Clue # 8 - Eye of the Needle

The Ben Franklin leads came in in 2003. Three years later, in 2006, wealthy businessman and 'Kristin-supporter' Terry Black contacted SLO Detectives and demanded they follow up on this lead. A few days later, a Detective returned Mr. Black's phone call to inform him they just checked out the lead and it was nothing.

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Grand Island Mansion - Sacramento, Ca

Terry Black is the owner of the Grand Island Mansion up in Sacramento. The Smart family will forever be grateful for his personal help in trying to find Kristin. Mr. Black:

1. Purchased full-page ads in SLO for Kristin.
2. Offered a $100.000.00 reward for Kristin.
3. Most importantly, got on the phone with SLO Detectives and demand that they follow up on the Ben Franklin lead. (This was in 2006 - three years AFTER the tips came in.)
4. A few days later, SLO Detective returned Mr. Black's call to inform him that they just checked the lead out and that it was nothing.
5. That made no sense to me because I personally drove up to Sonoma State and met with the head of the University's IT Department...Barry Blackburn.
6. Between 2003 and 2006, I would occasionally stay in touch with Mr Blackburn and his news was always the same: 'Dennis, no one has contacted me".
7. SLO Sheriff told Mr. Black they did not use Barry Blackburn as a source, they used another contact.

It really is very possible the this lead was checked out immediately by the SLO Sheriff's Department. If that is 'true' then I owe them a HUGE apology and I am more than happy to do so. ​​

1. The Eye of the Needle:  Barry Blackburn, head of the IT Department at Sonoma State personally told me: "Dennis, it doesn't matter who they went through, whoever that was, that person had to come to me to get the information and No One has contacted me!
2. Barry even contacted Campus Security to tell them to be looking for a subpoena request from SLO. He never received it.
3. Upon hearing that SLO used another contact at Sonoma State, Barry Blackburn became 'professionally angry' and assured me that there was in fact a 'match'.

So now you know what I know about this tip. Mr. Blackburn was as sincere and genuine as a person can possibly be. Over time, he became 'professionally angry' because he wanted to help the Smarts but would not break the University's 'Privacy Laws' to do so. Barry tried, he really tried.

NOTE: ***It took many more years - but eventually, even the SLO Detective confirmed that there was indeed a 'match'.

So here is the $64,000.00 question: "Why would people in charge of looking for Kristin not want to speak with Barry Blackburn, the IT admin person at Sonoma State after Mr. Blackburn confirmed he was in possession of potentially valuable information that could help in the investigation? How does Kristin benefit from this lack of effort?

8th Clue....

1. Guess the Password​
2. ​The 9th character is the small letter 'n'.​
3. ​The 24th character is the small letter 'n'.​​
4. ​The 33rd character is the small letter 'e'.​
5. ​I'll make sure puzzle is easily solvable by no later than December 22nd.
6. ****Next clue is this Saturday, December 15th @ 12:00PM PST.
7. Remember: $100.00 payout doubles to $200.00 if you donate a child's toy (BEFORE you crack the code to Madi Iversen's Toy Drive for the 'Stand Strong Women's Shelter' in SLO.
8. NOTE: Madi is delivering toys to the shelter on December 18th so if you are going to donate - please send your toy donation by at least the 14th. (Or drop off by the 17th).
9. Easiest way is to use the Amazon link below and have Amazon deliver the Toy to Madi Iversen c/o Allstate Insurance, 120 Nelson Street, Arroyo Grande, Ca 93420 - Madi's dad runs the Allstate office and he will get your donation to his daughter. (Madi is a senior at Arroyo Grande High School.)
10. Amazon Link for the Toy Drive here...