Fragrance of Revenge Read online

  “Somehow I knew you would be early Scott. Did you come over from your apartment?” he asked, handing me one of the cups.

  I could feel my face flush, but smiled and took the cup. “No, actually I came over from Mercedes’ apartment.” I’m sure he knew that, but was testing me.

  He smiled without replying, sipping some of his coffee. I took the opportunity to retreat to his office. He followed, motioning me to have a seat in the sitting area.

  “So, since you see more of my daughter than I do…how is she?”

  I could feel the frown coming. “Well today I really don’t know. When I woke up this morning she had already left for the FBI building.” I paused checking for his reaction. He just nodded. “Stephen, I have something to talk to you about.”

  “That’s why we’re here. However, I sense something is wrong. Care to share?”

  I took a deep breath, and noticed I could even hear my exhale. “Stephen we had words last night.” I took a long drink of coffee. “That’s our first ever, and she was obviously still upset with me this morning…only leaving a note that she left for work.”

  He frowned and placed his cup on the coffee table and turned to face me. “It’s about your doing this investigation isn’t it?”

  “Oh, I didn’t even tell her about our discussion, but she doesn’t want me near any investigations. She wants me to focus on safe things like our realty project.”

  Stephen looked up and out the window over my shoulder without commenting. I drank the rest of my coffee and decided on a refill. I needed to let what I said sink in.

  When I came back in, he was standing looking out towards the Charles River. I could feel my hand shaking realizing the impact of what I said.

  He didn’t turn around to face me. “Scott, I’ve got a real problem. I have no one else to turn to for this investigation. I can’t share the details even with you, but I can’t possibly involve Mercedes in this. You’re the right person to handle this.” He turned and came back to the couch and sat down. “Scott, I’m sorry I’ve put you in this awkward position. You really care for her don’t you?”

  I swallowed and hoped only I could hear it. I hid quickly behind my coffee cup while I considered how to answer.

  “Scott, you don’t have to answer that…I already know the answer.” He shook his head and added, “I don’t want to do anything to ruin what you have, but what is happening to me, could actually negatively impact Mercedes. I can’t share the details, but I must find whoever is blackmailing me, and put a stop to it.” His face turned red and he walked over to his desk.

  He unlocked and opened his center drawer pulling out a white envelope. “I didn’t share this with you yesterday, but I want you to see how this could hurt Mercedes.” He came back and sat on the couch as he handed me the envelope.

  I opened it and read the typed letter.

  ‘Mr. Strong,

  I know what you did. I have the power to expose you and your secret.

  I’m sure you’re smart enough to realize what exposing this would do to you, your business, your status and your family.

  Unless I receive $5,000 by Sunday midnight, I will contact the press to have this story published.

  I will be in touch.

  Mr. Know!’

  I folded the letter, put it in the envelope and handed it back to Stephen. “That amount could buy a couple of Cadillacs or make a big deposit on a house. When did you get this letter?”

  He took a deep breath. “Eight weeks ago. That was the first of three similar letters. I paid him what he requested, but he hasn’t stopped.” He pounded on the wooden coffee table and his coffee spilled over the top of his cup. “Scott…he wants another five tonight.”

  I was only half listening to his explanation of where he dropped the money.

  He brought my attention back when he added, “If you don’t help me, I’m going to wait for this bum and I’m going to end this once and for all.”

  Chapter 3

  The office building wasn’t busy today as she passed the security guard. “Good morning Ms. Strong. I didn’t expect to see you today. Happy Fourth of July.”

  She regretted not smiling at him as she passed. “Yes and the same to you Mr. McNichols. Crime doesn’t know a holiday.”

  He watched her long-red hair whip to the side as she turned quickly entering the elevator.

  There were some typewriter sounds in the general office area as she unlocked her office door. She didn’t feel like socializing this morning and threw the keys onto her desk. She turned and shut her door so quickly it made a loud bang. Although she had loafers on she was still tall enough to bow over the top of the five-drawer file cabinet. She closed her eyes and tried to calm herself.

  Why had she left without speaking with Scott? She was upset with him, but she let her emotions get the best of her. That is so out of character for her. All she wants is for him to forget investigative work and focus on something safer. If anyone in the family needs to do investigative work—let it be her. Family?

  Her heart was beating and she could feel a doozy of a headache coming on. She sat down at her desk and put her forehead on her arms. She could hear her deep breathing.

  She has known Scott for years and they have never had words before. Even when she set up the elaborate snowed in Christmas Eve at that lonely cabin and he never made love to her, she didn’t get upset with him. Why now?

  The arrow on his abdomen was a constant reminder of how close her sister came to taking his life. She had two attempts to kill him or do him even more serious damage and had failed. If her own skills hadn’t been that good she would never have rescued him. She worried that she wouldn’t be that lucky a third time.

  That is ludicrous since her sister blew her head apart with a flare gun. Scott told her that her sister changed into a different person right in front of his eyes just before she was going to kill him…and killed herself instead.

