Branded for Murder (Scott Tucker Series) Page 6
I never had this feeling for anyone in my life.
I kissed her again. “I’m glad we finally met. I want to tell you another truth. I have never really done this before and I hope my kiss was okay.”
“You obviously must have known by the fourth or fifth kiss, that you were getting better at it.” She hesitated, looking at me. “I was concerned with the same thing. I can’t say I have ever been with somebody like this.”
“I hadn’t planned for this to happen, but I am certainly glad it did,” I whispered in her ear, hugging her close again.
She pushed against my shoulders and whispered, “I guess we both should practice some more.” Lisa smiled and turned to give me a better target and our lips and bodies locked in a more prepared manner.
My senses were now heightened. I could feel her breasts pressing against my chest as our bodies fit closer together. I realized my breathing was getting heavier. It was hard to stop kissing, but I wanted to look at her again.
I whispered, holding her against me tightly, “Honesty time again…we better stay close like this…my body has responded to you.” I moved ever so slightly and then brought my lower body back against her.
“Very interesting,” she said with a slight laugh.
I put my finger to her lips.
“Scotty, I love your honesty and openness. Please always be that way. You can tell me anything…we both have much to learn. I think it’s time for us to learn them together and…”
“What? Tell me,” I urged.
She turned her head and placed it against my chest. “I can tell you are the right one to teach me what I have only dreamed about.”
I pushed her slightly back to look into her eyes. “Are we moving too fast?”
“No, Scotty, this feels so right. I want to be with you. Just continue to talk to me so I know what you are thinking. It’s almost like we are thinking the same things and it helps to know that.”
I moved my head towards hers and our lips met again, this time with much more experience and passion than my earlier attempts. After a long, pleasant series of kisses, I felt more comfortable saying, “My body certainly knows how to react to you.”
She smiled and moved even closer. By now she knew exactly what I was talking about.
*.*.*
I watched Lisa close her eyes as she reached for the elevator wall. “Phew, that left my stomach up in the air.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, but I will be glad to be off the elevator.”
The cold air in the courtyard stung. An extremely large Christmas tree was being erected for the upcoming holiday season.
“Can you believe they would cut down something this large and bring it here for just a month? What a shame to take something so beautiful and end its life.”
My mind drifted to the women who had been brutally murdered. I thought about them never feeling the cold of the winters, or the warmth of summer again. What’s come over the world, if you can kill a tree like that, the President…and all those women? I only half heard what Lisa’s comments were about the tree, as I thought about the lost future of these women and their families. I’ve got to catch this animal, I’ve got to.
“Earth to Scott, I’m talking to you. Are you in there?”
“I’m sorry, I was just thinking about the tree, being destroyed after the holiday.”
I could see Lisa studying me. I wondered what she was thinking at that moment. I was certainly glad we finally met, but it took a president being shot to get us together.
“Lisa, are you cold?”
“No, it was cold this morning, but right now I can almost feel the warmth of a fire.”
“Lisa, I hope I didn’t upset you with our…well our closeness up there?”
She laughed. “No, I really enjoyed it. I hope we can continue to see each other.” She paused, “I mean to be with each other.”
I noticed her color, surprised we both had a tendency to blush. “Lisa, I want to see you again, soon. I’ve seen you many times in my thoughts lately, but that’s nothing like being with you. I’m sorry we can’t be with each other longer, but I have to leave for my parents.”
She reached her other hand out and I knew it was time to kiss again.
I wish I had hours to spend with her today.
We kissed for several minutes. “Scotty, I have some things I have to take care of anyway. I really have to get them done soon.”
We walked to the street. The wind was blowing harder than when we entered the building. I hated the thoughts of being separated, but signaled for a taxi. We entered the cab, but I was embarrassed I couldn’t tell the taxi driver where we were headed. Lisa realized my predicament, smiled and gave the driver her address.
I was trying to figure out how I could make plans to see her again. We were both quiet. I was surprised when the cab screeched to a stop at her Marlborough Street dormitory building.
The taxi driver stated the amount and I replied, “Please let it run. You can take me to my car which is nearby.”
We got out of the taxi and I was still holding her hand. We quickly hugged and kissed again. “Lisa, I want to see you as soon as I can. How can I reach you?”
She put her hand in my pocket. “That’s my dorm phone number. Please call me. I really liked being with you and…and how we felt together, and I want to be close to you again soon.”
She was starting to blush, and I could feel the heat also. “I’ll call as soon as I get back in town. I can’t wait to be with you too.” We kissed again. I did not want to let her go. The horns of the cars behind the cab interrupted us.
Chapter 15
He watched as the two lovers kissed and said goodbye. They looked so innocent, so happy. He could reach out and kill them both. It would be so easy. However, that was not his style. He was not into killing fast. He would want to take his time and enjoy his time with her. Doing him in would be quick and easy, but maybe he could use her love for him to his advantage.
