Branded for Murder (21 page)

Chapter 51

We had an incredible six days together. Our extended family of six had many memories of skiing, playing in the snow, skating, and enjoying the many hotel amenities. However, Lisa and I enjoyed our private time. We even had time to read a book, but it was the hardest thing we had to do…the urge interrupted us many times. It seemed like we were actually married. It was a great feeling.

The time alone gave us the time we needed to learn more about each other, and what we wanted for our future. It was still amazing to me that I had finally met someone who complimented my life so perfectly. If anything ever happened to her, I don’t know if I would ever be the same. I didn’t totally understand the wonderful feeling I got when we were together, but mostly thought about pinching myself to make sure it wasn’t a dream.

I read about the new strangling. I should call Mike to see if they needed my help. However, he gave me specific orders not to call the task force office while I was away. He said they would be there when I got back and to enjoy my vacation—I had earned it. He mentioned my commitment to my cousin, saying I had done an excellent job fulfilling it. He said I had a new commitment to fulfill, and it was important to Lisa to do a good job on that.

*.*.*

Lisa was close to me for much of the time heading back to Massachusetts. The roads weren’t that bad and we were making good time. I could see Neil’s head in his station wagon, but the other heads were out of sight. When Lisa curled against the passenger door and fell asleep, it gave me time to think about things.

First, I wouldn’t trade our time away together for anything. It happened at the best possible time, since the strangler had been captured. Second, it took my mind off all of the rapes and killings, allowing me to enjoy a really special time. I know I have found my partner for life. We have so many things ahead of us, but first we have to complete our education when classes resume.

Without any other distractions and nothing on the radio, I put on an eight-track tape, enjoying the Platters. That reminded me of our first dance and being close for the first time. I thought about Jackie, not being able to experience the wonderful love I was feeling.
Jackie, I’m sorry you’re not with us anymore, but thank you for the many memories of our time together.
I’ve met someone you would have enjoyed, and I hope to give her the love you missed.

Dropping Lisa off at her dorm, I helped the others bring in the suitcases. It was a long drive and we were all tired, even though some slept on the way home. Lisa yawned, trying to hide it.

Standing in the reception area, I put my arms around her. “Lisa thanks for making this a memorable vacation. I really enjoyed our time together. I wish we were heading back there.” We kissed lightly.

“Scott, you made our time together really special,” she said. She stopped talking when she looked over my shoulder. When I looked behind me, the guard was watching all of us, but seemed focused on us. She gently pushed me away, turning to see where Judy was.

I reached out for her arm, inquiring, “Lisa, are you okay?” She looked a mile away, and was looking right through me.

“I’m fine Scott. I guess I’m just tired…thanks to you,” she said, putting on a smile.

I wanted to give her another kiss, but she stayed at arms length. “I’ll call you tomorrow night.” She acted so differently from our time together I felt awkward leaving.

She smiled, answering, “That will be fine.” She walked away from my grasp, going over to whisper something to Judy. Judy looked toward me, or maybe she was looking over at the guard? I waved goodbye to both of them, but they didn’t wave back.

I had the outside door open, about to leave, when I looked back at the guard for a split second. He must have felt the cold air, and turned towards me. He gestured slightly with one hand and uttered, “I’m glad everyone made it back safely, you have a good night.” I didn’t respond, but from the steps I noticed he was still focused on the girls.

Chapter 52

It seemed only a few minutes from when I put my head down on the pillow, but the alarm was crying for help. I had to stare at the time to make sure I was indeed seeing it correctly. I hit the snooze button, laying there trying to wake up.

The time away with Lisa and the others was great. Although the drive was long, the activities at the Balsams made it very enjoyable. I thought about how much more comfortable Lisa and I were with each other now that we spent six nights together. Lisa even talked all of us into participating in the ‘torch-light parade.’ We didn’t know it at the time we volunteered, but for non-ski patrol members we were given free lift tickets for the balance of our stay. Regardless, it was fun to carry a torch down the mountain with the others.

I couldn’t delay any longer. I had to get ready to go to the office. I hadn’t shaved for the last four days. Lisa liked my whiskers. I couldn’t stand the itch any longer, and was glad to be shaving them off. Now I recognized the guy in the mirror, but it seemed strange not seeing Lisa’s reflection. I put on a turtle neck sweater, black slacks and headed out. Mrs. Abbott left the newspaper on the steps, as she normally does. This morning I decided to take them with me.