  She felt her fingers running across the spirals on a notebook on her desk. The texture felt like Scott’s arrow scar. The image of Scott’s naked body tied to that dungeon bed with her sister torturing him was too much for her. She didn’t want to be mad at Scott, but she didn’t want him to be killed either. The tears were coming and she was glad she was alone.

  Even with all the education she received at Harvard and training at the FBI academy, her gut told her that she had something to fear.

  She pulled the small compact from her purse and touched at her makeup. Her complexion had a slight rose tint to it and she’s learned how to wear just the right amount of makeup. It’s obvious that she is more attractive than she gives herself credit for…she can tell by Scott’s reaction that he likes what he sees. It’s also very obvious he likes what he sees when she’s without clothes. There’s more than the arrow pointing.

  Those thoughts put a smile on her face and her blue eyes seemed to brighten just like Scott’s. Even though she didn’t doctor her nails this morning they were in perfect condition. That’s because she resisted Scott’s attention last night. It was hard to do and she could tell by the slight pressure against her bare bum that he needed her. It reminded her of their time at the cabin when he didn’t make love to her, but his body was telling a totally different scenario.

  She thought of Scott’s scar and her first acknowledgement which she referred to as a road sign pointing to Passion Street. One light nail scratch across the arrow was all it took.

  She hoped Scott would be at her apartment tonight, as she really needed to make up for last night, but she knew better.

  *.*.*

  She realized she needed to get to work soon or she would be headed to either the phone to call Scott or to find him. She unlocked her file cabinet and pulled out the large file titled Missing Citizens - Bermuda.

  Although they were successful finding Scott and the other captives, there were three women and one man still missing. The consolidated investigations led them to find the people involved with the sale of the expensiv
e yachts. However, there was still a dead end as to where the four missing people on one of those yachts disappeared to.

  The investigation now centers on Aruba and part of Venezuela. There’s the distinct possibility the women were kidnapped and are now part of white-slave trade. However, they have no proof, only some witnesses that think they saw women being put ashore off a vessel thought to be part of a pirate ring operating in and around the Caribbean. The vicious nature of those involved caused people to ignore what might look like suspicious activity and to keep it to themselves.

  She pulled pictures out of the folder and looked at the women. They were all young and attractive and would not have anticipated what they were walking into. The last confirmed report they had was when they took on provisions in Bermuda aboard the yacht “Import-ant” owned by one of the kidnapped but rescued men.

  It was an easier scenario to grasp…women being kept for sex…than her sister keeping men for the same purpose. However, she did, and was indeed successful for almost two years. Fortunately, Scott wasn’t her slave for that long. When she questioned him about what happened during his captivity, he danced around the details. Judging from what she knows and can see on his body, he suffered more than just the physical aspects of his captivity.

  If Scott isn’t there tonight she’s going to really miss him. It has been very easy to get a sound night’s sleep after hours of love making. She’s going to really miss the beat of his heart against her back. She caught herself running her fingers along the spiral.

  She got up to make a cup of coffee, but noticed her excitement showing plainly against Scott’s white shirt. See Scott, even when you’re not right with me, you can still get me going. If you were really a detective you would know that.

  The phone’s sharp ring made her jump.

  “I heard you were in. Something’s happened. Can you come up to my office?”

  *.*.*

  She didn’t know her boss was in this morning. It must be something really important if he’s in on a holiday. She loosened her blouse but realized that wasn’t going to help the situation and just let it hang outside her jeans. She knew Scott would like that picture and hoped her boss was focused on business this morning.

  “Come in Mercedes and have a seat.” Even though they were almost alone in the building he got up and closed the door.

  “Good morning Mercedes…I’m glad you’re in. I would have been calling you anyway. I just received a telegram from our embassy in Venezuela that a woman believed to be one of the missing women from Bermuda was found murdered.”

  “Any other details?”

  “She was found with her hands tied behind her back, nude and obviously tortured. She was killed by a gunshot to the back of the head. As best they can tell without any identification it is Paula Scott’s body. I’m trying to get dental records now, but I’m running into difficulty due to the holiday.”

  He stood and went to his blackboard. He wrote her name on the board. “Mercedes, if this is indeed one of the Scott sisters, this would confirm the earlier reports of the women winding up in Venezuela. Her condition might also bring credence to the notion that there’s indeed a slave trade scenario. My concern is that with one of the women turning up murdered in this fashion, we might not have much time to find the others.”

  “I know what’s coming next.”

  “I’m sure you do. You and I, along with Ralph, need to jump on the next available plane. I’m arranging tickets now, so by the time you pack and get to the airport we’ll have what we need. We’ll be meeting with Venezuelan authorities, but the communication I received is that they do not want us anywhere near their investigation. My hope is that they see you and change their mind. I’m sorry to say that, but those Latin men don’t necessarily think with their heads…if you know what I mean.”

