Bone Thief (12 page)

Driscoll was seated behind his desk, poring over the photos of the remains of the latest victim.
How could one human being do this to another
? he pondered.
And what's with the sanitation dump site?

Margaret stuck her head inside the door, interrupting his contemplation. “She's late,” she said.

“Who?”

“The whiz kid.”

“Who's watchin' the clock?”

“You said five
P.M
. Sharp! It's going on five-fifteen.”

Driscoll gestured for Margaret to come in and take a seat beside his desk.

“You don't care for Little Miss Computer Brains, do you?”

“She's much too brassy for my liking. But I have a suspicion that you have somewhat of crush on the young girl.”

“If truth be known, she makes me think of Nicole every time I see her.”

Driscoll envisioned his daughter's smiling face. He remembered the warmth he felt whenever Nicole took hold of his hand. One such memory came racing to consciousness. Nicole was two, going on three. He and she were together in the playroom. “Daddy c'mere,” she beckoned, her little fingers entwined around his. “You get the wellwow ones,” she instructed, holding a yellow block with the raised letter
T
on it. “Build dem, Daddy. Build dem.” Driscoll got down on all fours and stacked
T
upon
S,
upon
E
, until the tiny tower of yellow blocks was complete. Nicole erected the blue ones. When the two columns were assembled, Nicole formed a tiny
O
with her lips, signaling Driscoll to blow the blocks down. How she giggled and grinned when Driscoll obliged.

“Just like you're doing now,” said Margaret.

“What's that?”

“Nicole. You're thinking of Nicole.” Her voice was sympathetic. “Your face always has that melancholy look when you're thinking of your daughter. Or didn't you know that?” Margaret watched as a tiny tear formed in the corner of Driscoll's eye. “It's very understandable,” Margaret continued, her eyes drawn downward. “I only wish I had someone to blot out the nightmares of my past.”

“You know I'm always here to listen.”

“Forget I said it. I'm fine. Just a little distracted lately. That's all.” Margaret squirmed in her seat like a schoolgirl. “Maybe it's the case with all its blood and gore. I don't know.”

“Can I take a stab at it?”

“At what?”

“At what's got you distracted.”

“Fire away, Mr. Freud.”

“I think you're jealous.”

“Jealous? Jealous of who?”

“Little Miss Computer Brains.”

“Get real.”

“No. I think that's it. Plain and simple. I saw the look on your face at that dinner table where Moira was fawning all over me. You're jealous of all the attention I give her.”

“Yeah, like I'm gonna get jealous of a fourteen-year-old girl.”

“Her age has nothing to do with it.”

“What then?”

“You feel put out by my feelings for her, this transference that Moira brings out in me.”

“You'd know more about these emotional issues than I would. I have to admit I'm in the dark when it comes to most psychological goings-on.”

“I want you to know it doesn't take away from the feelings that I have for you.” Oh, boy. Did he just say what he thought he said?

“Go on.”

Trapped. Trapped by my own doing, and it's too late to do an about-face
. “C'mon, Margaret. You know how I feel about you.”

“I feel like I've just been asked to dance on a patch of thin ice. You have feelings for me?”

“Of course I do.” He felt his face become flushed. His having feelings for Margaret had always raised guilt, but confessing to those feelings was something else. “I'm just not in a position where I can act on those feelings.”

“But they're there?”

“Oh, they're there, all right.” Driscoll's heart began to race as a stillness overtook the small room.

“Oh, boy. Where do we go from here?”

“You do understand my position. I mean, I'm still married to Colette.”

“How do you manage to do it?”

“Do what?”

“Sit with those feelings, knowing how I feel about you.”

A sad smile formed on Driscoll's face. He fought back the urge to hold her hand.

A knock sounded on Driscoll's door, interrupting their intimacy. Detective Thomlinson stuck his head inside, letting the tumult enter from the outer office of the Command Center.

“Somebody's birthday out there? What's all the hubbub?” said Driscoll.

“There's a teenage girl outside. Says she has an appointment with you, Lieutenant. She's dressed like a Times Square hooker! You'd better hurry. There's no tellin' what these johns'll do.”

“You really know how to pick 'em,” Margaret snickered as Driscoll darted for the door.

A huddle had formed in the squad room, encircling the young teen, who was clad in a flesh-toned tube top and black miniskirt. Driscoll elbowed his way in. The circle dispersed.

“Come with me!” Driscoll snapped, escorting Moira into his office and slamming the door.

“Why are you dressed like…like—?”

“Too flashy?”

“See if this fits,” Margaret said, tossing Moira her jacket.

“I'm really sorry, Lieutenant. I didn't mean to upset you. I'll dress more appropriately next time.”

“Next time? There'll be no next time.”

“OK, I screwed up. But, can't I just have a go with my computer before I—”

“Ya got two minutes.”

Moira sat down and opened her satellite-supported laptop, where her fleeting fingers danced across the keyboard. The screen sizzled with codes, numbers, logarithms, and equations. Within seconds, Moira had entered the nebulous zone of hacking.

“Lieutenant, did you know the FBI is also investigating these crimes?”