All in due time my sweet, all in due time. I have other priorities, he thought to himself.
*.*.*
He had killed twice this past week. Both of them were young and beautiful. Their skin was smooth and soft to his touch. He closed his eyes, remembering his time with them. He had taken his time, playing out his many fantasies. They were such good puppets. He needed to feel the nylon panties against his skin again. He was quickly lost in his thoughts.
Later, his wife arrived home, asking why he wasn’t working today. He made an acceptable excuse, wishing she could be like the others. She changed after the birth of their first child several years ago. However, it had never been the heated sex he longed for. It was always rushed and one-sided. He knew he could excite women, some of them even told him.
He decided to leave and not deal with his wife for the rest of the day. Many times he was gone almost all day, but she never really concerned herself with where he was. If she asked, he just said, ‘the job took longer than I planned – honey, it’s not like I’m out there enjoying myself.’
He smiled, just thinking what a fallacy that was. He really enjoyed his special talents. He recalled his wife always wanting the lights off when she finally relented to make love. He used the darkness to recall the memory of the others. Many had performed the way he wanted his wife to.
He left them all arranged for the authorities. It was totally opposite of what his wife would do. She would not let even him see her. And especially not the way he posed them. He wondered if he would have ever married her, but she announced she was pregnant. He had barely remembered them ever making love. Their families knew each other, so it was just easier to marry her.
The authorities were reporting twelve strangling victims. He only let one woman live. She had played his little game—she played it very well. He told her if she told the authorities about her attack he would know who told them, and would come back to finish her off like the others.
He had given some thought to going back to
see her, but never did. There were so many new ones, why have something already tainted.
While he sat in his vehicle watching all the people go by, he had decided he was not going to kill any elderly women again. He knew he was somewhat vulnerable there, since the older they were the less they had to look forward to. The young ones had so much to look forward to.
He had killed the one last weekend because he knew she was stronger than the rest. She played his little games, but he knew she was just trying desperately to save her life. He could tell she would go to the authorities to help catch him. He could almost smell the ones who would stop at nothing to help catch him. They all promised they would not report anything, but he could sense their lies, just in how they uttered the words.
He looked up at the billboard, viewing the female’s sexy pose. He couldn’t even read the advertising with it; all he could see was the young and long-legged model. She was posing just for him.
Chapter 16
It was a long drive to Maine, giving me time to think about things. I couldn’t get the time with Lisa out of my head. She was even more special than I expected. The fact that she wanted to meet me as well, was wonderful. All those times I saw her in the library, she was just waiting for me to introduce myself. Why am I so shy?
Jackie told me things would change when I met the right person. All I could think about was being with Lisa again. I really have to become comfortable with myself. She will let me know if I’m not doing something right. During the times we weren’t kissing, we shared more about ourselves. I told her more about attending Harvard, but didn’t share being on the task force with her. Why didn’t I share that, maybe it was because we were pressed against each other?
She will be graduating the same year as me. Judy, who was with her when we met, is her roommate and best friend. They have been together at Chase since they were freshmen. Lisa grew up in Derry, a small town in New Hampshire near the Massachusetts border. She told me she really hasn’t had any boyfriends, since she was so focused on her school work. Her mother wanted her to go to University of New Hampshire, her Mom’s Alma Mater, but Lisa said she didn’t want to live at home while going to college.
I thought about how we fit together. We were almost the same height; maybe I was just a bit taller. Yes, that’s right, remembering I had to bend over to kiss her. I remembered our kisses. I learned quickly. Lisa’s lips were so soft. It was no wonder my body reacted to her. I’m glad she didn’t make a big deal about my erection, as I would have been so embarrassed. She even smiled, moving closer when I mentioned how my body reacted to her.
I was no longer dwelling on Jackie’s murder, my school work, or my participation on the task force. All I could think about was our next time together.
*.*.*
About half way to my parents’ farm I managed to get my mind on other things. I had made a promise to help catch Jackie’s killer.
I listened at the task force meeting about possible means of entry to Jackie’s apartment. I thought about utility workers, appliance or other service personnel, firemen, police officers, delivery men, salesmen, fellow residents, friends, clergy, charity collections. Who else am I forgetting? Think. Who would these older and younger women actually let inside their apartments?
Okay then, how about; Indian chiefs, bankers, postmen, special delivery, bakers, talent agents, where did I ever come up with that one? I continued; photographers, travel agents, census takers, beggars, hair dressers, FBI, IRS, accountants. And as far as the utility workers are concerned; gas, electricity, water, and telephone…and I might as well include; plumbers, carpenters, window cleaners, house cleaning, charities, and locksmiths.
Locksmiths could gain entry without any sign of a break in. However, they would have to carry tools. Someone would have noticed them or their vehicles. What if they worked out of their own vehicle, rather than a company truck, or something like that. No these people had chains on their doors; and they wouldn’t have opened the chains to a stranger.
