Branded for Murder (36 page)

Chapter 83

Periodically she was checking the building behind theirs to see if there were any lights on.

Judy must have been watching her actions, and finally said, “Lisa, will you please stop looking at that room. He’s not there, and he’s not going to be there.”

She went to the window again, peeking through the newspapers. She didn’t answer her friend. She heard the door slam and turned around. Judy had left the room. She looked at her hands and they were shaking.
I really need to let this whole thing go.
She picked up a magazine and started to flip through the pages, then couldn’t ignore the need to check once again. She peeked across the alley but the lights weren’t on. She went back to her bed and resumed looking at the magazine.
She remembered his reaction to the magazine he was reading. She thought about Scott and wanted to talk to him.

*.*.*

She waited near the phone in the reception area. It seemed like there was an endless line of people wanting to use the phone. She realized she needed to get into the makeshift waiting line, or she would be even later calling Scott.

Finally, twenty minutes later she could use the phone and dialed Scott’s apartment. The phone just rang and rang. She let it ring for a number of rings, but he was obviously not there.
Where are you Scott…I need you.
She hung the phone up, thinking about joining Judy on one of the couches, but she was being pulled to check for the lights in that room. She recalled leaving her binoculars in the room when she left the other night.

Chapter 84

He managed to return to Boston without being stopped. He was really sorry he didn’t have the chance to return to Charlotte. He had decided he was going to take her with him, and see if she was serious about being with him for the rest of their lives. However, that was all interrupted when the police arrived.
Now to plan B.

He used the corner phone booth to make the call.
This is going to be almost as exciting as being with Charlotte.
The phone was ringing and ringing without any answer. He was about to hang up when he heard the voice on the other end.

“Hello,” a woman’s voice announced, sounding perturbed.

“Hello Mrs. Anderson.”

“Hello, who’s this?”

He was silent on the phone.

“Who is this? I’m going to hang up now,” she said, really perturbed now.

Finally he broke the silence. “Hello Rose.” He let that sink in for a second. “This is Jimmy Ballou. You must remember me. I’m the one who you ignored when you found me running around the counselors’ cabin without any clothes on. Do you remember that?”

There was no reply to his question. Then she finally answered, “I remember you Jimmy. Why are you calling me? It’s been such a long time. Oh my God, are you the one murdering those girls?”

“Rose oh Rose…what am I going to do with you? You know you had the chance to prevent a lot of things from happening, but you didn’t. You ignored the whole situation that happened at the camp years ago. Were you afraid of the negative publicity, or were you just so engrossed in your own life that you couldn’t be bothered with what happened to me?”

There was no response on the other end, so he continued. “I really didn’t expect any answer, but had you showed any caring you might have been able to prevent some things from happening, but you didn’t. Now I’m not going to do anything to you or with you, but…but I am going to do something to your very lovely daughter Lisa.”

“Oh my God…oh my God…Harold you have to take this call. Oh my God, no!”

He could picture her reaction, waiting for Mr. Anderson to pick up.

“Who is this? What is this about?” he yelled into the phone.

“Mr. Anderson, this is Jimmy Ballou. You probably have no idea about what happened at camp years ago, so I’m not going to go into it. However, I just explained to your wife that I need to take some revenge for what happened years ago to me at camp. I have decided that your daughter is a much lovelier target than your wife. Please say goodbye to your wife for me, and I’ll say goodbye to your daughter for both of you. Have a nice life.”

*.*.*

He hung up not really hearing what Mr. Anderson was yelling into the phone. He went up to his room, to get the material he was going to need. It had been prepared for months, now just waiting for the right time. He entered his room, turned on the lights, grabbed his goody bag and went to the window.

He could see her lights were on in her room. However, the newspapers blocked his view. He wondered if she was as predictable as he thought. He quickly wrote a note, leaving it on his bed with the lights on.
See you soon my dear.

