by Dick Waters
“What’s up?” she asked.
“Well you asked me to keep my eyes open. Here’s what I noticed. Can I count on the bonus you indicated before?”
“Yes, you can count on it. I’ll leave double the amount in the usual place. However, it better be good news.”
“Thanks. Well, I’m not sure you’ll consider it good news or not, but we have two more groups of people checking things out. The first, I witnessed, are two FBI people. One is a tall redheaded woman, and her companion is a young man about her age. They were at the police station, then went to the Hamilton fuel dock and spoke to the attendant there. Then they left and went to a dive shop along the coast. They went with the owner in his boat, but I can’t say where they went.”
“Yes, you mentioned two sets of investigators. Who was the other one?”
“Well, when I was following the FBI people, I discovered they were being followed by a young man on a motor scooter. He followed them to the police station, the dock and then the dive shop. When the FBI people went in the boat, he left and I followed him, but he just drove around like a tourist. I did find out where he’s staying. He’s staying at the Hamilton Harbor Inn. The FBI couple is staying at the Bermudiana.”
“You did well again. I’ll leave the money at the regular place. It will be there in the morning. I have an additional bonus for you if you can find out their names, and get me pictures of them. I’m especially interested in the redheaded woman. If you’re also up for it, I would like you to follow the FBI agents and let me know where they go. I will assume the young man will be closely behind them. With all of this activity, you’re going to be a rich man before this is over. I really like rich men,” Margaret said, laughing.
“I’m up for the extra money. I’ll follow them when they leave the hotel. I’ll also try to get close enough to get pictures. Is there anything else I can do for you?” he asked, hopefully.
“No not really. I’ve been keeping myself pretty busy these days,” Margaret said, with a chuckle. “Bye.”
*.*.*
Margaret studied her naked frame in the full-length mirror. Her hair was still wet, but she was mostly dry now. The plastic surgeon, besides being a great lover, was extremely skilled. Her face was more attractive than ever, but her body was to die for. That is just what is going to happen now…sorry Paul…it’s time to turn-over the inventory. Now the question is what is the most exciting way to do it?
She felt the cool sand between her toes as she walked to his cell. She didn’t bother dressing since she would only have to remove her clothes anyway. It didn’t take her long to think of his farewell scenario. Her heart was beating a mile a minute. She thought about bringing her boat to her dock behind her house, but she was too ready to waste that time…she’d get it later.
She stopped to listen to see if the guests were talking between themselves. They were quiet, but she often wondered if they did communicate when they knew she was not around. So what if they did! As she looked down into the limited light, she saw blood running down her body from the four large fish hooks. She dialed in on the pain. Pain to her was just a feeling. Something she just learned to tolerate and take pleasure in. It was just like any other sense to her. She couldn’t understand why her guests reacted in such the opposite way. However, she was glad they did…it would take the fun out of it any other way.
She quietly unlocked and opened Paul’s cell door. His eyes were closed. I guess I was too much for you earlier, huh? She moved closer to his bed, waiting for him to open his eyes. She didn’t have to wait long. His eyelids fluttered and then his eyes got huge, and then they turned to fear when he saw what she had done with the hooks. She climbed onto the bed and sat on his thighs. She slipped the first hook out of her body and waved it slowly in front of his eyes. Margaret took her time running the back of the hook down his chest.
His screams were exciting. She hoped the others were paying close attention. Your days are coming…right now its Paul’s. She tried her best to keep her eyes open, but she couldn’t control herself.
Chapter 53
It took just under an hour to arrive at the site where Roger Elliot’s body was found. The plan was for Ralph to dive with the dive shop owner, who was a good looking young man named Denny Longo. Mercedes never took her grandfather up on his offer to take SCUBA lessons. Looking at the calm turquoise water, she now wished she had learned to dive. Ralph had taken lessons and enjoyed diving.
Denny maneuvered the boat for a few minutes and then when he was satisfied he went to the bow and dropped the anchor. When the anchor caught, the boat swung around. Denny started to change into his wet suit and Ralph headed down below. Several minutes later they were both standing in front of her looking like seals in their wet suits. Mercedes watched them both put the balance of their dive gear on without saying a word to them. Finally, they both flapped their fin covered feet to the rear of the boat. Ralph looked like he had just gone to heaven.
After talking with each other for a short time, they jumped off the back of the boat into the water. Ralph waved to her and disappeared below the water. Denny had indicated that he could take Ralph to the exact spot where the cage was found with Roger Elliot’s body. She had questioned Ralph on what benefit that was going to have on their investigation, but he insisted it was necessary. She watched the bubbles rising to the surface making a wide arc. The bubbles stayed in one location, which she surmised was the location where the cage was found. About five minutes later she saw the bubbles getting closer to the boat.
Denny popped his head out of the water first, followed immediately by Ralph. Ralph was shaking his head, moving quickly toward the stern. They both climbed up the ladder, and then sat down to remove their fins.
“Mercedes, we have a problem,” Ralph said. “We have another cage down there, and there’s a man’s body inside.” He proceeded to remove the balance of his equipment. “He hasn’t been in the water very long judging from the condition of his body. We need to call inspector Hughes right away.”
