Serial Separation (20 page)

Chapter 55

They all had their coffee and were seated at their favorite table in the back of the coffee shop. Lisa felt if they were going away they needed to confirm their plans or cancel them. She stared at Dottie, who looked like she was holding something back, and Judy had not said much since she arrived.

Lisa couldn’t ignore it any longer. “What are you two hiding?”

Judy responded, “Why do you ask?”

“The two of you are not yourselves. Do I have something on my face?”

Judy and Dottie smiled at each other but didn’t respond.

“I was hoping we could talk about our plans for this coming weekend?”

The other two started laughing now.

“I think I better leave. What’s going on?”

Judy couldn’t hide their secret any longer. “You know how Jeremy has been acting strange for weeks?”

“Yes, I heard.”

“Well, maybe all of our guys should act like him—Jeremy asked Dottie to marry him.”

Lisa looked at Dottie, who was now flashing the engagement ring on her ring finger.

“Wow, how lucky can you get? So, tell me all about it; how did he propose?”

Dottie had already filled Judy in while they were waiting for Lisa to arrive. “Well, he asked me out to dinner last night but said he wanted to share something with me. He had made reservations at
The Top of the Hub
. Lisa, it was perfect. They treated us like king and queen even before they knew he was proposing.”

Dottie continued, “He started by apologizing for his behavior for the last few weeks, but I’ll get back to that. He told me I was the love of his life, and he didn’t want to lose me. Then he said he would love to marry me. The restaurant wasn’t crowded, but he got on his knee, took my hand, and asked me, would I marry him and fulfill his life?”

Lisa hugged her. “Dottie, I’m so happy for you. Wow, what a Christmas gift.”

Dottie responded, “I think I said something similar. The maitre d’ came over with a bottle of champagne on the house. His proposal came out of the blue—I hadn’t expected it. He said he had been getting up his courage . . . for proposing . . . and telling me what was bothering him.”

* * *

Lisa and Judy looked at Dottie. Dottie held up her hand. “I don’t think I can tell you what has been bothering him.”

Lisa responded, “While you’re thinking about that, are we going away this weekend?”

Neither of them responded to her question. Lisa explained, “I’ve been having some problems involving my ordeal with Jimmy . . . but I think I’m over that now. However, Scott and I had some words recently about his not being with me over Christmas. He also did something I might not forgive him for.”

Judy asked, “What are you talking about?”

Lisa took a breath and blurted it out. “He managed to get snowed in heading to one of those washed up torsos. It was with another detective.”

Dottie offered, “The storm was a real blizzard; you can’t hold that against him. We all had the same problem. At least he was safe and sound. Why did that upset you so?”

Lisa immediately responded, “The other detective was a woman . . . and they shared a room.” She started to cry.

“Oh, Lisa, I’m so sorry. How did you find out?”

“He told me what happened.”

Judy offered, “He did?” After a pause, she added, “You know, he could not have mentioned anything and just made up an excuse. I wouldn’t worry about what happened.”

Lisa wiped her eyes. “I know I drove him to see somebody else. I’ve been such a fool with this Jimmy Ballou thing. However, I think I’m over it now. I just want to have him back. I told him I didn’t care what he did with that damn task force he’s on.”

Dottie put her hand on Lisa’s. “You’ve got plenty of time to put things back on track. Scott loves you. We all know that; you can plainly see it. Give it a day or two; things will get back to normal. Just call him. Tell him you’re over this Jimmy thing.”

Lisa held a sob back. “I finally realized Jimmy never raped me . . . I had to remember exactly what happened. I resisted going over it, but I remember what happened: Scott rescued me just as Jimmy was about to rape me.”

The three of them group hugged, and they all cried.

In a few minutes, they were back in their seats. Lisa spoke first. “Thanks for making me feel like there’s hope. However, we’re not going away this weekend, but you guys can still go.”

Dottie replied, “I think we’ll just stay close by. The Balsams is a long drive, and if it’s just four of us, it won’t be the same.”

Judy nodded her head. “Neil and I will just enjoy the weekend. We might not have done much skiing anyway. Why waste all the time driving.”

They all laughed at her comment.

Judy added, “Dottie, you were going to let us know what was bothering Jeremy.”

Dottie stared at her friends, then her ring, and then wondered if she should tell.

* * *

Lisa and Judy stared back at Dottie. Neither said anything. It was up to Dottie. Judy gave Lisa a sign to get their coffee cups refilled. They left the table. Dottie was still staring like she was miles away.

Judy whispered to Lisa, “Isn’t that great Jeremy proposed?”

“Yes, but she seems very distant thinking about what was bothering him.”

“Let’s give her a minute or two. Hopefully she will deal with how to tell us—or maybe she won’t. Lisa, I’m sorry to hear about Scott. Things will be okay, but the ball is in your court, based on what you said to him. Please call him. The more time passes, the harder it will be.”

Lisa did not respond but stared back to the corner table at Dottie, who was still looking at her ring.

Judy pushed on Lisa. “I had been wondering if Jeremy had been seeing someone else, causing him to act strangely around Dottie.” She realized her timing was poor, saying that to Lisa.

