Scent of Gardenia (Scott Tucker Series) (2 page)

Chapter 2

I had a
restless night’s sleep. I’ve had quite a few of those since Lisa’s accident. I
wanted to get out of bed and rush into the office, but this morning I couldn’t
move. I know Lisa would be upset with me if she could see what my behavior has
been. I’m not happy with it either. It’s so out of character for me. I have
always been driven when it came to school, until I met Lisa. It was just the
opposite when it came to women. Lisa changed all of that.

I looked
at our picture on the nightstand. It was taken on our honeymoon aboard a cruise
ship. You could tell we were two people in love. I realized this wasn’t very
productive and I needed to snap out of it. I took a deep breath, jumped out of
bed, and headed into the bathroom.

I looked
at the image in the mirror, wondering what happened. I remember what I used to
see. I was told I was handsome. The square chin, blond hair and blue eyes added
favorably to the package. Lisa used to put her finger in my dimples, which made
me blush. I was in good shape and still continue to exercise. In fact, after
exercising I seem to have a more positive outlook on things. However, it’s more
strained now. Even Colleen, the office secretary, asks me more so lately, if
I’m okay. Lisa would be very upset with my behavior. I could hear her telling
me to knock it off.

I wasn’t
happy with my behavior either, having made a commitment to get on with my life.
I couldn’t change what happened, I could only influence things going forward.

When I
finished shaving, I thought the image in the mirror had a resemblance of the
guy I once knew. I climbed into the shower without waiting for the warm water.
The shock of the cold water reminded me of our many showers together. I was
surprised the smile didn’t crack my face.

*.*.*

The door
to our office was locked. I was glad I made it into the office first. We had a
friendly competition, which amounted to the last one into the office had to buy
doughnuts the next morning. Despite all of my melancholy, I had only bought a
few times. We all contributed to the coffee fund. I always put extra into the
fund because of my guilt at not buying doughnuts. I turned the lights on and
kicked the thermostat up slightly to take the chill off.

About
six months after Lisa and I were married, which is coming up on three years,
Paddy expanded his private investigation firm. He added his long-time friend
Mike Miller. Mike was a Boston police detective and worked with Paddy on two
task forces. In fact, Mike was influential and convinced Paddy to add me to the
task force as well. Mike and I became close friends while we worked together on
those serial-killer task forces. He convinced Paddy to expand his office focus
into business process improvement. My Harvard education fit with that endeavor.
Paddy also added Colleen to assist with clerical duties, like she did
previously on the task force. Now, Charlotte’s letter pleading for my help
could seriously impact that focus. I’ll have to share her letter with Paddy.

I liked
my connection with Mike and Paddy, but I especially liked the reputation we
were building helping companies improve their performance. Several business
studies were done, including some at Harvard and MIT; indicating computers were
going to have an even more dramatic impact on company effectiveness and efficiencies
starting in the seventies. Our reputation for obtaining positive results was
bringing an ever-growing list of clients. I personally liked the feeling of
making a difference. Paddy was happy as well, commenting that the office was
finally making money.

As I
walked back to my office, I was glad Paddy had chosen this office arrangement.
My office, which was down a short hall leading from the reception area, was
next to Mike’s and adjacent to the conference room. Paddy’s office was on the
other side of Mike’s. There were two other smaller offices along the hall
nearer the reception area.

Bill
Story, our computer techie, occupied one of them. However, he always seemed to
be at the MIT laboratory using their computers. Holly Compton occupied the
other office. Holly could be distant at times, but she was truly gifted when it
came to investigation work. She also spent most of her time out of the office
on assignment.

The only
suggestion I could have made was to have the coffee area closer to our offices rather
than near the main reception area. However, it gave me a chance to talk with
Colleen.

