by Dick Waters
Mr. Nielsen took a healthy hit. “My two sons do not get along. My oldest son, Nigel, feels Nils is just a rich kid who has never grown up. There’s some truth in that, but he has overplayed that perspective. Nigel feels being the oldest; he is in line for the fruits of my success. Although I’m not ready to ‘exit stage left’ yet, I have contemplated selling the business. That’s where my sons have had some heated words. They have had two fights that I am aware of. One of those was just before Nils left on his cruise to Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Caribbean. That was just over two months ago. The other fight and I heard this second hand…” He paused, looking at Mercedes, “was when Nils arrived in Bermuda.”
Mike could tell Mercedes was hearing this for the first time. “Mr. Nielsen, we appreciate your being frank with us. This will be helpful, please continue.”
“Nigel has denied going to Bermuda, but I have my sources and I know for a fact he did go there around the time Nils disappeared. I did not confront Nigel after I confirmed he went to Bermuda. Although my sons have different views, I can’t believe either of them would actually cause the demise of the other. However, I want this aspect investigated to learn what actually happened.” He took another hit on his drink. “Let me continue, Nils was traveling with a male companion and three young women. I would like to know what happened to them, and the ‘Import-ant’, which is the 42 foot yacht Nils was sailing at the time of his disappearance.”
They all drank simultaneously. Paddy asked, “Mr. Nielsen, were either of your sons involved with drugs?”
“I understand from Mercedes you prefer to be called Paddy. So Paddy, I’m glad you are thorough enough to ask that question. I have not been able to confirm that, but I have considered that possibility. I would appreciate your investigation including that facet. I have no respect for anyone using drugs, and should I find either of my sons involved with drugs, it will have an impact on my will.”
Mike asked, “Is there anything else you care to share? Do you have any thought as to what happened in Bermuda?”
“Mr. Miller, or if you prefer Mike, I have given hours of thought to that. My best guess is that my sons did have a fight, but it was just two siblings. Nils might have been so upset about it to alter his plans to do something he wasn’t planning on. I have no idea what that would have been.”
He continued. “Let me explain. When Nils had any major problem during his youth he would sign up for a new course, or lock himself away and read for days. If my sons had a fight, Nils might have sought some diversion to take his mind off things. However, Nils would not have done so for a long period of time without touching base with me. Maybe he would be out of touch for a day or two, or up to a week, but not for months. No, without any question, Nils has met with some misfortune.”
Paddy responded, “Thanks for your candid input.”
“You’re very welcome. Thank you for your time. One other thing that I can’t ignore…the Import-ant is not in Bermuda.” He held up his hands. “So where is it? More importantly, where are the other four people who were with Nils? Three of them were young women. There’s something strange happening in Bermuda. I would like to know what it is, and where my son is.”
Paddy wanted to discuss the financial details of the investigation with Mr. Nielsen. Mike and Mercedes left him alone to discuss those details.
They went to the vestibule where they would be out of ear shot. “Mercedes, what’s your take based on the new input from Mr. Nielsen?”
“I didn’t know about the fights or Nigel’s trip to Bermuda. The authorities in Bermuda are not aware of any of that either. However, I don’t think it has anything directly to do with Nils’ disappearance, but based on what Mr. Nielsen said, it could have resulted in Nils altering his immediate plans. We have been trying to track down the yacht, but feel the name might have been changed or it might have been scuttled.”
“Mercedes, thanks for thinking of our office for Mr. Nielsen’s investigation. More importantly, thanks for giving us back our Scott. We really missed him while he was grieving.”
She smiled, flipping her hair. “As far as Scott is concerned, you don’t need to thank me…it’s my pleasure.”
Chapter 20
“Scott, you did an excellent job on the demo for the Real Estate Board today. Based on their comments I think we will be doing a much larger pilot soon. Care for a victory drink?” Stephen Strong beamed as we entered his private office.
“Thank you Stephen, I would be more than happy to join you.” I thought about the project – I was thrilled to see the success of the demo with the use of the computers. Seeing the successful implementation would be exciting.
He opened the cabinet doors to display the mirrored bar. “If I remember correctly you prefer Bourbon on the rocks.”
“Yes, that would be nice.” I watched, as he made the two drinks.
He handed me one of the glasses. “Here’s to the future—cheers.”
“Cheers.” We touched glasses. He waved for me to sit in one of the leather chairs in the sitting area.
“Scott, there are some things I want to talk to you about. Now might be the best time to discuss them.” He sat in the adjacent high backed chair about three feet away. “First, you never have charged me for all of the effort you have expended. You also have never discussed any fees with me. I find that very strange. I need your feedback to help me understand where we currently stand.”
I took a long hit on the drink, then put it down on one of the coasters. “Well, I guess I have some reservations about charging you. Mercedes asked me to touch base with you. Since your project is what we are trying to base our expanded business model on…well, your project would be a good reference for us for future business.”
“Do I understand that you have done all of this work gratis?” He frowned, putting his glass down.
