“This is not like you, Boss,” Bud said. “Loose ends, and we move on.”
The detective lieutenant stood up to leave and spoke. “There won't be any loose ends, Bud. Get some rest. I'll see you in a couple of days.”
Bud nodded as O'Malley and Lynagh said quick hellos and good-byes before the nurse pushed them out.
OCTOBER 26
Paul arrived at Stony Brook Hospital to see Bud at 9:45 am. Bud waited patiently for his partner to bring up that he was leaving for a few weeks, but Paul never did. After about ten minutes of small talk Bud started the conversation.
“Cronin tells me you're taking time off.”
“Yes, I need to get away.”
“When were you going to tell me?”
“I was waiting to be sure you were OK and out of the hospital.”
“What about Rachelle, how does she feel about it?”
“Bud, I've told Rachelle that we needed time and space from each other for a number of reasons.”
“Oh, I see, the girl risks her life to be with you, and you tell her good-bye.”
“It will never be good-bye with her, but I need to clear my head and I need her to be safe.”
“Sounds like bullshit to me.”
“I didn't come here to have you upset while you are in the hospital. You asked me to come.”
“Paul, you are one good cop, but you don't know a good thing when you have it.”
“I almost said the same thing to you a couple of months ago.”
“OK,” Bud replied, nodding his head, “you made your point, but you've almost lost her a few times in the past couple of years.”
“Because of me. Bud, my life is dangerous to her. If she was lost I would blame myself forever.”
“So,” Bud answered, “when it comes to Rachelle, you're a coward, is that what you are saying?”
Paul looked away, then back at this partner and best friend. “I guess I am.”
“Paul,” Bud replied, “if you need to go and get yourself together, then do it. But do me a favor. If you guys go your separate ways, then let it be. Don't keep anyone hanging. Let her move on with her life and really give her space.”
Paul nodded as they spoke police business and Cronin's latest maneuver on the case. It was another thirty minutes before Deborah came in, and while she gave Paul a kiss he could tell she was upset with him. He knew there was no doubt she had spoken to Rachelle. Paul gave Bud a handshake and a hug before leaving, allowing Deborah and him to talk about what was happening with their best friends. Deborah stayed with him for the day, and at 2:30 pm Rachelle walked in with a short haircut and a different look with her makeup.
Deborah gave her a puzzled look and Rachelle simply said, “A new start, a new look.”
Bud was afraid to comment other than to say, “You look beautiful no matter what you do.” She stayed for an hour until Bud was prepared for therapy and left with a smile and a hug.
As Bud left the room with Nurse Lorin, he looked back at Deborah and said, “You better keep a close eye on Rachelle, before she cuts off other things.”
Deborah just shook her head at him.
“You're still a clown, Bud Johnson.”
“See how I get when I don't have my gummy bears.”
She laughed as Nurse Lorin was yelling,
“Gummy bears my ass; let's get to work! Don't talk to me about gummy bears unless they are sitting at the bottom of a vodka martini.”
Deborah was shaking her head with a smile as she looked back at all the cards that were sent to Bud the past few weeks he was in the hospital. She sat down on his bed and started picking them up one at a time, reading them. They were from Paul and Rachelle together and then cards from each of them separately. There were cards from the precinct, the mayor of Port Jefferson Village, the Brookhaven town supervisor, Joey Z, and the Wilkerson Family. More cards from people throughout the community and the general public. Some were stacked laying flat. She noticed two cards on the other side of the bed that were separated from the rest. One of them was a card she had written to Bud. She read it again to herself.
Dear Bud,
When I think about our lives the past two years, I want you to know that you give purpose to me. A sense of security that only my father has been able to give to me. You “touch” me and have “touched” me. I will be forever grateful that God brought you into my life. With much love, Deborah.
She put the card down and picked up the other card that was standing next to her card. It read,
Dear Detective Bud Johnson,
You asked me when I was twelve years old what I thought about faith. I told you that faith gives you the strength to do more than you originally intended to do. It is also written that faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1). I have faith, Bud, that you will fulfill your destiny. You are in my prayers every night. With much love, Lindsey.
Deborah smiled as she placed the card down on the bedside table. She picked up her iPhone and called her father while she waited for Bud to return from his therapy.
Correctional Officer John Bay brought Madison down to the visitor center not knowing for sure who was waiting for her. Madison didn't recognize Rachelle at first with her short haircut and different-color lipstick, but she knew something was not right. She reached her hand over the top divider as always, so they could hold hands.
“What's wrong?” she asked Rachelle.
“We are no longer together,” she answered.
“What happened?” Madison asked.
Rachelle hesitated for a few seconds before giving Madison eye contact and speaking. “I'm not sure, really. I'm not sure at all. He claims my life will always be in danger if we are together, but I think it's an excuse to move on.” Madison let her speak until there was silence.
“I don't believe that, Rachelle. There is more to this than you being another notch on his bedpost.” Rachelle didn't answer her sister, so Madison spoke again. “Do you love him, Rachelle? Enough to spend forever with him?”
