by Dick Waters
“Sounds good to me. What time do you want me to pick you up?”
“I’ll be ready as soon as you get here.”
We said goodbye and I jumped in the shower and was ready in record time. I really just wanted to be close to her.
*.*.*
When I entered Lisa’s dorm there was a female guard on duty. She smiled and asked me who I was and who I was coming to see. Before I could answer Lisa was rushing from the reception area and jumped into my arms.
“I guess that answers at least one of the questions. Are you two leaving or do I have company tonight?” she asked, smiling at both of us.
Without answering, Lisa pulled me outside. “Scott I missed you. Do we have to go to dinner?”
I looked into her eyes and smiled at her. “Yes we do. You’ll enjoy our time better if we have a nice dinner.”
She looked like she had mischief in mind. “Well, that’s your opinion, but it’s your loss. I know what I want to eat.” She pulled my hand and I almost fell down the front stairs. “Time’s a wasting…let’s go slowpoke.”
I was parked down at the end of the block. Lisa was dressed in a short-red skirt, which was a change from the ski pants she usually wore, but it looked great with her black sweater. She had a matching red beret and her blonde hair was a nice contrast against her navy pea coat. She wasn’t walking in front of me she was skipping and I had all I could do to keep up with her. I wondered why she wasn’t cold.
I opened the car door for her and went around to the other side. She was in my lap as soon as I was seated. Her kiss was much more erotic than the kisses I remembered when we first met. Shortly she asked, “So are you still set on going out to dinner?”
I studied her, not wanting to offend her. “I think we should have a nice dinner, and then go to my place for dessert.”
She put her hands against my chest. “Okay…what a party pooper you are. I agree, but on one condition.” She wasn’t looking for my answer. “As long as you’re dessert.”
I smiled at her, gave her a short kiss, and reached for the key. When I started the car, she slipped over to her bucket. As she straightened her skirt, I caught a flash of white thighs. I would have changed my mind about dinner, if she mentioned it again.
I was pulling away, when she added, “I can’t wait to get you away for a whole weekend. I don’t think you have the strength to resist me.” She slid back over beside me, close enough to stick her tongue in my ear. I increased the speed, changing the restaurant closer to Boston. I was going to drive to the North Shore, but under the circumstances there was not really that much of a need. What kind of animal have I created?
*.*.*
I found a nice small restaurant in Marblehead Harbor, specializing in seafood. We had to wait for our table, so we went to the lounge for a drink. We were on the second drink, when we were called for our table.
When we settled at our table, I answered her question about what was happening at the task force. While waiting for our meals to arrive I explained what was going on with the investigation.
“Well, we think we’re close to an arrest of a suspect who matches the sketch in the paper. We have had a number of reports pointing to a salesman matching the description. I helped identify him. Hopefully, it’s the guy and we can let the various towns get back to normal.”
“Scott, did you ever tell Mike about what happened to us the other evening?” she asked, with a frown on her face.
“No I didn’t, but I will.” I had given some thought to telling Mike about it, but felt it was really in the hands of the locals. Mike had enough to worry about with the strangling cases.
We talked about going skiing over the Christmas break with two other couples. Unless things changed between now and then, plans would be made. We both enjoyed our delicious seafood meal. When our waiter asked if we would care for dessert, Lisa looked at me and licked her lips. I told him thanks, but we already had plans for dessert at our favorite place.
*.*.*
Lisa leaned across the console, very close to me on the way to my apartment. She was sitting with her legs underneath her. All that I could see was the white of her thighs. She was indeed bothering me, but it was nice to be the center of attention. I could tell she was enjoying her new found ability to rush me there.
“Scott if you do the driving to northern New Hampshire when we go skiing, I really don’t know what you’re going to do. You can’t control yourself even for this short drive, let alone four hours or more. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you drive this fast,” she said, blowing in my ear.
“I’ll get even with you. Maybe I should have you do the driving when we go skiing. How does that sound to you?”
She smiled at my offer, and whispered, “We wouldn’t get very far if the roles were reversed, but I do like the offer to get even.” She was quiet for a few seconds, and then added, “I don’t know what gets into me when I’m with you…maybe I’m just making up for lost time. I can’t seem to keep my hands off you. I’m going to have to work on some surprises for you when we go on our ski trip.”
*.*.*
I watched Lisa make breakfast in my small kitchen. She was wearing another one of my white shirts, which looked better on her than on me for sure. It was sexier looking at her partially covered, than if she was cooking entirely naked. I could tell she was enjoying making the meal. Maybe she was enjoying my studying her. Every so often she would flip her blonde hair behind her ear, to see if I was still watching.
My mind wandered to those strangling and rape cases. It was hard to believe there were so many cases, with many more unreported. What was missing in these men’s lives that caused them to attack and kill women?
I think Lisa sensed I was someplace else. She turned around, and said, “Breakfast is ready now!”
My mouth dropped when she turned to announce breakfast—she had my white shirt unbuttoned completely. She motioned for me to follow her down the hall, and I was hot on her tail.
