Serial Separation (5 page)

Chapter 12

“Jeremy, I’ll see you later. I’m
going over to see Judy,” he heard Neil say as he was leaving their dorm room.

Alone in his dorm room, he had time
to contemplate. Dottie had also called to invite him over, but he told her he
still had some additional Christmas shopping to do. It wasn’t a lie, but it
wasn’t the whole truth either. She had also mentioned going skiing New Year’s
weekend at the Balsams, and he told her it would be fine. She wanted to know if
he had other plans and he told her he didn’t. Deep down he understood why she
asked the question.

He went over and picked up their
picture on his headboard. Dottie was one of the most, if not
the
most,
beautiful girl he had ever seen. He was much darker than she, but her
complexion almost looked Polynesian. She was so special. He would be a fool to
do anything to lose her.

However, since that weekend in
November, things had been different. He knew it, and he could sense she knew
something wasn’t the same. She even hinted about whether he had found someone
else. It was not about another girl . . . it was about several
.
He
wanted to look at the newspaper article again. He opened his dresser drawer,
pulling it out. He studied the article about the two torsos that had been found
and identified. The names were familiar, but he was never that good with names.
He looked at the Paul Maloney and Anthony Sangello names again. Reading the
article more closely, it indicated they both played hockey for Northeastern.
Hockey,
that’s it!
He quickly located his scrapbook on the bookshelf and searched
it.

There it was the newspaper article
on the new hockey league. He checked for their names and found both of them.
They both played hockey together in that league, and so did his cousin, Jason. He
saw Jason “JJ” Johnston, his black face in the crowd of players. Jason and he
both shared the same nicknames.

Could that be the connection, a
case of mistaken identity that he was taken that weekend and held against his
will? His mind drifted to the horrible details of his abduction and the ordeal
of that weekend, and the scars were proof that it wasn’t just a dream . . . it
was a nightmare! He wondered how he could continue to keep his abduction to
himself. He was worried Dottie would see the scars when they were intimate.

Chapter 13

“Mike, can you believe the AG is
already looking for status reports?” Paddy exclaimed, shaking his head.

He was not surprised Paddy was
already mentioning this, since the AG did the same thing last year. He enjoyed
working with Paddy, and they each had their respective roles. Paddy ran the
team, but he was the primary investigator.

There was a time when Paddy would
have run the other way from this much responsibility, but now he knew Paddy
wouldn’t trust anyone else with the reins. However, right now, any progress
would be welcomed by Paddy and the AG. The connection Scott identified was a
significant development, although the connection was not fully understood. He
thought about whether Scott might be a potential victim, and maybe that was why
Scott was trying desperately to join the task force.

He hoped his appeal to Paddy on
Scott’s behalf was sufficient. Paddy’s plan to buffer Scott’s joining the team,
with the profiler, might be the best approach. It would certainly soften the
blow with the AG, and Scott did give them the lead to the earlier hockey
league. If nothing else, he would be an additional resource, which would
benefit the investigation.

“Mike, you look deep in thought.
Care to share?” Paddy asked, putting his glasses down on his desk.

“I was just thinking about Scott
and the connection to the earlier hockey league. We might not have made that
connection this fast, but I’m puzzled about why hockey players would be a
target for what appears to be sexually motivated mutilations and killings.”

He continued. “Scott’s knowledge of
these murdered men would be a help to our efforts, especially if Sullivan is
indeed killed in the same manner.”

You never stop selling, do you?”
Paddy said with a smile.

“No, Paddy; in this case, I’m
convinced, it makes all the sense in the world for Scott to work with us.” He
watched Paddy as he turned in his chair to look out the window. Paddy was doing
finger pushups, which he always thought looked like a spider on a mirror.

“Do you think it’s too far fetched
for someone in that league to have a vendetta against these men . . . maybe
trying to throw us off, giving the impression the killings were sexually
motivated?” Paddy questioned.

He didn’t answer Paddy but wondered
what would anyone have against hockey players serious enough to kill them?
Would Scott also be in danger? Having Scott close by might be beneficial for
them and Scott.

“It’s so unusual to have male
victims. I’ve never seen something like this. If a guy is going to kill another
guy, he’s going to beat him to death, shoot him, or knife him. He’s not going
to mutilate and save body parts. It could happen, but it seems so unlikely.”