Chapter 85

Running into her room, she couldn’t ignore looking out the window again. She moved the newspaper screen. She couldn’t believe her eyes as she focused on the room across the alley. She closed her eyes and opened them to make sure they weren’t playing tricks on her. No the lights were definitely on.

She changed the batteries in the flashlight, sticking it in the back of her pants. She headed down to the lobby to get the keys to the annex and room 516. The female guard was on duty. She needed to wait for the right opportunity to get the keys without being seen. Judy was talking to her, but she was not paying attention…her focus was on the guard.

“Lisa. I asked if you’re okay. Lisa, are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I just have some things on my mind.”

“I think you need to forget about that room and try to reach Scott again.”

Lisa looked over to the phone, and it wasn’t being used. “That’s a good idea. I’ll try him again.” She got up to use the phone, trying to pull her white sweater away from the flashlight in her slacks.

She let the phone ring and ring. Still, there was no answer at Scott’s apartment.
Where is he? Scott, please get my vibe that I’m looking for you. Please.

Chapter 86

They were just entering the task force office. Hearing the phone ringing, Paul ran to catch it. “Hello,” he quickly said, into the receiver.

“Who is it Paul?” Mike asked.

“I missed whoever it was. I wonder who that was,” Paul said, more to himself than to Mike.

“If it’s important they will call back.” He was about to head up to Paddy’s office, wondering if Colleen had shut off the coffee pot. He wondered more if there was any coffee still available. He headed down to the coffee area to check it out. “Paul, there’s still some coffee in the pot, and there are a few doughnuts left. Are you interested?”

“Sure. Lunch was…did we have any lunch?” he said, with a smile.

“No we didn’t. I would like to head over to the pub and catch something there, but we better see if we can alert the locals here to find Jimmy.”

“We should go check out Lisa’s dorm, and that apartment building behind. I think Jimmy might head back there.”

Mike grabbed a doughnut and coffee and they headed out of the building. They were almost around the building when he realized he never checked to see if the coffee pot was unplugged. “Paul, I’ve got to go back to check the coffee pot. Give me a minute.”

He entered the building again, checking the coffee pot, which was unplugged. He headed back towards the door. The phone rang.

He answered, “Task Force office Mike Miller, how can I help you?”

A rushed voice on the other end responded, “Mike, I’m glad I caught you. This is Lieutenant Dennison with the Derry police. Listen, Harold Anderson just called us. Rose just got a threatening call from Jimmy Ballou indicating that he is going after their daughter Lisa Anderson.”

He acknowledged the call. “Thanks Lieutenant. You just caught us leaving the building.”

“Mike, I tried several times. I was going to try some other numbers, but they weren’t handy. I’m glad I caught you.”

“Thanks lieutenant, I’m glad you persisted. We’ll take it from here.

Chapter 87

I was just entering my apartment when I heard the phone ringing. I rushed over thinking it might be Lisa.

“Hello.”

“Hello Scott, I’m glad I caught you. Listen. This is Harold Anderson. Jimmy Ballou called here a few minutes ago and threatened us. Well, more specifically he threatened Lisa.”

I couldn’t respond. My mouth wouldn’t work.

“Scott. We called the Derry police and they were going to try to reach the guys connected to the task force down there. We have no idea whether they were successful or not, which is why we thought of calling you. Scott, you have to do something. We’ve tried the dorm but the phone is just ringing busy.”

“I’ll take it from here. Thank you for calling me. I know what I need to do.” I didn’t wait for any response. I headed to my car without locking any doors.

Chapter 88

Finally, the guard left her desk and headed to the ladies room. Lisa looked around. Everyone was occupied watching television. She walked over to the guard’s desk as fast as she dared. She knew where the correct keys were, and took each of them. She headed up the stairs to the annex door, noticing no one paying any attention to her.
Great.