Breakfast had to be reheated when we got back to it, but it never tasted so good. Lisa can make breakfast for me anytime she wants.
We had no sooner finished breakfast and were getting dressed, when the phone’s harsh ring made us jump.
Chapter 43
“Scott this is Mike. Sorry to call you this early, but we’re going to meet at the office at eight o’clock. If you can make it we would like to have you there. There have been some new developments we want everyone to know about.”
“Did you catch the creep?” I asked, immediately.
“No Scott. That’s what we want to go over. The salesman was not the guy. However, the strangler tried to strike last night. I have to make some more calls, but if you can make it, I would like you there.” He didn’t wait for a reply. I heard the dial tone.
Lisa was watching my reaction. “Scott, you look like you’ve seen a ghost. Did they catch the strangler?”
“No. It wasn’t the guy, but I guess the strangler tried again last night. I’m not sure what it all means, but Mike would like me at the task force office. I better get dressed and get you back to your dorm.”
This was the first time we were diligent about getting ready to leave. It was hard to stay focused on getting ready, but I guess I was stronger than I thought. Lisa didn’t tease me. I think she knew what was happening was important.
We made tentative plans to see each other that night, but I couldn’t say for sure whether I would make it or not.
I didn’t like to just drop her at the door, so I double parked. We kissed and she hesitated leaving, but then she smiled and opened the car door. I watched her rush up the steps, noticing her short skirt again. Later, I told myself.
*.*.*
Mike noticed everyone gathered in the conference room including Scott. Paddy wasn’t smiling. He stood and welcomed everyone. “Paddy knows what I’m going to tell you, but let me begin with our attempt to bait the vacuum cleaner salesman. We, as you know, had several reports that he resembled the ske
tch we published in the paper. Well he was not our guy…he did not attempt anything with our female detective. He was just a salesman who looked like the strangler, but he was really just a salesman.”
“However, last night we believe the actual strangler made a revisit to Patricia Stevens’ apartment. Here is what happened last night around midnight. Mrs. Stevens, who you remember is the widow who gave us the description of the strangler, heard something which woke her up. When she focused her eyes she observed a naked man approaching her bed. She screamed, immediately waking her boyfriend. He got out of bed to confront the guy. There was a struggle, but the man managed to escape with his clothes in his arms.
Mike continued. “The boyfriend put on jeans, and ran down the stairs and outside the building to see the guy drive away. The good news is he got his license plate number. Patricia confirmed when we spoke to her; it was indeed the man who had attacked her. It looks like we now have the means to locate this madman.”
“Fortunately, there was someone there to confront him. Had she been alone, we believe he would have attacked and strangled her. He left behind a small bag containing rope and torture items. The guy left in such a hurry, he also dropped the key he used to enter her apartment. The first units on the scene also found a pair of her panty hose near the front door.”
Mike further explained, “In addition to the boyfriend, we have a cab driver who witnessed the naked man run to his car and drive away. He reported the event to his dispatcher, also reporting the description of the vehicle and the license plate number. The cab company called the police around one this morning to report seeing a naked man running from an apartment building.”
He added, “So, we have at least three people who can put this creep at the scene this morning. We have traced the plate to an Arnold Vincenti. We are getting a warrant now.”
A loud cheer went up in the room.
I noticed how similar it was to the cheers when the Bruins scored a goal. I could feel a strange pressure in my chest, but loved the reaction, as they shared high-fives with each other. Paddy looked like he was holding his chest, but he had a huge smile. I had never seen him smile like that, even when he was lecturing at Harvard.
Mike held up his hands to gain attention. “Thank you everyone. I think this is what we were looking for. This guy fits the profile of the killer; he’s married with a couple of kids. We’re not sure what he does, but we’re checking into that right now.”
He then added, “We have more work to do, but today might be a day we will always remember.”
I thought to myself, I sure hope this is the guy. Jackie we might just know your killer.
Chapter 44
He feared going home, wondering if anyone had seen him leave the apartment building this morning. There was one cab close enough to spot him and his hasty retreat. He didn’t go too far before he stopped to put his clothes on. He realized very quickly he didn’t have Patricia’s apartment key, his bag of goodies, or her nylon panty hose. The key would have his fingerprints, as would other items he left behind.
He was upset about being confronted by Patricia’s male guest. He hadn’t anticipated her having company. But I guess I taught you what having a male friend was all about…you couldn’t stand being alone anymore. He was concerned about what happened at her apartment. His biggest regret was not having her key any longer. He had really worked himself up for this visit, and without her key, he wouldn’t be able to enter her apartment the same way again.
He wondered if she recognized him. He smiled thinking about what she had seen. The goodies in the bag would certainly bring back some memories, won’t they? He knew she would call the police to report the incident. Maybe if she was alone she would have kept it to herself…but you wouldn’t have been able to–being dead.
