Branded for Murder (Scott Tucker Series)

by Dick Waters

  They gave the task force credit for solving the strangling cases and putting this guy in jail. However, they were quick to bring up the new strangling and whether we could expect another series of stranglings. Women were not as relieved as we had hoped. However, things had been quiet since the Kellerman case. We were all shaking our heads trying to understand if it was a random killing.

  Neil signaled he was turning off the highway, so I followed him up the exit ramp. Lisa must have felt the change in motion and woke up. She didn’t say anything noticing Neil’s car pulling into the gas station. He was pulling up to the gas pumps, so I decided to do the same.

  The girls got out of Neil’s car, and Lisa followed them without saying anything to me.

  As I approached Neil he offered, “Scott, I thought it best to fill up before we get off the highway. We might not find anything open this late at night. The girls have been sleeping since we got on the highway. Jeremy asked if I wanted him to drive, but I told him I would rather drive.”

  “Lisa has been sleeping as well. Are you tired, or are you okay? I’m not tired at all, but I’m sure I will be by the time we arrive. I’m glad it’s not snowing, it could be an ugly drive from here since we get onto back roads soon.”

  I started toward my car. Neil answered, “I’m not tired, but I should get a coffee, or maybe several. Do you want me to bring you one?”

  “Yes that would be nice,” I replied. I needed to go pay and visit the men’s room.

  I finished filling the tank, and noticed Lisa talking privately with Judy. I was either in more trouble or they were chatting about our talk. I smiled as I passed both of them. I wondered if she would be riding with me the rest of the way.

  *.*.*

  Shortly, we were back on the highway. Lisa was watching the road. We hadn’t spoken to each other since we left the gas station.

  “Scott, I’m sorry I said those things to you. I know you’re doing what you think you need to, and I shouldn’t try to change your focus. I won’t bring it up again,” she said, moving closer to kiss me. When she leaned against me, I put my arm around her. It was easy to drive with my other arm, and I was glad she was close.

  “I love you Lisa. I’ll do my best to pay more attention to you. Really, thanks for letting me know I was not doing a good job.” She put her finger to my lips.

  She moved back to her bucket taking off her coat. She looked nice in her white cotton turtleneck jersey. “You look great Lisa. Is it too warm in here?” I asked.

  “Its fine, in fact you can turn it down slightly,” she replied. Moving over, she leaned across the console against me, putting her hand on my thigh.

  “Are you comfy?” I asked.

  “It will do for now.” She blew in my ear.

  I took a deep breath. “Okay, it’s going to be a long drive or a very short one, if you keep that up.”

  “You love it, and you know it,” she said, playfully.

  “Yes I do, but it’s not fair.” After some thought, I said, “Let’s play twenty questions.”

  Lisa responded, “You’re going to be sorry, but if that’s what you want to do, you will ruin my surprise.”

  “What surprise is that?”

  “That’s one,” she announced.

  “That’s not fair. I didn’t know we had started. Are we doing yes and no questions?”

  “Yes, and that’s two already. This wasn’t my idea. My idea was to surprise you.”

  “Okay, is it something we can’t do in public?”

  “Can’t is the operative word here, and we could, but no, and that’s three.”

  “Is it related to sex?”

  “You naughty boy, yes, that’s four.”

  “Is it something I will like?”

  “Yes, that’s five.”

  “Is it something that will be quick?”

  “No. That’s six.”

  “Is it something we have done before?”

  “No, seven.”

  I looked at the gauges, everything looked fine. She was still blowing in my ear and nibbling on my ear lobe.

  “Is it what you’re doing right now?”

  She moved her hand between my legs, leaving it there. I looked at her briefly. She had a big smile. “No to that and the next question, and that’s eight.”

  I was starting to feel slightly uncomfortable, needing to adjust things. “Lisa, would you see if you can find a new station on the radio?” It worked.

  “Interesting development?”

  “What?”

  “Down here, and that’s nine.”

  “That’s not fair, you’re tricking me.”

  “Are you asking me if it’s a trick?”

  “No.”

  “Good,” she said, as the Platters played. “Do you remember this song?”

  “Yes, it was the one we first danced to, right?”

  “Yes, you’re right again, and wasting time and questions, that’s ten. You had better get serious or you’re going to have to come up with a surprise for me.”

  “Okay, is it something in the Jacuzzi tub?”

  “No, but our room has one, that’s eleven.”

  I took a deep breath. “Am I exposed?”

  “Yes, that’s twelve.”

  “Very interesting…I’m naked, am I blindfolded?”

  “Yes, but how did you know?” That’s thirteen.”

  “Am I free to move about?”

  “You are, but you might not want to, fourteen.”

  I was getting uncomfortable with these questions. “Are you entertaining yourself?”

  She squeezed me. “Does that excite you?”

  “Can’t you tell?”

  “Yes, I certainly can and my love that’s two more, sixteen.”

  “You’ve played this game and you’re tricking me.”

  “Not entirely true,” she said, licking my ear some more.

  “Are you tickling me with something?”

  “No seventeen.”

