Branded for Murder (33 page)

Chapter 74

Spending the weekend with Scott was marvelous. She had called Judy to say she was going to be detained for an extended period of time with Scott. She would be back to the dorm when they both couldn’t stand each other. She had made a joke out of that, but Judy caught on quickly. Judy reminded her to talk to Scott about Neil and her using his apartment for an evening.

Now it was Sunday and she wondered where the weekend had gone. She was a little apprehensive about telling Scott about her ‘viewing’ but he had quickly learned that there were some advantages for both of them because of it. The memory of her first hour with Scott, having him strip, put a smile on her face.

She decided to see what Scott was up to. She came in the kitchen area, finding him reading the Sunday newspaper. “So, are you tired of me already? The newspaper is more exciting.”

He looked at her with the sheet wrapped around her, and replied, “No honey, you had fallen asleep, so I thought I would give you some time to yourself. I also wanted to see if there were any new strangling cases.”

She went over, sat down on one of the kitchen chairs and studied Scott for a few moments. “So is there any news about him?”

“No not exactly. The paper is making an issue of the reduced manpower on the task force and the lack of any progress. They even made mention of Paddy being in the hospital possibly due to the stress of two back to back investigations. The AG was interviewed and he told the papers it was just a matter of time until they captured the new killer.”

*.*.*

“Lisa we need to talk about something,” I said.

She smiled. “Okay, let’s go,” she said, and she started to get up.

“No Lisa, this is serious. If we go into the bedroom I will never get it out.”

“That’s right!”

“That’s exactly what I mean. I wasn’t talking about that at all. Please this is serious.” I held out my hand to make the point.

“Okay Scott, I’m listening,” she said, lifting the sheet to see my reaction.

“You know Lisa I’ve created a monster. Is that all you can think of?” I replied noticing what she was doing.

She pouted and whispered, “I’m sorry, I’m such a bad girl. I’ve missed years of what we’re doing…and…well I like it.” She paused and closed the sheet just a little. “So what is so serious?”

“Lisa, I’m worried that Jimmy Ballou may be in Boston. And you could be his target.”

“Why in the world do you think that?”

“I say that because of what happened at the camp, because your mother owns the camp. We learned from Jimmy’s mother that he’s in Boston, but the address she had for him is a vacant lot not far from your dormitory. The investigators can’t find a single thing with a reference to his name, and they think he’s using an alias. We also don’t have any recent photos of him, so we don’t know what he looks like.”

“Interesting,” she replied, looking like she was considering what I said. “You have an early photo of him?”

“Yes, but it was a high-school picture.”

“Can I see it?”

She watched me go into the bedroom, coming back with the copy of the yearbook page. I handed it to her.

She studied it for a moment and remarked, “He was a nice looking kid.”

“Read what it says about him. I would like to know what you think.”

She read it. “He fell off the map after his sophomore year.”

“Exactly, very perceptive. We think his branding by the camp counselors restricted his participation in sports. He was hiding what happened to him from everyone.”

“Why would he want to be near me?” she asked.

“Maybe to get back at your mother for what happened to him? You do make a much better target than your mother.”

I noticed her staring at the picture. “Why don’t you ask his parents for a recent picture of him…they must have one?”

“Well it’s just his mom, but that’s a good idea. Why didn’t I think of that?”

“So Scott, do you want to go see her, or do you want to go into the bedroom to see me?” She didn’t wait for an answer but headed towards the bedroom, but the sheet didn’t make the trip and was in a pile at the entrance to the hall.

I thought to myself,
it’s not the right time to head to New Hampshire.
I could smell the fragrance left behind. It was as intoxicating as ever. I headed toward the bedroom, following my jeans which were now pointing me in that direction.

Chapter 75

The traffic was light heading north on route 93, but extremely heavy on the southbound side. Monday traffic always seemed heavier than the other days of the week. I didn’t have much further to go to get to Mrs. Ballou’s house.

I tried to reach Mike, but Colleen said he was with the AG going over the unsuccessful stakeout results at Helen Ryder’s house. I didn’t tell Colleen what I was doing as I wanted to talk to Mike directly about getting a more recent photo of Jimmy.
What if he’s already done that? What will Mrs. Ballou think? I wonder if she will remember me.

*.*.*

A few minutes later, I was sitting in my car trying to get up enough courage to knock on Mrs. Ballou’s door. I noticed the white curtains move and thought I better go to the door or drive away before she calls someone.

I could see myself walking up the front walk but it was like I was looking down from the sky. I put on my best smile, about to knock on the door when it opened.

