Serial Separation (22 page)

Chapter 59

Mercedes and I were in my car driving to the identified properties. We had narrowed the list down, deciding the target properties needed to be approximately thirty minutes from Medford. Jeremy’s indication of a thirty-minute ride was the means to eliminate some properties. We agreed the women would have driven directly to Medford and would not have extended the drive—not with Jeremy naked in the vehicle.

We still had fifteen properties to check out, having eliminated only the first two. The process was taking longer than anticipated. We realized we were not going to finish that day. Our conversation was focused on the listings, finding them and looking them over. Mercedes was making notes on the sheets while I did the driving. We knew we would have to review the properties with Mike when we were done.

“Well, Scott?”

We were parked in a small lot near the next property. The building was snowed in without any sign of anyone having accessed it since the Christmas storm.

“Well, what? It’s obvious there has not been any access to the building?”

“You’re playing games with me. You still owe me an answer.” She turned in her bucket seat and flipped her hair back. “The night we spent together at the cabin was special to me. I couldn’t have planned it any better. I find you attractive and would like to . . . well . . . date. We make a good team, and I know you held back because of Lisa. That tells me volumes about you. You can’t tell me you don’t find me attractive. I’ve seen all too well how you react.”

I turned the engine off and faced her. “This is not going to be a quick conversation from the sounds of it. I’m glad we’re having this talk here and not in the office. Yes, you do have an impact on me. From the moment I saw you in Paddy’s office, there was something about you, different from anyone I had ever met. It was hard for me to deal with our being together at the cabin, but I think we handled it well.”

“I love Lisa. She has been acting very strangely since her ordeal with Jimmy Ballou, but I believe she has finally dealt with those emotions. Consequently, I believe I was more susceptible to you during our stay in the cabin. Lisa and I are going forward, trying to patch things up. I need to focus on that and not get sidetracked with . . . well . . . you.”

“I know you’re being honest, but it hurts. Then, let me be honest with you.”

* * *

“Since I’m studying to be a profiler, I have studied psychology enough to know what makes you tick. Don’t get me wrong, you’re not some kind of experiment. However, I have done some things to sway you to paying attention to me. Some have been subtle, others not so much. I purposely did not tell you about Mike’s call regarding the roads. I wanted to be with you, even if it was riding in the car. I’m sorry to say this, but I had enough money to pay for two cabins. Doesn’t that tell you quite a bit?”

“I know you’re being honest with me. I know you had enough money for separate cabins.” She looked shocked.

“And you still stayed in the same cabin?”

“No, I didn’t learn about the money situation until your wallet spilled out of your purse on our drive back to Cambridge.”

“You did a good job keeping it to yourself.”

“There wasn’t an easy way to bring the subject up. That is until now. Mercy, you’re an attractive, intelligent woman; you shouldn’t have any problem finding someone who can make you happy. Just give it some time.”

She wiped the inside of the windshield and stared outside at the building. She was slow to respond. “Things in my life haven’t been exactly conducive . . . you happen to be the first man I’ve lusted for.”

She leaned toward me. “In the cabin, I watched you in the shower, longing to climb in. However, I feared it might cause you to withdraw and not be with me. I couldn’t risk it, so I just waited for things to take their course. Your nightmare gave me the opportunity I was looking for.”

I could see her eyes watering. “Mercy, I’m sorry things aren’t right for us. I like you, but I don’t love you. I love Lisa with all my heart. Seeing her the other night, well, she was the Lisa I remember. Not the Lisa that Jimmy created. She thought he had raped her, but she remembered what happened. I saved her at the right moment.”

It was strange to see Mercedes vulnerable. She had given the impression she had total control of everything around her, including people. Looking at her and listening to her, I felt sorry for her. She came across so strong and needless, but, in reality, I felt she was more vulnerable than I had ever imagined. Her hands were clenched into fists like she was going to strike out.

I asked, “Are you okay?”

She was looking out the side window and turned slowly to look at me. Tears were streaming down her cheeks. I reached out, and she let me hug her.
I passed the test, I’ve focused and I’m now stronger than before
, I thought to myself. I tried to let her go, and she just held onto me.

