Branded for Murder (7 page)

Chapter 19

She had two restless nights. She couldn’t get Scott out of her mind. She hugged her pillow like it was him. However, the pillow did not compare to his body heat, when they were holding each other close. Her thoughts were bouncing back and forth. She was reliving their short time together, wondering what their next visit would bring. She never felt like this before, knowing she could not resist him when they were alone.

“Earth to Lisa, are you in there?” Judy’s voice interrupted her thoughts. “Well you finally heard me. I’ve been trying to get your attention. Are you going to get dressed, or are you going to stay in that skimpy outfit all day?”

“I’m sorry Judy. I was just thinking about Scott.” She could only share that much with her friend, not her intimate thoughts. She thought quickly about his erection and how he tried to downplay it. She smiled.

“Lisa, I can tell you’re still thinking about him. You have that guilty smile on your face. You can’t fool me. I know all about these things. Neil and I have been together a lot longer than you and Scott.”

She felt her life had changed for the good. She felt guilty feeling like this. The weekend was filled with President Kennedy’s funeral and details about the shooting in Dallas. “I’m sorry Judy. On one hand, meeting Scott was great and I’m filled with such hope. On the other hand, I feel so terrible about the President.”

The newspapers were spread out on their small study table. Judy didn’t respond but looked at the pictures again. “Lisa, I still have to catch myself thinking I’m going to wake up and find that this was all a nightmare. It just seems so unreal. He seemed like such an honest man. He was so young and Mrs. Kennedy, Jackie, is so beautiful. It’s hard to look at these pictures. Look at little John saluting his dad.”

Lisa got off her bed and came over to hug Judy. They both had been crying off and on all weekend. She had mixed emotions of happiness and sadness. They hugged each other for several minutes.

She could feel the chill in the room which contrasted to Judy’s warmth. She thought again about the warmth of Scott’s body. She got a different chill this time while she held Judy. With her back to the window, she had the feeling they were being watched. She had this feeling often lately, and meant to mention it to Judy. She slowly broke their hug, reached for her teddy bear and held it close.

“Judy.”

“What Lisa. I’m okay now.”

“Judy, that’s good. I’m glad, but I’m so sad in a way. I wanted to ask you something, but keep forgetting to bring it up.”

“What’s that?”

“This may sound strange…but do you ever have the feeling we are being watched here in our dorm room?”

“Yeah I do, all the time,” Judy responded, looking over at Lisa hugging her bear. “I’m sorry; you’re serious about this, aren’t you? I was talking about you being here with me. What are you saying?”

She was silently collecting her thoughts and then responded slowly, “Ever since we were at that murder scene last week, I have the feeling someone is watching me. Remember I said we need to get curtains?”

“Yes, I remember.” Judy went over to the window and looked across the alleyway to the other building. She looked at the building, not really studying it. “Lisa, the building is a prep school. There’s nobody there. It’s not open today due to the President’s shooting.” She went over to Lisa’s bed and sat down. “You’re just spooked because of the strangling the other day. If it makes you more comfortable we can get curtains.”

Lisa felt the goose bumps on her legs. She knew Judy was right, but it hasn’t been just since that day. They had been in this room for three years and she still had similar feelings. She realized if she was so concerned about it, why hadn’t she taken the time to get curtains and put them up?
Maybe she was just overreacting to the strangling down the street and the number of killings.

She felt Judy studying her. “So lover girl, when are you supposed to hear from what’s his name?”

Her mind quickly thought of Scott. “His name, as you know quite well is Scott, Scott Tucker. Lisa Tucker—that sounds pretty good. What do you think?”

“I think you have it bad. You didn’t even answer my question. When are you supposed to hear from him?”

“He had to go to Maine for a funeral. His cousin passed away. He was going to call here when he gets back into town. Maybe I’ll hear from him today.” She thought about how quickly they parted, not really remembering what he said. She left her phone number with him. She felt the teddy bear pressed against her chest, wishing it was Scott.

“So Lisa, are you going to get dressed at all today?”

“I guess I better get moving.” She got off the bed, going to her dresser and studied her underwear.
Should I dress as usual, or should I dress just in case I’m with Scott tonight?

She looked at her black bra and panties, keeping them for special occasions. Being with Scott would be special, but he probably won’t call. She took out her usual and headed to the bathroom.