They filled their cups, bringing a new cup back to the table for Dottie. Judy put it on the table.

Dottie smiled at them. “I’m okay now. I have to tell you what was bothering Jeremy, but you need to keep it to yourselves. Jeremy didn’t want me to mention it to anyone, but Lisa, you especially need to hear this.”

* * *

They all took sips of their coffee in unison. Lisa was thinking about whether Jeremy and Dottie’s engagement would have Scott thinking about their future together.

They both waited for Dottie to elaborate.

Finally, Dottie whispered, “Jeremy told me about something, something so dreadful he’s lucky to be alive.”

Lisa and Dottie looked at each other. Dottie had their attention.

“He was kidnapped. It was early November. Neither Neil nor I knew where he had gone that weekend, but, looking back on it, it makes sense now. A gang overpowered him. The next thing he knew, he was naked and tied up.”

Dottie noticed their expressions were frozen.

“He was held all weekend, he thinks by three or four women. They tortured him during the weekend, but he wouldn’t tell me exactly what they did to him. He wouldn’t make love to me these past weeks because of the scars they left.”

Dottie tried to hide the small smirk, remembering how she cared for them last night.

“Anyway, someone else arrived on Sunday afternoon. They left him tied to this platform. When they returned, they took him to a car, drove him to the Medford woods, and left him there. He was lucky to get free. A bunch of college kids picked him up, gave him clothes and a ride to Kenmore Square.”

She held up her hand. “But wait—he thinks they might be killing those men, the ones who are dumped and found washed up lately. He thinks their real target was his cousin Jason Johnston, who shares the same nickname.”

Lisa had to interrupt her. “Are you sure he’s not making this up?”

Dottie smiled. “No, Lisa, I used my nurse’s training and treated all those scars last night.”

They laughed with her.

She continued. “What he said really happened. He also mentioned the murdered men all played in the same hockey league together.”

Lisa immediately recognized the importance of this to Scott and the task force.

Chapter 56

I was thinking of Lisa, wondering if she was still mad at me. If I were to call her and it was too soon, it might just lengthen the time it takes her to get over being upset. Maybe she would think about our conversation and call me.

It was tough earlier today working with Mercedes. My mind wasn’t totally on researching properties. I kept thinking about how Mike had led her to believe she might be a suspect.

She handled herself well, but I could tell she was a little hot under the collar. When Mike asked her about what she really did weekends, she said it was none of his business. He didn’t pursue it any further. He just smiled and looked at her. That’s easy to do unless you’re like me and turn red when you do.

I remember Mercedes telling Paddy that she tutored on many weekends. However, it wasn’t my place to say anything to Mike. I tried to think about where she lived, but either she never told me or I forgot what she said. If she did tutor, I wondered who she tutored, and what subject.

It didn’t take me too long to go from thinking about Lisa to concerning myself with Mercedes. I recalled her behavior under the table and was glad it didn’t show on my face. She liked to play me like a toy puppet.

I almost wish classes were back in session, which would give me less time to think about non-school work. The phone interrupted my thinking.

“Hello.”

“Hi, Scott, this is Lisa.”

I was almost floored she actually called. “Hi Lis, how are you?”

“I’m fine, thanks for asking. I’m not calling to carry on a long conversation, but I have some things I need to tell you.”

“Lisa, I do like hearing your voice.”

“Thanks. You could have called me, you know.”

“I know that, but you sounded like you didn’t care to hear from me . . . for a while.”

“Scott, please don’t get me going. Let me tell you what I called for.”

“Sorry. Go ahead.”

“First, I’m confirming we are not going away this weekend.”

I didn’t think she needed to call about that. “I thought that might have been the case.”

“Speaking of the case . . .”

“Do you mean the torso slayings?”

She was quiet on the phone. “Yes, that’s what I am referring to.”

* * *

I could tell she was uncomfortable calling. “Okay, I’m sorry.”

“Scott, I know I said I didn’t care what you did on the task force, but I . . . but I have some information you need to know about. Do you have time to talk with me about it?”

Here was my opportunity. “Do you want me to come over?” I asked.

She responded, “I was planning on talking to you over the phone, but people are already hovering around the phone. Can you come over?”

“Sure. I just have to put some clothes on.” There was no response from her, and I didn’t want her to get any wrong idea. “I just got home from the task force, and I was planning on showering. Do you want me to come right away?”

“Suit yourself. Just tell me when I need to be in the reception area.”

I wasn’t going to jeopardize this opportunity. “I’ll be there at six.”

“Thanks, Scott. I’ll see you then.”

I thought about what could be so important to the case that she needed to talk with me in person. I took a quick shower and was on my way. Her Christmas presents were still in the car trunk, but I wasn’t going to just walk in with them. It might just set her off about not being there Christmas.

* * *

I was a few minutes early, but better to be early than late. When I entered the reception area of her dorm, there were a few women hovering. I noticed Lisa get off the couch and start toward me. She had her coat with her. I went to kiss her, but she just grabbed my arm, heading me toward the door.

