Serial Separation

by Dick C. Waters

  Mike, smiling, shook my hand, and I knew he would indeed follow up with Paddy. Regardless, I knew without a doubt there were now three dead men, and, unfortunately, I knew all of them.

  Chapter 10

  Scott was saying good-bye to Colleen as he headed to Paddy’s office. Mike wondered what Paddy would say about the missing couple but thought more about the three men connected to Scott’s hockey league.

  He knew Paddy would have heard him running up the stairs. Paddy was in another one of his argyle sweaters, but this one looked very festive, primarily red and green. “Paddy, I need to bother you. Paul just informed me two college kids were reported missing and last seen Friday night.”

  Paddy waved him to have a seat. “Do you think it’s related?”

  “I’m afraid so. Scott Tucker was just here talking with me, and when he heard the guy’s name, he recognized it. Bob Sullivan, the missing guy, played hockey in the same league as the other two murdered men. Did you know Scott played in that same league? He’s concerned about men he knew turning up dead. Paddy, I think it would be a good idea if you could find a way of bringing Scott on board.”

  He studied Paddy for a reaction.

  “Paddy, Scott was really a big help on the last task force. If he wasn’t involved he might not have saved Lisa from being killed.” He knew Paddy also knew that, but he felt he needed to restate that. “Scott and I worked well together. I would enjoy working with him again.”

  “Mike, I know you and Scott have become close friends. Right now, my concern is the relationship to that hockey league.”

  “Paddy, Scott could be an asset in that regard. He knew all of these guys. There has to be some connection to that hockey league. The first two guys played hockey at Northeastern, but Sullivan goes to Boston College.”

  He continued. “Paul said he is trying to reach Bob’s parents in Winchester. The missing person’s report indicated Bob lived at home and commuted to school. We have to be careful because he’s only missing, and we don’t want his family to be unduly alarmed.”

  Heavy pounding on the steps interrupted them. Paul Brosque knocked on the door. “Excuse me. I heard from Robert Sullivan’s folks. He was indeed due home at least by Sunday night. He had a date Friday night with Cathy Palmer, who attends Northeastern. They were reluctant to report him missing as he sometimes stays over with one of his classmates. However, when he still hadn’t returned home by this morning, they reported him missing.”

  “Thanks Paul.” Paddy took the words out of his mouth.

  Paul continued. “Cathy Palmer’s mom filled out the original missing person report Sunday morning when her daughter didn’t return from her date Friday. She reported that it was not like her to stay out without reporting in to mom. The Boston PD is following up with Palmer’s mother, and they’re going to let us know what they learn. It looks like we might have our next missing guy, judging from the preliminaries.”

  When Paul left, Mike resumed his conversation with Paddy. “Paddy, judging from the timing on the previous murders, we may be already too late to stop the next murder.”

  “Mike,” Paddy offered, “Scott did meet with me, and I told Scott I received pressure from the AG on his joining the last task team.”

  “Could we utilize his skills and not make a big deal about it?”

  “Mike, if Scott comes aboard, I’m not going to hide his participation. That would be asking for trouble.”

  “Scott is a very promising young man, he’s getting one of the best educations available, he’s intelligent, he’s going to have a bright future, and he thinks you walk on water.”

  “He does?”

  “He told me you missed your calling and you should have been an inspirational speaker. He hasn’t missed any of your lectures at Harvard, and he can tell you make an impact with the students.” He paused. “What happens if another man on that earlier hockey league comes up missing?”

  Paddy paused for a few seconds. “Let me think about his participation for a while. I can’t use the defense he’s not part of law enforcement. I’m about to bring another Harvard student on board very soon.”

  “Does Scott know him?”

  “I don’t think so, and it’s not a he. Her name is Mercedes Strong, and she’s studying to be a profiler, and she’ll be here Wednesday for an interview. How about I bring them both in for an interview together?”

  Before he could respond, Paddy’s phone rang, and Colleen announced it was Victor Young. “Mike, this is the AG now. I have to take the call, and I’ll think about Scott coming on board, but no promises.”

  Chapter 11

  She entered the small coffee shop on Marlborough Street and noticed the manager changing the daily specials. The specials changed on Mondays, and, although she rarely ate lunch here, the different aromas provided by the combination of a coffee shop and deli were enticing. She remembered having coffee here with Scott when they first met, and that made this a special place.

  She was meeting Judy and Judy’s close friend, Dottie Copeland, to talk about the holidays. They frequently all met here to share how their love lives were progressing, or, at times, not.

  While she waited in line for her coffee, she spotted and waved to Judy and Dottie, already seated at their favorite back table. That table provided enough privacy for talking without being overheard. She thought it interesting they were dating roommates, attending Boston University. Judy was an attractive brunette, but Dottie caused heads to turn. She was striking, and her complexion was so light it was hard to tell she was black.

  She was using the time to gain enough courage to discuss her call with Scott. She hoped they would chat about their guys, which would give her an opportunity to share her upsetting call with Scott. She brought her coffee over to the table and greeted them.

  “Good morning, girls.”

  “Glad to see you up and moving,” Judy said with a smirk.

