She's Not There (20 page)

Lisa was amazed at how many people straggled in for Thanksgiving dinner. TJ’s sister, Janeen, turned out to be so unlike TJ, it was hard to believe they were related. The cocoa-complexioned woman was soft spoken, her slightly plump body crowned by a head of short braids tipped with tiny red beads that dangled about her smiling face when she talked.

The wonderful aroma of roasting turkey filled the kitchen as Janeen handed Lisa a casserole dish brimming with sweet potatoes topped with marshmallows, and another with her homemade cranberry relish. Her children, Lonnie, five, and Jazz, seven, carried in a large, cardboard box filled with games.

Tina hid behind her mother when she saw so many strangers but it wasn’t long until, lured by the stack of games, she joined the other two children on the floor in front of the fireplace.

Lisa was putting finishing touches on the centerpiece when Eric walked into the room. They’d been carefully avoiding each other all day. He broke the awkward silence by asking her about Paige.

“She finally called me back this morning. Her boyfriend made it home yesterday and they were invited to another couple’s house for Thanksgiving dinner. She’s promised to come for Christmas.”

“I’m glad to hear that. Have you told her anything about what you’re doing here?”

“No. I’m going to wait until I see her at Christmas.” Glad he’d broken the silence between them, Lisa was hoping to have a chance to talk to him alone, but knew it might not be possible with so many guests in the house.

The food was set out on the island buffet style, two large, golden turkeys proudly displayed, surrounded by all the traditional accompaniments.

When everyone was seated, their food steaming in front of them, Roland said grace. Seated next to him was Charles, fully recovered from the wounds of his attack.

The talk during the meal was spirited, none of it on the topic of missing women, abuse, or murder. Lisa had a passing, ironic thought how like a normal holiday gathering this scene would seem to an outside observer.

After the meal everyone able to stay headed for the living room to sit by the fire.

When they were all settled, Jeff said, “We forgot something important. We didn’t say what we were thankful for this year. I’m sure everyone can think of something they’re thankful for.”

TJ tilted back in a recliner, eyelids drooping. “Go ahead.”

Jeff grinned. “Sure, I’ll go first. I’m thankful to be sharing this day with all you wonderful friends. And I’m thankful that Tina and Teresa are back together.”

Roland spoke next. “I’m thankful to be here, and thankful for TJ, who introduced me to all you people. And mostly, I’m thankful that Charles is better and we were able to buy the loft apartment we’ve always wanted. We’ll be moving after the holidays, and you’re all invited to our housewarming party.”

The thankfulness traveled around the room until the children followed suit, expressing thanks for all the games, the good food, and for the desserts still to come. Teresa, with misty eyes and a voice choked with happiness, said how thankful she was to have her daughter back and for the people who found her: TJ and Jeff. And Eric, for sharing his home with them.

Lisa was silently thankful for the children, Lonnie and Jazz, who seemed to have done what none of them had been able to accomplish—turn Tina back into a child.

Tina wiggled nervously when the other children looked at her expectantly. She looked around the room, and then ran to Jeff, hugged him, then TJ. To each of them she whispered a shy, “thank you.”

The guests had all left by early evening. Lisa, dressed for the outdoors, went to the back door with Phanny.

Eric asked if he could join them. “I need to move. Burn off those two pieces of pie I ate.”

They went out into the crisp, evening air and strolled the grounds, avoiding the area still cordoned off with yellow crime-scene tape. It loomed in the background, oppressive as a funeral wreath.

Lisa broke the silence. “I think we should ask Maggie if the tape can come down, don’t you?”

“I don’t know. It only happened last Friday.”

It was hard to believe it hadn’t even been a week since a woman had lain dead in that spot. Lisa didn’t want to dwell on it, but knew because of their resemblance to each other, the other woman’s death would weigh on her forever. Pulling her mind from the morbid was an effort, but she wanted to focus on how much she’d enjoyed the day in spite of the tension she’d felt with Eric.

“Eric, this was such a special day. Thank you for everything you put into it.”

“No thanks necessary. You’re right. It was special in spite of everything that’s happened.”

“We can’t overlook the good things we’ve done.”