“Hello,” Mrs. Ballou said, holding the inside door open slightly.

“Hello Mrs. Ballou, I’m Scott Tucker. I don’t know if you remember me, but I talked with you a few days ago. May I talk with you for a few minutes?”

“Yes I remember you. Please come in,” she said, opening the door fully for me. I opened the storm door, starting to take off my shoes once inside.

“Please, you don’t need to do that,” she instructed waving her hand back and forth. “Please have a seat.” She pointed to the living room.

“Thank you Mrs. Ballou for seeing me. I wanted to ask you if you had a more recent photo of your son.”

She looked shocked at first, and then asked, “Why would you want that?”

I wasn’t prepared to answer that and had to do some quick thinking. “Well, we wanted to talk to him about the camp he used to attend, but we can’t seem to locate him. The picture would help locate him.”

“Didn’t I give you his address in Boston?”

“Yes, but maybe we wrote it down wrong. We couldn’t locate him at that address. What he knows about that camp might help us with our investigation into why some of the camp counselors are being killed. If you have a picture it would help us, but if that’s a problem I understand.”

Her head turned to the display of photographs on and behind the piano in the corner. “I might have an extra picture of him, but I do want to give you the right address.” She stood up, walking over to an old secretary in the corner of the room, and opened one of the drawers. She looked through some photographs and announced, “Here’s one that was taken a couple of years ago.” She came over and handed it to me. “Isn’t he a handsome man? Both of you could be models you know,” she said, smiling.

I looked at the picture and he was handsome.

She was headed back to the desk, saying, “I’ll write down his address for you.”

“Thank you Mrs. Ballou.” I was still looking at the picture and wondering why he looked familiar.

She came back over and didn’t sit down. “Here’s his address again. I’m sorry, would you like a cup of tea, or I could make some coffee if you prefer.”

“Thank you for the picture and the address. I’m sure this will help us find him. As far as the tea or coffee goes I’m fine. If you see or talk to Jimmy, please let him know we need to talk to him about the Knotty Pine Camp,” I said, standing up to leave.

She put her hand near her mouth, looking like she was recalling something. “You know growing up he constantly talked about that camp. He couldn’t get enough of it. Then all of a sudden he didn’t want any part of it. I guess he was just going through those teenage years, finding other interests. I guess it must have been girls, because he lost interest in sports too.”

“Mrs. Ballou, thank you again, this will definitely help us. Please have a nice day. I’ll make a copy of the picture and get it back to you.”

“You’re very welcome. You may keep the picture. I wish Jimmy had found someone to spend his life with. It’s not right he’s spending it alone, but he seems to be enjoying what he’s doing.”

“Oh, what is that?”

“You know I should pay more attention, but he said it’s something to do with building security.”

I waved from my car and quickly drove off. I couldn’t wait to look at the picture again. That’s where I’ve seen him—he’s the guard at Lisa’s dorm.

*.*.*

I tried to reach Lisa, but she was out of the dorm with some others.
She’s most likely with Judy and Dottie. Should I head to the coffee shop, or wait for her at her dorm?

I was trying not to exceed the speed limits heading back to Cambridge. I wanted to see Mike right away and tell him what I learned. I tried to remember what Mrs. Ballou had told us Jimmy did the last time we talked with her, but maybe we hadn’t asked.

It took about forty minutes to make it to the Harvard Square task force office. I fortunately had missed most of the rush-hour traffic. I found a parking space a few blocks away from the office, almost running to the office. I loved the look of the building, rushed up the front walk and opened the door. My burst into the building caused Colleen to react immediately.

She had her hand against her chest. “Don’t do that Scott. You scared me to death bursting in like that. Scott you look like you’ve seen a ghost. What brings you in here? Are you coming to see me?”

“I’m sorry Colleen. Good morning. It is nice to see you and I’m sorry I scared you coming in. I need to see Mike. Is he here?” I said looking toward the office area.

“Scott, he’s using Paddy’s office so you wouldn’t see him in there. However, he’s not back from seeing the AG yet. He’s due any minute. Do you want to wait for him?”

“I guess I better. I have something I need to talk to him about.”

She looked at what I was holding. “I see you’re holding a picture. Who is it?”

“Well, that’s what I want to see him about. This is a recent picture of Jimmy Ballou. I think he’s the guard at Lisa’s dorm.” I handed the picture to her.

“He’s a nice looking guy, but you say you think he’s the guard at Lisa’s dorm. Why would he be doing that?”

