Fragrance of Revenge (20 page)

Chapter 57

They took Mike’s car to the Dudley Street station. Mike watched from his car while Scott made the drop an hour ago. There was some activity around the station, maybe because it was the end of the holiday weekend. He had been lecturing Scott on staying away from any new investigations and it looked like he was making progress.

It was now 11 pm and he pulled out his 45 and caulked it.

“Is that necessary?” Scott asked.

“Maybe not, but it might even the score if we happen to have a crowd who don’t just want to ask us how we enjoyed the holiday weekend.”

“I suppose you’re right. Mike, have you given any thought about how close we are to the gang that kidnapped those men?”

“The thought had passed my mind. They do have a score to settle, and if they recognized you, we might not have enough bullets.”

“How many do you have?”

“Don’t ask.”

“So, you feel you might not have enough?”

“Let’s just say that my handgun might not be enough fire power to even the score. Isn’t this fun? Are you thinking about not involving yourself in any more investigations?”

“Yes. I didn’t want to get involved in this one. However, I felt compelled to help Stephen out. Right now, I’m more concerned with Mercedes’ safety than ours.”

“Well, that is about to change real quickly,” he said as he looked in the rear view mirror.

Scott turned to see five men in dark clothes, two on the sidewalk and three coming down beside the cars parked behind them.

“Hold on,” Mike yelled as he started the car. He floored the accelerator just as the men reached the car. One of the men looked familiar. Mike was anticipating gun shots, but none came.

*.*.*

They were several blocks away when Mike pulled the car over. “I don’t think they were going to ask us about the weekend, do you?” He looked over, smiled and shut the car off.

“I’m glad I wasn’t alone.”

“If you were alone, I’m not sure we would see you alive again. I thought one of those men looked like one of the gang members from the shootout in Lowell.”

“Thanks Mike.”

“Alright here’s the deal Scott. I can bring you to your apartment and this is the end of your involvement in this investigation, or we can go back to the drop point to see if we can get a fix on the guy who picks up the money.”

“Tough choice.”

“Scott, this isn’t funny any longer. You are in way over your head and
you
can’t continue this investigation
alone
any longer.”

Scott didn’t immediately respond. “Okay Mike, you win. I agree that this has gone too far. I’m not equipped to handle this alone any longer. I’ll do whatever you say.”

“That my fine friend is the first sensible thing you’ve said tonight.” He pushed on Scott’s shoulder. “Now, do you want me to drop you off at your apartment, or do you want to risk your ass again?”

“Since you put it that way, I’d be a fool to go back there.”

“Yes, you would. However, I know despite your Harvard education, where we’re both headed.” He reached under the seat and pulled out a small revolver. “This might just save your life or mine. The safety is next to the trigger on the right side and you just point it and pull the trigger. If you need to use it, don’t be afraid to…we’ll deal with the consequences, but we at least will be alive. Hopefully. I don’t suppose in all of your investigations you have ever shot a pistol before?”

Chapter 58

“Chris, why are you in such a rush to get dressed?” Alexis asked.

“If I don’t get dressed now, I might miss picking up the money from your father.”

“So, you would rather have the green stuff instead of this white and red stuff?” She ran her hands down her still naked body.

“Alexis I’m already sore. I’ll be ready again when I return and I will spread all those hundred dollar bills across your naked body.”

“Am I going to be tied up?”

“That is up to you.”

“What do you want?”

“It would be nice to have you tied up instead of me.”

“And what would you do to me?”

“What would you like?”

“If I’m tied up, it’s not really up to me, is it?” She jumped onto the bed and grabbed the ropes with her hands. “How do I look?”

“Good enough to eat.”

“Doesn’t it bother you that I have my friend?” She looked over to his briefs. “I can see you’re getting excited again.” She hooked a toe into the top of his briefs and tried to pull them down. That wasn’t working too well, so she just put her toes on his bulge and wiggled her foot. He backed up.

She let go of the ropes and sat up putting each ankle into the ropes at the foot of the bed. Then she grabbed the ropes again. She slid her body back and forth across the sheets. “Oh Chris, stop doing that. Oh Chris, stop.”

He wasn’t doing anything but it was obvious his body was reacting to her display.

“Come on Chris, play out your fantasy. Make me want to make love to you. I’ve made you do things for me. Now make me regret what I’ve done. From the looks of your tent, it won’t take you too long.” She let go of the rope with one hand and slipped the rope tight onto the other wrist and then grabbed the other rope. “Chris, I’m only one rope away from being your prisoner. Surely, you’ve thought of me this way since you saw what the doctor was doing to me that first night.”