“That’s right,” I replied after a period of hesitation.
He quickly responded, “No, that’s not right.” He got up from his chair and walked over to his desk and opened his center drawer. He came back and handed me an envelope with my name on it. “Scott this is made out to you, but you can deposit it in the business account if you desire.”
I opened the envelope. It was a check for ten thousand dollars. “Mr., I mean Stephen; this is far too much for the time we’ve spent on this project. I’m sorry I can’t accept this.” I put the check back in the envelope and reached over to hand it back.
He held up both hands. “No Scott. I consider this fair payment for what you have done to get my idea into a working model. This process improvement will save thousands of dollars just in the Boston segment of the real estate listings. We’re talking about the major portion of a state-wide process improvement, which will add considerably to the savings. Please accept this check, or I will be forced to send a larger check to Paddy for your effort. Scott, this project shows how computers can be used to improve business processes. Don’t miss the opportunity to ride this wave. If not your office, then someone else’s will surely jump on it now that it has been demonstrated.”
I considered his comments. “I’m sorry; I should have detailed how we were going to bill this project. I’ll accept the check, but I’m embarrassed about this.”
He picked up his drink and took another long swallow, and I followed suit. “Scott, you’re really one of a kind. I can see where you’re going to have a very successful career, especially with your fine education.” He swirled the remaining contents of his drink. “Here’s to a long and successful working relationship.”
I raised my glass and we both finished our drinks.
“This brings me to my other subject I wanted to talk to you about. Since we’re going to have a long successful professional relationship, can you tell me how you and Mercedes are getting along?”
*.*.*
Unfortunately my glass was empty. I felt my stomach turn.
“Scott, can I freshen up our drinks?”
“Yes please.” I could see the
smirk on his face in the bar mirror. He handed my glass back. I put the envelope down on the end table and stood up. “Stephen, that is really between Mercedes and me.”
I stood behind my chair. “Please let me explain my situation. I have been grieving over the loss of my wife for two years. Mercedes has for years always been in the background, and I have thought of her often. Recently, she has come back into my life, and has given me a new zest for life and the future. I enjoy her company. We’ll have to see where it takes us. I also owe her my life as she did risk hers to save mine. Without any hesitation, I can tell you this…if she were suddenly removed from my life there would be an extremely deep void.”
He studied me, weighing what I said. “Scott, without overstepping my bounds, I want you to know how much I approve of you. I would be very happy if you continued to brighten her life.” He took a deep breath before adding, “She’s been so focused on her education and professional career, I feel she has missed out on the finer things life has to offer. I have seen a new glow, and would like to see more of it. She’s all I have left.” He looked at his now empty glass. “I think I’ve said enough.”
*.*.*
We talked for a short while. Then I left and headed for the office. For the first time since I’ve dealt with Stephen I felt uncomfortable. I was uncomfortable about the large check, but more uncomfortable about the personal discussion involving Mercedes. Maybe I shouldn’t have accepted this project if I was going to be dating Mercedes. But, I didn’t know that when I accepted it. Come on Scott, you’re not that stupid. You knew where this was going. You know what affect Mercedes has had on you. Yes, she does make me uncomfortable, but I’m working on changing that. I’m going to miss her when she leaves for Bermuda.
The office was closed when I arrived. Paddy and Mike were meeting with Mr. Nielsen. I walked into Paddy’s office, putting a note on the envelope containing the check. I explained why the check was made out to me and that it was for the work on the real estate project. Ten thousand dollars would almost buy a new house. This was just a drop in the bucket to Stephen’s real estate/development business. There’s no doubt he likes me. I wonder what kind of discussion Mercedes had with her father about me. I have to say goodbye to her before she leaves.
*.*.*
There was no answer at her apartment. I contemplated going over to say goodbye in person, but she might be late getting home. What if she arrived with another man? For the first time since we got back together, I wondered if there was someone else in her life. I was staring at the phone but not really seeing anything but the pictures of her holding onto another man’s arm smiling as they entered her apartment building. My breathing was labored like I had just finished a long run.
Scott, if you want her to be part of your life, you have to make sure she knows how you feel about her. If she does have other suitors, at least she can consider me one of them. I really don’t like the idea of sharing her with anyone else. What if she goes to Bermuda with someone else from her office? Can I actually picture her without a man in her life? Is there any chance she has been waiting for me all this time? Can I be that lucky? My mind was racing with so many thoughts. It was like someone flipped a switch and a light went on—I now knew the most important thing for me to do.
Chapter 21
As she was unlocking her door, she heard the phone ringing inside her apartment. She ran to get to it, but there was no one there. She wondered if it could be Ralph, or possibly Scott. She was sure whoever it was would call back. Regardless she needed to pack for her trip.
Shortly, the one suitcase was heaped with clothes. Although they were only going to be in Bermuda for three days she had included enough clothes for a week. She tipped the suitcase over and started to eliminate some outfits. She didn’t need three business outfits—two, or even one, would be sufficient.