“I thought we would always be together, Maddie, but I guess . . .” Rachelle struggled to get the rest of the words out, “I was wrong.”
“Is that why the change in your hair and makeup?” Madison asked.
Rachelle laughed. “Well, I needed to feel good about myself.”
Rachelle stayed another forty minutes as she brought Madison up to date on Bud, Deborah, and the ever-mysterious Detective Cronin. Rachelle said her good-bye and drove to Z Pita restaurant for her shift for the evening, where Joey Z informed her that Paul had given him a month's rent in advance but that he would not be staying upstairs until further notice. Rachelle nodded, as Joey Z told her someone would have to check on the apartment every other day to be sure everything was OK. Again she nodded as she walked to the front. She did not want Joey Z to see the tears filling up in her eyes.
She went out to the sidewalk on Main Street, where she covered her mouth to keep the sounds of her crying to a minimum. Joey Z saw her through the window and almost went out to console her. He decided to let her have her privacy. She returned inside the restaurant within ten minutes, and because of the professional she was, no one could tell how much she was hurting inside.
HALLOWEEN
OCTOBER 31
Brian Branca and Linda Tangretti were getting ready for their weekend getaway at the Royal Coconut Palace Hotel and Spa for Halloween. It was perfect for them. While there were wanted notifications by the FBI and Suffolk County Police, the Halloween getaway was the perfect way for them to get out and have a disguise for a fun weekend. The hideaway bungalow was a two-bedroom mini-house surrounded by trees and bushes with about twenty yards between the other bungalows. The costume party would start at 5:00 pm by the pool, with a buffet of lobster, fresh fish, shrimp, clams, and different prepared dishes of chicken
and steak. After, they would board the dinner cruise ship, the Atlantic Princess, where 140 passengers would party into the night, enjoying wine, beer, champagne, music, dancing, and a light buffet of fish and salads until 1:00 am. The cruise ship would sail the Atlantic Ocean for the night before returning the following evening. The thought of sharing all this with complete strangers who didn't know their identity was exciting to both Linda and Brian.
They checked in at 4:00 pm and found their little bungalow within ten minutes. They unpacked their costumes and took a shower together. Linda was so excited and turned on about the weekend she enjoyed getting Brian aroused with the water coming down on them. She had never had sex in a shower before, and she made sure today she would take advantage of the opportunity. It was awkward and not like what she had seen in the movies, so it was only a few minutes when they moved to the floor of the bedroom and had rough sex with their soaking-wet bodies. Linda spoke to Brian as she encouraged him to be rough with her. He was so turned on, it was over within five minutes.
Linda noticed how hard he was breathing from it and told him to please not have a heart attack until at least they had a chance to enjoy the weekend. He laughed as he kissed the side of her face. It was another five minutes before they got up off the floor to dry themselves. Linda jumped in the shower again to have another cleansing as Brian put on his Zorro costume. He loved the black outfit and the small mask. He even shaved cleanly to look more like the character. He had a fake sword with the authentic costume. Linda did not want to wear a mask on her face, so she became a police officer with all the accessories—the fake gun, mace, nightstick, and sunglasses.
Once she was dressed, Brian grabbed her and spoke. “You know I've always had a fantasy about women police officers.”
She kissed him and told him she would “arrest” him later. They could not believe the world they entered when they arrived at the outdoor buffet between the two pools. The costumes ranged from Hercules, Tarzan, the Blues Brothers, and Zombies of all kinds to humorous costumes such as bananas and a couple peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to Cinderella and the sexiest costumes Brian had ever seen. He laughed at the Lucy and Popeye costumes, and he loved the thought of not knowing who anybody was. The chance that he could be standing next to a celebrity or a cop gave him an adrenaline rush. He was amused by his own thoughts and wondered if the other guests entertained the same feelings. If they only knew they were partying with a wanted killer. He laughed out loud as Linda poked him with a look on her face that was saying, What the hell are you thinking?
The advantage for the people dressed up like Hercules and Tarzan and some of the sexy outfits was that they could jump in the pool if they wanted to; however, it did not bother Linda and Brian. This was the first real time in many weeks where they were mingling and talking with other guests.
Linda was eyeing a male cop who looked like a Chippendale dancer in disguise until his partner dressed up in a sexy firefighter costume pulled on his badge. The food was the best Linda had since they left Long Island. The hour of 7:00 pm came fast, when the host, dressed as a naval commander, ordered everyone to start boarding the Atlantic Princess. Only toiletries and a small bag were allowed for the cruise. You would either keep your costume on or you would have nothing on for the cruise. As they boarded the ship there were mannequins dressed in some of the most famous costumes of all time. On each side of the black carpet there were Power Rangers, Ninja Turtles, Michael Myers, Star Wars characters, Jason, Batman, and Spiderman, and as they got to the end of the walk entrance there was Ghost Face. Branca gave the mannequin the middle finger as Linda laughed.
