Branded for Murder (5 page)

Chapter 12

She had no idea how they arrived at their favorite coffee shop. Lisa searched her memory, remembering only the news about President Kennedy’s assassination. She could see Judy sitting at their table and the handsome guy from the library holding both of their hands. She was embarrassed that she couldn’t recall much since the news at the library. She had to fill in the details.
Why is he here? And what did he say his name was?

“Judy, I can’t remember much of what happened since the news at the library. It’s true isn’t it…the president is gone?”

Judy squeezed both her hands in hers and responded, “It’s true. President Kennedy was shot in Dallas and killed. We have a new president – Lyndon Johnson. We met Scott at the library, but in case you don’t remember, this is Scott Tucker. Scott was nice enough to help us get here.”

“Hi Lisa, I’m glad to meet you, but I wish things were different.” That didn’t sound too good. “I mean…I’m glad I’ve finally met both of you, but I’m sorry it took this to do it.”

She looked over at Judy who was nodding her head, and then back to Scott.
Scott Tucker, what a nice name
.

“Thank you, Scott. Thank you for being here for us. I’m sorry this happened.” She realized how that sounded. “I mean I’m sorry the president was killed…not that I’m sorry I met you.” She couldn’t hold the tears back, got up and rushed to Judy who stood to hug her.

 A minute later all three were hugging. She wanted to jump for joy. She had finally met this nice young man. The warmth of his body was taking her cares away. They were silent and deep in their own thoughts.
If life was like a tree
,
she had just sprouted a new branch. She said a silent prayer that it would be great and last forever.
There were different tears running down her cheeks now.

Scott handed her his handkerchief.

The owner announced that they were closing the coffee shop for the rest of the day. She said they would remain open as long as the patrons needed them to, but she felt, under the circumstances, they should be with their own families.

Outside, Scott asked her if they could meet back here at noon tomorrow for coffee. He said he wanted to get to know her better.

Chapter 13

It was an open coffin. Jackie looked like a princess in the high collared blouse. Her folded hands held a single rose. She looked so pure. What a shame her life was over. We were all feeling the loss. There wasn’t a dry eye in the funeral home. I hugged my mom and we both said a prayer for her.

I managed to corral my dad, telling him that I was indeed on the task force. He knew he needed to keep this to himself. I told him I would do my best to help find her killer. He just patted me on the shoulder, and said he knew I would.

I paid my respects to my uncle and aunt, telling them I would see them at the funeral and the family get together afterward. I was amazed at how many friends and work associates Jackie had.

Giving Mom another long hug, I told her I would see her later that evening. When she asked why, I told her I was meeting someone special, hoping to take my mind off of what happened to Jackie.

*.*.*

I was about ten minutes late arriving at the combination deli/coffee shop. There was a ‘closed’ sign on the door in respect of President Kennedy.

Lisa must have waited, seen the sign and decided I wasn’t coming, or she missed me. I had no idea where she lived. I decided to wait and see if she would arrive.

I sat on a bench near the coffee shop. So much had happened in such a short period of time. When I saw Jackie this morning at the wake, she didn’t look anything like she did the last time I saw her. I kept thinking this was just a bad dream. But, I’m awake, it’s not a dream.

“Hello there stranger…do you have room for me on the bench, or would you rather be alone?” she asked as she put her hand lightly on my shoulder. “I’m sorry I’m late. Thanks for waiting for me.”

“Hi. I’m glad I didn’t miss you. I was a little late myself. I thought you might have seen the sign and thought I left.”

“Just about everything is closed. Oh, this belongs to you,” she said, as she offered my handkerchief back. “Scott, are you okay? You look like you did the other day when I saw you outside the library.”

“I’m better now. I had to attend a wake this morning for my cousin.” I tried to force a smile.

She studied me before replying, “That’s awful. Did I take you away from your family? We should have picked a different day.”

“It’s okay, really. I paid my respects. I needed to get my mind off what happened anyway. I’ll be seeing my parents tonight, since the funeral is tomorrow. Now that the coffee shop is closed what would you like to do?”

“I’m not sure. How old was he, and was he sick? I’m sorry…you said you wanted to get your mind off that.”

I took a deep breath gathering my strength before answering, “It was my cousin Jackie, Jacqueline to be more exact. She was thirty-one, and died suddenly. That’s probably what I was thinking about the other day outside the library. Oh, and I need to apologize for being so rude that day. I know you were trying to be hospitable.” I looked into her sparkling blue eyes, and liked what I saw.

She put her hand on my arm. “I’m sorry about your cousin, how awful.”

“Lisa, it’s going to take a while to get over the fact that she’s gone.” I wanted to say more, but couldn’t.

“I want to be honest with you Scott. I really wanted to meet you. I’ve seen you studying in the library, and hoped you might have noticed me. There are so many coeds in there…well…how do I say this? I was worried someone else would make your acquaintance before we met. When I saw you looking so upset the other day, I couldn’t ignore you, and convinced Judy to come with me to talk to you.”

