Fragrance of Revenge Read online

  Fragrance of Revenge

  By: Dick C. Waters

  Copyright © 2013 All Rights Reserved

  Dick C. Waters

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, typing, or by any information storage retrieval system, without the permission, in writing, from Dick C. Waters.

  This is strictly a work of fiction; names, characters, places and incidents are either a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental or fictionalized.

  Acknowledgments:

  I thank Terri (Enos) Johnston for her friendship, support and edits on this and my other novels.

  “Scott Tucker Series” novels

  Listed in the recommended reading sequence:

  Branded for Murder

  Serial Separation

  Scent of Gardenia

  Fragrance of Revenge

  Foreplay for Murder*

  (*The Adult version of Fragrance of Revenge)

  Author Page:

  http://www.amazon.com/author/DickCWaters

  “Never throw a boomerang away…

  It might come back to kill you.”

  Dick C. Waters

  Chapter 1

  I felt the cold damp air against my naked body. The boat raced and crashed against the heavy sea. My head bounced in concert with the boat’s rise and fall and my butt was almost numb from slamming against the rough deck. My shackles clanked a steady beat in concert with the boat’s nose dive off each wave’s peak.

  The boat engines’ whine suddenly ceased. As it slowed, waves rocked the boat and splashed against it. The smell of rope was replaced by the familiar scent of Gardenia. I was still in darkness and couldn’t see anything through the blindfold.

  “Well now, look at you.” Her breath was hot against my cold cheek. I felt her tongue as she lapped the tears escaping below the blindfold.

  “Scott, do you fear the end?”

  “I’ve made my plans…I’m ready.”

  There was no immediate response. “No, you’re not ready at all—not from the looks of junior.” Her hand grabbed my naked body. This time there was no reaction to her touch.

  “I didn’t wait all day for this.” She moved her fingers, but for once my body was mine, not hers. She continued her usual best to get a response, but nothing was working in her favor. “Did I hurt you too much earlier?”

  I tried to forget that torture.

  Suddenly she yanked off my blindfold. “Scott, open your eyes…I said open your eyes.”

  She was kneeling beside me. She smiled and reached behind her and removed her blood soaked bikini top. She slid it down my body, but there was no reaction. “Scott, I have all night…you know I get what I’m after…sooner or later.”

  She leaned forward and started kissing and licking my body. My mind was thinking about the safety of my friends and their rescue.

  Not getting the result she wanted, she pounded on my thighs. Then she pounded again and again. She screamed something, jumped up and rushed off. I barely had my breath back when she arrived waving a flare gun.

  She pointed the gun at Denny, who was also lying naked on the floor, but he didn’t move. “Scott, you will give me what I want or I will shoot him…I swear.”

  I tried to recall the last time I heard Denny move. I hadn’t heard any movement since she chained me here below deck.

  “I’m not sure he’s still alive, but do what you need to do. I’m going to announce to you and God, that I love your sister with all my heart. I’ve made my peace and now use that on me.” She just stared at me. “Do it,” I yelled.

  Her eyes opened wide. She turned and studied Denny’s lifeless and blood-soaked form. Then she slowly turned her stare back to me. Her eyes looked like she was in a trance. Then the gun followed her eyes down to my groin. I saw her finger slowly squeezing the trigger. This was how my life was going to end.

  For some reason, she let up on the trigger and laid the gun down on the wood deck. She got up and came back with a key, and started removing my shackles.

  Two minutes later, with the chains still locked on my ankles and wrists, she had pushed me to the stern. The only sound was the waves slapping at the boat. I knew she had planned to shoot me minutes ago, but didn’t want the flare to ignite the boat.

  “Melanie, why are you doing all of this?”

  She raised the gun to my head, but didn’t answer.

  “Melanie, I asked you a question…answer me…why are you doing all of this?”

  Even in the limited moonlight I could see her eyes tearing up. “Scott, you have no idea how much I love you. From the moment we were at the warehouse, I realized what love could be like.” Her hand was shaking and her finger was twitching.

  I didn’t understand entirely what she was saying, but this was my opportunity. “I know you do in your own way. You could really be a nice person, given the right circumstances.”

  “Do you love me?” She brandished the gun.

  “No…but someone could love you. You need to give up this crazy vendetta against everyone. You have no chance of anyone loving you when you’re like this.” I could see the tears running down her cheeks, and her body starting to shake. “Melanie, do you remember your sister and your grandfather on his boat when you were growing up?”

  Her expression softened, and she nodded.

  “Wasn’t that a great and wonderful time? Can you remember sailing on his boat, just the three of you? Wouldn’t he be ashamed at what you’ve done?” I waited for the words to make any kind of impression. I could hear the distant whine of boat engines. “Why don’t you be a good little girl and put that gun down?” She just stared at me. “Your grandfather is telling you to put the gun down now. Be that good little girl he remembered and enjoyed.”