She didn’t say anything. Ralph was right for a change; there was a benefit for making the dive. The body is probably another one of the missing men…hopefully not Nils’.
Denny was using the ship-to-shore radio to reach the inspector. It took quite a while, but he finally made the connection, telling him what had been found.
“The inspector will be coming shortly, with his team, and he wants us to remain right here until he arrives,” Denny announced. He sat down at the table inside the cabin.
Ralph came over close to her. “Mercedes, I’m glad you didn’t make this dive with us. He’s not a pretty sight. However, I would say he’s Shawn Dustin, based on the pictures we had of the missing men,” Ralph whispered. He headed below to change back into his clothes.
*.*.*
An hour and a half later a police boat pulled up next to theirs and tied off. The inspector was with four other men. Two of them were wearing wet suits. The inspector nodded to them. He then went over to Denny; shook hands and conversed for a minute. He then went over to Ralph and Mercedes. “Mr. Longo indicates you both asked him to show you where the earlier dive cage was found. Why did you think that was important to your investigation?” Inspector Hughes asked.
Ralph answered before she could. “We wanted to see if there was anything left behind, and it looks like we were right.”
The Inspector looked like he was going to say something, but just stared at Ralph and then at her. He went over to the side of the boat and spoke to one of the two men in wet suits. The man immediately started to put the rest of his gear on, and the other man followed. The Inspector came back to speak with Denny, taking some notes. He then asked Ralph to step to the rear of the boat. The Inspector talked to him, while also making some notes. He then came over to her. “Agent Strong, I understand you did not dive with them. Do you have anything you would like to tell me about finding the body?”
“I can’t tell you anything about that, but I can tell you that i
f this is Mr. Dustin’s body, two US citizens have been found murdered, and we have to step up the investigation to find the others.”
The inspector immediately frowned. “We’re doing everything in our power to find them,” he retorted.
Her gut told her that wasn’t exactly the case. She was glad they were doing their own investigation. “Inspector, we’re going to be here until we find our missing citizens. So please use us to help in any way you see fit. I can tell you that the news of nine missing US citizens is not going over well back in the states. If this is one of the missing men, which we speculate is Shawn Dustin…that news will give the press more fuel to throw on the fire.”
His face turned immediately red. He didn’t say a word, but went to the stern to watch his two divers and Denny descend below the surface.
Chapter 54
Mike had contacted Jules’ cab company. The owner was very concerned about Jules’ fate. He indicated he could easily replace the cab, but not Jules. Mike asked if he could recommend a driver for an extended period while he was on the island.
In the hours they spent together today, Sam and Mike had hit it off. Sam was easy going, with a very dry sense of humor. Mike wanted to check out places where one could obtain dive cages. However, the process was time consuming and Mike felt it wasn’t as productive as he had hoped.
“Sam, I’m getting quite a tour of the island. I appreciate your taking me to all of these places, but I have to ask you—if you didn’t want anyone to know you purchased several dive cages where would you go?”
Sam pulled the cab over at the next available spot. Finally, Sam offered, “I need to give that some thought.”
“Sam, let’s assume Jules did find the right place to get the dive cages. You know Jules well enough, where do you think Jules would have gone?” Mike offered.
Sam pounded his palm off the steering wheel. “I think I know where he be going.” He pulled back onto the road, heading back in the direction they came.
*.*.*
They had been driving for almost thirty minutes. Mike was deep in thought, trying to imagine what could have happened to Holly and Jules. He purposely had avoided contacting Charlotte Williams. With two more people missing, he didn’t feel this was the right time to contact her. Mike noticed Sam studying the roads leading inland from the shore road. Sam finally spotted what he was looking for and exited the shore road.
“Mr. Mike, this is the road I was looking for.”
Mike noticed the absence of homes, observing more and more commercial buildings. Sam stopped the cab in the road and looked at the small sign; ‘Bermuda’s Past and Future Treasures.’ “I think this be the right place.” Sam pulled into the small parking lot and up to the Quonset hut. Sam started to get out and asked, “Do you want me to go with you?”
“Sure, maybe your company will bring me some luck.” Mike chuckled, opening the door. He followed Sam around the side of the hut where two signs indicated; ‘Open’ and another ‘Ring Bell.’ Sam pulled the rope and the tarnished bell gave a shrill ring. There was no immediate answer, so Sam rang it several times.
“Dang, what is it with you people? I heard it the first time. I don’t move as fast as I used to,” a very tall, heavy set man with a gray beard said, as he approached them. “What do you want?”
Mike looked up at the man. “My name is Mike Miller. I’m interested in whether you have any dive cages.” The man looked like he could use a bath.
“No, not any more,” he answered shaking his head. “What is all the interest in these cages, anyway?”
Mike heard him, trying to hold his excitement. “Why, has anyone else been asking about them?”
“Yup! There was a pretty little redhead here the other day, with a tall black man. She sure was a jumpy little thing.”
“Mister…? Do you remember their names?” Mike asked.