What about a female, not a male? Could someone, dressed like a woman, be allowed into their apartments? So which one of these could have been a woman? Thinking about each of them, all could have had a woman working in those fields. What about someone who would not be in a uniform, and stick out like a fireman, policeman, etc? The task force also mentioned the person brought things with him, like the ropes. Okay, so which ones would be carrying a bag or tote and still not attract attention?
Let me think, which ones would carry a bag or briefcase and still not attract attention; special delivery people, yes that could work, talent agent – no, photographer – yes, travel agent – maybe, census taker – yes, hair dresser – maybe, house cleaners or maids – possibly, charities – yes, solicitors – maybe. All of these could be a woman not in uniform, but which would make the women open their doors?
The Census taker, maids, charities and solicitors might be someone they would let in. I think elderly women would not want to have a maid, having cleaned their own places for years. Young women most likely couldn’t afford maid service. The older women would have a hairdresser they liked for years as well.
What about a police detective? He would be in plain clothes, only needing to display a badge. How about a female police detective, or someone dressed like one? A discussion in the hall with the door partly open might have made the victim uncomfortable, especially if it was related to an investigation or something she didn’t want the neighbors to hear or to witness. Regardless, this person would have had to make the victim comfortable in order to be invited into the apartment.
What about either a female census taker or a Nun, taking a collection for the church, charity or research – like Polio? Would she actually let someone of the cloth into her home? It depended on what they looked like. An elderly woman, or man made out to look like one, would not be a threat, especially a Nun.
How would a man hide his identity? Would his hands give him away? Do Nuns wear gloves? If they did, their hands would be hidden. This has some possibilities along with a female census taker. However, a Nun would have been remembered in the area or apartment building– right?
Let me think like Jackie. There were no struggles at any of these scenes. No one saw or heard anything out of the ordinary. I’m in my apartment alone, and there’s a knock on the door. I look through the peephole. Wait, I’ll have to check that to see if she had one. Then I open the door to the limit of the chain, making me comfortable opening the door to let the person in? Wait a minute. Jackie must have been pre-targeted, because the killer would not have wanted to go into an apartment with a man living there. How did he know where she lived? He must have known her address or she was expecting the visit. What kind of visit would she have been expecting?
A mailman would know which apartments had single women in them, and he would definitely carry a bag with him. However, how would he cover his route time? The victims were kept for hours. If the killings were at night it might fit, but not during the day. He would have been seen as well.
What am I missing?
Chapter 17
Mike was in the task force office early. He was there before Paddy, who was usually the first to arrive and unlock the office. He started the coffee, trying to ignore the three dozen doughnuts. When the coffee is ready, maybe there will be a large one with his name on it.
Mike studied the material Colleen typed and they had organized. The session the other day was the first chance to put all of these cases on the table and organize what they had. It was obvious the killer’s MO was the same in all the cases, even the ones from another state. The killer had to be on the road. Maybe he’s a salesman. However, he must have selected and studied the victims enough to know they lived alone.
He read what Chris had said about the potential personality of the person involved in these crimes. What could have set him on this killing spree? Maybe his wife had another child, being colder in the sex department than usual. That would correlate with the eighteen month s
pan of killings. The other noticeable thing was that he wasn’t interested in intercourse, but focused on control of the victims and carrying out fantasies. Semen on the body and other signs of molestation confirmed that.
He heard the front door open, turning to see Paddy enter. “Good morning, Paddy. A little late, aren’t you?” he said, pulling his leg.
Paddy smiled, hanging his coat on the rack. “It’s very rare that anyone beats me into the office, especially you. What brings you in so early? I can smell the coffee, so you’ve been here more than a few minutes.” He came over, and sat down at Mike’s desk.
“I’ve been consumed by these cases. I spent some time over the weekend going through them again to see if we are missing something, but my head is just spinning. We’re missing something basic. I just can’t figure it out.”
Paddy looked at the pile of folders stacked on Mike’s desk. “I also came in over the weekend trying to come up with something as well. We obviously missed each other…and we’re both missing a common thread as well.” He continued, “I looked at the canvassing reports. It’s amazing that nobody saw anything out of the ordinary. That’s strange in itself, as there always seems to be something strange happening no matter where you are. But, there’s nothing.”
“Paddy, we’ve been working together for years. I think this is the first time I feel under whelmed as far as leads go. There’s nothing. However, Chris’ insight into the killer’s character is very interesting and believable. I wish I could dig into the fishbowl, pick all of those guys out and check them out.” He shook his head recognizing how impossible that would be.
“Someday Mike, there will be a capability like that. Right now it’s mostly leg work and luck. Hopefully, somebody will give us a lead. I think we should assign some resources to review any reported rapes. Maybe we’ll get lucky with the guy having his fun but not killing the woman. I doubt we’ll be lucky, but it’s worth a shot. Maybe we can use Scott to assist with that? If we just stayed within Boston we might just have some luck. The majority of the killings are local.”