  “Are you blowing on me like you’re doing now?”

  “No not really, eighteen, and only two more. Some Harvard detective you are.”

  “I’m finding the other questions hard to express.”

  She moved her hand, making me more comfortable. “Is it what you’re doing right now?”

  “You’re so impressionable; I knew you would ask that. You really don’t have any imagination, and that’s nineteen.”

  “Lisa, this is all so new to me, especially talking this way.”

  “You’re a detective; you see all kinds of sex, including the brutal kind. We’re having experiences together. Its okay, you have to roll with it. I’m trying to loosen you up for a wonderful time together. Just roll with it. You have one question left!”

  “Let me have some time to think about it, without embarrassing myself.”

  “What does every guy fantasize about?”

  “Let me think.”

  “Build your courage is more like it,” she said, teasingly. She had me right where she wanted me, and she knew it.

  “Lisa let me have your ear. I want to whisper to you.” She moved closer, and I blew the words in her ear.

  “No, not exactly, but close and that’s twenty. Now you have to figure out some special surprise for me.” She smiled, knowing she had the upper hand. “We have almost two more hours to go before we get there, judging from your heavy breathing I don’t think you’re going to make it much further. Let me relieve some pressure down here.” She unzipped my fly while blowing in my ear.

  I smiled at her, feeling the perspiration on my forehead.

  “Scotty, you make me so comfortable. I feel like a caterpillar that has finally blossomed into a butterfly. Please don’t be upset with me. I just want to be close to you like when we first met. However, you’re not escaping the fact you now owe me a surprise.

  “I couldn’t be upset with you. I love what we have. Let’s always be close, open and honest with each other.” I smiled at her, hugging her close. �
�I will indeed get even with you.”

  “Good. Then let me fulfill your most special fantasy, you’ve earned it.”

  There was a rush of cool air, and then the contrast of her hot lips, mouth and tongue.

  *.*.*

  I was fighting staying awake, but Lisa was enjoying her new found power. When we pulled into the Balsams parking area the Inn was lit up like a winter wonderland, the many lights reflecting off the new powder. It looked like a scene right out of Switzerland.

  “Lisa, this is like you. Just shine a little light on you and you’re a gorgeous sight. I promise I will shine my light on you more often.”

  Chapter 48

  Checking into the hotel, it was already after 1 AM. We could hear music coming from one of the several lounges, but I went with Neil and Jeremy to get our luggage from the vehicles. The girls went off to check out the hotel amenities, even though it was early in the morning.

  I could now feel how tired I was, but when the ice-cold air hit me it woke me right up. I thought of my visit to my parents over Christmas. My dad read in the local newspapers about the task force role in capturing the New England Strangler. When we were alone he told me how proud he was that I had helped capture Jackie’s killer. He told me she would be proud also. Mom on the other hand, still didn’t know about my participation. I told Dad to keep it between us, as I was staying on to help capture the new strangler.

  It was difficult moving the luggage carrier in the snow, taking all three of us to get it to the entrance. Neil fell down and we laughed. He started throwing snow balls at us. We were like kids again. Anyone noticing us must have thought we had already started celebrating the New Year. We were now covered in snow, looking like snowmen.

  Our rooms were close to each other, but were not right next door. Since mine was the last in the line, I wanted to help Neil and Jeremy move their luggage into their rooms. Judy opened the door for Neil, but was undressed expecting to surprise Neil. It took her a second to realize we were standing behind him. She took off running. Neil turned and smiled. “I guess that was meant for me.”

  We left their bags for him to bring in. I anticipated the same thing at Jeremy’s door, so I just left their luggage at the door. I made two trips for our luggage, knocking on the door when I had everything at the door way.

  Lisa opened the door, displaying a belated and unwrapped Christmas present. I hurried to bring in the three suitcases, closing the door quickly behind me fearing someone walking by. Once inside, Lisa hastily took off my snow covered coat. She smiled, putting it on, but not zipping it. It was quite the picture. She immediately started working the buttons and zippers, faster than a child opening presents at Christmas time.

  It was obvious that I was more than ready, thanks mostly to the very attentive ride and warm reception. The snow started melting off the coat onto me and the bedcovers. She was more than glad to finally have me where she wanted me.

  *.*.*

  I can remember some sleep last night, but not much. It was nice to think about being together this way. At breakfast, nobody said much until Lisa and Judy looked at each other and started laughing. We were soon all laughing, drawing attention to our table. Conversation flowed from that point on.

  The buffet breakfast was memorable. The dining room, which was very large and elegant, had about twenty tables with white table cloths, and people were dressed in ski attire. The placard on the table indicated the date in bold letters. Tuesday, December 31, 1963. The menu was listed, followed by, ‘We look forward to you being with us at tonight’s festivities. Please join us in the ballroom starting at 7 pm for our New Year’s Eve celebration. Please take part in our many activities today, and enjoy your stay.