She started the shower and stripped off her nightgown. She got a chill, waiting for the hot water to come. She looked out the small bathroom window to the building behind hers, and then covered her breasts.

Moments later she stood motionless in the shower and felt the spray. She quickly forgot about her discomfort and thought –
I wonder what it would be like to be in a shower with Scott.
She closed her eyes, enjoying her moment alone.

Chapter 20

I spent the rest of the afternoon studying the rape cases Paul had delivered. There was one in particular that caught my attention.

“How about it Scott, have you had enough for one day?” Mike came into the desk area, putting his hand on my shoulder. The chill went right down my spine. All of these rapes and strangulations just have me on edge.

“I’ve had enough. It’s hard to believe there are so many crazy people out there, especially these rapists and killers. A break would be nice.”

“Okay, let’s get out of here. Did Paul bring over any additional rape cases?”

“No, he only brought the original ones. I haven’t seen Paul since this morning.”

“He must be tied up with those additional interviews I sent him and Phil on. Not a problem, I’m sure you had enough to keep you busy today.”

I put the folders neatly back on his desk, except for the new rape cases. I hadn’t totally finished with those. When I reached the clothes rack, Mike already had his coat and gloves on. Colleen’s area was organized. I was sure she left already. I noticed we were not the last ones to leave.

Mike was quiet as we walked the two blocks. “Here we are Scott, the watering hole.”

I looked at the small pub which was wedged between a tailor shop and a jewelry store. The entrance had a single door with a window that took up the remaining brick façade. There was a sign over both that read
The Harvard Pub.
It wasn’t a very large sign. I wondered what the pub could actually be like if it was so small on the outside.

When we entered, I realized the inside dwarfed the entrance area. About twenty feet into the building the room doubled in width, looking like it covered the back of both of those other two businesses. There was a smell of peanuts and old wood. I could see the red and white tablecloths being moved gently by fans overhead.

Mike headed to one of the high-round tables set near the back of the pub. Mike slid himself easily into one of the seats and I climbed up on another. “This is very nice Mike. It fools you from the outside.”

“Yes it does. Kind of like the killer. It looks like it’s so innocent, but fools you when you’re inside, or when
he’s
inside the apartment.”

I got it, and the image of the killer was trying to come into view. “Mike thanks for inviting me. I’m glad I’m part of the task team.”

“Are you sure? Are you okay with being on the task force?” Mike said it with a serious look on his face.

Before I could answer something shot across the table and hit my arm. It was a coaster, and another slid across the table to Mike.

“Good evening Mike. I haven’t seen you for a day or two.” I looked over to the long-haired brunette waitress who had her elbows on the table cradling her head. Her ample breasts were also resting on the table, her cleavage was quite impressive. “Who’s your friend?”

I knew I was blushing again. Damn it.

She added, “He also must be Irish with a red face like that.” Then she slipped her fingers into her top and adjusted it.

Mike responded, laughing quietly, “Maggie, this is Scott Tucker. He’s attending Harvard. In his spare time, he’s helping us with our investigation. Scott, this is Maggie. She’s the best cocktail waitress this side of the Charles River. She also has a real talent.”

She offered her hand and I shook it, but I wondered what Mike was referring to. “It’s nice to meet you Maggie.” I was still feeling the heat on my face.

“Scott, it’s a real pleasure to meet you. I hope my entry didn’t overwhelm you?”

I looked at her breasts in reaction to her comment.

“No Scott. Those are impressive as well, but I’m talking about my ability to throw the coasters from ten feet away.” She laughed. “You’ll get used to me after a few years. I think they keep me around for my assets, and not my ability.” She paused. “Well I can see I’m not making you any more comfortable. What’ll you guys have, Mike the usual?”

“Yes, thanks Maggie. It’s nice to see you again too.”

“Scott, there’s enough here for you too.” She knew she had me again. “I’m talking about the draft beer. Can I get you the same?” She didn’t even wait for my answer, “Thanks Mike, he’s
cute
. You can bring him with you
anytime
.” She took a deep breath, winked and turned trying to hide her smile.

