It feels unlikely that the puppy was a gift from Zebb. The car was found two weeks later, which means that someone would have had to taken care of the puppy for a while. If we assume that Zebb Quinn was murdered on that night or shortly after his disappearance, it wouldn't make much sense. I know this does nothing but deepen the mystery.
Second, my first impression of the car didn't hit me as sinister. To me, the circumstances read as if the entire abandoning of Zebb's vehicle was done by someone frantic and nervous. Not calculated at all. Forgetting to turn off the headlights, leaving a jacket behind, leaving the car in a public space (literally a corner restaurant on a busy street). The whole thing seems panicked, almost like someone was given this responsibility (possibly Misty) after a crime of passion. I wonder if LE ever pressed her about the issue of the puppy? I find it difficult to believe that someone who is willing to murder a human being and taunt his family/LE would be empathetic enough to care for, leave behind, and roll down the windows for a small puppy while dumping off Zebb's car. If the presence of a dog/lips is a 'sinister taunt', it's either illogical -- or deeply personal and meaningful to Zebb or someone intimately involved in Zebb's life or disappearance.
The most interesting thing for me is: what was the connection between Zebb's estranged Aunt and Misty's mother? The entire break-in scenario (accusations that things were moved around) to cover up the sending of a page is beyond suspect. If this aunt was as distant and estranged as it seems, would Misty and her abusive ex even know that Zebb was related? Misty would have to know that her mother (Tamara) knew and intereacted with the Aunt and then, that she was related to Zebb. And if so, would Misty/BF then be cunning enough to sneak into her home and send out a page of some fabricated distressing family emergency to lure Zebb in? It's a possibility, but it doesn't seem likely. The simplest explanation based on the facts we know is that she appears to be hiding something.
Was the dealership/individual/car that Zebb was planning on looking at ever verified as being legitimate? Proof of correspondence between Zebb and this person would be interesting.
Last question: Did Owens ever tell police in which direction Zebb drove away after receiving the text? Just a longshot (I'm not familiar with the area), but I'd be interested to know if he was driving towards the general direction of: His Aunt's house? Misty's house? Home?
It's been echoed here before, but this cold case shouldn't still be unsolved. There are four major players here who each gave suspicious and confusing and downright odd information. The investigation, from the facts we have, seems to be a lackluster affair. It feels like a case where with enough hounding and work, pieces would come together.
Is there any way to locate the police report or official files on the case?