I smiled,
remembering when she first met Mercedes Strong, who was one of the other
members of our earlier task force. Mercedes’ entrance that first day made a
lasting impression on Colleen. I caught Colleen with her skirt hiked up to
mid-thigh, realizing later she was mimicking how Mercedes dressed. From that
day on, Colleen made an attempt to dress to be ‘noticed,’ and was doing
remarkably well.

Mercedes
had an impact on me as well, just after we met. We were stranded in a cabin
together. I tried to be faithful to Lisa, maybe being too much of a gentleman. However,
I will always remember Mercedes’ Christmas present to me at the cabin.
‘You’ll
have to forgive the wrapping, it was all I had’
she said, as she had
removed the small towel partially covering her body. That image, along with
others, seems to be haunting me more recently.

I also
can’t forget I owe Mercedes my life.

Unfortunately,
Mercedes and I have not stayed in touch. I guess I fear my inability to control
myself if I was with her. She knew how to push my buttons.
One day she might
just push the wrong one…or maybe it’s the right one.
She also graduated
from Harvard, now working for the FBI, as a profiler. In a way, I wish she was
a short, ugly, and a non-descript gray-haired old woman, but her red hair, long
legs and gorgeous figure are just the opposite.
I think I’m going to give
her a call.

Chapter
3

“Good
morning Scott,” Colleen said, surprising me. “You look like you’re miles away.
Are you okay?” she asked, with a concerned look.

“Good
morning Colleen. I was thinking about something, and never heard you come in.
I’m sorry, but I’m okay,” I replied. Her frown quickly disappeared. “You look
nice this morning.” I checked out her high-boots, black skirt and white sweater
and added, “Mercedes would be proud of you.”

She
immediately blushed, pulling at the bottom of her sweater. “Thanks Scott. You
always notice. I’m glad we’re still working together. Do you ever hear from Mercedes?”

I looked
down at Lisa’s picture, thinking about how long she’d been gone. “No. However, I’m
going to call her in the next day or so, to see how she’s doing.”

She
smiled, starting to leave. “Please say hello to her for me. She must be doing
pretty well in her new job. It must be exciting working for the FBI.”

“I will
do that. It might be interesting to see what she’s wearing these days.” I
realized that didn’t sound right.

She put
her hands on her hips and announced, “I guess I wasn’t the only one looking at
how she was dressed.”

I smiled,
feeling my face turning red. It wasn’t what Mercedes was wearing that made an
impression…unless it was that towel that was much too small for the task.
Now
I knew I had to call her.

I could
tell Colleen noticed my reaction, but she just smiled, heading to her reception
desk.
There were only two women in my limited love-life, Lisa was one of
them and Mercedes could have been the other. Mercedes wanted to date following
the cabin encounter, but we never did and I married Lisa. I still hesitate
seeing Mercedes. I guess I fear not having the strength to resist her. So, now
that Lisa has been gone for two years, why am I still keeping my distance from
Mercedes?

*.*.*

I heard
Paddy and Mike’s voices as they said good morning to Colleen. I put my feet up
on my desk, opening a folder.

“Well,
don’t you look comfortable?” Mike announced, standing at my door.

Paddy
was looking over his shoulder and added, “Can you get any more comfortable?”

“Well,
glad you guys could
finally
make it in this morning. I hope you brought
doughnuts,” I said, rubbing in my early arrival.

“You
know Scott; we never should have made that agreement about the last one in buys
doughnuts. It seems no matter how early we try to make it in…you’re always here
before us,” Paddy said, smiling.

I moved
my feet off the desk and replied, “Paddy, I’m surprised. You always were a
stickler for timeliness…I’m just trying to be punctual. However, if you would
like to change the contest to who stays the latest, we can work that out as
well.”

Paddy
looked like he was going to reply, but just waved his hand and headed to his
office.

Mike
stepped into my office and sat down. “What’s on your agenda for today?” he
asked.

I looked
at the pile on my desk and replied, “I have to put the final changes to these
Wang process flows and get them over for their review. What do you have
cooking?”