“Okay, so if it’s honesty time we’re having…I have seen you many times in the library, as well. I just couldn’t get up the courage to introduce myself. I wanted to. I thought about you many times. And to be honest, I kind of changed my study habits to hopefully see you. I’m sorry it took President Kennedy being assassinated to have us meet. But, I guess we will always remember that day.”

She had a nice wide smile and grasped my arm. “That’s very interesting and sounds promising.”

I thought about what I said, realizing it did sound like we were going to be together to remember that day. This time it was my turn to smile.

“Wow, you have a nice smile! I can’t say I’ve ever seen that.”

Neither of us said much, but we just stared. As I looked at her, I thought about how many times I had thought about her. I even thought about art class with her face on that model. I could feel my face starting to blush.

She must have noticed it, but she didn’t directly comment. “Do you have to leave now?”

“No. I would rather not. Do you have any time, or do you have something you need to do?” I asked, hoping she didn’t.

“Well, as a matter of fact, I do have something I need to do,” she answered, looking away.

“Well I better let you go then.” I know I didn’t have the smile on my face any longer.

She turned and studied me. “What I have to do is spend some time with
you
. I have so many questions that have been building inside me…well, can we do that?”

I know she tricked me. She has a sense of humor. Her smile is something I want to see a lot more. I stood, offering her my hand. She stood, taking it. We didn’t say anything more, but I started walking with her right beside me. Several minutes later, I put my arm around her neck, pulling her close. She put her arm around my waist.
I knew where we were going.

It was chilly and breezy outside. She put her scarf around her face, tucking her head into my side. If I was having a dream about this, I didn’t want to wake up. She didn’t ask where we were going. We just walked, still holding each other.

I had dressed for the wake, and was not really dressed for a walk in this cold. I glanced at Lisa, who looked so cute huddled against me with her French beret perched on her head. She never asked where we were going, but I could see the building up ahead when we turned the corner. Across the street, the Prudential Tower was reaching for the sky. Soon we were climbing in the elevator to the
Skywalk.

Chapter 14

Lisa felt the speed of the elevator. It was all she could do to settle her stomach as the elevator rose to the top floor. Scott held her hand and must have sensed she needed to be calmed.

She heard Scott’s comforting voice, “Just a few more seconds and we’ll be there.” The whine of the elevator changed as it slowed to a smooth stop.

“Here we are.” She heard Scott’s voice as she opened her eyes.

She watched as Scott paid the small admission charge. They were soon on the observation deck. They turned the corner and the city came into view below them. She noticed the planes landing at
Logan
Airport
across the small stretch of harbor. She acknowledged the view, “Wow, I can’t believe I’ve missed this!”

Scott hugged her shoulder. “I come up here mostly at night to concentrate on an exam, or to get my mind off things. It’s a breathtaking view at night. I’d love to show you sometime.”

“That’s a deal.” She only imagined what it must look like at night. She noted how clear the view was, seeing all of Boston around them.

“That’s got to be
Mount Washington
up there.” She pointed to the mountains on the far horizon. There was snow on the peak, with white clouds huddled around it.

They pointed out things to each other as they walked around the observation deck at least three times.

“Scott thanks for bringing me here. This is very memorable, in several ways.”

“Lisa, it’s a lot more fun than looking out at the sights by myself.” He put a coin in one of the telescopes, turning it so she could look towards the ocean.

She looked through the telescope and could see lobster boats up close. She also noticed passengers inside planes, coming in for a landing at Logan. “This is fantastic. I’m going to make this a haunt of mine.”

“Lisa, I’d really rather come up here with you.”

“I don’t understand why the serious look?”

“Have you heard of the
New England Strangler
?”

“Yes, but I don’t think that has anything to do with this public place.”

“Who knows where this guy gets his ideas or chooses his victims. I just want you to be careful and safe.”

“Thank you Scotty,” she said, with a childlike voice.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to dictate or offend you.”

“None taken, I’m touched you want to protect me from
danger
.”

They were now just standing face to face. Scott held her hands in his and looked into her eyes. She wanted to say something to him, but she couldn’t. She studied him and watched his eyes closely. Quickly, without warning, he let go of her hands and hugged her. She felt his warmth and realized very quickly that this young man was going to be something very special in her life.

She broke the silence. “I feel like I’ve known you for a very long time. I don’t know what it is about you, but I really enjoy being close to you.” She looked again into Scott’s eyes, and could tell he was feeling something similar to what she was feeling.

*.*.*

I slowly moved my head towards hers, but pulled back. I could tell she was saying okay. It felt like an eternity had passed in those few seconds. I continued to work up enough courage to find her lips. Our lips met awkwardly. I pulled back anticipating her being offended. I saw her turn her head slightly and I prepared for a much better kiss this time.

It was a short kiss, but better than the first. I looked to see her reaction.

She moved her arms up over my shoulders and around my neck. I met her lips again, more softly this time. We kissed a long, tender kiss as I filled my senses with her smell and feel. Our lips finally parted. I gave her a quick peck, and then hugged her against me. I wondered if she could feel my heart racing.

