Invitation to Die

by Jaden Skye

  Chapter 5

  Tracy had no idea how exhausted and hungry she was until she stepped into her small suite at the Ragoon Hotel, the same place the FBI had set her up in before. The hotel was clean and well located with decent services and food. She could call down for dinner and it would be sent up quickly. This time her suite was in the back. It looked over the roofs of commercial buildings nearby and was dark. There was a little sitting room with a table where she could work, a small bedroom in the rear, and a large bathroom with an oversized bathtub.

  Tracy walked in and began unpacking. She was surprised that Hunter let her go so early, but he was right. They all needed some rest. There wasn’t much more they could do right now anyway. The search for the second victim was over, the body was found. They were now shifting into the next phase of the investigation, busy collecting forensic evidence and talking to the family. More information would come in during the night. For now, Tracy was glad to be back at the hotel.

  She dropped some things on the bed and ran her hands through her hair. Everything in her bones told her to get as much rest as she could now. It would get harder and busier as things got going. Tracy was surprised at Hunter’s reaction when she mentioned expecting another victim. Did he truly believe the killings were over? That was a pipe dream. Of course Tracy could understand why Hunter would want to believe that. Clay had been more even-minded about it, though. Tracy liked both of them anyway..

  It had been about five months since Tracy had last worked with Hunter and she noticed changes in him. He’d hardened a bit, was somewhat more distant. Probably the effects of his divorce and decision to play it solo, she thought. Bitterness could do that to a person. Tracy had seen it before and she’d see it again.

  Tracy picked up the house phone and called down for dinner, ordering a bowl of pasta, house salad, garlic bread, and ginger ale. One thing Tracy had always been thrilled about was that she could eat as much as she wanted and stay shapely and slim. She didn’t know why or how exactly, probably because she used so much nervous energy. Her best friend, Carla, had said that to her in the past and it made sense. Even though Carla lived close by, Tracy hadn’t seen or spoken to her much this past year. She felt bad about it, but life was taking on a momentum of its own. Teaching at the college, working at the hospital, and preparing one public talk after another scooped up all of Tracy’s time. She was definitely on a roll, couldn’t even imagine how she’d found time to build a relationship with Wess. Probably because the two of them were so much alike, thought Tracy. They fit each other in whenever they could.

  While waiting for the food to be brought up, Tracy began to hang the few dresses and suits she’d brought in the closet. After dinner she’d take a long shower and then set the alarm for six in the morning When on a case Tracy got up early, ate, and exercised. Then, before the day had time to take a toll, she’d sometimes write notes, letting all kinds of things float up to mind. Tracy was amazed how many times she’d get a lead from doing that. One time it suddenly hit her where a killer was hiding. She called the police immediately and they were able to flush him out. That was incredibly empowering and fascinating.

  Working as a psychologist with patients at the hospital for the criminally insane, Tracy had come to believe that buried deep within each person was all they needed to know about the crime. She believed that everyone had a radar that could lead them exactly to the culprit, if only they could access it. Most had no idea about how to do it, however, just went around in circles, getting lost and found, again and again. Tracy had been through that herself.

  There was a sharp knock on the door. Probably the food, thought Tracy, going over to open up. Tracy’s paused at the door, however, and slipped on the latch to make certain. After all, you never knew who was here.

  “Who is it?” she asked.

  “Room service,” a man’s voice answered.

  Tracy opened the door just a little, leaving the latch on. Rom service was standing there with dinner.

  “Thanks,” said Tracy. “Leave the tray outside and I’ll bring it in. Slip the receipt in through the crack in the door and I’ll sign it.”

  The guy slipped a piece of paper and pen in through the crack. It could never hurt being too careful. There were plenty of people out there who would be delighted to get her thrown off the case. After room service left, Tracy opened the door and rolled in the tray. Then she sat down and ate ravenously, as the images of the two women who’d been killed rose in her mind. Their images spoke to her, called her to action, begged her to find the killer. They reminded her of how she felt when her own mother disappeared. She remembered the shock and horror of it and how she’d vowed to find her and bring her home. That vow hadn’t dimmed in all these years, either. Tracy felt that all the cases she solved brought her a step closer.