Mike
picked up one of the sheets from my desk and looked at it. “Scott, I don’t know
what all of these boxes stand for, but it looks impressive. You’re going to
have to teach me how to make some sense out of this material. As far as what’s
cooking—we completed our investigation yesterday on that missing husband; he
ran off with his girlfriend. Oh, speaking of girlfriends—while you were out of
the office yesterday afternoon, Mercedes called. She wants you to call her as
soon as you can. I’ll get the phone slip with her number.”

I could
see the sign of a smirk. “You know Mike, I was thinking of her just a little
while ago. She’s
not
my girlfriend.”

He put
the flow chart back down, looking at me. “You know Scott…talking as a friend,
Lisa has been gone for a long time. You really need to enjoy things other than
work. Mercedes just might get your mind off the past and…well…give you some
other interests other than work. Of course I’m being selfish here—if you did
have other interests maybe you would be buying the doughnuts every day.” He laughed,
and added, “Besides, I miss having a beer or two with you both. If she can make
it, why don’t you have her come to the pub after work one of these days? I’m
sure she wouldn’t mind buying—she’s making more than both of us put together.”

I
thought about what he said and responded, “Please get me her number and I’ll
return her call, and I’ll also mention what you said—the part about having a
drink with us.”

Mike
nodded and stood up. “You know Scott, I think you’re forgetting about a lot of
things when it comes to Mercedes…she was after your body a few years ago, but
more importantly she did risk her life to save yours. She at least delayed her
sister long enough for us to intervene.”

I
debated with myself whether I would comment. “Do you remember what my first
impression of her was?”

“Yes I
do. It was something about how
uncomfortable
she made you…right?”

“That’s
right,” I answered, and trying to change the subject I added, “I wonder why her
sister’s body never washed up on shore.”

“You’re
trying to change the subject. However, I’m surprised as well about that.
Getting back to Mercedes—Scott you really need to see her, and just maybe she
can get your mind off what happened to Lisa.” Then he added, “The tree of life
has many branches and unfortunately Lisa’s ended prematurely. Don’t hide yours
from the sun. As a friend, I’m trying to help you. Life’s short, but you still have
many years ahead of you…don’t spend all of your time on the past—you can’t
change it.”

He was
looking for my response. “Mike, I have something I want to share with you
before I discuss it with Paddy.” Mike sat back down. “I’m sure you remember
Charlotte Williams. Well, I received a letter from her yesterday. She’s still
in Bermuda, but her brother went missing down there six months ago. She
mentioned that he and several other men are missing.” I pulled the letter out
of my briefcase and handed it to him. Thanks Mike. You’re right. Maybe you
should be a shrink. I’ll call Mercedes to see what she wants, and I’ll ask her if
she wants to have a drink with us.”

Mike
read the letter quickly, and then reread it without speaking. “Well Scott, if
you’re thinking of following up on this—more specifically doing some
investigation work in Bermuda—you can forget Paddy buying into that. First,
your work on the business side of what we’re doing is much more valuable.
Secondly, investigation work is not your specialty. I don’t even think Paddy
would go for anyone in our office pursuing what’s going on, especially since
it’s out of the country. That’s just my opinion, but I want you to be
prepared.” He folded the letter and handed it back.

He stood
up, leaned on my desk and whispered, “You know for a guy with a Harvard
education, you still have some things to learn.” He studied me, and then added,
“If I was your age, with your education, and had a hot redhead after me…well…it
wouldn’t take me years to get my act together.” He stood, touching his finger
to his temple several times and left my office.

“Thanks
for sharing the letter with me…good luck with Paddy. I would just let him decide
what he wants to do about it, but I wouldn’t mention anything about your feeling
obligated to follow up on it.”

Mike was
really the only friend I had. He was trying to be a true friend telling me what
I needed to hear. I thought about what it would be like to spend some time with
Mercedes. I could feel my heart racing. I realized I needed a coffee.

