by Dick Waters
*.*.*
It was dark when she docked her boat back at her house. She decided to roll one of the remaining cages onto her boat first. She was surprised how quickly she could do this now…practice does make perfect. The cage made a loud sound when it rolled onto her boat, but no one was close enough to hear it. She went back to the shed, rolling one of the cement filled tires down to the boat. She rolled it up the plank from the dock to the side of the boat. When it rolled off the plank onto the boat deck, it broke one of the floor boards.
Back at Paul’s cell, she undid his restraints and sat his lifeless body up on the side of the bed. With one quick motion his body was over her shoulder and she was standing. It took a few minutes, but it was much easier getting his body out of the basement this way. However, it was very tiring. By the time she was at the boat, her knees were about to give out. She barely managed to get to the side of her boat and dump him in. His body landed, making an awful sound when it struck the boat deck. She climbed onto the boat. She sat a minute to catch her breath. The cool breeze of the early evening felt good on her naked body.
Margaret stared at the hooks, catching the moonlight. She closed her eyes, replaying her earlier ‘trolling’ with the hooks, and the memory of his wide open eyes knowing what was going to happen to him. Her heart was beating wildly. She could hear the air escaping from her rushed breathing. She opened her eyes and fell beside him, dealing with her excitement.
After several minutes had passed, she had to get busy once again to dispose of his body. She stood up, brought back the fish oil and covered his body completely. She rolled his body into the cage and sealed it. She then attached the anchor chain to the cage and to the rubber tire filled with cement. She stood up, checking her work. Then she put on her wet suit right over her naked frame.
The roar of the first engine starting sounded like a lion, and when the second joined the first, it was a rumbling harmony. She undid the ropes tying the boat to the dock and jumped back into the boat. Her feet hit the oil on the deck. Her back crashed onto the deck, the air rushing out of her lungs.
*.*.*
She felt the gentle movement of the boat, opening her eyes to see the stars in the sky. The boat engines were rumbling. She could hear the waves hitting off the side of the boat. The cage was beside her. Paul’s body was right where she left it. The limited moonlight made his naked frame and the hooks sparkle. She rolled over, slowly getting to her feet. Her back and head were aching. The boat had drifted several hundred yards down the shore line and was a few hundred feet out from the shore behind someone else’s property.
She went over to the helm, put the engines in forward and pushed both levers. The engines gave a deep rumble and she turned the boat out to sea. She looked back to the shore to see if anyone was looking at the boat, but she didn’t see any sign of life. Well Paul, sorry for the delay, but now we’re headed to your final adventure. She would have to be more careful the next time…which might be sooner than later.
Chapter 56
I was in my hotel room playing back the events of the day; my sneaking away to Bermuda without telling anyone, my finding and following Mercedes to the dive shop, my waiting hours for their return, and then watching her and the other agent talking in an animated fashion when they returned.
I hadn’t really done all that much, but for some reason I felt exhausted. I hadn’t eaten all day and didn’t feel like it now, especially dressing for a late dinner. The bed felt so comfortable and there was a slight breeze coming in the open doors to my balcony. My mind was replaying the part of Mercedes and Ralph over and over again.
*.*.*
I felt cold and woke to find the drapes blowing in from the open doors. I looked at the clock and realized I had fallen asleep for almost three hours. It was after eight and I debated just changing and going to bed for the night. I closed the balcony doors and straightened out the drapes. For some strange reason I wasn’t as tired as I was earlier. I started to think about Mercedes and Ralph again, deciding to take a walk.
Outside in the fresh air, with the sound of the palms moving with the breezes, I decided to head up to where Mercedes was staying. I couldn’t understand why I was doing that, but I just couldn’t stand being so close and not seeing her. When I reached her hotel I took a seat on the veranda. There were some people coming and going, but it wasn’t crowded by any means. I didn’t have any luck spotting her, so I decided to head inside to observe the night life.
I took a seat at the bar in the lounge. I could see and hear the steel drum band playing in the ballroom from where I was seated. I was slowly drinking a rum and coke and when I looked out toward the dance floor—I couldn’t believe my eyes. There was no mistaking Mercedes’ long red hair trailing down the back of her bright-blue dress. She looked great even at a distance. The band finished their song and I got a view of the young man with her…it was the same man I saw her with earlier in the day…Ralph, I’m sure.
The steel drums started a slow song and they resumed dancing. Soon they were dancing very close and I couldn’t look away. They started talking, then smiling and looked like they were really enjoying themselves. A few seconds later he resumed his close hold and they danced almost frozen in the same spot. I could tell I was jealous and wished I had the courage to go tap him on the shoulder and surprise Mercedes.
I weighed the benefits and consequences of that move, and followed a safer path of just watching them. Soon the song ended and they walked over to a table close to the raised stage. Mercedes looked beautiful, her red hair was catching the ballroom lights, and her long legs were very evident sitting at the table. The waitress came over and Ralph nodded his head. Mercedes held up her hand, but he showed two fingers. She shook her head, but he must have convinced her to have another one anyway.