  Tonight the food was surprisingly good and Tracy felt satisfied. She was just about to go take a long bath when her phone rang. Probably Hunter calling to fill her in on something important.

  Or maybe, someone else had gone missing already. She wouldn’t be surprised.

  *

  Tracy snatched up the phone, alert. “Yes?” she said.

  To Tracy’s surprise, it was Wess. “Where are you? Why haven’t you called?” he said.

  Tracy breathed a sigh of relief. “Oh, thank God, Wess. I thought someone else went missing!”

  “Went missing?” Wess sounded put off. “I was just calling to check that you got to Boston okay.”

  “Yes, of course, thanks,” said Tracy. “I’m glad you called. Actually, I’m surprised to be hearing from you.”

  “Surprised?” That didn’t sit well with Wess. “What world are you living in, Tracy? We were supposed to be getting engaged tonight! Or don’t you remember?”

  “Of course I remember.” Tracy’s voice softened.

  “I told you the time was coming to make a commitment and that it would be at our dinner tonight.” Wess’s voice took on a strange quality.

  “I know you said that and I was excited about it,” Tracy responded.

  “Do you think this decision has been easy for me?” Wess went on.

  “Of course not,” Tracy replied, “how could it be easy?”

  “It’s huge,” he continued, “and you know not everyone’s been in favor of it, either.”

  Tracy did know that. Wess was from a wealthy family and grew up entitled. All he had to do was reach out for anything he wanted and it was his. That was the opposite of how Tracy had been raised and she knew Wess’s family disapproved of his choice. They wanted him to marry someone from their circles in Connecticut. Someone who would make him a gracious and stable home, live near the family, attend all the right events. And there were no lack of candidates, either. Wess was one of the most sought-after bachelors. No one could understand why he’d chosen a forensic psychologist and criminal profiler to be his wife. It disturbed everyone.

  But Wess had felt close to Tracy from the first moment they met at an ice skating party. He’d come right over to her, asked her to skate, and as they circled the rink together Tracy felt both of them relax deeply. It felt so good to be together. As if they’d been together for years.

  “You’re beautiful,” Wess had whispered to her. “I never expected to meet someone like you tonight.”

  Tracy had looked up at him and grinned. “Who knew?” she’d replied. “I’m happy to meet you too.”

  From that time on, neither had dated anyone else, despite Wess’s family’s consternation.

  Something has to be wrong with Tracy, Wess’s mother had suggested to him over and over. What woman would choose to hunt down criminals? Wess’s father, saying little, was more gracious, but not thrilled. Wess had mentioned this to Tracy several times. She knew he was going against his family’s wishes and that it was hard for him.

  Tracy’s family consisted only of her father, who’d remarried years ago. He’d had a new family for a long time now and Tracy existed only on the outskirts of his life. The
one time Tracy had brought Wess to meet them, her father and stepmother were cordial, but basically uninterested. It didn’t seem to matter to them much.

  “Do you realize what I’m up against when I propose to you?” Wess’s voice now had an edge.

  “Of course I realize,” said Tracy, her own voice rising as well. “But I haven’t pushed you to do this! I never pleaded for marriage.”

  “No you haven’t,” Wess relented. Tracy was unlike the other women he knew in that regard and he liked that about her.

  “You felt we were a match, you said so yourself,” Tracy continued. “And I felt that way, too.”

  “How can I believe you feel that way when you’re acting like this?” Wess responded flatly.

  Wess needed reassurance, Tracy realized it. For all his prowess at work and with women, deep down he was frightened about being with her. Tracy couldn’t reassure him right now, though. This very moment she was uncertain herself about what was going on between them.

  “How can we know if it’s right? How can we?” Wess continued.