She unlocked the annex door, closing it quietly behind her. She put her back against it to see if she heard anyone back in the dorm approaching. It was totally quiet. She turned the flashlight on. It was much brighter than the other night. She headed up the stairs to the third floor. There was some noise on the landing, but it was just another rat. When she shined the flashlight on it, the black thing just lumbered away.

She noticed the building was still extremely hot. By the time she reached the fifth floor, she felt the sweat running down the middle of her back.
Why in the world did I wear another sweater?

At the top of the stairs she took a deep breath, shining the flashlight down the hall. Not a thing in the hall. Damn, the flashlight was starting to dim again, and she shook it. She would need it on the return to the reception area, so she had to use it sparingly. Without any hesitation, she put the key in the lock at room 516 and unlocked the door. She let the door swing open, holding her fingers in front of the lens to limit the light in the room. She went immediately past the small cot, over to the window.

The binoculars were resting on the mattress right where she had left them and she picked them up. The room seemed hotter than the last time. She wiped the sweat off the sides of her face. She knelt at the window, trying to focus the binoculars on the room with the light. The man was nowhere in sight. She thought this would be great if she could get a look at his face. She checked the second window where the small bathroom was, there was nobody there. She focused back on the bedroom.

She felt her pulse beating in her ears. She closed her eyes, wiping the sweat away again. Her back was itchy from the sweat running down her back. She put the binoculars down, removing her sweater. She thought she heard something, and froze in place. She couldn’t place the sound, but she wondered if the guard was making rounds. She waited and waited, not hearing anything. She focused the binoculars back on the room and the empty bed.

There was a large-red paper note on the bed. She refocused on the large letters. ‘When you read this – it will be night-night time.’ She heard the noise in the room again. Before she could turn around, a cloth was over her nose and mouth. Her screams were muffled to even her ears.

The room was spinning, and she couldn’t see anything in the limited light. She dropped the binoculars. The noise they made sounded like thunder. She could feel her knees starting to buckle. She was going to pass out.
Scott, please help me. Scott I need you now.

Chapter 89

He held onto her, knowing she had passed out. Her bare back against his bare chest felt incredible. She was sweating. He was too—the closet was almost stifling even with all his clothes off. She did exactly what he thought she would do, coming back to this room.

He guided her to the bed, laying her down. He opened his goody bag, removing the many candles he brought with him. He lit each of them, placing them around the room. He placed several on the window sill, which created a mirror like affect on the window. She began moving, so he poured some more chloroform on the handkerchief and held it against her nose and mouth again. He looked at her bra. It was pretty but not what he wanted to see.

He went over to the bag, removing the underwear he brought with him. It was her black set from her room.
Yes, you were right. I’ve been in your room and in your drawers.
He went over and removed her shoes and white socks, then her slacks and finally her white silk panties. He lifted her slightly to remove them off her legs and then unhooked her bra. He studied her body in the flickering light. She was better looking up close, than when he saw her in her room.

He put the black bra and panties on her. Next, he took the hangman knotted ropes from the bag and tied her wrists and ankles to the bed posts. He put a gag in her mouth but didn’t blindfold her.
I want to see your reaction when you see what has happened to you and who I am.
Next he tasted her lips, and licked her breasts above the black bra.
I’m sure your boyfriend Scott has had the pleasure of your body. However, tonight the pleasure will be mine.

He went over and took the Sterno can out of the bag, along with the small wooden tool. He looked at the backward letters…he knew later they would show ‘L and J’ on her body. His excitement was growing just thinking about all these things. This was plan B. He was really going to enjoy their time together. He knew first hand the guards didn’t check this area at this hour, and never checked the individual rooms.

*.*.*

She was starting to wake up, but wasn’t there yet. Her blonde hair cascaded across the mattress and her shoulders. He spread his body out on hers. Her warmth made him almost change his plans. He went to a sitting position on her, putting his nose almost against hers. Her eyelids were flickering. She was soon trying to focus her eyes. Her muffled scream was exciting. She tried to move, realizing she was tied to the bed, which she confirmed when she looked at both of her wrists. She screamed again, trying to throw him off her body.