My eyes were locked on them. I never noticed the female bartender standing opposite me.
“Sir, can I refill that drink for you?” she asked.
I studied the glass in front of me and was surprised it was empty. “I’m sorry. No, this was fine. Can I have my check please?”
She quickly returned, leaving the check. I looked at it, paying the bill and leaving a tip.
“I’ll get your change.”
“No, that’s good. Thank you.” I waved for her to take it. When I turned to check on Mercedes their new drinks had arrived and they were back dancing another slow song. Mercedes eyes were closed. She looked like this was all familiar territory for her.
I was beginning to get the idea I might not be the only man in her life. So…what are you going to do about it?
Chapter 57
“Jules, are you okay?” Holly broke the silence.
“I’m all right. How about you?” Jules asked.
“This is a strange setup. She’s really scary. I can’t say I like what’s happening to us, but I would rather be alive than dead. From the looks of things, she killed that man.”
A new voice said, “She did kill him. He was Paul Williams. She’s already killed Roger Elliot and Shawn Dustin. We’re next, or more exactly…I am.”
Holly immediately asked, “Is that you Nils?”
“How did you know my name?” Nils asked.
“We came to find and hopefully rescue you. Your father hired my firm to find you. The good news is—I did that in record time…the bad news is I found you, but not before she found Jules and me,” Holly said, trying to make light of the situation.
“She’s gone, so you don’t have to whisper. I think I’m next on her reduction of inventory. However, maybe she’s not tired of me yet,” Nils commented.
“Nils, we’ll find a way to get you out of here safely…right Jules?”
“If you say so my dear,” Jules said, with a slight laugh.
Nils asked, “Who else knows you’re here in Bermuda?”
“Well our office knows, and the FBI knows. They were also here earlier, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they were here again.” She paused and then continued, “I’
m sure we have been reported as missing. How did she kidnap you?”
There was no immediate response. “When I arrived here, my brother and I got into a silly fight. The next day I decided on the spur of the moment to book some SCUBA lessons, and hopefully make a dive. Well I called the number the hotel recommended, and went out to this dive excursion place. I knew ahead of time the dive excursion was being run by a woman, but it didn’t sound threatening. She was more beautiful than I expected. The next thing I knew I was waking up in this cell, being given lessons in obedience instead of diving. She’s a real fruit cake.”
“Why Nils…is that any way to talk about a lady? But, thanks for the compliment on my beauty…I’ll try to remember to reward you for that.” A new voice interrupted the conversation. “I think you folks have had enough conversation for one evening. Since you all have broken one of the rules of the house—you all have to receive your just punishment. Who wants to be first?”
There was no response. She appeared in each of their doorways, and it didn’t take a genius to know what she had in mind. “Okay then, will it be a blond man, a redheaded woman, or a black man?” She paused, “eeny, meeny, miny, moe, out goes Y…O…U. However, I’ll be right back. It seems that Paul didn’t want to leave me after all. I should have been more diligent and made sure he was dead and had not just passed out before I hauled his body away. I have to go get him, but I will be right in to see you.” She pointed at him and raised her voice, “Just a warning for all of you—I’ll be using a knife next time.”
Chapter 58
Mercedes felt the room spinning and it wasn’t from dancing. “Ralph, I think I’m going to be sick. I have to leave now.” She tried to get up but she felt lightheaded. Ralph steadied her, put some money on the table, took her pocketbook and guided her out of the ballroom.
Once inside the elevator, she tried to steady herself by placing her palms behind her against the wall. As she closed her eyes, the spinning feeling was even worse. The elevator stopped. She could feel Ralph guiding her towards her room. He was going to have to hurry. “Ralph, hurry…I’m not going to make the bathroom.” He located her key in her pocketbook, opened the door and guided her inside. She pushed him out of the way, rushing to the bathroom. Fortunately she made the toilet, but everything exploded, and exploded some more. The cool floor was comforting while she hugged the toilet.
*.*.*
She could feel the cool breeze in the room and opened her eyes. It was light outside and the balcony doors were both open. Mercedes tried to remember things about last night, faintly remembering being sick in the bathroom. She didn’t remember anything beyond that. She looked down and the sheet was only partially covering her—she was nude. She immediately pulled the sheet over her, searching her brain for last night’s details.
She remembered dining and drinking with Ralph. She also remembered missing Scott, dancing with Ralph, and doing more drinking. The puzzle pieces were starting to fall into place. Oh my God…don’t tell me I made the mistake of going to bed with Ralph. She listened to see if he was possibly in the bathroom. There wasn’t any noise to be heard.
“Ralph?” She uttered his name, but not too loudly. There wasn’t any response, so she called his name a little more intently, “Ralph?” She was alone. She looked around the room, catching sight of her blue dress thrown in a ball on the chair, her underwear partly on the chair and the floor. She wouldn’t have done that with that dress. “Shit, shit, shit...that son of a bitch took my clothes off and took me to bed. I knew he was going to be a problem. What did you do Mercedes? What did you do?