  She thought it was strange Judy was already out of the dorm room when she woke this morning.

  Dottie added, “Judy, don’t pick on her. She’s got an active love life and probably exhausted.”

  She responded, maybe a little too quickly, “Actually, one of the things I want to talk about is Scott . . . I didn’t want to bring it up so soon, but I need your thoughts on something.”

  “Oh, gee, sounds like we’re going to have to play ‘Dear Abby,’” Dottie said, smiling.

  “Why don’t we talk about what you’re both doing over Christmas, which is just four days away?” She realized she wasn’t prepared to talk about Scott.

  Judy offered, “Neil is going to come over to my parents’ house Christmas day for the afternoon, and that’s going to be exciting.”

  Dottie added, “Jeremy and I are still trying to determine how we’re going to handle Christmas. He’s been acting strangely and I can’t tell if he . . . he might have someone else.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding,” Judy trumpeted. “He’s all but married to you.”

  “Well, I would have agreed with you, but there was a weekend in November where I couldn’t reach him all weekend. My fear is that he was seeing somebody else. He’s acted strangely with me since then.” Dottie bowed her head, her eyes filling up.

  She could tell Dottie was indeed concerned about Jeremy.

  Dottie needed some time to compose herself, and she felt now was the best time to get her own issue on the table. “Scott and I had words the other day on the phone.”

  “Gee, Lisa, you just told me he was late calling, but I didn’t realize you had serious words over it,” Judy said, placing her hand against Lisa’s.

  She found it hard to get the words out. “Dottie, Judy knows about his call, but he was late calling me the other night, and I guess I took my frustration out on him. I realize now I never gave him the chance to explain why, but I don’t know whether I hung up or he did. I don’t know if he’s got someone else either or whether we’ll see each other Christmas or not.”

  “Lisa, don
’t be silly. Scott doesn’t have anyone else. What happened is just a lover’s spat . . . you’ll be fine.”

  She knew Judy was trying to help.

  Judy looked over at Dottie, who was now focused on Lisa’s troubles. “Dottie, she has some issues related to that ordeal with Jimmy Ballou, and she needs to get past them.”

  She wasn’t expecting Judy to bring up that history. “Do you think we’ll still go away skiing over New Year’s?” She hoped that would change the subject, as she didn’t want to get into a conversation about that ordeal.

  Dottie was first to respond. “Like I said, Jeremy has been acting so strangely, I can’t say whether we’re still going or not. I want to, but he hasn’t been close to me in weeks. If we go away, I’m going to break his leg, so all we can do is spend time in bed.”

  That made them all laugh and lightened the moment.

  “Dottie, I’ll pick Neil’s brain to see if he knows anything about what’s up with Jeremy,” Judy said, trying to reassure her. “In the meantime, if we are indeed going away, we need to book some reservations or we might all be freezing to death in the car. That might give some incentive to creating some body heat. If it’s okay with you guys, I’ll call and make reservations at the Balsams, or do you want to be closer to home?”

  She beat Judy to the punch. “Let’s go for the Balsams. The long ride might help us understand what is happening with these guys.” She looked to Judy. “Can you see if Neil’s up to taking his station wagon? It would be too cramped in Scott’s car.”

  They continued their conversation about the holidays, but she kept thinking about Dottie’s comment about whether Jeremy had another girlfriend, or was with someone that weekend. She wondered if she was driving Scott away. Did he have someone else, or would he ever spend time with someone else?

  Chapter 12

  “Jeremy, I’ll see you later. I’m going over to see Judy,” he heard Neil say as he was leaving their dorm room.

  Alone in his dorm room, he had time to contemplate. Dottie had also called to invite him over, but he told her he still had some additional Christmas shopping to do. It wasn’t a lie, but it wasn’t the whole truth either. She had also mentioned going skiing New Year’s weekend at the Balsams, and he told her it would be fine. She wanted to know if he had other plans and he told her he didn’t. Deep down he understood why she asked the question.

  He went over and picked up their picture on his headboard. Dottie was one of the most, if not the most, beautiful girl he had ever seen. He was much darker than she, but her complexion almost looked Polynesian. She was so special. He would be a fool to do anything to lose her.

  However, since that weekend in November, things had been different. He knew it, and he could sense she knew something wasn’t the same. She even hinted about whether he had found someone else. It was not about another girl . . . it was about several. He wanted to look at the newspaper article again. He opened his dresser drawer, pulling it out. He studied the article about the two torsos that had been found and identified. The names were familiar, but he was never that good with names. He looked at the Paul Maloney and Anthony Sangello names again. Reading the article more closely, it indicated they both played hockey for Northeastern. Hockey, that’s it! He quickly located his scrapbook on the bookshelf and searched it.

  There it was the newspaper article on the new hockey league. He checked for their names and found both of them. They both played hockey together in that league, and so did his cousin, Jason. He saw Jason “JJ” Johnston, his black face in the crowd of players. Jason and he both shared the same nicknames.

