He watched Paddy put two coffee cups on his desk. He quickly dialed Stephen’s number again. “Thanks for the coffee.”
They let the phone ring about ten times. “No answer.” He hung it up and picked up Paul’s line. “Paddy, I think this is an indication something is going on at Stephen’s house. I just hope we’re not too late. They have already killed one person, and they know we know who they are…they have nothing to lose killing Scott.”
“Mike, yeah it’s me. The unit is making a swing by the house now and will make a second swing a minute later and will contact me directly with what he observes. Any word on Mercedes?”
“As a matter of fact her plane is being diverted to Miami and we are trying to find out why. At least she is headed home.”
“Hold Mike.”
He could hear Paul talking in the background. “Okay, here’s the story. There is no car in the driveway, but without checking the garage Stephen’s car could be in there. There are lights on in what looks like the kitchen area and lights on upstairs.”
“That doesn’t sound right when the phone isn’t being answered. I suggest the unit check for a car in the garage and anything out of order around the house. I don’t need to tell you, that if Scott and the abductors are in the house and spot someone checking the property…well it could get messy.”
“I understand. I’ll have them park out of sight and check on foot. Anything else? How about checking the neighborhood while he is at it?”
“Sounds good. How can we reach you?”
“I’ll just stay by this phone until I get the results.”
“We’ll be here as well.”
“Paddy, Paul is going to have the unit check out the property on foot. You know all that material at Doctor Adler’s house would give them Stephen’s address.”
“You’re right Mike. If Alexis has any of her twin sister’s genes, she might want to revenge what has happened to her for all these years. We saw what she did to the doctor.”
“I just hope she doesn’t want to hurt Scott to get back at her other sister, Mercedes. I think if Scott makes it out of this alive, he will surely keep his distance on any future investigations.”
Chapter 89
There was a familiar smell to the creep beside her. It must run in the Chavez family. There was no way she was going to go back into Captain Chavez’s captivity and she would take her chances when they landed in Miami. She really didn’t have any choice.
She also couldn’t wait to use the ladies room when they landed to get rid of this dirty feeling she had from his hands. This whole strange blanket thing brought back some memories of going to the drive-in with one of her earlier boyfriends. It was a way not to get pregnant and to get the rush connected with a climax, whether it was his or hers.
If this wasn’t so serious she could crack up over what he had made her do, and not just once. She wished she had more napkins, but made do with what she had.
She had her plan and wondered if she could actually pull it off, no pun intended.
Hector was almost falling asleep and wasn’t playing with her body like earlier. She heard the announcement that they were starting their descent into Miami’s International Airport and they would be landing in twelve minutes. It was just about the right amount of time she needed.
She only had one hand under the blanket, but she knew it was going to be enough. A couple of quick squeezes and some fingernails brought Hector back to life. She could tell by what was happening under the blanket.
He turned and looked at her, smiled and said, “You really are everything my cousin said. You will make him a very rich man indeed.” Unfortunately it brought his fingers back to life as well. “I am really going to enjoy being in your company when I can put that where it belongs, and some other places where it will wipe that smile off your face.” She squeezed with all her strength. “Owe, take it easy.”
The stewardess was coming down checking each passenger’s seat backs and tray tables. When she got to their seats she asked, “Would you like me to take that blanket? I’ll take it after we land and make sure it gets washed.” She shook her head and continued down the aisle. A minute later she made the trip back to the front, but not before she checked what they were doing.
“This is the pilot speaking. We will be on the ground in three minutes. Crew prepare for landing. Passengers, please remain in your seats. Authorities will board the aircraft to conduct an investigation. We will resume our flight to Boston when the plane is released.”
She clenched her legs together to prevent his further access to her body, and his body was lifting out of his seat and ready to pop. The plane touched down and swayed slightly and she heard the brakes being applied. He let go and she pulled her hand away and brought her elbow into his nose as he was leaning forward due to the braking.
Hector went out like a light and from the sound she knew she had driven part of his nose into his head. His head slumped forward and she realized the blow had probably killed him. The same stewardess had never taken her eyes off them and saw her strike him.
She saw the stewardess unbuckle and head quickly up the aisle while the plane was still taxiing. “What is going on here?”
“This note will explain what is happening. As soon as the authorities board the plane, I need to talk with them. Hector here is the one who killed your associate and he was planning on abducting me when we arrived in Boston.”
She started to lift the blanket to cover his face. “I suggest you don’t do that. I would get a different blanket.”
“Thank you Agent Strong. Then you were being forced to do what you were doing?”
“Look at this loser…what do you think?” She noticed the flashing blue lights as they came to a stop. The plane was not at the terminal. Instead, they were parked on the tarmac.
*.*.*
She explained everything to the investigators, displaying her credentials, then told them what had happened to the stewardess. She showed them the note she received in the terminal before she left Venezuela. She was taken off the plane by two of the investigators and minutes later they were in a security office.