  *.*.*

  In the early afternoon, the skiing was unbelievable. I can’t remember the number of trips we took down the mountain. Lisa and I got separated from the others after lunch, enjoying just being with each other. The wind was blowing quite hard, making the chair lift ride less than enjoyable as far as the cold wind was concerned. It gave us time to talk and laugh about trying to make our lips meet given the ski garments we were wearing.

  “So Scott, have you thought about my surprise?”

  I had, but I answered, “What surprise are you talking about?”

  She pushed at me. I almost dropped one of my ski poles. “You know damned well what I’m talking about,” she said, knowing I was pulling her leg.

  “Lisa, I was just kidding. I said I would get even…you know I keep my promises.”

  She beamed at me. “Scott thanks for making me feel extra special last night.” She paused then added, “I know you were tired from driving, but our time together last night was worth the long ride.”

  I had to chuckle at that. “It was a long ride and a long drive, too.”

  She brushed the snow off my ski parka, putting her head against my side. I put my arm around her. The remaining rides up the mountain didn’t feel as cold as they had earlier. At one point on our way down the mountain, we stopped to be close to each other, winding up making snow angels. On one of our subsequent rides we spotted the undisturbed angels we made. “Lisa, that’s us eighty years from now when we’re together in heaven.”

  “Scott thanks for coming into my life. I’m sorry I can be difficult at times. I just want to be with you all the time. I miss you so much when you’re not with me. I really can’t picture a future without you,” she said wiping at the wet snow on her cheek.

  *.*.*

  The New Year’s festivities were great. The champagne was flowing and we had more than we needed. It was too bad we were both so tired from the fresh air and made our excuses to head to our room. I caught the wink from Judy at Lisa, but did my best not to react.

  Once in our room Lisa told me what she wanted me to do, then went in the bathroom. I complied, getting undressed and under the covers. She came out wearing a sheer teddy. I never saw what she was carrying. She told me to close my eyes, tying a kerchief around them. She proceeded to kiss me, my ears and then my neck. She slid the sheet down. I could feel the cool air on my body. She told me to hold onto the headboard and not to let go, or she would stop.

  She left for several minutes. I wondered what she was up to. When she returned to the bed, the next thing I felt was warm liquid on my chest. Then I felt her tongue lick it off. She kissed me, and I could taste chocolate. A few more minutes passed, and then I felt the warm chocolate dripping on my erection. I was more than ready even before all of this, but I couldn’t be happier with her surprise. Much to my pleasure, she more than made sure she licked up every drop.

  “Okay Scott. That was the surprise. In answer to your question about doing this in public…I would say I don’t think so. Is it my turn, or did you forget our wager?”

  “No Lisa, I didn’t forget. I want you to place yourself in my position.” She moved quickly, tying the kerchief around her eyes. It was an awful time to think about all of those rape cases and those women. I was having a negative reaction to my thoughts until I looked closely at Lisa. She was excited already, and I hadn’t even done anything.

  I unbuttoned the blouse portion of her teddy. I watched her body react to the cool air in the room. Finally, I undid the snaps on her teddy. She was naked like I had been.

  She held onto the headboard, but I didn’t move. I could tell her mind was racing judging from how she was reacting. I hadn’t done anything. Finally, I opened the window, taking some snow and shaping it into a medium sized snowball. I went over to the bed, dripping the melted snow on her face and then her breasts. Her nipples reacted immediately to the cold drops. She was jumping in beat to the drops. I placed the remaining snowball on her belly, watching her reaction. She jumped at first, and then she maneuvered the snowball between her thighs. I kissed her passionately, and she let out a loud moan.

  She commented, “That was incredible.”

  “I’m not done with my surprise yet.”

  I went over to the window, opened it wide and the cold
air rushed in. I then reached for an icicle feeling the ice cold air. The loud crack of the icicle caused her to move her head from side to side. Her eyes were still closed, but she was smiling.

  I knew the drips must have been exciting judging from her reaction. There was a small pool of water left in her navel from the snow ball, but what was left went flying when I moved the icicle between her legs.

  Soon the contrasting temperatures were more than we both could stand.

  Chapter 49

  He was reading the morning paper, announcing the second in a new series of stranglings. He thought about the recent arrest of Arnold Vincenti, who confessed to being the New England Strangler.

  He managed to deal with his own ordeal for years. He thought he might be able to have his revenge attributed to the New England Strangler. However, now that Vincenti confessed, and he had killed Karen, it was too late to stop. His fate was sealed. He had to carry out his plan.

  Reading the description in the paper was a polite way of saying what really happened to Phyllis. He tried to duplicate the scene at Karen’s, but Phyllis needed more persuasion and he had to hit her. He hadn’t planned anything like that, but she was stronger than he anticipated. He wanted her to remember the history between them, but he had to wait until she recovered. It just gave him a few extra minutes to enjoy her privately, so to speak.

  The hangman knots were a nice touch, adding a remembrance of the past. He made her share what she thought when she read about Karen’s murder. She just thought it was a random killing. I wonder what her remaining cohort is going to think when she learns Phyllis was also strangled. Two friends murdered in the same manner is going to be too much of a coincidence, isn’t it? However, I’m saving the best surprise for last.