*.*.*
The hot bath felt extra special. She was still trying to remember more of last night. After she was sick, did she let her guard down? She almost went too far the last time, but he had fallen asleep when she went into the bathroom. Did she actually go to bed with him last night? If she did, how could she not remember even one part of being with him? If they did sleep together, why wouldn’t he still be with her? She knew he had removed her clothes, which meant he had every opportunity to take advantage of her. She slipped down into the tub until her head was under the water, and then screamed.
Oh Scott, what have I done? How the hell am I going to face Ralph this morning? Should I act like nothing happened? Or, will that give him the wrong idea about things. Maybe he will fill in the details. That will tell me enough about what happened. We have some serious work to do, and I don’t need you as a problem. If she had Ralph right here, right now, she would pummel him to death.
That’s when it struck her. She remembered telling Scott never to let her render him defenseless. She could feel her heart beating in her ears, her breathing was rushed. Maybe I’m more like my sister than I realized. Holy shit, did I black out last night, or did another personality take over? She raked her hair with both hands, and then stopped suddenly. She looked at her red nails. Two of them were broken. She felt even more confused and trapped. She strained to tightly close her eyes.
*.*.*
She was finally ready to face the consequences. Looking at her reflection, one would never know the anguish of an hour ago. Her hair looked radiant and her makeup seemed more striking than yesterday’s. The pink color of the shirt might have had something to do with her radiance. The Bermuda shorts cut across her knees just right, and when she turned to look at her calves her pumps couldn’t be better.
She took a deep breath, dialing Ralph’s room. “Hello.”
“Ralph, good morning. Are you ready for breakfast?”
“I feel great today, ready for anything. Max told me he was going to the US Navy base to see how he could get more attention on finding the ‘Import-ant,’ if not all of the missing yachts. He said for us to continue our investigation, and that we did great yesterday. He also told me to have you obey every command I give you,” Ralph said with a chuckle.
“Ralph…about yesterday.”
“Wasn’t it great?”
She hesitated. “Yes, finding another body was progress…if you can somehow understand that. But, about last night.”
“Wasn’t that great too. I really enjoyed myself, how about you?”
She considered his response. “Well, I have some mixed emotions about it…and I don’t like being sick.”
“Okay Mercedes, let’s have breakfast. I’ll meet you downstairs in ten minutes. I enjoyed last night, and maybe we can repeat last night with the exception of your being sick.”
“See you downstairs in ten. Bye.” She hung up the phone quickly. Holy shit, I get the impression from all of that that we might have spent part of the night together. I’ll have to check to see if Ralph has any visible scratches. She had repaired her nails and applied a fresh coat of nail polish. If they do drink tonight, she has to remember to stay away from the rum. Why am I even thinking about being with him?
Chapter 59
Margaret took out her hostility on each of them during the night. However, she did reward Nils for his comment on her beauty. Well, the reward was mostly hers, not his. It was strange not having Shawn here anymore, but she got over Roger, so she would get over him as well. She had some new ‘guests’ to teach the ropes, smiling at her pun. She looked in on Paul, but he was still recovering from his ordeal last night. He was even tougher than she thought.
She was learning some new things herself having the pretty redhead named Holly. If Holly was playing along and not really enjoying things, that’s okay too. It wasn’t really whether they liked things or not, it was the enjoyment she received that really mattered. Last night was incredible. She could spend all day just repeating the process. However, she had other things to do. The sun was already up and she wanted to work on her full body tan.
She left them alone, heading out to prepare her surprise for Holly. It took a few minutes. She was already starting to perspire. She went back to Holly’s suite, studying her body without saying anything.
Leaving her ankles shackled, she undid one of Holly’s wrists. Then she sat her up
. She put one end of the pair of handcuffs on that wrist. She could feel Holly breathing against her body. Don’t get distracted Margaret…you need to focus right now. She undid the other wrist, putting it in the other cuff behind her back. She noticed Holly’s wrists were both chaffed. She put a new ankle shackle onto Holly’s closest ankle. It already had a six foot anchor chain attached to it. Then she undid the two other existing shackles.
“Are you ready Holly?” Margaret asked. Holly looked confused. Margaret smiled, knowing Holly had no idea what she planned next. “Well Holly, looking at how white you are, I can tell you never have a chance to get any sun. In fact, I’m quite sure some of these parts have never seen the light of day. Well starting today, we’re going to change that. Margaret reached out, touching Holly’s body. She thought, that’s enough of that, let’s not get sidetracked. She jumped off her bed and pulled Holly up with her. “Just follow the hall to the stairs and up.”
Soon they were outside, as Margaret guided Holly to the chaise lounges on the lawn looking out to the ocean. Margaret pushed her back onto one of the lounges, attaching her chain to a shackle in a cement filled tire next to it. Margaret stood casting her shadow on Holly. Neither said anything for several minutes. Margaret suddenly turned, heading back towards the house.
Holly took the opportunity to look at her surroundings. She could understand why no one had seen what she was doing. There weren’t any houses near here. The boat dock was the only thing between her and the ocean. Holly could see sailboats far in the distance…too far to wave to. She heard Margaret approaching.