"The 92nd Street Disappearance" by Rachel and Megan H.
I tend to remember rather few cases in which my brilliant friend, Hanna Shlech, and I, Jack Weyer, investigate, but there was one case that occurred around two years ago that still amazes me in it’s spiteful, and complex ways.
It was early on a Sunday morning when a blonde haired, middle-aged woman knocked on my dear friend, Hanna’s door. Hanna came to the door dressed in jeans and a black blouse.
“Jack! It better be an emergency if you are waking me at this hour!” she exclaimed. As she opened the door Hanna was shocked at the appearance of Katherine, instead of me. “I’m terribly sorry, Madam,” she exclaimed, “How can I be of your assistance on this fine morning?”
“I have been informed that you are investigating the case of Claire Holder's disappearance?” Katherine questioned. “I would like to help you solve it; I was present at the scene of the crime.” she stated. “I have lived next to Claire and her family for several years, you see, which is why I find myself the right choice for testifying this peculiar case.”
“Come inside, and we shall discuss this, my dear.”
Hanna welcomed Katherine into her large, Victorian house. Hanna sat on the red couch next to the fire place, and Katherine perched on the armchair across from her.
“I know I am only a witness,” Katherine rambled, “but something very suspicious happened that night.”
“I will welcome your account of the events of the disappearance of Claire Holder, but you must promise me that you will speak in full and honest detail,” Hanna said.
“It was seven o'clock on a Friday night, and I was outside watering my flowers because I had forgotten to do it that morning. I noticed Claire taking her dog, Zoe, out on their evening walk.”
“Pardon madam, but I must know if Claire walked the same route at the same time every night?”
“No, she was unpredictable and found excitement in walking varied routes. As I was saying, Claire and Zoe were walking down the path. It was a bit late for them to be out, but Claire always insisted on walking Zoe at least once a day. As I was getting my watering can, I heard an odd clicking noise coming from her direction.”
“Can you be sure that this noise wasn’t an insect, perhaps a cricket?”
“I am sure that it was not a bug, and it did not sound like the noise of any animal I have ever heard. There was also a very deep voice talking, and yelling.”
“Do go on, my dear,” Hanna persisted.
“Anyway, as she was walking, I saw her turn around a corner, and never again did I see her that night.”
“Katherine, did you see anyone come her way as she turned that corner?” Shlech questioned.
“I did not see a specific person, but there was a large shadow around the corner. That is all I know.”
“Did Claire have any family?” Hanna questioned.
“Well, she has an older brother and a father. Her older brother’s name is Nolan. Nolan was so fond of Claire. I remember that for her birthday one year, he bought her an engraved bracelet!”
“Is that all?”
“No, actually she was engaged to a man living on the street next to me. His name is Nathan Hoover.”
“Is there any reason that would explain him kidnapping her?”
“Oh no! Nathan is a police officer himself. He had night duty that night. Surely he would not kidnap his own fiance, but Nathan does have a father. His name is Matt Hoover, he is older, and Matt takes care of him. I’m sure that old toot could care for himself, but he is probably the laziest person I have ever come across!”
“Well, thank you for your time. That was a great help,”Hanna concluded.
Katherine stood up and said, “If you need any more assistance I live next door to Claire's family.” Katherine exited the building.
Hanna then decided to go and search the scene of the crime. She invited me along, so we headed out at about 2 'o clock.
The scene of the crime was a rather quaint neighborhood with many houses surrounded by woods on the East side. There were narrow sidewalks in front of each house. As we were walking up the sidewalk we reached the corner Katherine had described. We started our investigation there.
I didn't notice anything strange. There was a lamp post, but other than that it was an ordinary corner. I then turned to Hanna, but to my surprise she was halfway down 92nd Street walking towards the woods. I hurried up to her, and she was holding a small object in her hands.
“A bracelet!” she exclaimed. The bracelet was split in half, but on one side the name “Claire” was stitched in bright blue thread. Then I remembered that Claire's brother, Nolan, gave her that bracelet for her birthday.
“Our first real piece of evidence!” I countered.
Hanna kept walking, and we came upon a large rock. There was dog poop near the rock, so I knew Claire had walked here.
“Nolan must have kidnapped her!” I said.
“I would not be so sure, Mr. Weyer, we need more facts.” Then Hanna started examining a pile of dirt behind the rock. I hadn’t noticed it because the rock had blocked my view of it. “Jack?”she gasped suddenly.
“What Hanna?” Hanna packed the dirt back into a pile, and started walking briskly across the path leading to the rock. She realized when she saw the pile that there was a trail of leaves leading to the top of it. It seemed to me like someone had tried to cover it up.