Eric stopped to adjust Phanny’s collar. “No, but I’ve been thinking about Danielle’s murder. Someone—and I don’t think that someone is Mr. Wysecki—sees you as our ringleader and went after you hoping the rest of us would let it go once you were out of the picture. Danielle’s murder makes me more certain that we’re doing the right thing—this person has to be stopped.”

Lisa’s throat tightened. The fear that she’d managed to set aside for the day crept through her like an oncoming case of the flu. She raised her gloved hands to her face to stave off a grimace. “You’re right—about all of it. But you know what I can’t make sense of—what was Wysecki doing here that night?” She exhaled, her breath creating a misty, white vapor in the cool evening air. “That’s a mystery we may never have the answer to unless he explains it to the police.”

Eric turned to her. “There is one more thing I’m thankful for today—you.” When she was silent, he added softly, “You are what holds all of us together.”

She and Eric were avoiding the topic of the night before. They were back on what seemed to be normal ground, but what had happened needed to be discussed.

Lisa stopped walking. “I’m sorry about last night. I shouldn’t have gone out without saying anything. I shouldn’t have gone out at all.”

He turned to her. “Lisa, I was way out of line—I felt like a real horse’s ass today.” He took a deep breath. “I was feeling sorry for myself last night, that’s why I went up to talk to you. I was hoping you’d still be up. I needed a shoulder to cry on, I suppose.” He paused. “I needed your shoulder.”

Lisa, bewildered by the rush of feeling that overcame her with his words, whispered, “I needed someone, too.” She bent down to pet Phanny, who was puzzled that they’d stopped walking. “Everything felt so overwhelming last night. For me, being with Tyler was like getting drunk. I forgot about everything while I was with him. Not the best choice, but no hangover.”

“I understand. Are we okay?”

Lisa felt like her next words would be critical to any friendship or relationship she’d ever have with Eric Schindler. She said, “Very okay,” and reached out to him.

He took her in his arms. She felt safe nestled against his wide chest, and wondered why she’d never seen past her petty annoyances to how good a man he really was. They broke the embrace as the security guard walked past and wished them a good evening.

She had to admit Eric could be kind and generous. That’s probably all there was to it. The last thing she needed right now was the complication of having romantic feelings for a man. Any man. Or worse, a man described by TJ as being in love with a ghost. Maybe what she was feeling was only lust—
that
she could deal with.

TJ was sharing her lower suite with her sister for the night and planned on driving them home the next day. She’d go back to her apartment where she’d meet Richard for their weekend trip to Wisconsin Dells. After Janeen and the kids had settled into the king-sized bed in the guest room, TJ went back upstairs to get a nightcap.

She wanted to talk to Lisa. Grabbing a nearly full bottle of wine out of the refrigerator, she picked up two glasses and padded up the steps. There was a light under the door to the apartment. After tapping softly on the door, TJ walked in and saw Lisa sitting on the couch, reading a book.

Lisa looked up. “Unusual for you to be awake this late. What’s going on?”

“Nothin’, just needed to tell you something before I leave.” TJ set down the wine glasses, and at a nod from Lisa, poured them each a glass of wine.

“Speaking of your weekend with Richard, are you sure it’s a good idea?”

TJ frowned. “Why wouldn’t it be?”

“I can think of a few reasons, but setting that aside for now, what’s on your mind?”

“Rollie and Charles.”

“What about them? They seemed very happy today.”

“They’re happy—it’s somethin’ else. Rollie told me he’s pretty sure Charles’ mugging wasn’t a mugging.”

“Do they think it was a hate crime because he’s gay?”

TJ looked at her impatiently. “You aren’t getting it, are you? Remember it happened a couple days after we met him at the salon?”

Lisa winced at the enormity of what TJ was hinting at. “Rollie thinks it was about what we’re doing?”

“Just sayin’ that Rollie thinks it might be.”

“Why now, after all this time?”

“Seems like now that Charles is over the trauma, he remembered somethin’. After the guy worked him over, he said to Charles, ‘Stay the fuck out of it!’ Rollie hasn’t told Charles what he thinks it means. Not yet, anyway.”

“Why isn’t he telling Charles the truth?”

“Well, there ain’t no real truth here. It’s just supposition, right?”