He laughed at her attempt. He slowly slid off her body and stood looking down at her. She closed her eyes to the sight of him. He backed away to see what she did next. She opened her eyes, looking down to see her new underwear. She shook her head and yelled again. Once again he laughed at her feeble attempt. He brought a large candle over to her and studied her again. She closed her eyes.

He tipped the candle, the hot wax dropping into her navel. She reacted just the way he wanted her to. The light of the candle made her blonde hairs on her body more noticeable. When she closed her eyes, he continued to drip more candle wax on her. Without saying anything, she realized that if she kept her eyes open he wouldn’t drip wax on her. She finally looked at his face. Her eyes got big as saucers as she focused on who he was.

He stood over her again, she closed her eyes. He dripped more wax on her, forcing her eyes open. “Do you like what you see?” He finally broke his silence.

She shook her head and pulled at her restraints.

“Lisa. Yes I know who you are. You know who I am now too. I’m Andy Lincoln at your service. I will protect you tonight and no one is going to hurt you…well…that is except me. I know you know who I am. Yes, and I have some confessions to make to you. I have undressed you every time I’ve seen you in the reception area, and when you’re leaving with your boyfriend. You’ve done your own amount of undressing much to my pleasure. I have seen you in your room and your shower.”

“Actually Lisa I have been in your room. You see, we have keys to all the rooms. I decided I liked the black set of underwear best, taking it a while ago, so you could wear it for me now. I know you were watching the other night. I found the binoculars here, but I saw you the night you were watching me. You were nice enough to only wear a bra. We’ll dispense with your clothes soon so we can let our bodies touch.”

Lisa yelled something, but he couldn’t understand what she said.

“What are you trying to say?” He put his body on the cot beside her, putting his ear to her gag. “Tell me again what you said.”

She mumbled something.

“Why? I thought you might want to know why? My name isn’t really Andy Lincoln.” He let that register. “My name is really Jimmy Ballou. Do you remember that name?” Once again he waited for it to sink in. “Yes that’s right. I was the young boy who helped your mother set up the camp for a few years. That is until the camp counselors caught me intruding on their space, tying me up like you are now. However, they did more than that. Yes, they enjoyed experimenting with me for the weekend, but they did this.”

She jumped as he stood up, lifting his manhood to display the marks. “Do I have to bring the candle over again? Open your eyes. Look at what the three of them did to me.”

He watched as her eyes focused on the three burned marks. “Yes that’s right Lisa; they burned their marks on me. Karen and Phyllis had the same letters burned on them before I killed them. Charlotte got lucky earlier today. Help intervened before I could reward her with her own brand.” He went over and brought back the wood tool and showed it to her. “This is our mark. This will be an L and a J for us. It will be a remembrance to your mother of what she might have been able to prevent.
But she was much too involved in her own things…she was pregnant with you.”

He sat down on her lap facing her. He watched her starting to close her eyes, but she kept them open. He reached behind him, displaying a small bottle, dripping the contents on her shoulders and then above her bra. He started rubbing the oil on her arms and across her shoulders. He reached behind him again, producing a long knife. She closed her eyes and he ran the knife down between her breasts. “Do I have to get the candle again?” She opened her eyes.

*.*.*

He turned the knife over and cut her bra off. She was starting to sob and he just smiled at her response. He dripped more oil, rubbing it in. He dripped oil on his chest, shoulders and rubbed it in as well. He rolled off to her side, picking up the knife, running it under her panties. With two quick moves, she was now as naked as he was. He went back to the oil, covering every inch of her.

Then he stood, making her watch as he oiled the rest of his body. He knelt down on her lap again and moved his body against hers. He wasn’t looking at her anymore, lost in the feeling of their bodies sliding against one another. Minutes passed. He was in no rush. He thought he heard something and stopped moving.