Scent of Gardenia (Scott Tucker Series) (7 page)

Chapter
16

Mike and
I entered the pub and found our usual table. When we were seated I looked
around for Maggie, but didn’t see her. “Mike, I don’t see Maggie. There’s another
waitress over there, but it’s strange not to see Maggie.”

Mike
smiled, but didn’t say anything. I quickly realized why he was smiling—the hug
from behind left no mistake who it was.

“Well,
isn’t this nice. My two favorite customers have come back to see me.” Maggie
came around and gave Mike a kiss on his cheek. “Mike, it’s nice to see you
again. This place isn’t the same when you guys aren’t here.”

Mike
turned to look at Maggie. “Maggie, it’s good to see you too. Scott was a little
concerned when he didn’t see you attending tables.”

“Wow.
It’s nice to be missed. I had to attend to my outfit; it was having a problem
staying where it belonged. It’s all fixed now.”

I stared
at the top of her outfit, and it looked like it still had a problem. Maggie saw
me checking it out.

“That
reminds me, you two still haven’t seen me dance.” She pulled up on one side of
her top, and winked at me. “Is there anything else I can get you…gentlemen?”

Mike
answered immediately, “You can bring us two drafts, and we’re expecting Mercedes
to join us. However, we’re not sure when she will arrive.”

Maggie
looked at Mike and then turned her head to look my way. “My manager sure likes
it when she comes in here. I’ll have to give him the heads up she’s coming.
Just maybe he’ll send a round your way. Boy, if I had legs like hers I would be
one dangerous chick.” She smiled, checking both of us out again. “I’ll be right
back with your drafts.”

When
Maggie was out of ear shot I said, “Mike, she makes coming here an extra
benefit. I think she’s cute, but I find it hard to talk to her eyes.”

“I know
I’ve seen your reaction…and so has she. I think she enjoys teasing you. You
better be careful if you ever go see her dance. I think she might make you more
than blush.”

I
thought about that, but didn’t say anything. Maggie was a few feet away
carrying the mugs in one hand, and threw a coaster on the table and then
another. She smiled knowing we had witnessed her talent. “Here you go.” She
stood there without saying another word.

“Is
something the matter Maggie?” I asked.

She
hesitated before answering. “Not really. When I see both of you I think of my
friend who was killed by the New England Strangler. Sometimes I wonder why he
picked her and not me.” She shook her head and then smiled. “I guess she was a
better dancer than I was.” She quickly turned, heading to another table not
waiting for any response.

“Mike,
I’m glad we got that guy. He might have gone after Maggie on another visit.”

*.*.*

The
noise in the pub stopped. I looked over to see Mercedes headed our way.
She
looked as incredible as ever.
Her coat was unbuttoned and her high-collared
beige satin blouse accentuated her figure. Her skirt was longer than she
usually wore, but it had a slit from the hem-line to well above the knees that
showed the white of her thighs as she strode to our table. Her gaze seemed only
on me, and she smiled noticing I was checking her out. She flipped her long red
hair behind her ear and took Mike’s outstretched hand, and kissed him on the
cheek.

“Hello
Mike, it’s good to see you.”

“Mercedes,
you look like life is doing you well,” Mike announced, and then added, “It’s
good to see you too.”

She came
over to where I was sitting, leaned down to my face and gave me a light kiss on
the lips. Her thigh touched mine. She flipped her hair back behind her ear and
climbed up on the stool between us.

I took a
deep breath as I realized I hadn’t said a word to her. “Mercedes, you look very
nice tonight. How are you?” I got up to help her take off her coat.

She
looked at me quickly and then at Mike. “I’ve had quite the day as you can
imagine. The new development in Bermuda has considerably changed our focus.”
Before she could say anything more, Maggie came over to the table.

“Hi
Mercedes, I like your blouse.” After a slight hesitation she asked, “What can I
get you to drink?”

“Thank
you Maggie. I’ll have the same as they are having and it looks like they’re in
need of a refill.”

Maggie
nodded, heading to the bar.

*.*.*

“Thanks
for meeting with me on such short notice.” Mercedes looked at both of us and
announced, “The developments in Bermuda have changed our focus, as you can
imagine. We were not convinced the men had met any physical harm, but now that
one of them has turned up obviously murdered, we fear the others could be next.
I’m headed back to Bermuda the day after tomorrow with two other
investigators.”

Maggie
threw a coaster on our table which slid across stopping right in front of
Mercedes. “Here you go.” She picked up our empty mugs and placed the new ones
down. “Would you folks like anything to eat?”

Mercedes
answered before anyone else, “I’m hungry, but can you give us a few minutes
before we order?”

“Sure, that’s
no problem. Just give me a signal when you want to place your order or want
another round.” She headed to another table.

“As I
was saying, we’re heading back to Bermuda to cover any new details related to
the discovery of Roger Elliot’s body. Mike, here’s what I need to talk to you
about. One of the other missing men, Nils Nielsen, has been missing for just
over two months. His family lives in Brookline and Larz, the father, knows
Victor Young the Attorney General. Young has personally met with our office to
learn what is being done on our end to find Nils. He has expressed his own
disdain for our current lack of progress. That presents an opportunity for your
office.” She took a long drink of her beer.

Mike
responded, “Scott had mentioned that the family might want their own
investigation. Is that where this is going?”

“Exactly.
I met privately with Mr. Nielsen and he wanted my recommendation of who might
provide some service in that area. I told him I would get back to him with a
recommendation, but wanted to talk to you about it first. Are you interested in
talking to him about doing an investigation? I also don’t believe money will be
an issue. The family owns several Scandinavian furniture stores, and is also in
the import business from Europe and Asia.”