Paddy put his glasses back on the
end of his nose, and he looked like Santa Claus in the argyle sweater. “Mike,
the task force kickoff meeting has been moved to tomorrow morning. The AG will
be present along with the other dignitaries, and the press. Colleen is making
calls now to extend the invitations. I don’t want to bring up the connection to
that earlier hockey league, at this time . . . not with the press present.
We’ll cover that in our team meeting.”

“I understand.”

Paddy continued. “I’ve considered
your appeal to bring Scott on board. If you can reach Scott, see if he can come
in for the task force meeting in the morning. Caution him about keeping the
hockey connection to himself. In addition, see if he can return later at twelve thirty for an interview with the other Harvard student I mentioned, Mercedes
Strong.”

“Great. I think he can be a help
again. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome, but I’m counting
on you to guide his efforts. The kickoff session is eight thirty in the conference room. I think it would be beneficial for Scott to hear what we have
learned so far. It might help him to recollect something we might think is
unrelated.”

“Okay.”

“You better let him know he’s not
going to be alone in that interview, but don’t specifically mention who is
going to be in the interview with him.”

“Thanks, Paddy. I appreciate your
letting Scott help.”

“You know, I have my reservations,
but my gut is telling me something different. Just tell him to keep a low
profile, and his assistance could be temporary.”

Chapter 14

I was reviewing some preparation
material for one of my new courses. The phone made me jump. I thought Lisa had
beaten me to the punch.

“Hello there.”

“Hello there yourself.”

“Hello . . . is that you . . . Mike?”

“Yes, who were you expecting?”

“I thought it was Lisa calling me.
And I’m glad I still have an opportunity to beat her to the punch. What’s up?
Some good news, I hope?”

“Yes, you could say that. Paddy has
consented to let you join the task team, on a temporary basis, and wanted me to
call you to alert you to a couple of things.”

“Great
.
I know you had your
hands full convincing him, and thank you for it.”

“He’s concerned with your
participation, as you know, but he thinks you might be able to shed some light
on the connection to the hockey league. We can talk about that when I see you.
The task force kickoff meeting is tomorrow at eight thirty, and he wants you to be here, but he wants you to keep a low profile. Okay?”

“Okay, sure.”

“He also wants you not to mention
the hockey league at that session.”

That comment caught me off guard.
“Okay.”

“Paddy also has an interview
scheduled for you and someone else at twelve thirty tomorrow in his office. So,
after the task force meeting, you’ll have time to do your thing and then come
back for the other meeting with Paddy.”

I tried not to sound too concerned.
“An interview?”

“Well, that’s what Paddy called it,
so I’m just passing it along. I also want to see if you have time tomorrow
night to have a beer, or whatever, with me?”

“I’d love to.”

“Then we’ll see you tomorrow. By
the way, the AG and the press will be at the kickoff session tomorrow.”

“Okay, and thanks again, Mike. I
know you must have really worked on Paddy for me.”

I thought about the call after we
said our good-byes.
The good news was that I could help, but what was with the
interview?

* *
*

The school material could wait. I
decided to dial Lisa at her dorm before she called me.

After telling someone who I was and
asking for Lisa, I could hear the phone clank against the wall, and the sound
of someone pounding up the stairs. “LISA . . . Scott’s
on the phone for
you.”

It wasn’t long. “Hello, Scott.”

“Hi, Lisa, how are you?”

“I’m doing okay, thanks, and you?” I
could feel the coolness of her voice.

“I’m good . . . look . . . I want
to explain about the other night, and I’m sorry about not calling you on time.”

“You never know around here if
someone took your call and just didn’t give me the message you called.”

“No, Lisa, I hadn’t called until I
talked to you. But that’s what I want to explain. I went to the new task force
office investigating the Torso killings to see if Paddy O’Brien would let me
help again.”

“Not again, Scott.”

“Lisa, I had to get on that task
force and—”

Lisa interrupted. “NO, I’m not
going to be done in a minute. You’ll just have to wait until we’re finished.
I’m sorry, Scott, someone wanted to use the phone.”

“Well, I had to get on the task
force, and they just let me know that I made it. There are a couple of meetings
tomorrow that I need to attend. Lisa, you heard about the murdered guys that
were recently identified . . . well, I knew them.”