“Look, I need to call my director in Venezuela to tell him what happened here and update him. He probably knows Ralph was abducted by now, but we have only a short time to find him or they will most likely kill him. I’m sure Hector was going to call when I was in custody in Boston.”
It took several minutes to reach Max Gordon, but she was relieved he was on the phone. She started to convey everything and Max told her to hold up a minute. “Look Mercedes, I’m glad you’re safe, but so is Ralph. Long story short, when he was taken, one of our contacts saw where he was taken. He is now safe and back in the hospital. He is okay, but they worked him over pretty well.”
“Max, I know this is not the time or place for this…but I am going to be submitting my resignation when I get back to Boston.”
“I’m not at all surprised, but would you like to take a few days to reconsider that? You’ve had a very difficult couple of days.”
“Thanks Max. However, I’ve had some time to consider what I want to do with my future, and I want a family.”
“Okay Agent Strong, we will meet in my office when we return. Do you want me to tell Agent Reynolds anything?”
“Please tell him I am very happy he is safe, and tell him he is a great agent and I enjoyed working with him.”
“Will do. I understand they are holding the plane waiting on whether you are going to join them or not. I take it you want to get back on the plane?”
“Yes, I’ve got some unfinished business in Boston I need to address right away. Goodbye Director Gordon.”
“Goodbye Mercedes…I guess I have to get used to calling you by that name now.”
“Yes, you do Max.”
Chapter 90
I was very uncomfortable on the bed in my condition. Several people were dead, and I might be her next target. She was flipping the straight razor open and then pushi
ng it closed on the mattress. It was much too close for my comfort.
Chris was sitting in a bedroom chair and just watching Alexis read passages out of Melanie’s diary. I could tell he was getting impatient with Alexis’ proximity to me and how she was reacting to her sister’s entries. If Alexis didn’t kill me, I’m sure Chris would love to take me off her hands.
“Alexis, I thought we were going to punish Scott for trying to escape.”
“I’m enjoying my sister’s entries and it is starting to get interesting. She’s out of the nut-house. Everyone thought she had resolved her issues, but she promised her psychiatrist that she would continue to sleep with him if he got her released. I can’t believe we both went down that same path. You heard what she did to him, and the authorities thought the boat blew up by accident.”
Alexis looked over to me, and I was not at all happy with where she was looking especially with the straight razor so close.
“Chris, listen to this entry. ‘Yesterday the four of us cemented plans to have each of our tormentors kidnapped and brought to the warehouse. It was going to be costly to have each one kidnapped, but it would be worth it. We decided to pay the Calumet gang to kidnap each one. They would deposit each one down the coal chute. We were concerned the gang would find us to be a better target and rape us instead. However, the money was a great incentive and would help them buy more guns.”
She flipped back a few pages. “I think I missed something.” She put the razor on the bed and tried to find whatever she was looking for. “Here it is.”
She picked up the razor again. ‘Bob Sullivan came over while my parents were gone for the weekend. It was just like the other weekends. I had just turned sixteen. I fell asleep after we made love and when he woke me up we weren’t alone. Three of his friends were in my bedroom. They tied me up and raped me all weekend. Bob threatened me when they finally left and told me if I told anyone, he would get my younger sister and they would rape her.’
She flipped ahead a few pages. ‘I continue to try to avoid Bob, but he makes rude comments to me. I could kill him.’
She flipped ahead. ‘Today I tried to burn down the house next door with Bob in it. They told me that I had gone too far and I was being committed to the asylum for observation.’
Another flip of pages. ‘We had our first prisoner last night. All four of us are getting revenge for what Paul Maloney had done to one of my friends. It was exciting to strip him and hang him upside down. We were all naked and cleaning him in the shower with our brushes and the ice-cold water. He was covered in coal dust and we were very happy to clean every inch of his body. The most exciting part was when the guillotine cut the rest of his body apart. She had already taken the best parts. Seeing his head, hands and feet along with his best parts in the trophy case caused me to almost wet myself.’
“I’m not going to read anymore of this out loud.” She read pages and pages and it was only going to be a short period when she finally saw my name in Melanie’s diary. “Holy shit…you were one of my sister’s captives. Chris, Scott was one of my twin sister’s captives.” I watched her excited look as she read entry after entry.
“Wouldn’t you know it…my other sister almost saved your ass? She busted in the door, but Melanie got the best of her and tied her up too. You were rescued by some people on a task force, but Melanie says she jumped in the freezing water. She obviously survived.”
Chris was now sitting beside her on the bed and Alexis couldn’t control herself and was skipping all over the diary now. “Chris, listen to this. ‘I managed to get plastic surgery in England and didn’t pay a dime. My surgeon loved my body and changed my look to make me even more attractive. He served his purpose and I cut his manhood off and put the parts in a large jar in his office. He wasn’t going to be using them any longer.’”
She flipped to more pages. ‘It was hard work and hot work in Bermuda and it took about a year to complete but the rooms are finally constructed. Now, all I have to do is to stock them with some attractive men. With my assets it shouldn’t be hard to do.’