He lost his control, his briefs and jumped on her. He tried to put her remaining wrist into the last rope, but she let go of the rope and grabbed him. “Nice try, but this will give you something to think about.”

“You don’t want me to leave. You want me as much as I want you.” He watched her head move from side to side.

“You’re wrong Chris. I want you even more than you want me. Tell me what a bad girl I’ve been and punish me like you saw the doctor punishing me.” He resisted and knew he needed to leave.

“Do it Chris, or so help me, I will get you tied up and you will regret having appendages.” She removed her hand and grabbed the remaining rope.

He went over to the dresser and brought the belt back. He dragged it down her body and then back up. He saw her eyes as big as saucers. “Close those eyes and open your mouth.” He slid the belt into her mouth. “Lick it.” She did as he told her. “Bite it.” She did as he told her. She opened her eyes and winked at him.

“You’re bad. You are very very bad.” He remembered his pain.

He heard the whack, whack whack and his breathing was rushed. The belt’s noise wasn’t painful any longer.

“Stop. Owe. Chris stop.
Chris stop, that hurts
.
Stop, I said.
”

He wondered if the doctor could hear the belt’s noise.

He heard her sobbing. She was a bad girl because she was turning him into a monster. He threw the belt away and started kissing all of the body parts he had abused. He felt her nails dig the flesh of his shoulder. It hurt but he was punishing her in a different fashion.

*.*.*

When he left her body was covered in red welts. He could have easily slipped her remaining wrist into the rope, but for some reason he didn’t. He just consumed the image of her lying on the bed.

Was he afraid of what she might do to him later? He guessed that was part of it. He remembered her scream when she tightened on him and felt her orgasm followed quickly by her second one.

He wondered if the doctor heard her scream, and if he did, what he thought might have been happening. He’s not a dummy and might know by now she has another distraction.

It was obvious he was never going back to the care facility and it was time for major changes. Having Alexis for the rest of their lives was going to be a very interesting time. One of them might not survive the other. He was going to be sure after she got her father’s money that it wasn’t going to be him. He thought about how he could make it look like a murder suicide. That meant the doctor had to be kept alive for an extended period of time.

He thought about watching her torture the doctor. She would be even more excited than she was a few minutes ago. That gave him some ideas.

He pulled his car into one of the many parking spaces out of sight of the Dudley Street station, but where he could easily get away. The last rushed escape was an ugly memory.

Chapter 59

“Hello Mercedes, are you surprised to see me?”

“No, not really.”

“From the time I last rescued you, I’ve pictured you being here with me.”

“You know captain…I had a feeling you were involved in some manner with these kidnappings.”

“It’s not such an ugly business and it has its side benefits. The women are all attractive and eventually realize that it is better not to resist.”

“So, are the other missing citizens alive?”

“You are really in no position to be asking the questions.”

Ralph’s weak scream caused them both to listen.

“What are you doing to him?”

“My dear Mercedes, I am not doing anything to him.”

“Those men are then.”

“No my dear Mercedes. They are not doing anything to him. Would you like to see him? You can stop his pain you know.”

She was surprised he hadn’t approached her or threatened her in any fashion. However, she remembered how he looked at her body when he found her tied to that column in the warehouse. She felt her body crawling. He came over to her side and she smelled the same smell from before; a combination of sweat and semen.

He put a hand on her arm and she shook it off. “Fine, have it your way. Come. Let’s see why your agent friend wasn’t killed when we kidnapped you.”

*.*.*

As they left the room, he was following her. She felt his eyes consuming the back of her body. She didn’t see Ralph anywhere. The captain pointed down a hallway and she hesitantly headed in that direction. There was an open door and the light was shining into the hallway. She headed to the doorway.

The room was L-shaped. In it she saw a bed with a bare mattress and a grey blanket. There was also a long table. She expected to see Ralph, but he wasn’t in the room. There were a number of instruments on the table, none of which looked that comforting. The captain held out his hand in the direction of where the room turned. She went in hesitantly.

She saw the two men standing at the corner, but the rest of the sight made her double over.

Ralph was blindfolded and stretched naked to this suspended apparatus. He was covered in blood. Next to him was an attractive and nearly naked woman. She was clad only in her bikini bathing suit, which looked like it had seen better days.

Mercedes saw the captain nod to the woman and she struck Ralph across his chest with something resembling a small whip with multiple leather tendrils. Ralph let out a weak yell. Mercedes turned to the captain. “Stop this. She’s killing him.”

“No she’s not yet. This can go on for hours. Don’t ask us how we know.”

