I have reason to believe that Karen's death was not accidental, and that someone may have been or is also trying to hurt Alan and Timothy, and Samuel may be at risk. Someone may have been trying to either a) discredit Alan's testimony by making him appear insane, or b) actively working to harm his mental state, or c) may have in fact tried to kill Alan, and he escaped but with mental trauma.
Do you have any idea why or if someone might want to hurt Alan, Karen, or Timothy (and if so, who?)
Mrs. Ekloff: "No, I really can't think of anyone who would want to hurt my children. They were such good kids, and had good jobs and friends."
Ray: Timothy's job may be a red herring. Whatever Timothy was doing, I have reason to believe that Karen and Alan got involved somehow. All this may or may not have to do with Timothy's job with the government.
Mrs. Ekloff: "What could they be looking for, why would they want to hurt my boys and kill Karen?"
Ray: I'm investigating unusual phenomena, reports of UFO or creature sightings, psychic ability or other paranormal activity. We have reason to believe that other people in the area may also have certain unusual abilities. Have you or Samuel had any dreams concerning Alan, Karen, or Timothy? Have you ever heard or suspected anything about other local residents being psychic or having other unusual abilities?
Mrs Ekloff: "Well, now that you mention it... I guess I'm just used to it now. But I thought it odd when I first moved here with my husband a very long time ago that people just sort of know what you want. A lot of people in town don't even bother talking to each other. It was pretty disconcerting at first. But you get used to it."
Ray: When did you move here? Were your children were born here, and was Samuel born here? (And what became of her husband?)
Mrs Ekloff: Yes, our children and Samuel were all born here. We moved to the area 52 years ago. My husband passed away from a heart attack 9 years ago when he was 61. (She glances at a picture on the wall of a handsome young man in uniform.)
Ray: Have you noticed this phenomenon (where people seem to just know, without asking) in adjacent towns or just in Bowersville? Does you get out much to neighboring towns? Have you observed this elsewhere?
Mrs Ekloff: I don't get around too much anymore, but it seems to be pretty commonplace around here. I don't know exactly how extensive it is, but it certainly includes neighboring towns and the like.
Ray: I'm especially interested in Samuel's pictures. Obviously they are beyond the skills of a normal 6-year-old.
Mrs Ekloff: "Now, I don't know about that, Samuel is very talented but I'm told that often happens with autistic children. Of course, we're very proud of him."
Ray: Could I photograph them? They will remain confidential, of course.
Mrs Ekloff: "I think you would have to ask Samuel about that."
Ray: Has Samuel shown any other signs of being gifted (like premonitions about the future or odd dreams)?
Mrs Ekloff: "He doesn't talk about such, although he sometimes has nightmares. But all kids have nightmares, of course."
Ray: Do you know that he has expressed fear of something in the swamp? I understand it is normal for a child to express such fears, especially when his mother disappeared there, but that given Samuel's apparent other abilities, I would not be so quick to dismiss it. There's something special about the boy that goes beyond autism.
Mrs Ekloff: "Well of course he doesn't like the swamp. I don't know if it's all that strange. He is a very special boy though."
Ray: Do you know anything about the history or rumors about the swamp? Like, did there used to be a toxic waste dump there, or has it ever been rumored that a UFO landed there?
Mrs Ekloff: "I can't say that I have heard anything about toxic waste. I'm sure they would tell us about that. Nobody says anything about UFOs either.{laughs} People don't like the swamp, though. Don't like being near it. They call it 'Hell Swamp' and it's known for being pretty dangerous. But, the kids used to play in it back when they were young, so it can't be that bad if you're careful. They used to have a fort back there somewhere."
[She also mentions Dwight Lang, Bowersville's librarian, when Ray asks about the history of the swamp. "He might know something"]
Ray: I think it would be a really good idea if you and Samuel went away for a while. Someone is trying to hurt your family--already Karen, maybe Alan (I do NOT tell her what happened to him, but suggest along the lines of someone may have been trying to hurt him, which made him go insane, or had been trying to drive him insane), we know people are looking for Timothy and they may go after Samuel. If you've been considering taking Samuel on a vacation, now would be a good time. And you should not let it be generally known where they're going.
If, by any chance, you are able to communicate with Timothy, would you have him call that number and ask for DALE WESTON. (My line of thinking is that that would be a kind of password, since only she would have that information. If someone _posing_ as Timothy contacted me as a ruse, he wouldn't have that information. We want to get a message to Timothy somehow, but need to make sure the bad guys don't get it; if they're paying attention, they might know the name Dan Westing already.)
Mrs Ekloff: "I understand. I don't know really where we could go but I will consider it. Mr... Westing.
Ray: Would you let me talk to Samuel?
Mrs Ekloff: "If he is in the mood to talk, you may do so."
(Samuel turns out to be pretty non-communicative, but I'm not sure if it's because he doesn't know the answers to my questions (see below), or because he just doesn't want to talk to me. He doesn't seem to mind me photographing his drawings though.)
In conclusion, to Mrs. Ekloff,
Ray: Again, I think the best thing for her to do right now is to take Samuel and go someplace else, and not tell anyone else about this conversation we just had. Thank you for all the information you're able to give me and I assure you that we're trying to help. (I give her my cell phone number if she hasn't already got it.)
Could he tell me anything more? Can he ever talk to his uncle in dreams? Could he let Timothy know we're looking for him and trying to help him? (and also trying to help our friend Kathy, since we think her disappearance is related. Want Samuel to know that we have a friend who's also in trouble and that we're very concerned for her, and Timothy might be able to help us find her.)