I could tell she didn’t want me to let her go. I could see our reflection in the observation window and the other people walking behind us. I heard a small boy ask his mother what we were doing. We both laughed. I leaned back and held my arms around Lisa’s waist and our lower bodies mingled for the first time. I could feel her warmth against my body. I had to cover my body’s reaction by kissing her again. We held each other tightly. I didn’t want to let this moment pass – I wanted this to last forever.

I never had this feeling for anyone in my life.

I kissed her again. “I’m glad we finally met. I want to tell you another truth. I have never really done this before and I hope my kiss was okay.”

“You obviously must have known by the fourth or fifth kiss, that you were getting better at it.” She hesitated, looking at me. “I was concerned with the same thing. I can’t say I have ever been with somebody like this.”

“I hadn’t planned for this to happen, but I am certainly glad it did,” I whispered in her ear, hugging her close again.

She pushed against my shoulders and whispered, “I guess we both should practice some more.” Lisa smiled and turned to give me a better target and our lips and bodies locked in a more prepared manner.

My senses were now heightened. I could feel her breasts pressing against my chest as our bodies fit closer together. I realized my breathing was getting heavier. It was hard to stop kissing, but I wanted to look at her again.

I whispered, holding her against me tightly, “Honesty time again…we better stay close like this…my body has responded to you.” I moved ever so slightly and then brought my lower body back against her.

“Very interesting,” she said with a slight laugh.

I put my finger to her lips.

“Scotty, I love your honesty and openness. Please always be that way. You can tell me anything…we both have much to learn. I think it’s time for us to learn them together and…”

“What? Tell me,” I urged.

She turned her head and placed it against my chest. “I can tell you are the right one to teach me what I have only dreamed about.”

I pushed her slightly back to look into her eyes. “Are we moving too fast?”

“No, Scotty, this feels so right. I want to be with you. Just continue to talk to me so I know what you are thinking. It’s almost like we are thinking the same things and it helps to know that.”

I moved my head towards hers and our lips met again, this time with much more experience and passion than my earlier attempts. After a long, pleasant series of kisses, I felt more comfortable saying, “My body certainly knows how to react to you.”

She smiled and moved even closer. By now she knew exactly what I was talking about.

*.*.*

I watched Lisa close her eyes as she reached for the elevator wall. “Phew, that left my stomach up in the air.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, but I will be glad to be off the elevator.”

The cold air in the courtyard stung. An extremely large Christmas tree was being erected for the upcoming holiday season.

“Can you believe they would cut down something this large and bring it here for just a month? What a shame to take something so beautiful and end its life.”

My mind drifted to the women who had been brutally murdered. I thought about
them never feeling the cold of the winters, or the warmth of summer again. What’s come over the world, if you can kill a tree like that, the President…and all those women?
I only half heard what Lisa’s comments were about the tree, as I thought about the
lost future of these women and their families. I’ve got to catch this animal, I’ve got to.

“Earth to Scott, I’m talking to you. Are you in there?”

“I’m sorry, I was just thinking about the tree, being destroyed after the holiday.”

I could see Lisa studying me. I wondered what she was thinking at that moment. I was certainly glad we finally met, but it took a president being shot to get us together.

“Lisa, are you cold?”

“No, it was cold this morning, but right now I can almost feel the warmth of a fire.”

“Lisa, I hope I didn’t upset you with our…well our closeness up there?”

She laughed. “No, I really enjoyed it. I hope we can continue to see each other.” She paused, “I mean to be with each other.”

I noticed her color, surprised we both had a tendency to blush. “Lisa, I want to see you again, soon. I’ve seen you many times in my thoughts lately, but that’s nothing like being with you. I’m sorry we can’t be with each other longer, but I have to leave for my parents.”

She reached her other hand out and I knew it was time to kiss again.

I wish I had hours to spend with her today.

We kissed for several minutes. “Scotty, I have some things I have to take care of anyway. I really have to get them done soon.”

We walked to the street. The wind was blowing harder than when we entered the building. I hated the thoughts of being separated, but signaled for a taxi. We entered the cab, but I was embarrassed I couldn’t tell the taxi driver where we were headed. Lisa realized my predicament, smiled and gave the driver her address.

I was trying to figure out how I could make plans to see her again. We were both quiet. I was surprised when the cab screeched to a stop at her Marlborough Street dormitory building.

The taxi driver stated the amount and I replied, “Please let it run. You can take me to my car which is nearby.”

We got out of the taxi and I was still holding her hand. We quickly hugged and kissed again. “Lisa, I want to see you as soon as I can. How can I reach you?”

She put her hand in my pocket. “That’s my dorm phone number. Please call me. I really liked being with you and…and how we felt together, and I want to be close to you again soon.”

She was starting to blush, and I could feel the heat also. “I’ll call as soon as I get back in town. I can’t wait to be with you too.” We kissed again. I did not want to let her go. The horns of the cars behind the cab interrupted us.