Mercedes looked over at the young woman who was holding the whip with her head bowed. “Mercedes I would like you to meet Ms. Scott. This is Helen Scott. Her sister Paula was the one found murdered. Ms. Scott here has learned that it is better to do as directed than to be stubborn and be tortured herself. Isn’t that right Helen?” She didn’t answer, and he took a quick step towards her.

“Yes.”

“That is better Ms. Scott. Now strike him again and this time show Agent Strong how adept you have become.”

She hesitated. “My two associates would just love to satisfy their pent up desire and teach you your lessons again. Do I need to do that?”

Tears were running down her cheeks.

“Agent Strong and her fellow agent Mr. Reynolds are here to rescue you. So, if you think you are about to be rescued you can think again. Now
hit him
.”

She started to move her arm, but Mercedes intervened. “Wait. Please don’t hit him any more.” He obviously had lost a considerable amount of blood.

“That is up to you Ms. Strong.” She looked at Ralph, then the poor young girl and then at the captain. She had a question on her face.

“Take your clothes off.” She hesitated. “As you insist…hit him.” She didn’t make any move. The captain took the whip and struck her across her shoulder, and then took a step toward Ralph.

“Wait.” Ralph was here to protect her and now she needed to protect him. She knew it was going to come to this anyway, so she needed to save him from being punished anymore. She lifted off her white sweater and noticed Helen bowing her head. She was undoing her pants and could see the bulge in the captain’s pants.

“Jose, take her away and make sure she learns her lessons better the next time.” Mercedes stopped and watched her being led by both men out of the room. “Close the door.”

She heard the door slam and the woman scream.

The captain motioned to her to go over to the bed. She stood there in her underwear. The captain went back to Ralph and picked up the whip.

“Wait.”

He watched her turn away from him and then she unhooked her bra.

“Remember my sweet agent…I am not making you do this…you are doing this to save your friend from being punished. Now turn around and act your part, or plan on seeing your friend torn to pieces.”

She reluctantly turned and finally dropped the bra.

“You are even more beautiful than I remembered.” He walked over to the bed and stood with the mattress separating them. He had his uniform shirt off and had unzipped and stepped out of his trousers. “Come over here and show me the rest.”

Scott I’m so sorry. Please forgive me, but I have no choice.

Chapter 60

He wasn’t going to be asking Stephen for any more money. His plans were focused on getting all of the Strong fortune and Alexis was the means to that end.

That reminded him of how sore his end was since Alexis was so mean to his body. I’ll remember all those things you did to me, and return the favor. Despite all of his body pains the memory of her beautiful body made it worthwhile.

Right now he wished he had never asked for this additional money. Chris you are smarter than this. If you get yourself killed you won’t have the opportunity to enjoy all the money and more importantly Alexis.

It was now midnight. He hadn’t seen any activity in this area for over fifteen minutes. Double checking around his car and the station there wasn’t anyone around. He pulled the bulb out of his overhead light and opened the car door. He walked across Columbus Avenue and headed quickly toward the station building.

There were some cars parked on Tremont Street, but nothing that caused him any concern. Once inside the station he jumped up on the bench and felt for the money bag. His fingers hit on the bag and he quickly pulled it out and jumped down from the bench. He wanted to get away from this area as fast as he could. That is when he saw them.

Two white men were headed across Tremont and were focused on him. They were surely out of place in this area of the city and at this hour of the night, he wasn’t going to chance that they had other business. They could also be plain clothes cops and he didn’t want to answer any questions. He stepped out of the building and hustled around the corner. They changed direction as well, and he knew they were after him.

There was no traffic to speak of on Columbus Avenue and he made a dash for his car. He looked over his shoulder and they were running across the street about fifty feet behind him. He quickly unlocked the car, started it and put it in gear. The older of the two men stepped right in front of his car but dove out of the way as he accelerated. If they were cops, they wouldn’t have a cause to shoot, but he hunched himself down just in case.

He was speeding down Columbus headed into downtown Boston, but wanted to be headed in the opposite direction. He had the money, the men were not following him and Alexis was most likely waiting for him.

Well, actually to put it more accurately, she was anticipating his body’s return. The fact that his head was attached was incidental. What if the doctor got free and he is waiting? What if they are both waiting? He wondered if he could really pull off killing the Strong family.

He reduced his speed to just over the speed limit and was finally headed to the doctor’s house.
It occurred to him that he had never examined the bag to see if the contents were really money. He wasn’t going to stop to see and if the money wasn’t there…there was nothing he could do about it.