She talked into my chest. “Scott, there’s something else to tell you . . . while we’re being painfully honest with each other.”

I could feel her chest expand.

“There was rape in my family as well. I’m not going to go into detail, but it was bad. The only way to encapsulate it—it was life changing.”

She pushed away and looked into my eyes. “All of my family has had to deal with that . . . all of us. I still have my own nightmares. Your nightmare at the cabin was very similar to what my own horrendous dreams have been—being tied up, naked, molested, and tortured.”

She stopped talking suddenly, sobbing into my chest. I could feel her strong grip.

* * *

We stayed close, neither of us talking. My thoughts drifted to why she was interested in being a profiler. Could the rape have anything to do with it? Was this the end of her sharing, or would she tell me more? It was hard for me to picture her ever being raped. She just seemed to convey this comfort level with sex. Lisa acted just the opposite, and she had eventually realized she had never actually been raped.

I thought about being close to Mercedes now, but it wasn’t to be with her—it was to comfort her. I told myself, I would do the same thing if I saw a dog hit by a car, or even a stranger in distress. She pushed herself from my chest, but was still close. She stared again intently into my eyes. I think she recognized what I had been doing and it was not something I would have done days earlier.

“Scotty, you are one of a kind. Thanks for listening to me—and being honest. I’m sorry I’ve made problems, but I hope you can understand my motive. I promise I will not pressure you any longer. But, I would like to be a friend, if that’s not too much to ask.”

She slid fully back into her bucket seat but waited for my answer.

I thought about her being a friend. “I think we can be that.” I took the opportunity to start the car, but we were still trapped. All the car windows were covered on the inside with moisture. It was now completely dark outside and only a distant streetlight lit up the roadway.

“You’ll have to excuse me; I have to go make some yellow snow.”

“Can I—?“ She suddenly stopped and just smiled.

I got out and found an area to take care of the problem. While standing in the cold, I took a deep breath, expecting to smell the ocean but smelled gardenia instead.

Daylight was gone, so inspecting further buildings would not have been fruitful. It might even have drawn more attention our way. I went back to the car and opened the door; the windows were clear and the interior warm. Mercedes had taken off her coat and was busy with the listings.

“Mercy, I think we need to call it a day. It’s going to be dark at these buildings, and we don’t want to make anyone in the buildings suspicious.”

She looked at the car clock and nodded her head. “While you were outside, I counted the remaining buildings, and we still have quite a few to cover. Do you want to meet in the morning in this area, or do you want to pick me up?”

I realized I never knew where she lived. “So, do you live close by?”

She hesitated. “I live across the street from MIT. It’s a high-rise apartment.”

I should have known it would be something like that. She did say her dad had money.

“Your car is back at the task force, isn’t it?”

“No, actually, I took the subway this morning. Can you drop me off at my apartment building . . . no, that’s probably taking you out of your way? Just drop me off at a transit station and I’ll get home from there.”

“No. I have to almost go by MIT to get home. I can drop you off, and then I’ll know where to pick you up tomorrow.”

“Are you sure it’s not too much trouble? Where do you live?”

I wondered about her question but didn’t pay much attention. “It’s not too much trouble at all. My apartment is in Brookline Village. It’s not too far from the task force office or MIT.”

She smiled, putting the listings away. “You’re such a nice guy. Thanks Scotty.”

* * *

I was tired from our effort checking properties. It was eight o’clock when I dropped Mercedes at her apartment. It was one of those high-rise buildings where I bet she had a nice view of the city. But I’ll never know.

On the ride from the last listing we really didn’t say much to each other. I was dealing with her honesty, and it was hard to tell what she was thinking. Our plan was to meet outside her apartment building at nine o’clock Friday, which would be New Year’s Day—welcome 1965.