I looked at her, and again at the picture she was holding. “I’m worried that he might be after Lisa. She said the guy has given her the creeps. I’ve seen how he looks at her. The fact he is so close to her is not just a coincidence. I need to wait for Mike, but I haven’t had any coffee yet this morning, and I have a splitting headache.”

“There’s a fresh pot of coffee and doughnuts over there. Why don’t you help yourself? Do you want a couple of aspirins?”

“Thanks to all of that,” I said, as I headed to the coffee area, pouring a cup, downing a doughnut and bringing another back to Colleen’s reception area. “How is Paddy doing, and how are things going here?”

“Well Paddy is doing much better. They have released him from the hospital. He’s at home and is not allowed to return to work, yet. However, you know Paddy. He’s been talking to Mike on a regular basis. Mike was at a stakeout at Helen Ryder’s house yesterday. Nothing happened, other than scaring some fisherman almost to death. There’s a lot of activity. Mike is extremely stressed. The AG is on him constantly.”

“I guess that’s to be expected. I’m glad Paddy is doing okay. Maybe this will be the break Mike needs. Oh, by the way, you look very nice today.”

“You know, Scott I miss you more than I can say. Thanks,” she said, with a noticeable blush.

*.*.*

I spent some time with Colleen while waiting for Mike to return. I didn’t feel right going to my old desk to wait for him.

“Scott, I really miss the hustle and bustle of the office when you and the others were here. It’s not the same place any more, but I need to work here as long as the office remains open.”

“I can understand that, but I’m sure Mike needs your help. I’m sure when Paddy returns things will pick up some. Maybe we’re getting closer to catching the strangler…we’ll have to see when I talk to Mike.”

“So how are things with you and Lisa?”

“We’re spending more time with each other now that I’m not on the task force any longer. Things are great.” I could tell I was blushing.

“It looks that way, judging from the color of your face,” she said, smiling.

The door opened and Mike entered the building. “Oh, we have company. Hi Scott what brings you here?”

“Well I have something we need to talk about right away. Do you have time to talk with me?”

“Just let me hang my coat and get a coffee. I could use a beer or something stronger.”

“Did you have a tough session with the AG?” I asked, with a noticeable smile.

“Is there ever a meeting with him that’s not tough?”

I smiled at Colleen, looking at the picture again.
I should have tried Lisa again, but I didn’t want to do it now that Mike had returned.

*.*.*

I followed Mike upstairs to Paddy’s office. “I heard Paddy’s at home, but not released to come back to work yet,” I announced, as we entered his office.

“He’s much better at home than dealing with the AG. I think I’m ready to take some time off with my own heart attack. I know he’s just doing his job, but he’s all over me like peanut butter on a sandwich. I want to show him some progress, but it is what it is. I’m sorry Scott…you don’t need to hear this shit. What brings you here?”

I put a smile on my face, offering, “I may have something that could put a smile on your face.” I looked at Mike and he seemed to brighten up. “Here is a more current picture of Jimmy Ballou.” I handed the picture to him.

He took the picture and studied it. “Where did you get this?”

“I went to see Mrs. Ballou this morning.” I didn’t know how that would go over so I checked Mike’s reaction.

Mike’s head lifted to look at me and the corner of his mouth showed signs of a smirk. “That’s very interesting. How did you approach her?” He resumed looking at the picture.

“I told her he might be able to shed some light on the summer camp he used to attend, where some of the murder victims had worked as camp counselors. Well, I said something like that. I also told her we must have written down his address wrong, needing to get it again.”

He got a frown on his face. “You know how this would go over with the AG if he knew what you did.” He watched for my reaction, but I just stared at him. “Well, what he doesn’t know won’t hurt us or something like that.” He handed the picture back to me, but he had a big smile on his face now.

I couldn’t hold the rest of it back any longer, blurting it out. “Mike I think Jimmy is one of the guards at Lisa’s dorm. His mother said he’s working in building security or something to that affect. I’m worried that he might be targeting Lisa.” I leaned forward, stabbing the picture with my finger. “I’ve tried to reach Lisa, but she’s out right now. I’m worried for her safety. I thought the best thing I could do was to come talk to you.”

He stood up, leaning over the desk. “Scott, just like usual, you’ve done well. I won’t tell the AG what you did, but we need to jump on this right away. We staked out Helen Ryder’s house yesterday, with no luck. The guy stalking her house earlier never showed up. I want you to call Lisa and ask her some questions. I’ll let you know what they are when you reach her.”