  “I have the folder on my desk so I will take it and head home to pack.” She looked at him, and he looked like he wanted to say something more.”

  “If I might, what you have on will work just fine.”

  She could feel her face flushing. “I guess that’s a compliment, but I’ll pack some other things that might be also appropriate.”

  “Good. One other thing…are you and Ralph going to be okay working closely together again?”

  She studied him for a moment before answering. “I can handle him okay as long as he’s focused on the case and not on my pants.”

  “That is exactly why I asked the question. I can’t afford not to have both of you with me, but I also can’t afford to have you both together without me. He was noticeably out of control in Bermuda, and if it wasn’t for your support, he would have been written up.”

  “Duly noted, and I will be able to handle him.” She got up quickly and headed to the door.

  “Mercedes…” She stopped and turned. “You are an amazing agent, and we benefit from your expertise.” He paused. “However, it’s plain to see how Ralph could get himself in trouble.”

  The comment caught her off guard. She smiled. “I thank you for both compliments. I’ll see you at Logan in about two hours. Happy Independence Day…sir.”

  “Yeah, so much for a long holiday weekend.”

  Chapter 4

  I realized that Stephen was desperate and might also be serious about confronting the blackmailer himself. Stephen shared that his wife is on some heavy-duty medications since Melanie killed herself. If Stephen was killed, or arrested for killing the blackmailer, his wife would surely have more serious problems.

  Besides, I can’t ignore his asking for help. He only wants me to find out who is doing the blackmailing. Now that I think about that, then what happens? I’ll just identify who it is and then see what Stephen plans to do. He already said he can’t make this public. Now, I’m more concerned about my involvement. I better get some advice.

  *.*.*

  I made my way around Harvard Square which was blocked off for the parade. Brattle Street had many cars parked along it since it was so close for people who wanted to see the parade. I parked behind the building, but was surprised when I saw Mike’s car parked in one of the parking spaces.

  I opened the front door which was unlocked.

  “Is that you Scott?” Mike asked from somewhere inside.

  “Yes it is.” I walked towards his office.

  “I thought I heard the roar of your car,” he said holding his ears.

  “Very funny. Happy Fourth of July, Mike.”

  “Yes and the same to you. I didn’t expect to see you in today. I thought you would be enjoying a long weekend and your redheaded friend.”

  I gave that a quick thought and responded, “Yeah, me too.”

  “Oops. Do I detect a problem?”

  I smiled and sat down. “You know Mike, I have a lot of respect for you detectives…you don’t miss much.”

  “Scott, I’m about done here, and was about to leave. Do you have something you need to take care of, or do you want to join me for a beer?”

  “I don’t have anything in particular I was going to do. I was just coming into the office to get my mind off things.” I stood up. “I would love to have a beer, or maybe a couple of pitchers.”

  “Lover’s quarrel?” he said smiling and getting up.

  “There you go again. Why don’t I keep my mouth shut, and you can tell me what I should do?”

  “Sure, after many years of marriage…buy flowers and a box of chocolates.”

  “If it were only that easy.”

  *.*.*

  We walked around the block to the Harvard Pub. We spent many hours here talking about cases when we both worked on the task forces, along with just having a beer or two after work.

  The entrance to the pub always surprised me. There was just a window and a door, but once inside, the short hall opened up into a large lounge area with high tables. The bar was off to the left side of the hallway as you came in. Today the lounge and bar was crowded due to the holiday. It didn’t look like we were going to get our usu
al table or a table at all.

  We stood at the end of the hall looking around. Mike’s expression turned to a smile. I felt two breasts pressed into my back and arms wrapped around my waist.

  “My, oh my, who would let you out on a long-weekend?” I recognized the sweet voice of Maggie.

  I turned around to look down at Maggie’s smiling face and breasts only inches from falling out of a much too small top. “Hi Maggie.”

  She looked up and smiled. “Yes Scott, they’re still there.” She looked down at her breasts and pulled them up with both hands. “That reminds me, you both still owe me a visit…you really need to see my dance routine. What else can I get you Scott…Mike?”

  I was bright red and could feel it in my ears. “Any chance of a table?”

  “Oh, you come see me dance and I’ll get you a table right down front. Other than the stage it’s dark in the club and no one would see your face light up like now.” She turned to Mike. “I just love how I get to him. Happy fourth Mike.” She did a quick look over her shoulder. “Just a minute, I’ll be right back.”

  “She does like teasing you, doesn’t she?”

  “Yes she does, and she does a good job. I don’t think I could ever see her dance routine. From that point on she would never be dressed again. There’s not much left to the imagination as it is.”

  Maggie was waving to us from over near the far wall. We made our way through the crowded pub. “So, where’s the redhead you guys are always flaunting?”

  “She’s working today.”

  “So, that’s why you look like a lost puppy dog. I just love little puppies. You guys want your usual drafts, or can I get you one of our special pitchers?”