I watched for a few minutes, and, for once, I think I had the upper hand. I jumped out of bed and took over blowing on the coals. After I had poked them, the log roared back to life. I reached over and took the bed cover off and put it beside the hearth.
I wanted to tell her why I thought I had the nightmare, but for some reason I decided not to. We laid there together for the rest of the night, watching the flames, and each other.
Chapter 34
After he and his family had finished opening their presents and had breakfast, Mike wondered if Scott ever made it to Lisa’s parents’. He decided to call the Andersons and wish them a Merry Christmas.
Rose Anderson answered the phone.
“Merry Christmas, Rose, this is Mike Miller.”
“Merry Christmas to you and your family. How have you been, Mike?”
“Just fine, thank you. We just finished opening presents, and the kids are occupied. I thought I would call and wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Did Lisa and Scott make the drive up there?”
“Well, Lisa made it, but Scott never did. Mike, let me get her on the phone. Please wish your wife happy holidays from both of us. I’ll get her.”
“Thank you, and the same to you and Harold.”
“Hello, Mike, Merry Christmas.”
“A Merry Christmas to you too. I heard you made it, but Scott didn’t.”
“Oh, the roads were terrible. It took me three hours to get here, and I still don’t know how I made it. Scott called before I arrived and indicated that he had to put up in Topsfield. I wondered if you were with him.”
“No, I left earlier with some other task force members. I called the office to let them know the roads were really bad and not to try to make it to Newburyport.”
“Them?”
“Yes, Scott and another member of the task force had been given the address of where the body was found. When we took off for the coast I had no idea the roads were so bad. So I stopped and called to tell them not to try to make it.”
“Well, he must have decided to go anyway, and we’re all disappointed that he couldn’t be here.”
“Have you talked with him today?”
“No, and I thought when the phone rang that it might be him. I’ve been calling the number he left, but it’s just ringing busy.”
“I heard there are some utility problems along the North Shore. Can I have the number? I’ll try him.”
She gave him the number. “Lisa if I get through, I will let him know you have been trying to reach him.”
Mike sensed she wanted to say more.
“Lisa, can I ask you something personal?”
“Yes, but let me close the office door. What is it?”
“You know I care about you and Scott, and I’m glad Scott is working with us again.”
“I know.”
“Are you okay?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well . . . how are you coping since the Jimmy incident?”
“I’m doing fine. Why do you ask?”
He knew he was on thin ice based on her reaction. “It was just a concern since you had a very traumatic experience.”
“It was, but I think I’m doing okay. What’s making you ask?”
“Lisa, I’m sorry. I guess I’m out of line, but I sense from Scott’s behavior that things between you two are not great right now.”
“Mike, if Scott has told you anything, I think he’s oversensitive and should talk to me about it.”
“I’m sorry, Lisa. I just care about the two of you, and if you need anything, I want you to know, I’m here to help.”
She was quiet for a moment or two. “Thanks Mike. I know Scott talks with you, and you two have become close friends, but . . . we’re okay . . . we’ll do fine . . . I was wondering something.”
“What’s that?”
“Does Scott have someone else?”
“No, Lisa.” He thought to himself, not as far as I know. He could tell she was crying. “I’m sorry I upset you; it wasn’t my intention.”
“Mike, its Christmas Day. Scott was supposed to be here last night and stay at least some part of today. I miss him and can’t even wish him a Merry Christmas.”
“I’m sorry your day is messed up, but maybe you’ll hear from him soon.” He could tell she was still sobbing.
“Then . . . thanks, Mike. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Please wish your wife and family the same.”
“I wish you the same.”
He could tell Scott was right about Lisa needing help. He had never known her to act like this. Her concern about Scott having someone else was something Scott would not have expected.
He wondered whether Scott and Mercedes had left together. Did they have to share a room?
Chapter 35
After Mike’s call, Lisa started a slow burn.
Why was Scott getting Mike involved? Who was ‘they?’ Was there another detective, and why hadn’t Scott called her by now?
Scott had a nerve to mention their relationship to Mike. So maybe she was having a problem with Jimmy—that was no one else’s business. Scott is going to have some explaining to do. How much of our sex problems did Scott share with Mike?
She spotted the keys to her new Mustang on the office table. She slapped them off, and they hit against the office door. She knew she was breathing hard, hearing her heart beating in her ears. When she calmed down, she thought about how they met—and their sexual excitement. They both had missed that growing up. They were ripe for a heated romance and had found mutual pleasure in their explorations. Her anticipations had matched Scott’s. They had shared their feelings, and how this and that pleased their bodies.
She remembered the long rides in the car that became her opportunity to tease him until he was about to explode. Then, when they were alone, she would purposely slow the pace to heighten his anticipation. She thought about shaking a soda bottle until it was ready to explode . . . that’s what they had.
She knew Scott loved her. Sharing their relationship with Mike showed how much he cared. She shared their relationship with Judy, so why would she be upset that Scott had shared things?