“Hand me a shovel, Jack! I walked over to the pile of dirt and gave her the shovel. She starting digging very carefully until she hit something. Oh my gosh,” she gasped.
“What is it?” I asked.
“It's the body of Claire Holder.” I ran over to her, and I saw it.
“There was murder on 92nd Street!” I exclaimed. “Didn’t Katherine say Claire Holder’s fiance was a police officer, and he was on night duty?” I must admit that at that point I was entirely convinced that Nathan was the murderer. It all fit! Nathan was on night duty, so he could have easily been out at night without anyone noticing. Also, Katherine said she heard a deep voice shouting which could easily have been a man’s voice.
“I would not be so sure Jack,” Hanna warned, “We also found half of the bracelet her brother Nolan gave to her, but that doesn’t explain the clicking noise. Wait a minute! Jack, what was the date of the night that Claire disappeared?”
“It was the 23 of June, was it not?”
“Yes! And on the same night, there was a robbery in the town. I saw on the news that Nathan was at the scene right after it happened, so Nathan did not commit this crime,” she explained.
“Then we are left with Nolan, and his father Matt”
* * * *
We then headed to the Holder house. Once we were there Claire’s father welcomed us into the house. “Sir, I have terrible news for you,” Hanna started, “Your daughter was murdered.”
Mr. Holder stared at Hanna in disbelief, and Mrs. Holder started sobbing erratically. “How could this be?” Mr Holder questioned.
“We suspect that your son Nolan, is the murderer.” Hanna informed.
“No, of course not! Nolan loved Claire!” he exclaimed.
“Where was Nolan on the night of Claire’s disappearance?” Hanna questioned.
“He was watching the football game with me!”
“Very well then, thank you for your time. I will be back soon.” said Hanna abruptly. She left the room, and I hurried after her.
“What was that about?” I gasped after exiting the Holder House.
“I did not truly believe Nolan was the murderer in the first place.” she exclaimed, “While we were on our way to the Holder house I suddenly realized the motive for Claire’s murder.”
“Well then who did it?”
“Matthew Hoover.”
“How did he do it, and why did he do it?”
“Jack, leave me be until after I am done questioning Matt,” Hanna snapped. I was taken aback by her sharp request, but I did what she asked and kept my questions to myself.
When we reached Matt's house we were welcomed in by Nathan. “Nathan I am not one to waste time, so the facts are what I want from you.” Hanna said. “Your fiance was murdered, and the list of suspects has been narrowed down to your dad. We would like to talk to him.” Nathan led us into a sitting room where Matt was lounging in the recliner. He was an older man, probably in his fifties. He had gray hair, and a stout figure with a rather large stomach.
“Where were you the night of Claire Holder’s disappearance?” Hanna demanded. Caught off guard it took Matt several seconds to respond.
“I was up in my bedroom,” said Matt. I personally was not convinced by his meager lie.
“No you weren’t, tell the truth Mr. Hoover,” Hanna said. By the look on her face I knew Hanna had figured this case out.
“Excuse my asking, but it seems like you are accusing me of being involved in Claire’s disappearance?” Matt retorted.
“Murder!” I corrected.
“You walk with a cane, do you not?”Hanna asked.
“Yes I was injured in a car crash many years ago.” Matt explained.
“I believe you committed the murder.”
“You have no proof!” Matt shouted.
“Indeed, but I do. You murdered the Holder girl because if your son married her he would leave you, and you would have to take care of yourself.”
“I don’t hear any evidence!” Matt countered.
“May I see your cane?” Matt thrust his cane into her hand, and Hanna began walking with it. It made an odd clicking noise as she walked.
“Unbelievable!” I said. When Hanna gave him the cane back he turned around to put it back in its place, and in his back pocket I saw an odd green piece of jewelry.
“What is that in your back pocket?” Hanna asked.
“Oh, this? Its just..” Matt never finished because at that moment he pulled out the other half of Claire’s bracelet!
“Caught red-handed!” Hanna chuckled. Matt sputtered for a minute before he finally seemed to give up.
“You told Nathan you were going to bed, and then you went out the door. You walked down the street, and only to find the young girl sitting on the rock while her dog went to the bathroom. You strangled the girl, and then you became scared. You feared that if Nathan found out it was you he would never forgive you, so you buried her in the ground. You weren’t careful enough though because when the girl tried to get out of your grasp her bracelet got caught on your belt loop and snapped,” Hanna concluded. It seemed like the longest time before Matt replied.
“Smart girl,” he cooed, “But you can't undo what has already been done.”
“Yes, but I can have you arrested,” Hannah stood up and started towards the door then she turned around and laughed, “There’s no one to take care of you in jail.”
Nathan stood up, looked at his father, and walked out the door. Another successful case by my dear friend, Hanna.