“She’s a devil and she knows it. You can see why coming here takes your mind off other things. She does the same thing to everyone who hasn’t been here before. She gets a kick out of it. She’s got a different line when someone brings a lady friend in here. God knows she’s not self-conscious. If she was an inch or two taller or shorter she couldn’t get away with…well putting them on the table, and I’m not talking about the coasters.”

The laugh made me feel better. I did feel like the joke was on me. Maggie came to the table and made a point of reaching across to put our beers down, and then twisted her head to look me in the eyes. “Can I get you anything else, Scott?”

“No. This is enough.”

She smiled. “I know it is.” She turned and left.

Mike came to the rescue. “Glad you came?”

“To be honest, my heart is thumping.”

“Yeah, it shows on your face. Cheers.” He offered his glass and we hit glasses. “I’ll let you get your wits about you.”

“Is there something in the water here in Harvard Square?”

He looked like he didn’t understand.

“Well both Colleen and Maggie work in Harvard Square and they are both extremely well endowed.” I smiled at myself, hoping I wasn’t out of line.

“Well, Scott that shows the kind of detective you are. No detail escapes your observation.”

“There’s more than a little detail there. You know Mike, I wonder if something like Maggie’s view might set our killer off.”

“Something sets him off for sure. Obviously he focuses some of his attention to the breasts of the victims. Biting them might have something to do with his childhood. Maybe he was neglected by his mother. The fact that he doesn’t have intercourse with the victims is also strange and might be similarly related.”

Maggie came over. “Wow, you downed those pretty quickly. You must have been thirsty. Would you like another?”

I was beginning to think everything had a double meaning. Mike answered for both of us, asking for another round…at least one more.

“Mike one of the rape cases you had me look at today had something very interesting. It kind of followed along the same lines as the strangler cases.” I took a big sip of my beer. “Listen to this. The woman was in her late sixties. Someone had a special delivery package for her and she needed to sign for it. It was too big to fit inside the chain opening, so she unlocked the chain and in the process of putting the package down and signing the delivery slip the man closed the door. He had his hand over her mouth before she knew it.”

I could tell Mike was listening intently, studying me over his beer. “She was taken to the bedroom and forced to strip her clothes off. She was gagged with two sanitary napkins and her mouth was taped. He tied her to the bed. She was forced to watch him remove his clothes and masturbate on her. He then fondled her and played with her body for hours, several times doing the same thing with his body. Those are my words, not hers.”

“There’s more. He then blindfolded her and tormented, or tortured her with other items. He cut the end of an extension cord and shocked her when he didn’t like the response to one of his questions.”

Mike interrupted me. “When and where did this rape occur?”

“It was almost two years ago, in Cambridge. She reported the case to the police but they never found the guy. This is the real eye-catcher – she said she believes she survived her attack because she played along with her attacker. He even untied her, but she was too scared to make a run for it. The attack lasted for over three hours. He never actually raped her, but got off many times. He left her apartment after she was forced to shower with him.”

“Scott we have to interview her right away. Great work.”

“Anyone reading that folder would make the same observation. One last thing he said to her. He knows where she lives and if she ever tells the police about the incident he will find her and kill her before anyone can save her.”

“You said he blindfolded her, but she wasn’t blindfolded at the beginning, right?”

“Right, she knows exactly what her attacker looks like.” I saw Mike’s smile but it wasn’t because of what I said. Maggie had returned and was now leaning against me, stroking her fingers along my neck.

“Can I take him home Mike?” She paused still playing with my neck. She added, “Damn I’ve got a cute one at home already, but
he’s
really cute. Do you guys want another one, or have you had enough for one night? Would you guys like something to eat?”

I couldn’t say anything. Mike answered for both of us again, “One last round and some onion rings with house dressing would be nice.”

Her fingers left my neck and she went over to Mike and whispered in his ear. Then she smiled at me and then at Mike and wiggled away. “I’ll get those onion rings right up.”

“Mike, do I dare ask what she whispered?”

He leaned across the table and whispered,
“How about the house undressing?”
What I didn’t tell you is that she’s a stripper at a local club. The pub likes her working here as she brings in customers who know she works there part time. I think she’s harmless, but she does manage to stir the pot, if you get my drift.”

I thought about calling Lisa when we were done. “Mike I get your drift. Maybe she stirs the killer’s pot as well. Do you think he comes in here?”