Scott should be talking to her about her behavior. She realized he had tried on numerous occasions, and all she had done was bite his head off. She had even commented that he was over sexed. Earlier, that was something that made her love him even more. Now it was something that caused her to push him away.
Lisa, get your act together . . . or you’re going to lose him. She knew she was acting strangely and it did relate to her ordeal with Jimmy Ballou.
The images of Jimmy’s naked body haunted her all the time, especially when Scott was about to make love to her. She remembered being knocked out by something he held against her nose and mouth. When she woke, she was naked on a bed—and tied up. His hands were oiling her body, and it was difficult to remember what happened after that.
Sex had been different with Scott. Jimmy’s was lusty, dirty, one-sided, painful, and embarrassing. He was getting all the pleasure at her expense. She closed her eyes to the pain he caused. She felt tears on her cheeks and the hopelessness of it all.
After the ordeal, Scott had tried to make love to her, but when he tried to enter, she recoiled. She knew her mood changed, and it had nothing to do with Scott. She wanted him more than ever, but she had not been able to shake Jimmy’s image, and it haunted her.
He was dead, thanks to Scott finding and rescuing her. She was glad Jimmy had slipped to his death in that flaming fall. I know I need to tell someone about what happened to me, but I haven’t been able to tell even Scott. I could never tell Mom.
She wondered if she would ever be able to enjoy Scott again. Would she wind up scaring him away, or sending him to someone else? He was the one for her, and she knew it with all of her heart. She realized it from the moment she’d met him in the library the day Kennedy was shot. He was so comforting to both her and Judy.
She knew she needed to ta
lk to someone. She couldn’t talk to her mom about this. Mom never knew the details of her ordeal, only that she was lucky to be rescued. She vowed to talk with Scott or have another conversation with Mike.
She needed to talk to Scott. When was she going to hear from him . . . would it be too late?
Chapter 36
It was Christmas Day and Jeremy and Neil shared their presents. Neil was a real jokester and had found JJ a great gift—something for a cold winter’s night. It was a knitted cover for his manhood. Jeremy had given him a more practical gift—a large bottle of Jack Daniels. ‘Jack’ was always something special for guys in college.
Jeremy was studying the feminine colors of the knitted protector and thought of his ordeal.
“JJ, are you and Dottie going to go away over New Year’s weekend?” But JJ just stared at his gift. The radio was on in their dorm room when the report came on. They weren’t paying much attention; it was stuff about the storm.
Then the report mentioned a torso had been found off the coast yesterday that investigators believed to be the body of Bob Sullivan, missing a week ago.
The report mentioned a coed’s nude body found yesterday along the Fens. She had been raped and stabbed multiple times. Investigators confirmed the body was that of Cathy Palmer, reported missing the same day as Sullivan.
They were both reported to be together at the time they were abducted. Police were not commenting on the cases, but they speculated the torso found yesterday was linked to two previous murders and would be part of the task force investigation.
Neil looked at Jeremy and noticed Jeremy’s hand shaking as he held the present.
“JJ, what is the matter? Do you know either of these people?”
“No, but that makes three guys killed in the same manner.”
“So?”
Jeremy just looked at Neil.
“JJ, I’ve never seen you like this . . . you look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“Can we open your Jack?”
“Sure.” Shortly, they were both swigging from the bottle, but his was more like a double.
“JJ, I’ve known you long enough to know you haven’t been yourself lately . . . something is bothering you. What is it? I’m your friend, and you can share whatever it is with me. Is it Dottie?”
“No. It’s not her.” He took the bottle from Neil and took another long drink. “I can’t share this with anybody, not even you or Dottie.”
“Shit man—you’re freaking me out!”
Jeremy held the garment out in front of him and stared at it.
“Are you upset by what I gave you?”
“No, nothing like that . . . the torsos they found.” He paused.
“Yeah?”
“They were missing their heads, hands, and feet.”
“Yup.”
Jeremy was still staring at the gift. “And their balls and dicks!”
“Yeah, that’s my understanding, even though they hadn’t really expressed that.”
Jeremy got up and went to his dresser drawer and brought his cousin’s hockey article and looked at it again.
“What’s that? What’s the problem?”
He responded slowly. “This is an article about a hockey league, new at the time of the article. Let me read three names to you: Paul Maloney, Tony Sangello, and Bob Sullivan.”
Neil just looked at him.
“The three guys’ bodies that were found, they belonged to this hockey league. Don’t you think that’s a strange connection?”
“Why does that bother you?”
“It makes an impression.” He took another long swallow of the Jack and added, “One of the other players in that league was my cousin—Jason ‘JJ’ Johnston.”
Neil replied, “Wow that brings it closer to home.”
“Yeah, Neil, we both share the same nickname—‘JJ.’ That brings it even closer to home.”
Jeremy now understood why he had been kidnapped and almost murdered.