  Tracy put the phone away from her ear and stared at it. Maybe Wess’s mother was right, maybe he belonged with someone from his own circle who would live a totally predictable life. Maybe Wess couldn’t handle unexpected challenges, just needed someone he could count on to do what was right.

  “You’re not answering me, Tracy,” Wess continued.

  Tracy wondered if Wess fully knew who she was? He seemed to have no idea what she was up against now. There was no way to make him realize it, either. A pit in Tracy’s stomach started to form. Could their relationship make it through the hard times? The idea of losing Wess was painful. They had become anchors for each other in a chaotic world.

  “Let’s talk more about this later on.” Tracy’s voice suddenly had a faltering tone. “I love you, Wess.”

  “Love me?” Wess sounded startled. It wasn’t something they easily said to one another.

  “Yes, I love you, I care about you, what we have is good.” The words poured out of Tracy. “Let’s not mix everything up together. Try to step back a minute, be patient.”

  Wess grew quieter. “I’ve never been a patient person, Tracy,” he said sadly. “I wasn’t raised to be patient.”

  “So maybe now you can try it?” Tracy responded, gently.

  Wess was shaken off his game. “Who knows?” he replied. “Anything is possible.”

  “I’d appreciate that, Wess, I really would,” said Tracy.

  “All right, all right, you’re important to me, too,” he muttered and then quietly hung up the phone.

  Tracy was enormously relieved when the call was over. She couldn’t deal with everything at once. She did love Wess and care about him. She felt he cared for her as well, so far as they both understood what love was all about. It wasn’t something either of them had focused on much, she realized. Both of them just really wanted to find someone, settle down, put dating behind them. Tracy believed that once they built a life together, deep roots of understanding would grow.

  She’d seen that possibility in him, too. So many times Wess could be open to all she felt, be understanding and compassionate. But maybe Tracy’s work was too much for him? Maybe she was just refusing to see what was in front of her eyes, afraid to reach out for someone who had lived on the rough side of life, knew the world Tracy moved in every day?

  Tracy went to the bathroom, drew a long bath, and tried to put Wess out of her mind. She submerged herself in the hot water and allowed herself to unwind. She had to have a good sleep to be fresh for what the next day would bring. You never knew. What Tracy loved so much about the work was the total unpredictability of each day. Tracy loved being in the dark one moment and then suddenly seeing an unexpected connection that hadn’t been there before.

  By now Tracy realized that ultimately nothing and no one could be hidden forever. It was exciting to realize that again and again. It gave Tracy hope, kept her going. It even made her feel that sooner or later, she would discover who took her mother. She would find her mother, alive and well. What a moment it would be to see her again. That knowledge was a flame smoldering within that never dimmed.

  Chapter 6

  Tracy was up at six sharp, rested and ready to go. She called down for breakfast, did her stretches, dressed in a navy blue linen tank dress with a short white jacket, and put on a strand of red beads and comfortable sandals. There was going to be lots of walking today.

  Right after dressing, she drank her last drop of her coffee and thought about the day ahead. She was scheduled to meet Hunter and Clay in front of the FBI offices in a few minutes. From then on everything was up for grabs. Could be she’d get some good leads today, maybe the very one needed to stop the next killing. Tracy couldn’t wait to see the crime scenes with her own eyes and talk directly to the people involved. There was something important out there waiting for her, she felt it.

  She got on the elevator and dropped down to the street floor. As she stepped outside the early morning sun flooded her face. Tracy started walking to the FBI offices wondering when the next victim would go missing. Was the killer lurking in plain sight, maybe only a few steps away?

  *

  Hunter and Clay were standing outside the FBI building when Tracy arrived.

  “You’re three minutes early. That’s great,” Hunter greeted Tracy as Clay motioned for the car that was waiting for them to pull up. “Good morning, Tracy,” said Clay as they piled into the car. “Have a good sleep?”

