As we get started with our new series on Dungeons and Dragons, a quick note to listeners that

this episode includes brief references to suicide. Please be advised.

It's September 1979 in East Lansing, Michigan.

William Deere walks into a bar near Michigan State University.

It's a typical college watering hole, badly lit with a pinball machine, jukebox, and nothing

but beer on tap.

He claims a table in the far corner and orders a drink. Deer is 42 years old.

He's over six feet tall with a mustache and big gold rings adorning several of his fingers.

He's a private eye, and he's meeting an informant today. They often ask to meet in dives

just like this. Maybe they want the courage alcohol brings,

or maybe they've just watched too many movies. Deere's working his highest profile case yet.

The disappearance of James Dallas Egbert III, Dallas to his friends, if he had any.

Dallas is a loner, a 16-year-old brainiac studying computers at Michigan State.

Or at least, he was.

He vanished without a trace 19 days ago.

Dallas's parents have hired deer to find their son.

So far, he struggled for leads.

But this morning, he got a call from someone who's willing to talk.

A tan college student enters the bar.

He joins deer at his table, orders a pitcher of beer, then speaks.

Uh, I, uh, I don't want my name out there or my description. I'm a senior this semester.

I can't get into trouble, okay?

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