I could tell the others were checking us out and noticed her pointing me in the other direction.

As we were leaving the building, she said, “We couldn’t talk there . . . too many ears. Is your car near?”

“It’s just around the corner.”

“Good.”

We walked together, but we didn’t hold hands like we always did. I thought to myself, I know what this is about—she’s going to break up with me. She let me lead the way, but she was keeping up with me. Other than the concerned look, she looked like the Lisa I used to know.

I unlocked the car and opened the door for her. She slid into the bucket and smiled at me. Maybe there was some hope for me, I thought. I quickly got in the other side and looked at her. “I missed you, Lis.”

She didn’t respond but looked out the windshield. “Scott, this is hard for me.”

Yup, I thought, I’m doomed. She was breaking up with me. I just looked at her, waiting for her to look at me. I sensed I needed to say something quickly. “Lisa, I can’t tell you how sorry I am about Christmas.”

“Scott, please stop. This isn’t about Christmas, or us—I told you it’s about the case. Those murders you’re involved with.”

She had my attention now, and I thought about hope. “I’m sorry—go ahead.”

She turned, and I could see the tear running down her cheek. I could feel the ache in my chest.

“It’s about Jeremy. He told Dottie something happened to him in early November. He was kidnapped by some women. He was let go at the end of the weekend, but he thought he was going to be killed.”

She took a deep breath, and the tears were cascading down her cheeks.

I wanted to tell her with all my heart how much I loved her.

“He thinks he was mistaken for his cousin Jason. Jason Johnston and he have the same nickname—JJ—and he thinks the gang who kidnapped him got them mixed up.”

She had blurted it out so fast. I grabbed her chin and looked into her eyes. The tears were running quite freely. I hugged her and could tell she was dealing with mixed emotions.

Before I could say anything, she pushed against my chest. “Can’t you respond? I did this for you.”

“I can respond—I love you . . . I missed you . . . I’m sorry, Lis.”

She buried her head in my shoulder. She was trying to hold the sobs back. I stroked her hair and gave her the time she needed.

I thought about what we had—the fun times, the loving, and the plans we had for our future together. I couldn’t control my own feelings, and the tears were running down my face. I didn’t want Lisa to know. I just wanted to hold her like this forever.

The windows were completely fogged. I didn’t want to do anything to cause Lisa to remember she was mad at me . . . so I just held onto her. She didn’t push me away either.

Minutes later, she pushed on my chest again and leaned to look at me. I tried not to look at her face, but it was too late. She wiped my cheek, and she started crying again.

“I know you love me, Scott. That’s what makes this so hard . . . I can’t go on like this any longer.”

* * *

I thought my fear was coming true, that she was going to break up with me. She was still letting me hold her, but she had moved her head away from my shoulder.

She looked at me again. “Can we go someplace to talk?”

I took a deep breath and said a quick prayer. “Is the
Skywalk
okay?”

She nodded her head and retreated to her side of the car. I started the car and wiped the inside of the windows I could reach. The
Prudential
Tower
was close by. It was where we had gone when we had our first time together.

I couldn’t read her on the ride there, but if she was going to break up with me, she wouldn’t need to go there to do it. It would be too sentimental.

We didn’t speak on the elevator ride to the top floor. There were other families and couples in the elevator as well. New Year’s Eve was the next night, and some people might have wanted to beat the crowd.

When we got off the elevator and found a dark corner, we both studied the city lights. Finally, we turned and looked at each other. Simultaneously, we said, “I’m sorry.” For the first time since she was with me, she smiled. I thought,
I think there’s hope for me yet.

“Lisa, I’m sorry I missed Christmas with you, and I’m—” She put her finger to my lips.

“Scott, it’s my turn. I’m sorry, so sorry. I’ve been strange for quite some time. I hadn’t dealt properly with what happened with Jimmy. Each time we were together, his face and the image of that night would haunt me. I couldn’t see you . . . just him and the horror. I finally realized something important.”

I put my arms around her back and looked into her eyes. “Scotty, he never raped me. I thought he had, but you saved me just in time. I’ve dealt with him now—he’s gone. I need you.”

“I care about what happened while you had to stay at that cabin overnight, but, if anything, I forced you away. Let’s just let the past be the past and go forward. I couldn’t say what I needed to say to you on the phone. Thanks for still loving me.”

She was crying again. My eyes were watering, but I didn’t care. I had gone all the way from her breaking up with me to her having dealt with her demons. She saw my tears and wiped them away. We were close enough to finally kiss.

It was a kiss that had all the passion of the past without all the frustration we had been experiencing recently.

I was still holding her close. “Lisa, do you remember our first time here?”

“Yes, I certainly do. You shared some secrets with me. It was after our first series of kisses. I think you said something like, ‘Your body certainly knows how to react to me.’ How did I do?”

“You remembered exactly what I was thinking. Did my body give it away?”

“Scott, I love it up here. This is a special place—always will be. However, I think it’s time to go some place where we both can deal with what our bodies need. Are you interested?”