Colleen
smiled as I passed her reception desk headed to the coffee area. Her bright red
nails on her typewriter reminded me of Mercedes’ long fingers and blood red
nails.

Back in
my office; the two doughnuts brought a smile to my face. I took a large swallow
of coffee, reaching for the slip Mike left with Mercedes phone number.

*.*.*

I was
just about to hang the phone up since it rang five times when someone answered,
“Hello, this is Agent Strong.”

The
sound of her voice put an immediate smile on my face. “Mercedes, hello it’s
Scott. You called yesterday.”

“Hi,
Scott, can you hold for a second?” she asked.

“Yes I
can.” I could hear her talking with someone, but couldn’t make out what she was
saying.

“Sorry
about that Scott…I was meeting with someone.”

“I can
call back if this isn’t a good time,” I said hoping.

“No,
it’s okay. I’ll catch up with them after I talk with you. How have you been?”

“I’ve
been okay. We’re keeping busy at Paddy’s office, having expanded the focus to
business consulting. How are you doing?”

“I’m up
to my eyes in stuff at the present time. I would…” she paused. “I was hoping to
have heard from you before now. I haven’t seen you since Lisa’s funeral.”

I didn’t
know what to say. I took a deep breath and replied, “Mercedes you’re right.
Mike suggested I invite you for a beer or two at the pub. Can you make it one
of these evenings?”

She
immediately commented, “You say Mike suggested it…what do you want?”

This is
exactly why she makes me feel uncomfortable. “I would like to see you too.”

“Yes,
but you couldn’t have picked up the phone and asked to see me on your own.”
Neither of us said anything at that point. She added, “Scott, I’m sorry, that
was way out of line. My hair trigger comes from working with all the
testosterone here. Let me rephrase my response. I would be glad to see Mike and
you for a beer, or two. However, I’m leaving for a few days on a business trip
tomorrow. I need to talk with you about a potential business opportunity for
you, and your office. Is there any chance we can make it tonight?”

I paused
before answering. “I’ll check with Mike and let you know.”

“
Scott
…you
can check with Mike, that’s fine. However, regardless of whether he can make it
or not, can
you
?”

Her
words hit me hard. “Yes, I can make it. I should have said that to begin with.
I’ll see if Mike can join us. How does six o’clock sound to you?”

“That
sounds great. Since Mike said your offices are still in the Harvard Square area,
how about the Harvard Pub?”

“That’s
perfect. It will be like old times.”

She
didn’t immediately respond. “I’ll be there. Please plan on staying to talk with
me privately about this business opportunity. I would feel more comfortable
talking about it with you first. We can share with Mike and Paddy if you’re
interested. Is that okay with you?”

“That’s
fine with me. I’m looking forward to seeing you again. It’s been quite a
while.”

“Scott,
it’s been much too long. Thanks for meeting me on such short notice, but I did
give you two years to pick up the…I’m sorry. It will be nice to see you again.
See you tonight at six, goodbye.”

I put
the receiver back in its cradle and stared at the phone.
I guess I should
have called her before she called me. Tonight ought to be pretty interesting. I
hope Mike can make it.

I walked
over to Mike’s office and stuck my head in the door. “I just got off the phone
with Mercedes. She’s going out of town tomorrow and wants to know if we can
meet tonight.”

Mike
immediately shook his head. “Scott my son has a class play tonight and I can’t
miss it. You’ll just have to send my regards. Can you handle her by yourself?”

I was a
little slow answering, “Sure I can. She wanted to talk with me privately
anyway. I can handle her, but I’m sorry you can’t be with us.”

“Like I
said, send my regards and see if she can make plans to see us again in the next
week or so.”

“Will
do.” I headed back to my office and picked up one of the flow charts. Looking
at the shapes on the drawing reminded me of Mercedes’ figure.
I’m sure I can
handle meeting her alone. I can, can’t I?