Branded for Murder (Scott Tucker Series) Read online

  “I think this might be the final lot, but I’ll know tomorrow morning. Someone at headquarters is pulling these. I’ll ask her if there are any more when I see her tomorrow. Sometimes these rape cases can be buried with burglaries so it takes them some time to pull the ones we need to look at.” He smiled and added, “It looks like you found one that peaked Mike’s interest.”

  “Yeah, there were some similarities to the strangler cases. Phil, do you have any idea what date range these new files are? I mean, are they earlier or later than the first set?”

  “I’m sorry Scott, I have no idea how they pull the files. They just leave them for me.” He paused, looking at me and then the files. “How are you handling what you’re reading?”

  I thought for a moment. “I guess I’m just overwhelmed. There’s so much of this going on. It’s upsetting in a way…I just find it hard to believe these guys need to treat women this way. There are women out there who could satisfy them I’m sure, why do they have to force themselves onto these innocent women?”

  He looked at the folders and then at me. “That’s the whole thing Scott…that’s what gets them off – forcing themselves onto innocent victims.” He had a serious look on his face like he wanted to add something, but turned and went over to his desk.

  I thought of Jackie and why she had been selected. She obviously hadn’t asked for it, but in my mind she was one of the innocent ones in these folders. I thought about her case material and what had been done to her. I could feel my stomach turning and realized I hadn’t taken any doughnuts when I got my coffee. I headed to the coffee area, away from my thoughts.

  A minute or so later I was back at my desk, able to pick up where I left off. I had a mountain of files to go through, but I knew what I was looking for. I’ll find this guy Jackie; I’ll find him for you.

  I skipped lunch, considered whether I wanted something to eat at the pub and thought against it. If Maggie was there, it would be the wrong kind of stimulation for me, especially going through these files. My notebook was filling up fast with notes. I had a good idea of the different kinds of rapes.

  There were the vicious ones, where the women were savagely beaten and left to die in some God forsaken place. Many were rescued by passers by; one was also attacked by someone who stopped to help her. I thought about what should happen to him, surprised, I shuddered at the thoughts of castration. It wasn’t that they didn’t deserve it; it was the idea of having it done. I thought about the Arab countries that cut off the hand of a thief, and wondered if they cut off all parts of a rapist. Maybe they had something that was worse. I thought about that for a minute or two.

  “Not having lunch today?” Colleen’s voice interrupted my thoughts.

  “No, I’m making progress on this mountain and don’t want to stop.”

  She studied the mountain of files across my desk and softly added, “I know what must be in those files. It must be awful to read the details?”

  I briefly gave a thought about how I could answer. “I have to admit at times that I could honestly take some revenge for these women. Yeah, it’s tough to read these cases. There’s too much of this stuff happening.” I thought about her typing up what we covered last week. “Do you live alone?”

  Her head snapped in my direction, staring at me before answering. “I’m sorry Scott. I was thinking about something. Yes, I live alone and it’s close by. It’s close enough to walk to work. Since I’ve been here, I have to admit I take additional precautions. I watch who is around me more than I ever have before. I guess that’s the good part.”

  I knew I had to make her more comfortable with my question. “I’m glad you’re taking precautions. It’s hard to know who this killer is, and how he gains access to these women’s apartments.” I looked at my notes. “Some women are attacked right in parking lots or alleyways. I wouldn’t trust anyone.”

  She didn’t respond, but turned and put on her coat and left the office. I hope I didn’t say the wrong thing to her.

  Chapter 23

  Mike and Paul spoke with the detective who interviewed Patricia Stevens. He remembered her case well and had talked to her about the description of the man who attacked her. However, they had checked out some things, but didn’t find much and the case went cold.

  After several phone calls Mike was able to talk with Mrs. Stevens. They made arrangements to talk with her in person and set up a convenient location for her. He wondered how she would feel about two male detectives talking with her, so he asked Paul to wait in the car with her file.

  *.*.*

  He knew what she was going to be wearing and spotted her in the corner booth at the small restaurant she chose.

  He approached her. “Mrs. Stevens?”

  She nodded, offering her hand as he slid into the seat opposite her. Mike introduced himself, watching for her reaction. She looked like a strong woman even though she was in her sixties. She had long brown hair, which she had in a bun, but it hung down on one side of her face. She was extremely attractive with her bright green eyes. Her eyes, he noticed, were very interesting. He couldn’t tell how tall she was, but judging from her eyes looking right across from him he thought she might be as tall as he was.

  “Mrs. Stevens, I want to thank you for meeting with me on such short notice. As I said on the phone, we’re interested in your case because there are some similarities to the recent strangling cases.” He watched to see her reaction to that, noticing she looked comfortable so far. He continued, “I know you must be uncomfortable bringing this up since it was months since you were attacked, but you might be able to help with our current investigation.”

  “Actually Mr. Miller, I’m really happy to be talking to someone about the case. When I first reported it, it seemed like it was just a formality to be interviewed by the assigned detective. I had expected more and would be happy to help in any way I can.”