They entered a huge ballroom with more food on the side tables, in addition to couches and high tables to mingle and talk. There was a DJ waiting for them as he started playing music to get everyone in the Halloween mood for the evening. Linda shook her head over how much detail was given for the party. It wasn't five minutes before she dragged Brian to the dance floor. She was feeling so comfortable that she took off her hat and sunglasses and let her hair down as she moved to the club music. The lights flickering with the sound of music and champagne brought her to a level of escapism she hadn't anticipated. For the first time in years she didn't have a care in the world. The main floor was filled with so many different characters, from Marilyn Monroe to the Great Gatsby to vampires and politicians. It was a room filled with familiar faces.
As Linda moved closer to Brian Branca and put her hand on his groin, she spoke in his ear.
“Tell me, Zorro, is that your sword or are you happy to see me?”
He laughed as he brought her closer to him. “Let me show you.” Two hours had already passed as the big boat was now over three miles out to sea. He started walking toward their room holding her hand as they left the dance floor. They walked through the black carpet of Halloween legends and Branca did not forget to give the Ghost Face mannequin the middle finger again, but this time he did it with both hands as he said, “Here's twice as much for you.” He was so amused he almost knocked the glass of champagne out of Linda's hand.
They walked up the spiral staircase to the second level and turned right into the hallway that led to the suites with balconies looking over the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. They opened the door to the room that had a king-size bed surrounded by plush carpet that looked like a painting on the floor. A bar fully stocked, a mirror on the ceiling, a long sofa on the side of the room with a glass entrance leading to a 15'x10' balcony that made them feel like they could touch the ocean.
They fell on the bed as Branca started to unbutton Linda's police shirt. She took his mask off his face and told him she would be back in a few minutes. Linda got up and went into the bathroom. She fell in love right away. It had a hot tub, a shower, two sinks, and a marble tile floor with a hand-painted picture of the ocean. She felt like she was standing on the ocean. The wall had a flat-screen TV so you could enjoy shows while relaxing in the hot tub. She was thinking how she could stay in there for hours.
Brian Branca lay on his back as he looked at the moon through the sliding doors to the balcony. He got up off the bed, opened the sliding door, and walked over to the bar and dropped his cape in anticipation of fulfilling his fantasy of being with a female cop. He poured himself a glass of champagne and walked out to the balcony to take in the view of the moon and the ocean. They were now out about three miles from Key West as Brian held out his glass to the moon.
“A toast to all of you assholes. Who's the king of the world now?” He loved the sound of the water brushing up against the side of the boat. The swishing sound was so relaxing in a calm ocean.
He closed his eyes as he heard a noise behind him. Thinking it was Linda he turned around and smiled, but it was a figure dressed in dark clothes. The mysterious figure came up on him so fast he barely got a glimpse. It was enough to know it was Ghost Face who came up on him, lifting him up so fast and with such precision that Branca was over the balcony and into the ocean within a couple seconds. The figure threw the mask from the moving ship as close as he could to Branca, and as it landed Branca swam toward it. He grabbed it, and just in time, the exterior lights of the vessel came on. The mask had the words No Mercy written on it in what looked like blood. Branca started screaming for his life as he suddenly realized the boat was not stopping. It was only now that he asked for God to enter his life. He started to make up words to pray for forgiveness, but there was no hope. Within four minutes the vessel was out of sight and within the shark-infested waters off Florida it was only another ten minutes before Brian Branca experienced a slow, merciless death.
Linda was oblivious to what happened for she took a full twenty minutes before coming out completely naked except for the badge on a chain around her neck. “You're under arrest, you bad boy.” She looked around the room and saw the sliding door open to the balcony. “Come back in, and I'll show you what it's like to be the most wanted.”
She walked over to the
bed and noticed there were photographs spread out on top. Her facial expression changed as she got closer and picked up one of them. It was a photo of Officer Franks. She dropped it and looked at the others as her breathing became heavier and her heart started beating faster. Photos of Detective Hansen, Officer Dugan, Chapman, Baker, and Wyatt bloodied with their injuries. She shuffled through the photos as she looked around to see if anybody was in the room.
“Brian!” She started yelling his name over and over as she saw the photos of the three young women that were killed in the nightclubs. She started ripping up the photos as she yelled for Brian again. There was a frightening silence in the room that was too much for Linda. She put on her uniform pants and was in such a hurry she didn't even bother to button the shirt when she put it on. She ran down the hallway almost bumping into a couple dressed as Mickey and Minnie Mouse. She walked quickly down the spiral staircase to go back to the large room where the party was. She was hoping that Brian had played a silly joke on her and she would apologize for taking so long in the bathroom.
As she went toward the room and past the Halloween legends on the black carpet she stopped when she got to the mannequin that had the Ghost Face mask on it. Staring at her was a male mannequin. The mask had been taken off. Linda started screaming as she ran into the party. She was grabbing both men and women to help her. Most of the party attendees were aware of what was going on, but they were trying to avoid her. Finally one man dressed in a captain's uniform was able to grab hold of her and he finally convinced her he was part of the ship's crew.
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