“They follow all serial cases,” said Margaret.

“You tapped into the FBI's in-house files?” said Driscoll, incredulous.

“Impossible,” said Margaret.

“No. Moria has accessed their private files. And, from the looks of it, they're keeping a very close eye on
our
investigation.”

“Would you like a hard copy?” Moira asked. “I gotta act quickly before they're on to us.”

“Go ahead.”

“Done. We're out.”

“Get away clean?” asked Margaret.

“Just like a bar of Ivory.”

“I should report you for this,” said Driscoll gravely.

“Sometimes I get carried away,” Moira pouted. “I need a strong hand to keep me on the straight and narrow.”

“Ain't that the truth?” said Margaret.

“Young lady, you really know your way around a keyboard.” Driscoll grinned and shook the girl's hand.

“Thank you, Lieutenant. Just so you know my heart's in the right place, tonight's demonstration is on the house. But next time it's gonna cost ya.”

“How much?”

“Fifty dollars an hour. And I guarantee satisfaction.”

“What're gonna do with all the dough?”

“Have you priced a motherboard lately?”

“Oh, John,” Margaret groaned. “We've got a technogeek on our hands.”

“On that note, I'm outa here,” said Moira. “Time for you two to hit the keys.”

“What now?” asked Margaret.

“Your homework. I'm sure your crew of technicians have already scoured the Internet highways and byways, but it might be a good idea to do your own search. Your instincts may lead you to something they overlooked. It can't hurt. Remember, you guys will have to stay one step ahead of the G-men, or they'll be the ones cracking your case. Hasta la vista!” she added as she slipped out the door.”

“So, where do we start?” Margaret asked.

“There's a great big World Wide Web out there, and you and I are gonna surf it.”

“I'm no surfer, John. I don't even like getting my feet wet.”

The door opened, and Moira stuck her head inside. “Don't waste your time in the FBI files, Lieutenant. They haven't a clue in the case.”

The door slammed shut.

“Out of the mouths of babes,” said Margaret.

Driscoll cleared his throat and turned his attention to Margaret. “You OK with all that we said earlier?” he asked.

“I'm fine. It's nice to know we share the same feelings.”

“You understand that I can't act on those feelings, right?”

“Right.”

“So can we put those feelings aside for a moment and get down to the business of catching this bastard?”

“You bet. But I'll need a little help getting started. I'm not that computer savvy.”

“All right, then,” Driscoll said, flexing his fingers over the keyboard. “Here at the Command Center we use Netscape as our Internet browser. That's that little icon on the screen with the ship's steering wheel. I'm clicking on it, see? Now we got search instruments: Lycos, Yahoo, Gopher, and lots more. We're gonna use them to look up everything we can find on every detail of the case. Now, type ‘bones' in the search line…OK, now click ‘Search'…That's it…There's your list of everything on the Internet dealing with bones. Just click the mouse on those topics you want to know more about. Keep going down the list. You find something that may be a lead, give me a holler. I'll be doing the same thing over here with ‘Gaelic'…Ready?”

“Ready.”

“Then let's start surfing.”

 

Hours later they had downloaded volumes of data on bones, Gaelic, torture, sadism, and abductions, had printed reams of pages, and had amassed vast quantities of information. None of it pointed to any one suspect or in any particular direction. Their search was a strain on both the head and back.

Margaret pushed back her chair and glanced at the wall clock. It was 1:48
A.M
.

“Jesus, I'm starving,” she grumbled. “How 'bout Indonesian?”

Driscoll's stomach rebelled. “You want me to eat food where they load everything with chunky peanut butter? That's not for me. I'll pass.”

“What then?” Margaret said, arms outstretched, caught in midyawn.

“You're the one who's hungry.”

“Yeah. And you ain't helpin'. You're supposed to suggest the place.” Margaret's head was cradled in her palms, her elbows on her knees. Her body signaled exhaustion.

“How 'bout my house? There's a new dish I've been dabbling with, and I've almost got it right.” The notion brought a smile to Driscoll's face.

“You cook?” Margaret's blue eyes were riveted to his, and Driscoll wasn't immune to what those eyes conveyed. Her gaze spoke volumes, and those volumes begged for a romantic relationship with him. Driscoll wasn't blind to that, and he certainly wasn't blind to the woman's beauty and charm. There was no question about it. Margaret was a very desirable woman. This would be so much easier if he were single. He knew Colette would never awaken from her coma, so it could be argued that he was already single. The man trembled at the thought. Reason took hold. He was a married man. He'd have to maintain a platonic relationship with Margaret. But every instinct he had said he couldn't. What was he to do?

“I'm married to a French girl,” he said lamely. “It was she who taught me to cook.”

“I'm beginning to feel like the other woman.”

“That's not fair. To me or to you.”

He imagined his wedding band being fitted around his neck and tightened like a hangman's noose. His situation seemed hopeless.

“I'm too tired and too hungry to worry about what's fair. Tell me about this dish,” Margaret said.

“
Saumon au vin blanc
,” Driscoll said.

“I love the sound of that. Tell you what, there's an all-night Food Emporium near my apartment with a great seafood selection. What say we raid the joint and head for my place, not yours?”