  She had her arms by her sides and he could tell her hands were clenched. “Thank you again for your willingness to talk with me. I’ve read your report and am familiar with the details. I’m sorry you felt your case wasn’t handled in the proper manner.”

  “Mr. Miller…”

  He interrupted her. “Please call me Mike.”

  “Okay Mike, that’s easier. I want to catch this creep. I had second thoughts about reporting what happened to me, but I did it because I didn’t want anyone else to go through what I did.” She looked down and then out the window. She finally added, “I’m sure, looking back on it, I was going to be killed.” She took a deep breath, unconsciously picking up the knife on the table.

  The waitress’ timing couldn’t have been better. They placed their order for appetizers and soft drinks. He told the waitress they would be talking for a while and were in no rush.

  “Mike, thanks for letting me call you by your first name. This will be easier and I’ll be more comfortable telling you anything you want to know. If it’s not out of line, you can call me Pat.”

  “You’re very welcome. Pat. Please take as much time as you need to answer my questions. How much time do you have?”

  “I told them at the office that the police were reinvestigating my case from months ago. I told my boss, she’s female, about what happened to me and she’s very understanding. I’m here all afternoon and then some if you need me to be.”

  “That’s great. Thanks.” The waitress brought their fruit plate and drinks. “Please start wherever you care to.”

  She took a deep breath and began. “I opened the door because he had a large package with my name on it, and it wouldn’t fit through the chained opening. He had a courier shirt on and he didn’t look threatening at all.”

  Mike acknowledged, “We wondered how the strangler gained access into all of these women’s apartments, maybe this is how he did it.”

  She quickly continued, “Once inside he pulled a knife out. It wasn’t so much the knife as the feeling he didn’t care about me as a person. Mike, I felt like I was going to be kil
led. He had an assortment of things in the package. He forced me to strip and then tied me to the bed. I felt like an object instead of a person when he first got started. I recognized immediately if I wanted to live, I needed to become more of a person to him. Does that make any sense?”

  “It certainly does. You’ve heard about the many strangling cases. Those women were not so lucky.”

  “Let me offer this Mike. I was married to my husband for over thirty years. We loved each other very much, but I lost him to cancer about four years ago. We waited for our retirement to enjoy our free time. Unfortunately, he got cancer and died before he retired. He was gone quickly.” She paused, obviously thinking about him and their time together.

  She continued, “We were always lovers and knew how to make each other happy. I was not a prude at all. We often spent romantic weekends away on the spur of the moment. Anyway, my point for bringing this up was…I wasn’t going to let this creep end my life. I decided that I was going to live and told myself to just let things take their course. I think he let me live because I became someone he trusted. I believe he enjoyed the attention I showed him.”

  He thought he was going to get a story like this, but was surprised at how easily she offered it. “Pat, this is really helpful. I can understand entirely your strategy…it obviously worked.”

  She smiled for the first time, and stopped playing with her knife. “Well, he did some ugly things to me. It was hard to report them. However, no matter, he never actually raped me. I have to say I expected to be savagely raped, but we never had intercourse. At times, while I couldn’t actually see him because I was eventually blindfolded, I thought at any moment he was going to penetrate me, but he used different objects on me. He actually got his satisfaction playing with my body, but he never entered me.”

  He watched and marveled at how strong this woman was. He acknowledged what she was saying as she continued.

  She took a pause and a breath. “At one point he had his penis against me and satisfied himself. I almost felt like I was his sister, or maybe even his Mom. Does that make any sense?”

  “Pat, it does help and makes some sense. I’ll share with you that the women killed by the strangler…well…semen has not been found in the vagina. Their bodies had semen on them, but we have not shared this detail with the media. Can you continue?”

  “Yes. He gave me my script, and I followed it as best I could. In fact at one point I knew before he even asked what he wanted. I knew if I wasn’t convincing, he was going to kill me, so this was my chance at survival. There were some things I didn’t report, but you can tell now what they were. Bottom line Mike, I became his lover, fulfilling all his fantasies and…well enough said. I lived because he couldn’t kill me. I think he was surprised, even untying me at one point.”

  “Thanks Pat. You know this, but you most certainly did the right thing. It saved your life. I think you were actually with our killer. Do you think you can describe him?”

  She responded more loudly than before, “He warned me if I told anyone about him and what happened, he would kill me before anyone could find and rescue me.” She took a deep breath, putting both her clenched fists on the table. “Mike, I can tell you more details about him than I expect you want or need to know.”

  Mike took her description of the man, surprised by her description. He thought the man was going to be this frail looking dork of a guy, but what she described was a man who should not have had any problems securing a lover.

  He reviewed his notes about her description. He was not the tallest person, but was several inches shy of six feet, about 180 pounds, abundant amount of dark hair, brown eyes, large calloused hands, dimples, and a tattoo of a mermaid on his right bicep. He had a scar on his right side just below the ribs. He looked to be in excellent physical shape, like he was a dock worker or laborer. She said he was quite well endowed in other regards.