  She was soon sobbing uncontrollably and bent over like she was going to be sick. The gun was still only inches from my face, but waving noticeably. She lifted her head and her expression softened. She wiped at the tears. She closed her eyes and bent her head. When she lifted her head again, I could see what looked like a little girl’s innocent smile.

  “Grandpa, please forgive me. I didn’t do these things…she did.” She looked down at my naked body. “Scott, I’m so sorry this happened to you and the others.”

  The tears were cascading down her cheeks. For the first time, I really felt sorry for her.

  “This…” Her voice softened. “This has gone too far. I can’t let her do these things any more…please tell Mercedes that…that a part of me loves her and wants her to forgive me. I hope you have a wonderful life together.”

  She suddenly swung the barrel toward my face. I flinched and yelled, “No!” Even with my eyes closed, the night sky seemed to explode.

  *.*.*

  “Scott…Scott, wake up. Wake up Scott.”

  I opened my eyes and another beautiful redhead with bright blue eyes was staring down at me. It was Mercedes.

  “You cried out. You had that nightmare again, didn’t you?”

  “Yes. Only this time she was going to shoot me.” I felt the sweat on my face and body. I went to wipe my forehead, but she beat me to it.

  “Scott, this is exactly why I need you to give up investigative work. You were almost killed twice. You may not be so lucky the next time.”

  Mercedes stood beside the bed with her arms crossed. It was her bedroom, but it had become our bed for the last few weeks. She looked incredibly sexy with her long red hair hanging down only partially covering her breasts. She noticed my eyes moving down her body and she started to smile.

 
; “You look incredible this morning.” I reached for her arm, but she avoided my hand.

  “Scott, stop. I’m worried about you. You’ve had nightmares almost every night since we returned from Bermuda. I can’t do this anymore.” She looked down at me and her eyes started to glisten. “I love you Scott, but I can’t go to sleep each night wondering if you’re going to have one of these dreams.” I reached for her again. She avoided it and went to her side of the bed and sat down.

  “Do you want me to leave?” She bowed her head and put her hand against her forehead. Her naked back was stretched to its limit and I had to feel her. I slid over to press my naked body against hers. “Mercedes, I’m sorry. What do you want me to do…do you want me to go to my apartment?” I rubbed her shoulder and kissed her other one.

  “Scott, please stop.” I stopped, but the warm scent of Gardenia was captivating. In all our days and nights, I had never seen her cry. Now she was truly upset and I had caused it.

  “Honey, what do you want? Help me please.”

  “Scott, I know you love me. You made that clear to me. I love you too with all my heart.” She lost control again.

  “That’s why I can’t let this continue any longer. I almost lost you twice. Do you know how crushing that is?”

  I watched her study the ceiling. “Honey, I know it must have been tough on you. I owe you my life. You saved it twice. What do you want me to do?”

  She swung around and looked right into my eyes. “What I want is for you to promise me that you will not get involved in any more investigations.” She studied my reaction.

  “Scott, that’s not your forte…it’s mine. I can’t spend any more days worried about losing you. I might not be lucky the next time.” Her tears were dripping onto my chest. “You want to know what I want…I want you to give up any investigative work and stick to your business improvement focus. Will you do that for me?”

  I didn’t answer her. I couldn’t. She searched for my answer and then turned and buried her head in her pillow.

  *.*.*

  I spent the last hour on her couch trying to put the pieces of our conversation back together. It was her comment that she might not be lucky the next time that brought her to tears. In the years I’ve known her I had never seen her cry.

  I was having a problem dealing with upsetting her. But, I couldn’t ignore how much she loved me. I didn’t mean to hurt her, but obviously my actions had and my returning nightmare brought her feelings for my safety to the surface.

  I couldn’t defend myself. Mercedes was right. I was never formally trained to do investigative work, and getting involved in investigations did put me in harms way. Her sister had two chances to take my life and if it wasn’t for Mercedes’ intervention, I wouldn’t be here right now. I owed her my life, and although I haven’t told her, I’m ready to give the rest of my life to her.

  I unconsciously felt the scar on my abdomen. I didn’t need to look at it to be reminded of the arrow carved there. Melanie thought it was so funny when she carved it, and I can still hear her words as she threatened doing something even more damaging to other body parts.

  It’s still hard to believe that Mercedes’ sister could have been so different. It’s no wonder why Mercedes gets so upset…looking at that scar is a reminder of how lucky I am to still be alive.

  I know Mercedes wants me to promise to never do another investigation. I owe that to her, and I’ve made up my mind to tell her why I can’t.

  I considered going to my own apartment, but I would rather be here in the morning.

  I went back into her bedroom and let my eyes adjust to the darkness. I gently pulled the covers back and smiled when I saw Mercedes’ long red hair cascading over her shoulder and down her back. The limited moon light illuminated her contours. The sight of her naked body, even her back, caused my body to react.

  I climbed under the covers and positioned myself lightly against her. I wrapped my arm around her waist and kissed her shoulder.

  “Scott, please…not tonight.”