I tend to remember rather few cases in which my brilliant friend, Hanna Shlech, and I, Jack Weyer, investigate, but there was one case that occurred around two years ago that still amazes me in it’s spiteful, and complex ways.
It was early on a Sunday morning when a blonde haired, middle-aged woman knocked on my dear friend, Hanna’s door. Hanna came to the door dressed in jeans and a black blouse.
“Jack! It better be an emergency if you are waking me at this hour!” she exclaimed. As she opened the door Hanna was shocked at the appearance of Katherine, instead of me. “I’m terribly sorry, Madam,” she exclaimed, “How can I be of your assistance on this fine morning?”
“I have been informed that you are investigating the case of Claire Holder's disappearance?” Katherine questioned. “I would like to help you solve it; I was present at the scene of the crime.” she stated. “I have lived next to Claire and her family for several years, you see, which is why I find myself the right choice for testifying this peculiar case.”
“Come inside, and we shall discuss this, my dear.”
Hanna welcomed Katherine into her large, Victorian house. Hanna sat on the red couch next to the fire place, and Katherine perched on the armchair across from her.
“I know I am only a witness,” Katherine rambled, “but something very suspicious happened that night.”
“I will welcome your account of the events of the disappearance of Claire Holder, but you must promise me that you will speak in full and honest detail,” Hanna said.
“It was seven o'clock on a Friday night, and I was outside watering my flowers because I had forgotten to do it that morning. I noticed Claire taking her dog, Zoe, out on their evening walk.”
“Pardon madam, but I must know if Claire walked the same route at the same time every night?”
“No, she was unpredictable and found excitement in walking varied routes. As I was saying, Claire and Zoe were walking down the path. It was a bit late for them to be out, but Claire always insisted on walking Zoe at least once a day. As I was getting my watering can, I heard an odd clicking noise coming from her direction.”
“Can you be sure that this noise wasn’t an insect, perhaps a cricket?”
“I am sure that it was not a bug, and it did not sound like the noise of any animal I have ever heard. There was also a very deep voice talking, and yelling.”
“Do go on, my dear,” Hanna persisted.
“Anyway, as she was walking, I saw her turn around a corner, and never again did I see her that night.”
“Katherine, did you see anyone come her way as she turned that corner?” Shlech questioned.
“I did not see a specific person, but there was a large shadow around the corner. That is all I know.”
“Did Claire have any family?” Hanna questioned.
“Well, she has an older brother and a father. Her older brother’s name is Nolan. Nolan was so fond of Claire. I remember that for her birthday one year, he bought her an engraved bracelet!”
“Is that all?”
“No, actually she was engaged to a man living on the street next to me. His name is Nathan Hoover.”
“Is there any reason that would explain him kidnapping her?”
“Oh no! Nathan is a police officer himself. He had night duty that night. Surely he would not kidnap his own fiance, but Nathan does have a father. His name is Matt Hoover, he is older, and Matt takes care of him. I’m sure that old toot could care for himself, but he is probably the laziest person I have ever come across!”
“Well, thank you for your time. That was a great help,”Hanna concluded.
Katherine stood up and said, “If you need any more assistance I live next door to Claire's family.” Katherine exited the building.
Hanna then decided to go and search the scene of the crime. She invited me along, so we headed out at about 2 'o clock.
The scene of the crime was a rather quaint neighborhood with many houses surrounded by woods on the East side. There were narrow sidewalks in front of each house. As we were walking up the sidewalk we reached the corner Katherine had described. We started our investigation there.
I didn't notice anything strange. There was a lamp post, but other than that it was an ordinary corner. I then turned to Hanna, but to my surprise she was halfway down 92nd Street walking towards the woods. I hurried up to her, and she was holding a small object in her hands.
“A bracelet!” she exclaimed. The bracelet was split in half, but on one side the name “Claire” was stitched in bright blue thread. Then I remembered that Claire's brother, Nolan, gave her that bracelet for her birthday.
“Our first real piece of evidence!” I countered.
Hanna kept walking, and we came upon a large rock. There was dog poop near the rock, so I knew Claire had walked here.
“Nolan must have kidnapped her!” I said.
“I would not be so sure, Mr. Weyer, we need more facts.” Then Hanna started examining a pile of dirt behind the rock. I hadn’t noticed it because the rock had blocked my view of it. “Jack?”she gasped suddenly.
“What Hanna?” Hanna packed the dirt back into a pile, and started walking briskly across the path leading to the rock. She realized when she saw the pile that there was a trail of leaves leading to the top of it. It seemed to me like someone had tried to cover it up.