Mercedes completed a new pile consisting of; two pairs of shorts, one pair of clam diggers, four blouses, two sun dresses, bathing suit, shoes and underwear. She repacked the case and checked to make sure the top could be zipped.
The phone interrupted the temptation to screen the outfits she removed.
“Hello.” She answered on the second ring.
“Hi Mercedes, are you all packed and ready to go?”
“I’m getting there. It was hard deciding what to bring. How are you doing?”
“I’m all done. I imagine it’s much easier for me than for you. This feels like we’re going on a mini-vacation instead of a business trip.”
“Ralph stop. There’s something we need to get straight. I would rather mention it before we get there.”
He didn’t immediately respond. “What’s that?”
“Please don’t take this the wrong way. I think you’re a nice guy. We’ve had a couple of dinners together.”
He interrupted. “They were dates, Mercedes.”
“Okay, we went out on a couple of dinner dates. Like I said, you’re a nice guy, but I don’t want this trip to be an excuse to rekindle anything. Do you understand?”
“Well, there will be some activities after work. I would rather enjoy them with you than by myself.”
“I understand. We can have some drinks together, take in a steel band or whatever, but that’s as far as it goes. Please don’t do anything that will make it difficult working with you in the future. Just picture me as your sister and we won’t have any problems.”
He was slow responding. “I wish I had a sister like you.” He paused. “Okay, ‘sis’ it is.”
She knew Ralph well enough to have this conversation now, but she knew him well enough that he would take every opportunity to turn this trip into something else. She should have never gone out with him, let alone what they had done on their last date. “Good. I’m going to hold you to this.”
He chuckled at her comment. “See you in the morning. We’ll pick you up at 5 AM. Do you need any help with your luggage?”
“Thanks for the offer, but I will be in the lobby waiting for the car to arrive. I’m only bringing one bag. Bye.”
There was another chuckle on the other end and finally a bye. If only Scott was going with her…it would be a much different scenario.
*.*.*
She was almost done in the shower when she heard the phone ringing. She grabbed the towel, running to answer it, not knowing how many times it had rung already. “Hello,” she said with a winded voice.
“Hi Mercedes its Scott, did I catch you at a bad time?”
“Not really. You caught me in the shower again. Can you hold a second while I dry off?”
I pictured her standing there holding the towel. The thought brought back images of a few days ago.
“Scott, I’m back.”
“Speaking of backs, do you need me to come over and dry your back?”
“I’d love to have you do that, but you know where that would lead. I’ll take a rain check though. I have to get up at the crack of dawn, and I need to get some sleep tonight. Do you have anything in particular to talk about?”
“I can think of a whole bunch of things. I wish I was going with you. It would be fun to see Bermuda with you.”
“Since this is just a three-day trip, if you were going—I’m not sure if we would see much of the island,” she said, with a sexy laugh.
“I know what you mean. I’ll settle for the trip to the cabin in Topsfield.” I let that sink in. “Are you ready to leave?”
“Yes, I’m all packed and almost ready to hit the sack. Ralph said he will be coming to pick me up at 5 AM.” She regretted mentioning his name.
I heard what she said, but I was still processing. “Is he going with you on the trip?”
“Yes, he’s one of the investigators assigned to the case. I’m there for the profiling aspect. There’s a lead investigator also involved, but he left today.”
“Mercedes, please be careful and have a good time. I hope your flight is a good one. What’s the weather like this time of the year there?”
&nbs
p; “Thanks Scott. Well, I packed light clothing, so it better be warm.” She paused, then added, “Is anything wrong?”
“Nothing that seeing you wouldn’t fix.”
“Well, I just dropped the towel. Does that help?”
“That certainly will give me something to think about. I’ll go to bed with that image. Mercy, I can’t wait to see you again. Will you call me when you return?”
“I’ll do that. Pleasant dreams. Bye.”
I said goodbye, but I wanted to talk some more. The image of Mercedes standing there without the towel was clouded by the thoughts of Ralph. Judging from her description of the lead investigator, Ralph must be much younger. How the hell could anyone ignore her beauty? I think I’m developing some investigation senses; my gut was telling me there was more to ‘Ralph’ than just a fellow investigator.
*.*.*
Mercedes picked up the towel, noticing the living room curtains across the room were wide open. She waved to no one in particular, but if they were looking, they would have a nice view. She knew real well Scott’s reaction to her body. She headed back to the bathroom to finish getting ready for bed.
Her reflection in the full-length mirror caused her to suddenly picture her holding these men against their will for sexual purposes. Her sister and those other women had done that, but could she do it herself? Scott’s naked image at the cabin came quickly to mind and she knew the answer.
Chapter 22
Mike unlocked the door to the office. He was lucky he had arrived before Paddy and Scott. He turned on the lights, hung his coat and started a pot of coffee before doing anything else. After the meeting with Mr. Nielsen, he gave some thought to how to conduct the investigation in Bermuda. He contacted Holly, asking her to attend a morning meeting at the office to discuss the approach. She was excited to hear she might be going to Bermuda.