  Could that be the connection, a case of mistaken identity that he was taken that weekend and held against his will? His mind drifted to the horrible details of his abduction and the ordeal of that weekend, and the scars were proof that it wasn’t just a dream . . . it was a nightmare! He wondered how he could continue to keep his abduction to himself. He was worried Dottie would see the scars when they were intimate.

  Chapter 13

  “Mike, can you believe the AG is already looking for status reports?” Paddy exclaimed, shaking his head.

  He was not surprised Paddy was already mentioning this, since the AG did the same thing last year. He enjoyed working with Paddy, and they each had their respective roles. Paddy ran the team, but he was the primary investigator.

  There was a time when Paddy would have run the other way from this much responsibility, but now he knew Paddy wouldn’t trust anyone else with the reins. However, right now, any progress would be welcomed by Paddy and the AG. The connection Scott identified was a significant development, although the connection was not fully understood. He thought about whether Scott might be a potential victim, and maybe that was why Scott was trying desperately to join the task force.

  He hoped his appeal to Paddy on Scott’s behalf was sufficient. Paddy’s plan to buffer Scott’s joining the team, with the profiler, might be the best approach. It would certainly soften the blow with the AG, and Scott did give them the lead to the earlier hockey league. If nothing else, he would be an additional resource, which would benefit the investigation.

  “Mike, you look deep in thought. Care to share?” Paddy asked, putting his glasses down on his desk.

  “I was just thinking about Scott and the connection to the earlier hockey league. We might not have made that connection this fast, but I’m puzzled about why hockey players would be a target for what appears to be sexually motivated mutilations and killings.”

  He continued. “Scott’s knowledge of these murdered men would be a help to our efforts, especially if Sullivan is indeed killed in the same manner.”

  You never stop selling, do you?” Paddy said with a smile.

  “No, Paddy; in this case, I’m convinced, it makes all the sense in the world for Scott to work with us.” He watched Paddy as he turned in his chair to look out the window. Paddy was doing finger pushups, which he always thought looked like a spider on a mirror.

  “Do you think it’s too far fetched for someone in that league to have a vendetta against these men . . . maybe trying to throw us off, giving the impression the killings were sexually motivated?” Paddy questioned.

  He didn’t answer Paddy but wondered what would anyone have against hockey players serious enough to kill them? Would Scott also be in danger? Having Scott close by might be beneficial for them and Scott.

  “It’s so unusual to have male victims. I’ve never seen something like this. If a guy is going to kill another guy, he’s going to beat him to death, shoot him, or knife him. He’s not going to mutilate and save body parts. It could happen, but it seems so unlikely.”

  Paddy put his glasses back on the end of his nose, and he looked like Santa Claus in the argyle sweater. “Mike, the task force kickoff meeting has been moved to tomorrow morning. The AG will be present along with the other dignitaries, and the press. Colleen is making calls now to extend the invitations. I don’t want to bring up the connection to that earlier hockey league, at this time . . . not with the press present. We’ll cover that in our team meeting.”

  “I understand.”

  Paddy continued. “I’ve considered your appeal to bring Scott on board. If you can reach Scott, see if he can come in for the task force meeting in the morning. Caution him about keeping the hockey connection to himself. In addition, see if he can return later at twelve thirty for an interview with the other Harvard student I mentioned, Mercedes Strong.”

  “Great. I think he can be a help again. Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome, but I’m counting on you to guide his efforts. The kickoff session is eight thirty in the conference room. I think it would be beneficial for Scott to hear what we have learned so far. It might help him to recollect something we might think is unrelated.”

  “Okay.”

  “You better let him know he’s not going to be alone in that interview, but don’t specifically mention who is going to be in the interview with him.”

  “Th
anks, Paddy. I appreciate your letting Scott help.”

  “You know, I have my reservations, but my gut is telling me something different. Just tell him to keep a low profile, and his assistance could be temporary.”

  Chapter 14

  I was reviewing some preparation material for one of my new courses. The phone made me jump. I thought Lisa had beaten me to the punch.

  “Hello there.”

  “Hello there yourself.”

  “Hello . . . is that you . . . Mike?”

  “Yes, who were you expecting?”

  “I thought it was Lisa calling me. And I’m glad I still have an opportunity to beat her to the punch. What’s up? Some good news, I hope?”

  “Yes, you could say that. Paddy has consented to let you join the task team, on a temporary basis, and wanted me to call you to alert you to a couple of things.”

  “Great. I know you had your hands full convincing him, and thank you for it.”

  “He’s concerned with your participation, as you know, but he thinks you might be able to shed some light on the connection to the hockey league. We can talk about that when I see you. The task force kickoff meeting is tomorrow at eight thirty, and he wants you to be here, but he wants you to keep a low profile. Okay?”

  “Okay, sure.”

  “He also wants you not to mention the hockey league at that session.”

  That comment caught me off guard. “Okay.”

  “Paddy also has an interview scheduled for you and someone else at twelve thirty tomorrow in his office. So, after the task force meeting, you’ll have time to do your thing and then come back for the other meeting with Paddy.”

  I tried not to sound too concerned. “An interview?”

  “Well, that’s what Paddy called it, so I’m just passing it along. I also want to see if you have time tomorrow night to have a beer, or whatever, with me?”