Detective Bartl,

It's coming up on six months since my son was kidnapped.   I realize the appeal to low hanging fruit, especially with the advantage it would provide in clearing anyone of culpability for this extensive delay.

But there's still no way around the fact that you're investigating a victim's reaction to a crime rather than the crime itself.  This still makes sense to you?

Meanwhile, my son is in danger.  You didn't seem very concerned about that during my 'interrogation' since every line of questioning went in other directions.  Do you need some type of evidence to convince you that there's a problem?  If so, what do you need?  Just let me know what you need and I'll get it for you.

This situation is surreal and bizarre.  If you're looking to speak with people who have witnessed my wife's violent attacks, I've got a list of names for you here.  If your attempts to speak with people on the island of Maui are associated with furthering understanding of Danika's character, you'll be hearing either total denials (they don't like cops) or stories about a young promiscuous girl addicted to drugs.  None of them have been close to her in years.  Anyway, ask and I'll provide - these are honest people who would be glad to tell you whether or not I'm an asshole criminal along with assessments of whatever else you want to know.

My attorney has advised me to stop speaking with you until you can assure me that I'm no longer under investigation, but that just seems ridiculous.  Everything I've encountered with your department has been ridiculous outside of my interaction with Officer Norris.  I'm an analyst first and foremost, I've done fed work and I've got a CAGE code for whatever that's worth to you, but I'm no expert.  I do have some inkling of an idea how investigatory work is supposed to go.  What am I missing here?  Have I been accused of something that makes my son's kidnapping permissible?

What do you need to know?  Ask me and I'll tell you.  If you believe I may have broken any laws, be straight with me and ask pointed questions.  I'll be honest with you and tell you whatever you want to know.  Whatever it is, can we please just get it over with and out of the way so that my son can be removed from the presence of a child abuser and child molesters?

MY SON WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IT!

Thanks,

Gary Bense
360-675-4554 is my current number.  (I'm staying with my Dad as he recently had a stroke.  By the way, he'd be more than happy to tell you anything you want to know.  She's put my old man through hell and he'd be happy to let you about it.  His cell number is 360-929-1242)

P.S.  I didn't want to argue with you at the time about your understanding of the law, I thought that would have been rude. I was operating under the assumption that your intention was to help rescue my son instead of following BS leads into the virtual fake world of social media given to you by the kidnapper.  Conversations between law enforcement officers and citizens are not considered private or covered by privacy laws in the State of Washington.  Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson makes that more than clear in the following formal opinion:

http://www.atg.wa.gov/ago-opinions/video-and-audio-recording-communications-between-citizens-and-law-enforcement-officers

There's always the possibility that you already knew that.  There's certainly no rule that says police officers of any stripe need to tell the truth in that context.  Unfortunately I'm at a disadvantage because I make every attempt to be honest in every context.

The more you know.