Mike
immediately responded. “It sounds like a very interesting project. I’m sure
Paddy would love to have our office involved. How do we proceed?”

“That’s
great Mike. I’m leaving in two days, but I believe we could set up a meeting
with Mr. Nielsen late in the day tomorrow. I have to be careful to avoid a
conflict of interest, but once you, or we, meet with him, you can take the lead
and I’ll stay out of that separate investigation. However, I believe it would
be in the best interest of everyone to keep you informed of anything that could
help with your investigation and the safe return of the son, or the other missing
men.”

“Please
set up the meeting and let me know when and where, and Paddy and I will be
there. What’s your personal take on the missing men?”

Mercedes
took another long drink of her beer before answering. “This is a very
interesting case. The authorities in Bermuda have considered several credible
scenarios including; pirates operating in the area, along with local criminal
element including drug runners, family or friends of the missing men, a lover’s
husband or boyfriend. They had considered the possibility of ship wrecks,
although far fetched considering we have four missing men and their yachts. Now
that a body has turned up in a cage, we’re talking murder now.”

Mike
held up his hand. “I asked what your personal thoughts are on this.”

“I’m
getting there.” She spotted Maggie heading our way, and waved her away. “The
four missing men are all rich bachelors. They were in the area on their own
yachts. Some of the men were traveling with friends.” She finished her beer. “I
have a different theory than the Bermuda authorities. I think the men have been
kidnapped and they are being held as objects. Given, there hasn’t been any ransom
requested for any of the men for well over a year.”

“What do
you mean by ‘objects’?” Mike asked.

“I don’t
know what else to call it. I think they might be held by either a group or an
individual for their bodies. If correct, I think women could be involved. Not
exactly the same scenario as we saw in Boston, where women were seeking
revenge. This could be something more basic; sex-slaves comes to mind.”

Chapter
17

Mercedes
watched both of their reactions. Mike looked like he immediately dismissed that
theory. Scott looked like he had seen a ghost. He knew first hand what it was
to be a kept man, even though it was for hours and not days.

“Mike, I
know that doesn’t sound reasonable to you, but you did ask for my theory. I
haven’t shared that theory with anyone, except the two of you. Analyzing the
facts of the cases leads me to that conclusion. Let me explain. All four men
were on their own yachts. They all went missing without any warning. No ransom
has been asked for, and no trace of the men has been detected since they went
missing. The first man missing almost eighteen months ago shows up decomposed
in a cage anchored to the ocean floor. Their expensive boats have yet to be
located.”

She let
that sink in and then added, “If men were holding these men they would have
either asked for ransom, or killed the men almost immediately. Their motive
would have been some financial gain, which might be just the expensive boats.
However, I don’t buy that. I can picture the scenario of these men being held
against their will. Not for financial gain, but for what they have to
offer—their bodies.” Mercedes waved Maggie to come over to the table.

Mike
offered, “The way you expressed the facts I can’t say you’re off base. You did
correctly profile the torso killers, and maybe you’re right on track for this
case as well. You’re the professional here. What do you think Scott…you’ve been
awfully quiet?”

The
images of my own captivity came flooding back. I felt like her theory held
water and gave me the chills. “I think her theory is credible. The authorities
theories seem far fetched. It makes me uncomfortable to think someone, or some
group, could be doing this just for convenient sex. However, if that’s correct,
maybe they are getting rid of the men when they no longer find them desirable.”

Mercedes
held a hand up to Maggie, who just arrived. “Well Scott, you may not have said
much while I was conveying my theory, but I think you were indeed paying
attention. I think your observation may also hold some water.” Her knee rested
against my leg. “I’ve worked up an appetite, is anyone else
ravenous
?”

Chapter
18

Mike
left after having an appetizer. Mercedes was going to call him after she set up
the appointment with Mr. Nielsen.
Mike escaped, but I wasn’t so lucky…or
maybe I was even luckier.
Mercedes had me hypnotized by her long red hair
and red finger nails. I could see myself helpless again.

“A penny
for your thoughts, Scott. You look miles away. Are you okay?”

I took a
deep breath before answering. “Mercy, now that we’re alone, I’m really glad we
got together, and I’m sorry for not calling you sooner.” She didn’t comment, so
I continued. “Mercy, from our time at the cabin I haven’t been able to get you
out of my mind. Even after Lisa and I were married, there were times when I
thought of you and that weekend.”

She put
her hand over mine. “The weekend we just spent together was something special. I’m
glad we didn’t waste time going to the Cape and back. What part did you like
best?” she said, with a mischievous smirk.

I could
finally look her in the eyes without fear. “
You
.”

“Do you
want to come over to my apartment for a night cap?”

I took
another deep breath. “I probably won’t want to leave though.”

“That
saves me having to tie you up.” She put the mischievous smile back on.
“Speaking of tying you up…I was thinking of going away over one of these
upcoming weekends back to the cabin in Topsfield. Do you have any interest?”

I looked
into her blue eyes. “Do you think we can capture what we missed that weekend?”

“Why
don’t you let
me
worry about that? Hopefully the towels are still the
same as they were that weekend.”

I had
been carrying her image in, or out of, that towel for years. I felt her tugging
at my hand. “Come on Scott, we’re wasting precious time. I have to get up early
in the morning.”

I
thought about the doughnuts –
maybe I could get a discount if I paid for
several dozen ahead of time.

Maggie
smiled and blew a kiss as we flew by her, and out the door. Then she gave me
the thumbs up sign and I winked at her.