*.*.*

I opened the door to the task force office and was greeted by Colleen running around the desk to give me a hug.

“Scott, we missed you. I’m glad you’re back. I notice you didn’t break any legs. Did you actually go to ski?” she said, with a big smile and a wink.

After hanging my coat, I replied, “As a matter of fact we did a lot of skiing and some other things. We even carried torches down the mountain for a torch-light parade.”

Mike came into the reception area. “Who are you carrying a torch for now?”

“Hi Mike. No, Colleen was asking if we did any skiing. I told her we carried torches down the mountain as part of a torch-light parade. We had a great time. Thanks for letting me get away.”

He shook my hand. “Scott, you deserved the time away, but you look tired instead of rested.”

“We were real busy. It was great skiing; it snowed a little every night. There were a lot of things to do up there. I read about the new strangling.”

“Let’s go in the conference room. I’ll update you on what has happened and what we have been doing. You might want to grab a coffee and doughnut…maybe the coffee will wake you up.” He turned, heading toward the conference room.

“Colleen you look nice today. Happy New Year.”

“Thanks Scott, same to you.” She leaned across her desk, whispering, “It’s not the same around here when you’re not here.” She blushed again and quickly sat down.

“It’s nice to be back. I really had a nice time away with Lisa and her friends. I better go.” I smiled, heading to my desk for my notebook, and then to the coffee area.

Mike was seated at the conference room table when I came in. “Scott, why don’t you sit over here, so I can show you what we have.” There was a stack of material off to his side and a folder in front of him. We each took a sip of coffee. The coffee for some reason tasted extra good this morning.

“I have a lot to cover with you, as last week was very busy. Here’s the folder on the Phyllis Horton case. As you must have read, she was strangled. The scene was a carbon copy of the Kellerman murder scene. What you didn’t read in the papers, if you look at the pictures, is that she was branded in the same manner. That’s the close up of the brand. It’s a P with a circle around it.”

I studied that photo. The next photo was a slightly further away shot, showing the positioning on her pubic area. I was trying to be professional. The next shot was taken from the foot of the bed, showing her still tied to the bed.

“Scott, you should be accustomed to these files by now, but I wanted you to see the difference between these and all of the other rape and strangling cases. None of the other cases were at all similar to these last two murders.”

I looked at the remaining pictures. One showed a close up of one of the hangman nooses used to tie her wrists and ankles to the bed. Some shots showed the oily substance on her body.

Mike paid attention to where I was in regards to the pictures. “Those show semen on her body. The Medical Examiner did confirm there was semen in her vagina.”

The next set of pictures prompted me to ask, “Was she strangled with pantyhose?”

“Scott, that’s interesting you asked. On the surface it looks like she was, but the Medical Examiner report indicates she was actually strangled manually. The pantyhose were put on her throat after she was killed. What’s your first impression of all of this?”

I thought for a moment, and then responded, “Well, it looks like she was also struck in the face, given the bloody nose. Maybe the killer lost his cool when she struggled, and had to hit her. Maybe she said some things to him, which he didn’t like, and he strangled her manually before he could with the pantyhose. She wasn’t cut at all, so maybe he knew her. Maybe this was not a random killing, but a planned one. I think he might have known Phyllis and the other woman.” I studied the photos again, noticing Mike watching me.

“If I remember the burn mark in the other case it was a K in a circle, and this is a P. It looks like it’s their initials, or a very strange coincidence. I think the killer made love to these women, and really didn’t want to kill them. However, he came to kill them and had to follow that plan. They were both attractive women looking about the same age…is that correct?”

Mike studied me for a moment, commenting, “Yes, they were attractive women, close to the same age. Your analysis of the murders is very much on the mark…nice job Scott. Let me tell you what we learned after our further investigation. However, I want to get the Kellerman file. Do you want a refill?”

*.*.*

We sat back down in the conference room. Mike pulled out his notebook. “Here’s an update. These women knew each other when they were growing up. They stayed somewhat in touch over the years. They went to the same summer camp, later became counselors at that camp. We have tracked down two women who knew Phyllis; Charlotte Williams is unmarried, out of the country and working in Bermuda.”