“I’m not any Mister, people call me Willie. Oh, she had a name…I forget, something to do with Christmas.”
“Okay Willie, was her name Holly?”
“Yup, pretty little thing too!”
“Can you share what you told them?”
“Sure, but I could use a sale today.”
Mike took out a twenty, handing it to him.
“That is real nice of you.” He went over and sat his large frame on a bench beside the front door. He took a deep breath and continued, “I told her about another redheaded woman who bought six of them. She was real pretty too, but not as jumpy as Holly was. I told her I didn’t know her name. The woman picked the cages up in her pickup. It took her three trips…paid in cash too.”
“Would you recognize her again if you saw her?” Mike asked.
His smile got larger and larger. “I told her if I see her every night, I sure would know her. Now, I see both of them…my stereo redheads,” Willie said, with a proud smile. He started laughing and it turned to coughing.
Mike waited until he stopped coughing. Willie’s face was red as a beet. “Is there anything else you can tell us?”
“Well I got to thinking after she left…does this have anything to do with that man found in a dive cage?
“Yes it does. I would say the woman who bought your cages was involved with his death and the other missing men also. You should also know that Holly and her companion, Jules, have also been reported missing. If the woman who bought the cages should come back here for any reason—you need to find out her name, or better yet; detain her.”
Willie looked up at Mike. “You know what? I should get me another cage and put that pretty thing in it.” He started to laugh and again it quickly turned to coughing.
*.*.*
On the road back to his hotel, he now knew what Holly and Jules knew—it was indeed at least one woman who was keeping and killing. Now he needed to find out who she was and where to find her.
“Sam, what are your thoughts on the redheaded woman Willie was talking about?” Mike asked.
Sam took his time answering. “Well, Mr. Mike, I would say she has to have some room to keep those cages. You just don’t plop them in your front or back yard. She would also have to know how to dive. That is, unless she has an accomplice.”
“I was thinking the same thing. Let’s assume she was a diver. She would need supplies, at least, once in a while. Do you have any idea where to look for this kind of equipment?”
“I do, but we’ve run out of time to check those places. How about we get an early start and check them out tomorrow?” Sam asked.
“I guess I’m just anxious, but that sounds fine to me. You name the time tomorrow morning, or why don’t you join me for breakfast at the hotel…say seven o’clock?”
“That sounds great.”
*.*.*
Mike was in his hotel room listening to the local television station, getting ready to change for dinner. He realized this was a good time to call Paddy. He had the hotel operator place the call for him. The phone rang a few minutes later. The operator told him the party he was trying to reach was on the phone.
“Thank you.” He acknowledged the operator. “Paddy, good evening it’s me. I wanted to give you an idea about what I’ve learned today.”
“Hi Mike, it’s good to hear your voice. Do you have any good news?”
“Well, in a way. We learned where Holly and Jules went to find the supplier of the dive cages. The man sold a redheaded woman six cages. Judging from his description, the woman was quite attractive. He doesn’t’ know her name. Unfortunately, she paid with cash, making several trips to pick them up herself. So with that information in hand, I’m not quite sure what Holly would have checked out next.”
“Well Mike, you’re on the right—“
“Wait Paddy…there’s something coming on the television which I have to listen to.” Mike and Paddy were silent while he listened to the broadcast. “Paddy, they just reported another body has been found in a dive cage in the same location as Roger Elliot’s. It also mentioned the local police were accompanied by FBI ag
ents. That must be Mercedes, or someone in her group. I saw three of them at the airport when I arrived. Wait—“
“They just mentioned that authorities believe the body is that of Shawn Dustin. The body had not been in the water more than a day.” Mike heard Paddy let out a breath of air. “Are you okay, Paddy?”
“I’m okay. I’m concerned about how soon the bodies are being found. Holly was also correct about when the next kidnapping was going to occur. She was wrong about it just being another man…she might have been too close. What’s next on your agenda?”
“Well, tomorrow we’re going to check out diver supply places to see if they know of any redheaded woman that skin dives.”
“Who are we? Are you working with Mercedes?”
“No. I’m letting them do their thing. I’ve rented a cab and a driver for an extended period of time.”
“Mike, that sounds like the right approach.” Paddy hesitated, then added, “You be careful. If you get too close, you don’t want to be the next person reported missing.”
Chapter 55
Margaret had her last fun with Paul, but it wasn’t fun for him. The others had all yelled out for her not to hurt him, but she had warned them to keep their mouths shut or they would be next. One scream from Holly would be all it would take to silence them. Unfortunately, they were obedient puppets.
It had taken her several minutes to kill Paul. She would not try to strangle anyone else in the future; a knife would be messy, but more efficient. She stared at the hooks still in Paul’s muscular body. She was sorry now that he was gone…but she could always stick one of the others…or, all of them. She felt her body getting excited again…but she would deal with that later.
She had to go get her boat so she could dispose of his body. The blood was still visible on her body from where the hooks were. She knew what she would do. She removed one of the hooks from Paul’s body and went into each cell and made sure they were all aware of what she had done. She returned to Paul, replacing the hook. Without his screams, it didn’t give her the same thrill.