His imagined noose just got tighter.

“But it's almost 2:00
A.M
.,” he said.

“Whadya got against missing a little sleep?”

Driscoll hesitated, eyes fixed on Margaret.

“So what'll it be?” She reached for her purse and nervously withdrew her compact. The sheen of her lipstick had faded. On the verge of trembling, she applied a fresh layer.

“Why the hell not? Let's go.”

Pineapple Street was lined with quaint brownstones, with impatiens and geraniums adorning stoops and windows. The street was silent except for the whine of a stray cat.

Inside 124 Pineapple, the pair climbed the oak staircase to Apartment 2A. It was Driscoll's first visit to Margaret's place.

A clap of Margaret's hands turned on a ceiling-high row of track lighting that illuminated a fair-sized living room. Driscoll smiled, for he knew Margaret found solace in this living space, where a modular sofa encircled a traditional fireplace. In the center of the circle, a coffee table in glass and chrome stood on an earth-colored Oriental carpet. Driscoll eyed the high-tech entertainment center that supported a JVC stereo system, a Sony nineteen-inch color TV, and a stack of assorted CDs. Adorning the wall opposite the fireplace was an abstract painting in blue and green. Margaret had good taste. That was evident, and what was comforting was that the furnishings made Driscoll feel at ease.

The dining room was adjacent to the living room, and boasted an oval-shaped white pine table with four American Colonial chairs. In the center of the table, a crystal vase held a bouquet of blue irises. Again, a very comfortable room.

“Welcome to my place.”

“I like it. It suits you.”

“I think the living room could use some dressing up.”

“Looks fine to me.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Well, that just saved me $1,400 for the Henredon wall unit I had my eye on.”

“You have quite the eye for interior design.”

“You think so?”

“Yeah, I do.”

“It's funny you should say that. Before I decided on police work, I took a couple of courses at Parsons.”

“It shows.”

“Let me have your topcoat,” she said, helping Driscoll out of his Burberry. “Can I offer the chef a drink?”

“Scotch.”

Driscoll stepped into the kitchen while still carrying the shopping bag crammed with food. A Jenn-Air gas range, set in a tiled island, took up the center of the room. Against the wall stood a Viking refrigerator with full-length steel doors. A battery of copper pots Driscoll recognized as Bourgeat hung from an overhead rack. Depression-era glass filled the windows of oak cabinets.

“Very impressive,” he said, accepting a tumbler filled with whiskey.

“I had the place redone a couple of months ago. I'm glad you like it.”

“I do.”

 

When Driscoll entered the dining room, steaming dish in hand, Margaret had changed into a simple black dress, and her hair had been pulled back into a chignon. The table had been set for two, with Noritake china and Georg Jensen flatware. Two elongated candles were burning in Lalique holders.

“Now this is what I call two cops eating out,” said Driscoll.

“I forgot the wine.” Margaret hurried to the kitchen and returned with a bottle of Mondavi Fume Blanc.

Driscoll uncorked it and poured a generous portion into her glass. They ate and drank.

“How 'bout some music?” Margaret asked hesitantly when they had finished.

“Can't see the harm in that.”

Johnny Mathis's “Chances Are” filled the room.

“Dance with me,” she heard herself say. Was it her talking, or the wine?

Driscoll looked at her, startled.

“What's the matter? Something wrong with two cops dancing to a little mood music?” Margaret felt as though she were stuttering.

A soft breeze blew, extinguishing one of the candles as Mathis crooned.

Driscoll found himself in Margaret's arms, swaying languorously to the vocalist's lyrics, enjoying the intimate company of a woman, a vivacious, fun-loving woman. The scent of her perfume enveloped the pair as they danced. It was the scent of early spring, and Driscoll found it to be subtle and intoxicating. His heart was beating rhythmically. He felt electrified, thrilled to be alive. As he closed his eyes, he felt Margaret's warm cheek brush against his. It was pure delight.

Another gust of wind extinguished the remaining candle. The starry night's sky illuminated the room through an overhead skylight. Their two shadows melted into one.

“Maybe it's time to clap your hands again,” said Driscoll.

“Let's not.”

Their dancing continued. She felt warm in his arms.

“I'm going to kiss you,” she breathed. And then, pressing her lips against his, she lingered at the edge of his tongue.

He did not resist. Her tongue was inviting, her lips moist. He withdrew slowly. Her lips found his again. This time she was more daring, more exploratory.

“What say we sit this one out,” she murmured.

“It's getting awfully late.”

“Please. Just sit with me.”

A lassitude enveloped him. It had been years since he'd been kissed so ardently. For years he had not felt the alchemy of intertwining tongues. When she offered him her lips for the third time, he surrendered.

A ringing in the darkness interrupted them. He froze.

“What is it?” she whispered.

“My cellular. It's in my coat.”

“Don't, John. Don't.”

Driscoll rushed to the closet, grabbed his phone, and flipped it open.

“Yes, Lucinda…Have you called 911?…I'll be right there!”

“What is it?” Margaret asked, alarmed.

“It's my wife. She stopped breathing.”