  He recognized she hesitated at offering that part, but said she thought it might be important. She also said she was surprised at how many times he could get it up. She never expected her ordeal to continue for such a long time. She made the point of saying she didn’t physically fight for her life, but she knew she did.

  “Pat I want to thank you for your time, for sharing a difficult experience, and for your description of the man. It is going to be extremely helpful to our investigation. Do you think you can sit with one of our artists, to see if we can get a picture of the man?”

  “I can, but you realize unless there’s someone else out there who was willing to do what I did, he will know who gave his description to the authorities.” She looked at him for a reaction.

  “I think you’re right, but maybe we can use that to our advantage. Do you still want to provide the details to our artist?”

  “Yes I do. The next time Mike, if there is a next time, I will be the one with the knife. It won’t be a pretty sight either,” she said, as she picked up the knife on their table and made some motions with it.

  He realized just how unique and strong this woman really was.

  *.*.*

  Mike introduced Pat to Paul Brosque. They drove her to Boston Police headquarters. Within several hours, they were looking at a sketch of her attacker and possibly the strangler.

  Pat looked at the final artist rendering. “That’s the guy. That’s the guy who has been giving me nightmares for months.” She wrapped her arms around herself and added, “He doesn’t look anything like a killer, does he?” For the first time since he started talking with her, she bent her head and started to cry.

  Mike offered his handkerchief. “Pat, you’re an amazing woman. Your husband would be proud of you.” He put his hand on her shoulder, looking at the sketch. He couldn’t wait to show it to Paddy, Scott and the other task force members.

  She looked up, wiped both of her eyes, unable to hold back her smile.

  *.*.*

  Mike took her home with Paul riding shotgun. He thanked her profusely for filing her initial report, spending time with them and coming up with the sketch. He gave her his card and told her to call if she thought of anything else, or needed anything.

  It was clear this was potentially their first break in the case. Mike was surprised it happened so fast. He thought it was going to be a slower process to find the killer. He wanted to get excited, but realized this could be unrelated to the other strangler cases. However, he knew in his gut that this was their guy. Mrs. Stevens’ description of what happened had too many similarities to the cases they were investigating.

  It was after hours when they arrived at the task force office. Mike had called Paddy earlier to alert him to what they had learned from Stevens and that they had an artist sketch in hand.

  Paddy came down the stairs when he heard the office door open. “Well Mike, it looks like we have a break in our case. What’s your thought?”

  He looked at Paddy, handing him the sketch. “It looks like God’s on our side after all. Let’s hope this is the guy.”

  Paddy stared at the sketch, and then offered, “I’m surprised. I kind of expected a creepier looking guy. This guy looks like he could be in the movies.” Mike followed Paddy to his office. Paddy sat down in his swivel chair. “We need to get copies of this made and distributed to all the police agencies, including New Hampshire. I think we should get this in the newspapers.”

  “Paddy, that’s a good idea. We can say he is wanted for questioning in a rape case, and also wanted for questioning in the recent strangling cases.”

  The phone rang and Paddy answered. Mike watched as the blood drained from Paddy’s face. He knew it wasn’t good news.

  “That was the Cambridge police chief. He wants us to be involved right away in the investigation of a strangling, right nearby in Cambridge. The victim is reportedly an exotic dancer.”

  Mike immediately got goose bumps, thinking of Maggie. Please God, don’t let it be her.

  Chapter 24

  Before I left the office I had managed to review all
the rape case files, and was proud of myself. There had not been any similarities to the Stevens’ case. I was happy to know that, but saddened these women had suffered so much brutality.

  I rushed home from the office and called Lisa as soon as I entered. She was very happy to hear my voice and would be waiting for me. I showered quickly, dressed in khakis, loafers and a black turtle-neck sweater. I also tidied up the apartment just in case. Just in case what, Scott? I thought to myself. Are you kidding?

  *.*.*

  I walked up the few steps that led into the dormitory reception area. A male guard asked if he could help me. I asked for Lisa Anderson. He had me fill out the guest register, studying me while I did so. He asked one of the coeds if she would please get Lisa. He told me to have a seat in the reception area.

  There was another guy waiting there and we smiled and nodded to each other. He was a light-colored black man, handsome and well built. We didn’t speak to each other. There was a parade of coeds walking through the reception area.

  I looked over and noticed Lisa walking down the stairs. Even at a distance she was just as beautiful as I remembered her. She was dressed in a high-necked turtle neck sweater and tight black ski pants. She was carrying a coat on her arm. I stood as she approached. However, before she said hello to me, she said hello to the other fellow, acknowledging each other by name.

  “Hi Scott, how are you? Sorry I’m late, but you know how ladies are.”

  “Hello Lisa. You look very nice.” We shook hands, but she held my hand.

  “Thanks Scott.” She turned to look at the fellow on the couch. “I want you to meet Jeremy.” She guided me to the other fellow. “Jeremy, this is Scott Tucker. Scott this is Jeremy Johnston. Jeremy is Dottie’s boyfriend. Judy and I are close friends with Dottie.”

  I noticed Jeremy was a little taller. “It’s nice to meet you Scott.” His handshake was more powerful than mine.