“Hand me a shovel, Jack! I walked over to the pile of dirt and gave her the shovel. She starting digging very carefully until she hit something. Oh my gosh,” she gasped.
“What is it?” I asked.
“It's the body of Claire Holder.” I ran over to her, and I saw it.
“There was murder on 92nd Street!” I exclaimed. “Didn’t Katherine say Claire Holder’s fiance was a police officer, and he was on night duty?” I must admit that at that point I was entirely convinced that Nathan was the murderer. It all fit! Nathan was on night duty, so he could have easily been out at night without anyone noticing. Also, Katherine said she heard a deep voice shouting which could easily have been a man’s voice.
“I would not be so sure Jack,” Hanna warned, “We also found half of the bracelet her brother Nolan gave to her, but that doesn’t explain the clicking noise. Wait a minute! Jack, what was the date of the night that Claire disappeared?”
“It was the 23 of June, was it not?”
“Yes! And on the same night, there was a robbery in the town. I saw on the news that Nathan was at the scene right after it happened, so Nathan did not commit this crime,” she explained.
“Then we are left with Nolan, and his father Matt”
We then headed to the Holder house. Once we were there Claire’s father welcomed us into the house. “Sir, I have terrible news for you,” Hanna started, “Your daughter was murdered.”
Mr. Holder stared at Hanna in disbelief, and Mrs. Holder started sobbing erratically. “How could this be?” Mr Holder questioned.
“We suspect that your son Nolan, is the murderer.” Hanna informed.
“No, of course not! Nolan loved Claire!” he exclaimed.
“Where was Nolan on the night of Claire’s disappearance?” Hanna questioned.
“He was watching the football game with me!”
“Very well then, thank you for your time. I will be back soon.” said Hanna abruptly. She left the room, and I hurried after her.
“What was that about?” I gasped after exiting the Holder House.
“I did not truly believe Nolan was the murderer in the first place.” she exclaimed, “While we were on our way to the Holder house I suddenly realized the motive for Claire’s murder.”
“Well then who did it?”
“Matthew Hoover.”
“How did he do it, and why did he do it?”
“Jack, leave me be until after I am done questioning Matt,” Hanna snapped. I was taken aback by her sharp request, but I did what she asked and kept my questions to myself.
When we reached Matt's house we were welcomed in by Nathan. “Nathan I am not one to waste time, so the facts are what I want from you.” Hanna said. “Your fiance was murdered, and the list of suspects has been narrowed down to your dad. We would like to talk to him.” Nathan led us into a sitting room where Matt was lounging in the recliner. He was an older man, probably in his fifties. He had gray hair, and a stout figure with a rather large stomach.
“Where were you the night of Claire Holder’s disappearance?” Hanna demanded. Caught off guard it took Matt several seconds to respond.
“I was up in my bedroom,” said Matt. I personally was not convinced by his meager lie.
“No you weren’t, tell the truth Mr. Hoover,” Hanna said. By the look on her face I knew Hanna had figured this case out.
“Excuse my asking, but it seems like you are accusing me of being involved in Claire’s disappearance?” Matt retorted.
“Murder!” I corrected.
“You walk with a cane, do you not?”Hanna asked.
“Yes I was injured in a car crash many years ago.” Matt explained.
“I believe you committed the murder.”
“You have no proof!” Matt shouted.
“Indeed, but I do. You murdered the Holder girl because if your son married her he would leave you, and you would have to take care of yourself.”
“I don’t hear any evidence!” Matt countered.
“May I see your cane?” Matt thrust his cane into her hand, and Hanna began walking with it. It made an odd clicking noise as she walked.
“Unbelievable!” I said. When Hanna gave him the cane back he turned around to put it back in its place, and in his back pocket I saw an odd green piece of jewelry.
“What is that in your back pocket?” Hanna asked.
“Oh, this? Its just..” Matt never finished because at that moment he pulled out the other half of Claire’s bracelet!
“Caught red-handed!” Hanna chuckled. Matt sputtered for a minute before he finally seemed to give up.
“You told Nathan you were going to bed, and then you went out the door. You walked down the street, and only to find the young girl sitting on the rock while her dog went to the bathroom. You strangled the girl, and then you became scared. You feared that if Nathan found out it was you he would never forgive you, so you buried her in the ground. You weren’t careful enough though because when the girl tried to get out of your grasp her bracelet got caught on your belt loop and snapped,” Hanna concluded. It seemed like the longest time before Matt replied.
“Smart girl,” he cooed, “But you can't undo what has already been done.”
“Yes, but I can have you arrested,” Hannah stood up and started towards the door then she turned around and laughed, “There’s no one to take care of you in jail.”
Nathan stood up, looked at his father, and walked out the door. Another successful case by my dear friend, Hanna.