  “Very,” said Tracy as she slid next to Hunter on the back seat. Clay sat up front beside the driver who quickly started the car and pulled away.

  “We sent out a press notice that you’re on the case,” Hunter said. “The news will be in the papers and on the air today.”

  “Good,” said Tracy, pleased. She was eager to see what kind of response the announcement would generate. Would the killer hear about it? How would he react? Tracy would love nothing more than a confrontation with him.

  “Our tip line’s been set up for a while now,” Hunter continued. “Hopefully, this news will stir something more up.”

  “I hope so,” said Tracy as Clay drove through the early morning streets of Boston traffic. “The Swan Boat rides are our first stop for today,” Hunter went on. “After that we’ll stop in at Shannon’s home and have a few words with her family. They’re expecting us. Then we’ll backtrack, go to the first crime scene, the alley where Tina was found. Once you see that, we can go speak to the people who knew her.”

  “A busy day,” said Tracy impressed as always by their careful work..

  The car moved deftly through early morning traffic, in and out of the lanes. Soon they drove up to the Boston Common, where the Swan Boat rides were located. The day was overcast and it was so early that the gates of the park were not officially opened yet. Someone was going to meet them and let them in.

  As they got out of the car and walked toward the entrance, Tracy let the cool breezes blow over her gently. She remembered the times she’d come here as a child, excited to have a beautiful day. Now as she got closer, Tracy could see the outline of the huge Swan Boats proudly framing the sky. They would never seem the same, not to her or anyone.

  Hunter nodded to the police officer stationed at the entrance, who gave Tracy a cursory glance. So many had already been here collecting evidence, the officer probably wondered what was left to find. He opened the gates for them without so much as a word.

  Tracy, Hunter, and Clay walked past the guard, into the park, toward the lagoon where the Swan Boats were docked. A crime scene and off limits to the public, the boats were cordoned off by yellow bands. The three of them walked under the bands and straight onto the boat where the body had been found. In response, the boat rocked gently under their feet as they climbed on.

  Tracy stood still a moment, looking at the sky, water, and beautiful trees bordering the lagoon. Standing on the boat, looking out at the world, everything seemed so pristine and inn
ocent. The last place you’d expect to find a crime scene. Tracy wanted to go over every moment of what had happened here. She looked over the boat carefully. By now it had been thoroughly scanned for evidence, and from what she’d heard, the police hadn’t found anything, so far. There was really nothing to see except the sense of a heavy imprint in the corner where the body had been found. Tracy could feel the body lying there, crouched together in the morning sun. The memory of Shannon’s death would always linger there, thought Tracy, , haunting everyone. This killer knew what he was doing. Or at least that’s what he thought.

  Tracy pulled her phone out of her bag and took her own photos, just in case anything later came to mind. The killer had dumped the body here very early, before the park had a chance to open. There was no other way it could have been lying there, waiting, when the rides started up that day.

  “What time are the front gates unlocked in the morning?” Tracy asked.

  “Ten a.m. sharp, ” said Hunter.

  “So the killer came in with the body through the back way then,” Tracy noted. “There’s a little arbor way in the back that you can get to from the street.” Tracy remembered it from years ago.

  “That’s right,” Hunter listened. “There is an opening there.”

  The killer had scanned the grounds carefully, thought Tracy. “There were two weeks between the time Shannon disappeared and when she was found. Do you know yet how long she’d been dead before she turned up?”

  “We’ll know later today,” said Hunter.

  “It’s important,” Tracy murmured. “Did he keep her alive and torture her? Or did he kill her quickly and keep the dead body with him? The place to look for more evidence would be where he’d kept and killed her.”

  “This is the best we have for now.” Hunter breathed heavily. “Hopefully the interviews will also help.”

  Hunter walked to the edge of the boat and rubbed his hand along it slowly. The breeze, which had grown stronger, rumpled his hair. An air of sadness seemed to overtake him and Tracy had a moment of feeling badly for him. She walked up behind him.