“But if it’s about our investigation, the assailant mistook him for Roland, just like me and Danielle. They are about the same height and build. And it was dark.”

“Yeah, yeah. But two mistakes? Well, there’s nothin’ we can do about it anyway. It’s over and Charles is okay. I think Rollie’s afraid that if Charles thinks his attack had anything to do with Rollie’s helpin’ women disappear he won’t want him to do it anymore. Or donate to the cause again. Don’t want that to happen.”

Lisa drained her glass. “Yes, but—a gay bashing? It’s unconscionable to let Charles go on thinking that.”

“Would you talk to Rollie about it?”

“Why me?”

“I dunno. Because you could do it better?”

Eric’s words came back to her; “You’re what holds us all together.” It felt like a heavy burden. She’d have to be strong for all of them. And somewhere in that strength there’d have to be a little left for herself.

TJ and Lisa were eating breakfast when Maggie entered the room. Her cheeks were pink from the cold, her long dark hair tied up in an intricate knot above the nape of her neck. “Hi, sorry to disturb your breakfast. Security let me in.” She nodded toward the food-laden buffet. “Is this really the day after Thanksgiving?”

Lisa asked, “Do you have news for us?”

“I do. Is everyone here?”

“No, just us. Would you like some breakfast?”

“Thanks, but I can’t stay long. The women’s bodies in Wysecki’s basement have been identified. None of them are on your short list, but one was on your original list. The woman’s husband was the prime suspect although he was never arrested.”

“Do you think Wysecki might have killed the wife for the husband?”

“They’re looking into that. Wysecki had financial problems from time to time, so I suppose it’s possible he may have resorted to it. They’re also looking into his wife’s death, but that appears to have been an accident.”

TJ scraped her plate. “Then what about Danielle Ventura? If Wysecki didn’t kill her, who did? If it was someone who thought she was Lisa, then we must be on the right track; there is a killer and it ain’t Wysecki. And get this—Teresa knew one of the ladies on our short list. Said there was a guy in her life other than her husband.”

Maggie said, “Okay, we don’t know who killed Danielle. Everything points to Wysecki, but we won’t know anything for sure until we have him in custody and that probably won’t be until next week sometime. If it wasn’t him and her murder is related to your interviews, then I’d have to ask—who knew what your group was doing?”

Lisa choked on a bite of food. “Who knew? That would be a lot of people. Everyone we interviewed. “

“That’s right. So, bottom line—you need to wrap this up as soon as possible. How long are all of you planning on staying here?”

Lisa shrugged. “I think TJ is planning to leave next week.”

TJ nodded. “Have a life to get back to.”

Lisa agreed. “I’d like to be in my own home again before Christmas and Shannon’s offered to stay with me, but our plans aren’t certain yet.”

Maggie frowned. “I think you should consider going to the police after Wysecki is interviewed. Unless he admits to killing Danielle, the Waukesha Police will be back to talk to all of you, and this time their questions will be intense. It would pay to be proactive.”

Before TJ could protest, Maggie said, “That may be a good thing for all of you. With it out in the open, there’d be no reason for the killer to go after any of you.”

“We’re making progress, Maggie. I think in a week we’ll have enough.”

“Good. They should be done talking with Wysecki by then. Until then, remind everyone to be cautious. It’s unlikely your killer will go after any of you again. If he’s the one who killed Danielle, he’s probably feeling real good about having Wysecki as a scapegoat.”

Lisa said, “One last question. Do you think there’d be any value in having a profiler look at our information?”

“A profiler? No, I don’t think so, Lisa. Because, if I’ve understood your purpose here, you’re not looking for a killer, you’re simply trying to convince the police there is a killer, force them to begin a formal investigation.

“If, and I say this very emphatically, you folks believe you have an idea who is behind these disappearances, do not attempt to play detectives. I would hope an assault on one of you and the murder of a person that was supposed to be one of you, would be enough to prevent you from doing something stupid.”

TJ and Lisa were silent, letting Maggie think she’d had the last word on the subject. Lisa didn’t mention the stack of books on Eric’s desk about profiling, the internet search he’d done, or the long list of profilers for hire he printed out.