“The other woman in her address book was Helen Reynolds. We have tracked her down. She is married, her name is Ryder now. She lives in Merrimack New Hampshire. She was not a counselor, but Charlotte was.”

“We met with Helen briefly at Phyllis’ funeral; she was one of the people who gave the eulogy. Although she was troubled that two of her friends were killed, she hoped the killer would try something with her. She said she has a large dog. If the bastard wants her…the dog will take him apart before he can try anything like what happened to her friends. Besides, her husband is with her almost all the time, as he runs a business out of their home.”

I laughed at the picture his statement created. “Maybe if the dog were to bite the right places it might be just punishment for him.”

Mike must have been thinking about what I said. “Maybe the guys who rape women should have their respective parts cut off, giving the raped women authorization to do it. That might just make others think twice before they commit a rape.”

“What about talking to the owner of the summer camp?”

“We’re going to try to do that as a matter of fact. They live in Derry, New Hampshire. Would you like to go with me?”

“Sure, what are their names?”

“Rose and Harold Anderson.”

I couldn’t believe my ears. “You said Derry right…Mike, they’re Lisa’s parents!”

Chapter 53

Judy opened their dorm room door, finding Lisa sitting looking out the window of their apartment. “What’s up Lisa?”

She got up and moved the chair back to the desk. “I just thought I would look at the building behind ours. I just feel at times I’m being watched, so I felt like returning the favor.”

“Did you see anything?” Judy asked, walking over to the window herself.

“No, not really.” She wanted to change the subject. “Judy, we didn’t really have a chance to talk about our days away with the guys. I had a great time with Scott and it felt so right to be with him. How was your time with Neil?”

Judy laughed and shared, “I guess I never knew he snored, however I did keep him awake most of the time. The rest of the time I was too tired to really pay much attention to it.” She laughed louder this time. “Did you try the melted chocolate treatment I suggested?”

She smiled, admitting, “I don’t think I ever enjoyed chocolate as much as I did this past week. I had to buy extra bars…Scott developed a taste of his own for it.” She laughed with Judy this time. “It’s a little messy, but it makes the shower much more fun.”

Judy, looking over at her, asked, “What kind of monster have I created? This from a girl who had almost never kissed a guy in high school, you’re certainly making up for lost time.”

“Speaking of time…the long ride on the way up to the inn gave me a long time to drive him crazy, and I have to admit, me too. I almost ripped his clothes off when he brought the luggage to the room.”

Judy responded, “Speaking of luggage and ripping clothes off, Scott didn’t mention coming with Neil when they brought our luggage. I opened the door in my birthday suit, meaning to surprise Neil, but Jeremy and Scott got a free show.”

“Lisa is there anything else you care to share about six days and six
nights
with Scott?”

She took a deep breath and tried to decide if she wanted to mention it, but just smiled.

“Okay, now I know you’re hiding something. Lisa I gave you my suggestion about a
special treatment
package, I think you owe sharing what you’re smiling about. I’ll only tell the world.”

She took another breath and offered, “Let’s just say I had an orgasm when I heard him open the window and break off an icicle…and that wasn’t the only time.”

“Wow, Lisa that gives me shivers just thinking about it.”

“The temperature differences I experienced were
incredible
. You’ll have to try it with Neil, but don’t tell him who told you.”

Judy walked to the window again, looking up to see the hanging icicles over their window. She wondered how, but wasn’t going to ask. “I’ll just have to do that. Maybe I won’t wait for him to call me; I might just call him in a little while.”

*.*.*

When they were down in the reception area, she noticed Judy frowning reading the newspaper. “Judy what has you so occupied?”

Judy looked up, closing the newspaper to answer her. “Lisa, I was just reading about the latest strangling in the paper. Did Scott tell you they were working on this new set of stranglings?”

“He mentioned they were going to maintain the task force since the murders were right on the heels of them arresting that other guy. He’s also going to help them for at least a little while. Oh, I never mentioned this to you; his cousin was one of the earlier murdered women, which is why he was so focused on catching the strangler.”

She watched as Judy reopened the newspaper, studying the article again. She looked around the room, noticing many coeds enjoying being back in the dorm again. She heard the front entry door open, looking over hoping to see Scott. She noticed the guard scanning the room also, but his eyes seemed to lock on hers when she spotted him. She looked down at her arms. The hairs were standing up.