“Oh my God, Scott. How did you know
them?”

“I played in a hockey league a few
years back. They were part of that league. But, that’s why I was late calling
you the other night. When I told the task team that I knew the murdered guys,
they questioned me and I couldn’t get away in time to call you.”

Lisa was quiet on the line, but I
could hear voices in the background. “You say they are now letting you on the
task force? But, it’s winter vacation. Will we be able to see each other? What
about Christmas and New Year’s? We were going to go skiing.”

“We’ll be able to see each other
for Christmas, but I’m not sure about going away over New Year’s.”

“Well, Judy is already making those
reservations, so, are you telling me to cancel them?”

“I can’t say for sure, but can you
hold off until I know something more about my participation on the task force?”

“Sure, Scott. The last time you
were connected to the task force . . . I almost lost my life. Now you’re
connected with this new one, and you say people you knew are turning up dead.
Is it going to be your turn?”

“Lisa, please. It’s not like that
at all.”

“How do you know? YES, you can have
the phone now!” There was a click in my ear.

Chapter 15

The unique fragrance the old building
exuded reminded her of her grandfather’s sailboat. She enjoyed the weekends
away with him and her sister. It was an escape she looked forward to.

The memories of her grandfather
were all she had left. His dream was for her to follow in his footsteps. When she
told him she had applied to Harvard, she witnessed the joy and relief in his
eyes. He died two days later in his sleep.

She wondered many times if she
hadn’t told him about Harvard would he still be alive. She should have been
more sensitive to his condition. She would have easily traded her grandfather’s
brief joy for his continued presence.

She turned on the second floor
display case lights and studied the contents—their ‘trophies.’ Bob was the
latest addition. She walked past the other two and then examined his display. She
couldn’t help the mixed feelings. She was responsible for his actions against
her. She remembered titillating him by leaving her bedroom shades up so he
could observe her from his bedroom next door.

He was two years older and a high
school sports figure. Eventually, when her parents and sister were away
weekends camping, they had spent time together. She remembered being on cloud
nine. His compliments about her beauty made her a more confidant young woman. She
hadn’t made love to anyone but him. She couldn’t remember the number of times
they were together, over many months; he even had his own key.

It all ended suddenly one weekend.

Bob had some friends over for a
party next door. She remembered showering and having the feeling she was being
watched. Bob came over later when she was in bed. They made love. He said he
was staying the night. She had fallen asleep, but woke up later to find she was
tied to the bed. Bob was no longer alone.

She endured their attack for what
seemed like an endless weekend. She recalled crying and begging Bob to stop. She
would never say a word to anyone. He only laughed at her, saying if she ever
told anyone about what happened, she would be sorry. He told her he would tell
them it was her idea that they had been together many weekends. Then he made
the mistake of telling her that he would also get ‘Little Sissy,’ and it would
be her fault.

She never told anyone, and was
careful from that point on to hide from and avoid him. She made an excuse to
quit cheer squad, spending weekends with her grandfather and sister on his
boat.

She was now glad to see his face
behind the glass and no longer able to carry out his threat. He had been
shocked to see her when she removed his blindfold. He was a smart boy, quickly
understanding his fate—the body parts were hard to ignore.

She remembered her rage when she
reminded him of his threat to her sister. He had cried, said he was sorry. He
even promised never to do anything to either of them if they let him go. His
crying reminded her of her own begging and how he had laughed at her
predicament.

She recalled his final moments:
showing him her knife, and grabbing him there. She threw her body against the
glass; her hands banging on it, tears streaming down her face. You stupid,
stupid asshole—you had it made. You will never rape anyone again.

Minutes passed. She found herself
curled up on the floor in front of the display case. She purposely avoided
looking and quickly switched off the display case lights. She went down the
stairs to the first floor. She sat on the steps and wiped her face. She thought
of seeing her parents and sister over Christmas. However, she knew ‘next door’
would be grieving over Bob’s disappearance, or possibly learning that he was
the latest torso victim. She tried to stop the tears, but could not. She tried
to concentrate, but she felt trapped. Images kept flashing in front of her; it
was like a nightmare, but this wasn’t a dream—this really happened. She had killed
him.

Several minutes must have passed
because when she woke up she was soaking wet and felt like a different person.
Look
at what you’ve done. Now who’s stupid?