I was thinking of just surprising Lisa that evening, but I knew she had asked me to call first. So I knew I should call. Mercedes’ apartment building was about a street away from Lisa’s dorm, but the Charles River separated them. It would take me longer to find a phone. So, I won the argument—just stop by. Besides, trying to get the phone answered and Lisa to the phone would be another time waster—I wasn’t interested in wasting time.

* * *

It was just after eight when I rang the bell at her dorm. It looked like some of her dorm members were already dressed for New Year’s Eve. The coed who answered the door looked me over and blew a party favor in my face.

“Would you get Lisa Anderson for me? Please tell her Scott is here.”

“I know who you are. Maybe I’ll tell her or maybe you should just come with me.” She crooked her finger as she backed up the stairs, definitely looking like she was already celebrating.

“Thanks, but if you wouldn’t mind telling her I’m here, she’s expecting me.”

“It’s your loss.”

She was gone for what seemed like ten minutes. I started to question if she had even gone to get Lisa. I took a seat in the reception area. Since school was closed there was more activity than I would have expected. There was a big sign:
Party tonight in 312—Happy New Year!

Lisa came down the stairs dressed in tight-black ski pants and a nice white sweater. “You surprised me,” she said. “I thought you were going to call if you could get away?”

“I was in the area, and it would have taken me more time to call than to stop by. Can you leave?”

“What do you have in mind?”

“Let’s do our usual at the
Skywalk
and ring in the New Year watching the city. Is that okay?”

She looked like she was contemplating saying no.

“I would like that. Let me get my coat, and I’ll be right down.”

I realized after she responded that she was just pulling my leg.

It only took us a few minutes to make the drive to the Prudential Building, park the car, and make the trip to the top floor. The city looked great. Lisa looked better. It was nice to be back in the groove again. When we reached the observation area, we held hands and watched the planes landing and taking off from Logan. It also was the darkest side of the building.

We shared a long passionate kiss. It was like I remembered. We got closer and hugged. I could tell my body was enjoying the close contact.

Lisa pushed against my chest, but I was still holding her hips close. “Scott, what’s that smell? It smells like perfume. Tell me you weren’t holding her close like this?”

Chapter 60

We did stay out to ring in the New Year, but it was not the same as it should have been. Mercedes’ fragrance was a constant reminder, even though she did her best to ignore it. I dropped her off at her dorm and returned to my apartment just after one.

I was trying to get to sleep, but my mind wouldn’t shut off. I was really happy Lisa didn’t make a bigger deal of how Mercedes’ gardenia fragrance had interrupted our mood. However, I hadn’t tried to hide what had happened with Mercedes. Although Lisa hadn’t said much about what happened between us, I believe she might have been happy it was over and done with. She wanted to move ahead and made a great step forward.

* * *

The alarm went off several times before I finally realized I needed to get moving if I was going to pick Mercedes up on time. I quickly ate some toast with peanut butter and dashed in and out of the shower. By the time the water was hot, I was already turning it off.

There wasn’t any traffic to speak of, but I was careful to watch those on the road to make sure they weren’t going to hit me or go through a red light.

Mercedes was already outside when I arrived at her building. I was five minutes early, and she was already there. She was quick to jump in and waved the listings in my face.

“We have a lot to do today. You look like you were up all night. Were you?”

I pulled away and headed around the block toward South Boston.

“No, but I didn’t get in until after one. It took me a while to get to sleep.”

“So, how was Lisa?”

I questioned how much I was going to share. “She was a little upset with me.”

“Why is that? You did a good job of still seeing her, even after a long day.”

“You were with us.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Unfortunately your fragrance was all over my coat.”

I could tell she was looking at me. When I turned to look at her, she was smiling. “Then it worked.”

I took a deep breath but before I could say anything, she added, “Scotty, I’m just kidding. I’m sorry that messed things up, and on New Year’s Eve, to boot.”

“Well, did you do anything interesting?”

“Yes, I did. I spent time with a 100,000 in Times Square last night.”

* * *

The task force office was busy, even though it was a holiday.

Mike was headed to give Paddy the update he requested. He caught Paddy staring at some maps of Boston Harbor. “Happy New Year, Paddy.”

