day in the neighborhood. The man and dog were directly across the street from Sylvia's house at approximately 5:30PM. That is the time that the witness said he saw Max pick Sylvia up in his blue and white restored car. Garrett thinks it is worth a try to interview the man walking his dog. Garrett sees the older man coming with the dog. Garrett gets out of his car and approaches the man by walking towards him on the sidewalk. Garrett smiles and says)
Garrett: Pardon me. (the man looks surprised but stops to listen) My name is Garrett Cummins and I am investigating the murder of Sylvia Quade. Sylvia lived in that house across the street. I have noticed you have a regular routine of walking your dog by here at approximately the same time each day. I would like to ask if you ever noticed anything unusual that gave you pause or made you wonder about because it was something unusual?
Man with dog: No, can't say I have. My wife and I just got back this week from a two week trip to see our children and grandchildren. My wife is busy getting things caught up after being gone and she isn't walking with us this evening. When she walks with us we go a different route because she likes seeing all the flowers. When I walk the dog I take this way because there is a guy you drives a restored '55 Ford Fairlane which is one of my favorite cars because I drove one in my younger years. It's a sharp car and once in awhile I see him driving it. That really makes may day.
Garrett: So you have been walking with your wife the other route to view flowers most of the time?
Man with dog: Yes, that's exactly right. She usually is on the walk except when she has some extra things to do. Now the week before our trip she didn't walk that week because she had lots to do in getting ready for our trip. She likes shopping and I think she got her walking in that way before our trip. She even bought presents for all the grandchildren and wrapped them just like it was Christmas or something.
Garrett: Thanks for your time. (Garrett does some quick math figuring in his notepad then says) The night I would want to talk to you about would have been the night before you left on your trip. That would be the exact time frame we're talking about. We had a witness say he saw Sylvia Quade picked up in front of her house by a blue and white '55 Ford Fairlane about 5:30PM. That witness was almost a half block away and has some vision problems. So I am trying to find someone who may be able to verify this witness statement.
Man with dog: Tell your witness that car was not a '55 Ford Fairlane. Tell your witness that car was a blue and white '55 Chevy Belair. I saw it and I remember it well. That restored '55 Chevy car was in front of her house the night before we left for vacation. I thought of it when we were on vacation. I hadn't seen one of them for a long time.
Garrett: Would you be willing to give a statement to that fact of seeing a blue and white '55 Chevy Belair outside of Sylvia Quade's house the night before your vacation?
Man with dog: I sure would. I know what I saw. I sure know the difference between a '55 Ford Fairlane and a '55 Chevy Belair. I know what I saw.
Garrett: What is your name?
Man with dog: My name is Gary Hansen.
Garrett: I'll tell Officer Warren Miles that you will be coming to the police station tomorrow to give a statement. Ask for Officer Miles and he will take your statement. Thanks a lot, Gary.
Gary: You're welcome. When it comes to cars from that era I drove them and I know what I'm talking about. I have no doubt that was a '55 Chevy Belair in front of her house that evening.
Garrett: Did you see her get into the car?
Gary: No I didn't see her get into the car but they drove by me and there was a lady in the passenger seat. I didn't know who the passenger was. I never met her. It all happened fast and I was distracted with the dog wanting to go back home. See how this dog is acting right now. All this whining and pulling on the leash are because of wanting to go back home. The dog starts barking at Garrett.
Garrett: I know how that goes and I better let you keep moving.
They smile and nod at each other . Garrett goes back to his car and writes down his notes in his notepad. He felt good about the evening and couldn't help but speculate who the driver of the '55 Chevy Belair could have been. He thinks it is a solid lead. Garrett calls Officer Miles to tell him of the new development. Officer Miles tells Garrett that Nate has just been bailed out and he is no longer in jail.
To be continued: Tomorrow
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