Chapter 37
Mike had been playing some of the new games with his kids. They were all enjoying the comfort of their home and the family time together. He had explained his call to the Andersons to his wife. Scott never made it, but Lisa was there safely. He said he had tried to talk to Lisa about what was bothering her, but she just got upset with him.
“Honey, Lisa is not the Lisa we know. I can see why Scott mentioned her behavior was so changed.” The phone rang and interrupted him.
“Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas to you, Mike.” Mike recognized Paddy’s voice.
“What’s up?”
“Mike, have you had the news on?”
“No.”
“Well the news has reported a body found along the Fens. It was a coed. She had been found naked, raped, and stabbed to death. Initial reports say it’s the body of Cathy Palmer, who was reported missing along with Bob Sullivan. They also have made it public that the torso found is that of Bob Sullivan.”
“It’s a shame those families will not be enjoying the holidays.”
“Right. Mike, can you make it to the office later today? I don’t think we can wait on this matter any longer.”
“I’ll just have to do some things here, but I can get away. Do you want me to call the others?”
“No, thanks. I’m taking care of that myself. I’m sorry to take you away from your family. They say the roads are passable, but be careful.”
“Thanks, Paddy. See you later today.”
He broke the news to his wife, who had learned about holidays, or the lack of them, and police work.
* * *
Mike thought about his call to Lisa and decided to try Scott at the number Lisa gave him. The phone rang and rang at that number, and he let it ring for quite some time.
A man’s voice finally answered. “Topsfield Cabins.”
“Thank you for answering. I’m trying to reach Scott Tucker. Is he there?”
“Yes, they’re registered guests—cabin seven.”
“Can you get him to the phone? It’s important.”
“Well, we just got our power back a few minutes ago, but I’ll try to connect you. Please hold.”
He could hear a different type of ring.
* * *
“Hello?”
“Scott. This is Mike Miller. I’m so glad I reached you.”
“Merry Christmas, Mike. I didn’t know the power came back, but you obviously reached us. I never knew we had a phone here; it was in a protected alcove.”
“You said ‘us.’ Is Mercedes with you?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, here’s what’s happening. Paddy called us in this afternoon to go over some new developments. Briefly, the body found has been identified as Bob Sullivan. His girlfriend’s body was found along the Fenway. She was raped and stabbed. She has been identified as Cathy Palmer, who was with Bob when they were abducted.”
“We need to jump on this right now. Can you . . . can you both make it back this afternoon?”
“Well, when I last checked, my car was buried under more than a foot of snow, and the driveway here has not been plowed. But we’ll do our best to get there.”
“Great. Scott, you need to call Lisa. I tried this morning to see if you made it there, but Lisa said you hadn’t. We had a conversation, and I tried to let her know that I would try to help her if something was bothering her. She got upset with me, and you need to know that before you call her.”
“Okay. Thanks for the warning.”
“One more thing. In the conversation, I mentioned that I had left a message with Colleen to tell ‘them’ not to try to reach Newburyport. Well, she picked up on that, and she will want to know about the other investigator. You need to be prepared.”
Scott was a little slow responding, “Okay. That’s also good to know. I’ll see you later.”
Mike ended the conversation with, “Good luck!”
Chapter 38
While I was on the phone, I saw
Mercedes fumbling with the towel, smiling at her inability to cover herself. After Mike’s call, she was sort of covered, and I felt overexposed. She was sitting on the hearth, smiling with her back to the fire.
I walked over to my side of the bed and wrapped the towel around me. Mercedes left the hearth and went over to the other side of the bed and turned on the nightstand light. She glowed in the soft light as she stood motionless.
Catching myself staring, I had to say something. “I was going to tell you we had power, but you obviously noticed. I had no idea we had a phone.”
I turned away and flipped the heater switch on the thermostat and the light dimmed. “That was Mike Miller. Paddy has asked the team to assemble later today.”
She said, “The hell with this . . . you don’t mind, do you?” She posed holding the towel for a few seconds, and my towel answered before I could.
“I can tell you the details on the way. That is, if we can get out of here.”
She went over to the window, looking out through the parted curtains. I was staring again.
“It’s quite a sight out there.” She turned slowly, knowing I was staring. She nodded her head. “It’s quite a sight in here too.”
She joined me. My resistance failed and we kissed, falling on the bed. She quickly took control, and I felt uncomfortable again.
“Scott, how much effort is it going to take me to make you feel at ease? I would have thought we would be beyond this by now.”
I broke our embrace and sat up. She rolled onto her elbow, studying me.
“Mercedes, I’m sorry. I can’t be what you want me to be. Mike told me he talked with Lisa this morning and she’s all upset. Upset because I’m not there, and not talking with her. It’s Christmas. He also talked with her about her recent behavior. He also mentioned I’m with another member of the task force.”
“So, what are you going to do about it?”
“I’m going to try to reach her.”
Serial Separation Page 11