“Happy New Year to you, Mike. Did you do anything exciting last night with your wife?”

“Actually, we went to bed early. We had planned to watch the New Year’s celebrations, but we both fell asleep. How about you?”

“About the same. Would you believe the AG has already called me looking for a status report? We’ve got to catch these people or my year is going to be very, very long. Have you any good news?”

Mike hadn’t planned on an update from Scott and Mercedes. “Scott and Mercedes had a long list of properties to check out. They reviewed some yesterday and were going directly back out today. I didn’t hear anything, which is a sign they haven’t noticed anything worth reporting.”

“That’s what I figured but thought I’d ask. The AG is going to be on my case again as to why I’m using college kids. He’s an okay guy, but he’s getting a fair amount of pressure from the mayor. You know how that goes.”

“Are we bringing Jeremy Johnston in today? Where does that stand?”

“When they went to pick him up at his dorm, he and his girlfriend had already taken off for the weekend. His roommate says he might be headed to northern New Hampshire—Dixville Notch. However, he wasn’t sure. The State Police have an APB out for his car, and they’ve contacted the New Hampshire State Police to watch for it as well.”

Paddy looked at his wall calendar. “We don’t need this year any longer. What a way to start a new year.”

Mike added, “With any luck, we might have Jason Johnston today. If we don’t get him by the end of the day . . . the women might have him.”

Mike realized what that meant. “Paddy, Lowell P.D. indicated Jason’s gang is like a bunch of bees around a hive. They are protecting Jason so well, the police haven’t been able to get a confirmation on his being there. The informant is going to call if he can confirm Jason’s location. However, the raid on their gang headquarters is still planned for midnight, but the raid may be too late.”

“Yeah, you’re most likely right. Maybe if you and Paul were to go to Lowell, you could prompt an earlier raid or help in some fashion. Right now there’s not much doing here.”

Mike smiled. “I was hoping we were on the same page regarding heading to Lowell. My contact there is Gil Pike, if you need to reach me. How do you want to work tomorrow’s schedule?”

“Let’s plan on meeting at eight. We’ll have to see how things sit then. That is if things don’t go to hell before then. Do you need my lucky charm?”

“No, Paddy, I’m packing my own.”

* * *

He hadn’t heard from Mike all day, but he anticipated nothing would happen until later in the day. It was eight thirty. He had not eaten since lunch time. The office was deserted, but he decided to stay the night. The phone made such a loud noise, it made him jump.

“Task force office, Paddy O’Brien.”

“Paddy, this is Mike. Let me bring you up to date. About an hour ago, the other gang attacked a small pub in Lowell. They were after Jason. A fifteen minute gun battle took place, and there are a couple of gang members down on both sides. We were with the Lowell P.D. near Jason’s gang headquarters, when the shooting started. We arrived just as a couple of cars were speeding away and learned Jason was kidnapped during the shoot-out.”

“Son of a bitch,” Paddy interrupted.

“There’s more, Paddy. One of the kidnapping gang members was caught by the Lowell P.D. They have several others in custody, but he’s the most significant. Anyway, the police were unable to catch the fleeing cars. The State Police are patrolling all of the roads leading to the South Shore, and the M.D.C. police are also on alert.”

There was no response from Paddy, so he continued. “Gil Pike is headed to the hospital to question the gang member who was shot during the battle. There are a few other members who were also rushed to the hospital, along with some innocent bystanders. The unofficial indication by Jason’s gang is he was taken by the Calumet gang out of Roxbury. Gil indicated to me there’s going to be a huge gang war over this. Lowell P.D. is already in contact with the Boston P.D. to try to head it off. If they go to war, the AG will be all over us.”

“You mean he will be all over me,” Paddy trumpeted. “I guess we might be able to salvage something out of this mess. If you, or Gil, can get some information from that member, we might be able to learn where they took Jason. What hospital did they take him to? I should head there to meet you.”

“Lowell General. Paddy, I’m calling from the phone at the pub. I’m headed to the hospital too. From what I’ve learned, the ambulances took all the wounded to the same hospital.”