He parked at the end of the block, to see what was happening near his own apartment building. He didn’t see any police activity, but some people noticed him sitting in his car. He started to pull away, but stopped when he heard the sirens. Less than a minute later a cruiser came rushing down the street, but it didn’t stop. If I do go home, what am I going to tell my wife since I told her I was going out of town for a few days? What if they saw my license plate?
*.*.*
He registered at a small motel in Revere. The clerk eyed him in an odd manner. Maybe he was just getting too jumpy, but he could feel his heart racing as he left the motel office. What if the clerk had matched his face to the sketch in the newspaper?
When he settled in his room, he now had time to review what had happened, and what he needed to do next. He realized he made a major mistake not killing Patricia the first time. He made another mistake going back to her apartment, only to find a boyfriend there. I really let my emotions control my actions last night. I should have spent a little more time checking her out, to see if anyone was with her. If she had a female roommate that would have been a different story…I never had two women…well not at the same time.
Hearing the thumping of the bed next door, he regretted not being with Patricia now. He turned on the TV, finding a dirty movie which quickly excited him again. Several minutes later he thought to himself, I really have nothing to lose anymore. I might as well go out with a bang. He watched the lovers on the screen—I’m going to take as many women as I can, but the authorities are not going to take me alive.
*.*.*
The sounds of the exercise machines were hypnotizing. He was trying to keep pace with the pretty thing next to him, but she was much more proficient at the treadmill than he was. He watched her body move with the machine. I bet you like the men here to look at you, why else would you put yourself through this much pain? You don’t even recognize me, you should, but it has been years. I could show you the scars, and then you would know who I was for sure. All in due time…Karen.
He had to stop running on the treadmill, and just watched her and another person in the club. A few minutes later she slowed and then stopped. She looked so sexy covered in perspiration. He wanted to get close enough to smell her. She wiped off with a nice white towel, smiled at him and headed to the women’s locker room. The other person working on a weight machine had recently arrived, so he would be busy for a while. He waited a few minutes and headed to the men’s locker room. He undressed, noticing how much sweat he had worked up. I’ll leave that the way it is, and give you a chance to smell me.
He slowly entered the women’s locker room, hearing the sound of the spa coming on. He peaked around the corner, seeing Karen’s naked frame enter the spa. Lovely as ever. He went the other way, really wanting to join her, but not yet. He noticed the towel on the wooden bench. He went over to the locker, which was slightly open. He opened the locker studying the contents.
Nice, very nice. I never would have thought you would wear that color underwear. He lifted the light-blue bra off the hook, holding it to his nose. He smelled lilac. Then, he thought he heard a noise and froze…he didn’t want her to see him here in this condition. What would she do? What could she do? Nobody was coming, so he examined the rest of her clothes. He opened her pocketbook, making an impression of the only house key on the keychain. The wax block was the only thing he had with him. He heard the spa stop and he froze in position. Then the sputter of a shower greeted him.
He returned the keys to her pocketbook and replaced her bra. He closed the locker door the way he found it, then moved to the shower stalls. He was like an Indian not making any noise. He watched Karen washing and then rinsing her hair. She turned toward him. If she opened her eyes, she would see him watching her. He couldn’t stop watching her. However, it was too risky to stay any longer, where she could see him. He wanted her to see him, but not yet. He moved out of sight, but then went back for one more look—truly lovely; the years have done you well. I’ll see you again later.
Chapter 45
In the late afternoon, Mike had finally secured the warrant for Vincenti’s arrest. Mike, Paul and Phil were all together along with other office
rs of Boston PD. There had been no reported activity at Vincenti’s apartment building, but they couldn’t wait any longer. They knocked on his apartment door. A woman asked who was there. Mike made the announcement, so she opened the door for them. They were greeted by a woman in a house dress, who looked like she had just gotten out of bed.
Mike spotted two small children playing behind her in the living room, paying no attention to what was going on. He announced, “Mrs. Vincenti, I am Boston police detective Mike Miller, and these gentlemen are also police officers.” He handed her the paper. “This is a warrant for your husband, Arnold Vincenti. We want to question him in regards to the recent strangling cases. Is he here, or do you know where he is?” He watched the color drain from her face, and he quickly reached out to steady her. He guided her over to a nearby chair.
She was staring at the three of them, and then her children. She put her head down and started to cry. He went over to the kitchen area, bringing her a glass of water. “Here Mrs. Vincenti, take a sip of this.” She took the water, sipping it without saying a word. He noticed Phil had returned shaking his head. “Mrs. Vincenti, do you know where we can reach your husband?”
Tears were flowing down her cheeks, and her hands were shaking. She took another small drink from the glass. She was still holding the piece of paper in her other hand. Finally she looked at them once again, and then at the paper. “He said he was going out of town for a couple of days. He left yesterday.” The color was starting to come back into her face. “You have to be mistaken; my husband would never kill anyone.” She studied her two children playing on the floor nearby.
*.*.*
About forty minutes later, they gave her specific instructions as to what to do if he called, or returned home. Mike also instructed one of the Boston officers to watch the building for Arnold’s return. He could tell Mrs. Vincenti was still in shock when they left.