  I was glad she didn’t send me away. I was glad she was still talking to me. I was glad to smell the wonderful fragrance of Gardenia. The thoughts of losing her were too much for me. I leaned forward and kissed her on the shoulder. I put my head on my own pillow, but kept my arm around her and my lower body pressed lightly against her.

  The thoughts of losing my wife two years ago, the pain from my captivity, nearly losing my life twice, along with upsetting Mercedes and bringing her to tears got the best of me.

  I took a deep breath, and said a silent prayer and gave thanks for still being alive.

  I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, the sweet fragrance of Gardenia filling my senses, but then realized I still had a problem. Yesterday, I promised her father I would indeed investigate who was involved in blackmailing him. I tried to control my breathing and hoped my heart racing wouldn’t be interpreted as something else.

  What could Stephen Strong have done that he doesn’t even want his FBI daughter to investigate much less know? What can I say when she brings up her request for me to give up investigative work?

  Scott, you should never hurt the one you love.

  Chapter 2

  Mercedes must be still upset with me. Although her note indicated she had to go to the office today, I read between the lines. Recently, it hasn’t been easy for either of us to get out of her apartment. One or the other picks up where we left off the night before.

  Frequently, there’s the soft, but insistent touch of fingers against skin—my body awakening before my mind. Then the wonderful feel of soft lips and an insistent tongue. After a heated engagement, our race to see who can commandeer the best spot under the shower head. Despite our intent to just shower, it is never just that.

  This morning the shower felt cold and lonely. She already left for her office. For the first time, I felt like I invaded her space.

  I thought about her request and realized I couldn’t tell her what I was going to do for her father. I promised to help find who was blackmailing him and also promised NOT to say a word to Mercedes about it.

  I felt the arrow scar and a smile crossed my face. Mercedes laughingly commented she would always know how to find my prize…the arrow pointing at it.

  Immediately, I remembered her crazy sister carving my body with a fish knife that could have done even more damage. She knew it, and she relished the fear in my eyes as she purposely made me think of what she was capable of doing. She had me, and the others, right where she wanted us, and she was unfortunately good at commanding what she wanted from us.

  Mercedes was right…I could be dead now. Or, I could be useless as a man. Do I really want to do what I promised her father, or do I really want us happy for the rest of our lives?

  *.*.*

  I hadn’t smelled it before, but the scent of Mercedes’ Gardenia perfume caught my attention as I wiped my face. I loved the scent and closed my eyes with the towel held tightly to my nose. I could picture Mercedes’ soft body instead of the towel. Although people say they love each other, I honestly can picture myself with her the rest of my life.

  I looked in the mirror and the smile was gone. I was trapped between trying to do the right thing for her father and her insistence that I just focus on business process improvement.

  Mercedes often told me to take the frown off my face. She liked it when I smiled making the dimples prominent. She also commented that my blue eyes seemed to sparkle with a light from inside. Many times recently she would run her hands through my neatly combed blonde hair and tell me to go to her room and take off my clothes. That was often hard to do being seated in a restaurant. She also liked to see my face turn red, which she acknowledged with a wink and a lick of her lips. Later, when we arrived at her apartment, she wouldn’t let me take off my clothes…commenting that she had waited all night to do that. Her red nails tracing the arrow scar would put a mischievous smile on her face.

  I really missed being close to her t
his morning. I dressed in one of the fresh set of clothes I brought to her apartment. I made the bed, noticing it wasn’t the usual shambles. I guess I better plan on staying at my own apartment for the near future. Although she didn’t specifically tell me to plan on that, I sense she needs a day or two to herself. Should I leave her a note? She’ll know what’s up when she notices what I’ve taken with me.

  *.*.*

  I loved the feel of my ten year old ’58 Pontiac. However, the engine’s angry sound clearly showed how upset I really was. There wasn’t much traffic on Memorial Drive this holiday morning. Stephen Strong wanted me to meet with him to talk about a plan for my investigation. Yesterday, there wasn’t any problem with having a meeting with him, but today was a different story. Should I tell him that I owe it to his daughter not to do his requested investigation?

  The lot could easily hold twenty cars, but today, due to the holiday there were only three cars in the lot. His office building was a two-story rustic brick structure. One side was devoted to his real estate development company and the other to his real estate business. His personal office overlooked the lot and entry, and provided an excellent view of the Charles River. I parked my car and looked up toward his office, but the smoke colored glass hid any sign of life inside.

  There wasn’t anyone at the reception desk, which wasn’t a surprise. I took the stairs behind her desk two at a time and wondered why I was rushing. Despite all of the delay at Mercedes’ apartment I was still ten minutes early.

  I knocked on his door, but he wasn’t inside his office.

  “Scott, I’m over here pouring myself a cup of coffee. Would you care for a cup?”

  I walked down the short hall to the coffee nook and spotted Stephen pouring a second cup. He looked different this morning. The tinges of gray in his hair at the back of his neck were the same, but he had khaki colored Bermuda shorts, boat shoes without socks. I hadn’t seen him previously without a suit or a sports coat.