“Chris my sister was worse than I ever imagined.” She flipped to more entries. ‘I enjoy making the rounds to the men downstairs. They try their best to resist my attention, but my naked body and my focused attention to their bodies always gets me the results I’m looking for.’
“Holy shit…listen to this. ‘Scott has come for a visit and I’m finally whole again. He tries harder than all the others but I’ve showed him what can happen to him if he doesn’t obey me. I carved an arrow into his lower body and I could tell he was worried I was going to cut those other parts off. He wouldn’t be much use to me, if those were gone.’
She closed the diary and jumped onto the bed and wound up sitting on my thighs. “All of this could be a novel, or even a couple. Did you like what she did to you and your body?”
I didn’t answer and paid an awful price. “Okay, Chris…he’s not cooperating. Why don’t you take out some of your frustrations and make him regret he tried to escape…not once, but twice. If you need any help, just let me know.” She climbed off my body and Chris came to the bottom of the bed.
It was bad enough having Alexis all excited about what she was reading, but I didn’t like Chris’ expression or what I saw in his hand. I also saw the look in Alexis’ eyes and she looked exactly like her sister Melanie when she was going to kill me.
*.*.*
I tried to think of Mercedes while he used the belt and the electric cord on my body. I was beyond feeling the pain and just prayed that Mercedes would be safe. I could feel myself losing my will to stay alive. Alexis’ urgings were getting further and further away like she was in a tunnel.
At one point I looked over and Alexis looked like the emotion of the day had caught up to her. I saw her eyes watering and wondered what she was thinking. However she wasn’t going to let anyone see her cry and Chris was hell bent on leather.
This was how it was going to end. I hoped if she was going to use the razor that I would be out of it.
There wasn’t any new pain but I could hear the sound of the belt on my body. However, it stopped suddenly. They must have been looking to see if I had passed out.
“Alexis, I just saw someone look in the garage out back.” I heard his bare feet on the floor. “Shit, shit…it looks like the guy might be a cop. He doesn’t have a uniform, but he moves like a cop. He’s going over to the bulkhead. We need to leave.”
“Chris I don’t think we’re going anywhere. Let’s just kill Scott and make a stand here.”
“What about using him as a shield?”
“Alexis I just wanted you and you deserved your father’s money. Let’s make a run for it and take Scott with us. He might be a good bargaining chip for later.”
“Okay, why not. I ran across something in my father’s files we might be able to use. Untie Scott and let’s get dressed and out of here.”
Chapter 91
Her plane finally landed in Boston and it was getting close to midnight. It had been a long day and she really wanted a hot bath and a good night’s sleep, but more importantly, a safe Scott would be better than anything.
She was trying to decide where she was headed right now. She needed to reach her father before she did anything else.
“Mercedes!” Mike yelled to her as she was headed away from baggage claim.
“Mike.” She felt strange putting her hand out to shake hands, but he came up to her and hugged her.
“Welcome home Mercedes. You must be pretty tired.”
“I am, but I feel relieved now that I’ve landed.”
She watched him take her suitcase and he had his arm around her waist and was moving her toward some seats.
“Mike, some thing has happened…hasn’t it?”
“Mercy, we need to talk. Please, let’s sit down here.”
“Oh Mike, please don’t tell me Scott is hurt or dead.”
“I’m sorry Mercedes, but it involves your parents.”
/>
“My parents?”
“Yes…they both passed away this morning.”
“That can’t be…I talked to my father this morning.”
“Did he tell you anything at that time?”
“Yes he told me Melanie had a twin sister Alexis, and she was one of the abductors who took Scott.”
“Well they went to your parents’ house and as best we can tell, your mom had a heart attack, most likely when she saw what she thought was Melanie’s ghost. Your father looks like he either fell or was pushed through the banister and died in the fall.”
She closed her eyes and tried to get her arms around what she just heard. Please God don’t let the only other person I love be dead too. She took a deep breath and asked, “What about Scott?”
“As best we can tell he is alive and was there with Alexis and a caregiver by the name of Chris Sullivan. They managed to get away, but we have every town in Mass looking for their car. Mercedes, I’m really sorry about your parents.”
“Thank you Mike. There was a plot to kidnap me when I landed in Boston, but I managed to deal with the man on the plane who was involved. However, he killed an unsuspecting stewardess. That is why we were diverted to the Miami airport. The same group kidnapped my partner, Ralph Reynolds, but he was rescued.”
“We know about Ralph. Paddy has been in contact with Richard Damelio’s brother Robert in Venezuela. He was the angel you and Ralph needed. He was working with the Venezuelan military trying to find the missing kidnapped citizens. They raided all of the addresses Richard had in his files and we don’t have the final count of the number of people rescued but it is staggering. They also captured many of the gang.”
“By any chance, did you happen to hear a Captain Chavez’s name mentioned?”
“He wasn’t immediately captured, but one of the men captured made an arrangement and told the authorities he was leaving on a plane bound for Boston. They tried to arrest him, but he and two other men were killed in a shootout at the airport.”
Fragrance of Revenge Page 26