Secret Radio Murders - Chapter 21

Renee was pleasantly surprised to look out the peek hole and view an attractive dark haired gentleman in neat attire smiling at her door. The safety latch quickly disengaged, she held the door open. "How'd you find me?"1

"We cross referenced your phone number with your address."2

"Well, that's quite clever—I thought calls to the center were confidential?" A touch of sarcasm was immediately regretted and she rushed with, "Well, I'm quite all right."3

“Very much all right.” He winked. “You see someone tried several times to contact you over the past few days. We didn’t want to embarrass you but we were concerned. Do you think I might talk with you for a bit?” He moved no closer only waited.4

“Sure,” she said and backed up. “I was just going to make some coffee? Would you like a cup?” 5

He nodded in agreement. She turned and led the way through the foyer into the small kitchen. She felt his eyes on her the whole time, even when he slid into the breakfast nock. Worried about how disheveled she must look, she said, “Saturday morning—my lazy time. I didn’t expect company,” and hurried through the preparation of the coffee.6

As she turned back towards him, she grinned as she watched him retrieve a paper napkin from her fat little piggy holder and wipe the table in front of him. ‘Mommy’s good boy’ she thought, and then wondered why wasn’t he talking anymore. Some counselor. Was he waiting for her to start spilling over? “I’ve only been in the city a few months. I took a summer position at Carlyle Academy while I considered the full time position. This city can be a lonely and scary place. I have brief moments of depression, but I'm fine now." She sat down across from him. 7

"There are just a few questions I'd like to ask.” Careful to lift each with the napkin, he began stacking the clean dishes that had made it from the dishwasher to the table two days ago but still awaited a return to the cupboard. His hands moved deliberately as if he was chastising her laziness.8

“Ask away.” She gave him quick grin, felt a tremble in her lips and bit down on the lower one.9

"Did you really mean that you wanted to kill yourself when you called?" He eased several glasses towards her and indicted the glass door behind which matching ones could be seen. 10

Obediently she stood and put them in their proper place. "Oh kind of,” she said, “but I'd never actually do it.”11

"It's crummy when you feel that way, and I'll bet that it won't be long until you feel that way again." Placing the small stack of plates on his palm he held them out for her to take.12

She returned them to their mates in the cupboard as she remarked, "That's a peculiar thing to say…” She took the cereal bowls from him and slid them on their predetermined shelf. When she turned back, he was reaching for a fresh napkin. Apparently he’d put the first one in his pocket. 13

He smiled as if he understood far more than she. “Sometimes a person hurts so badly, just making it through one more day is a painful task. Physical pain is terrible and emotional pain is devastating. When you wake up every morning to no one, the same ritual, no one to care or just hold your hand. In a small town it would be cruel but in a city with thousands moving about and not one can see you… care if you live or die…” His voice phased out as if he’d been praying.14

Renee wondered if he’d been referring to himself. That was impossible. Look at him; she struggled with the urge to cry. He was a man; above average so he even sat tall, apparently he was athletic for he showed no sign of flab and a master had carved his features to perfection. God, it would be so great to be born into a body like that, to be blessed with strength and never be afraid.15

His lips creased in a condescending smile. He took her hand and gently urged her back to her seat as he softly whispered, "If there was a painless way you could kill yourself, would you do it?"16

"What?” She jerked her hand back. “What kind of counselor are you?"17

“Renee…” he drew out her name around the tolerant smile…”I’m what you need right now. I’m here to help you. You are so lonely. You're just going to want to kill yourself again and again, wouldn't it be better to just end it now?"18

She let out a shrill giggle though the sweat was rising on her neck and goose bumps pebbled her flesh. She rushed her words. "Is this reverse therapy? Shock treatment? Some kind of a joke?"19

A prescription bottle materialized in his fingers and like the dishes he held it out as if expecting her to obey. "These pills will put you to sleep and you won’t feel a thing.”20

Of course it was a joke, still she leaped to her feet and began to back away as she attempted to put strength behind her words, "I think you'd better leave, now!"21

The coffee pot beeped and she automatically turned towards it. "You're a fool if you think I'm going to take any of your pills."22

For a big man, he moved so fast she barely sensed it. He was at her back. Then his palm was covering her mouth and he lifted his other hand. She saw the knife. Felt it plunge into her chest. Then she was lifted in the air as the pain ripped through her and she kicked in agony against his body. Renee was allowed no more than a gurgle of blood for a death cry, and the morning slipped away.23

By noon the sun pounded down brutally on New York City and far off its coastline warming and stilling the restless waters of the Atlantic. 24

The small yacht cut smoothly through the calm waters hunting a nonexistent breeze. Aboard the ‘Wishful Thinker’ Neil Harris and his guests were content to laze on the deck, leaving the operation of the ship to hired hands. They took advantage of the heavy metal lounges and chairs, made comfortable by the addition of terry covered thick-pillowed padding. The matching tables held multicolored drinks and snacks. 25

Sandy had played bartender. Neil held up a flaming pink concoction indecently decorated with slices of oranges and pineapple and dark red cherries. Joe, who had refused to sample the creation, wished him well and toasted him with a glass of pale umber ale.26

Sandy didn’t admit it, but she was nursing a similar but much weaker version of Neil’s Hawaiian Delight. Sandy was determined to accomplish a goal this day, getting drunk was not in the equation.27

Peeling away the net covering that enhanced rather than camouflaged the shape beneath; she stretched as tall as she could reach; then, hands on hips, she did a squat as if to limber stiff joints. Again and then again she repeated the action with deliberate slowness. Her slender feminine flesh emphasized by the arched body drew the males’ attention. Their eyes followed the progress of the delicate curves barely hidden beneath the skimpy bikini. Her polished and lightly tan flesh contrasted noticeably with the darkness of the midnight-green suit and its splashes of bright pink emphasized particularly interesting areas. 28

Joe’s body reacted and he squirmed as he adjusted his swim trunks. Neil grinned as he thought, next time you will accept my offer of a more modern loose fitting style.29

Neil liked women far more than most men did. Never terribly affected by their sexual attributes, he could appreciate everything else about them. So Sandy amused him with her antics and he enjoyed her friendship without becoming physically attracted to the girl. Neil would never classify himself as gay and he hadn’t hesitated to buy pleasure with some women, still he found that, he preferred having attractive females as friends.30

At nine years of age, and a rather short pudgy fellow, Neil Harris learned a cruel lesson. He became aware that his mommy’s beautiful precious boy was neither attractive nor prized by others.31

Kaylee, the dark haired princess of the school playground lived next door to Neil. From the time they could toddle the two were nearly inseparable. Growing up in the upscale neighborhood, they were accompanied to and from school each day by one mommy or the other. 32

Then came forth grade and they were allowed to walk home alone. Neil assumed like his Mommy told him, that Kaylee would walk home with him. Patiently he waited outside kicking at the flagpole. Kaylee was slow in coming and when she did arrive an entourage danced along around her. They were laughing and shoving and having a grand time, when they came abreast of Neil, Kaylee smirked and gave him an impatient wave off.33

“Why dah yah hang with that nerd?” A cute blonde girl giggled.34

“What a tubby,” said another youngster.35

“You should have gone home,” Kaylee told him and continued on with her new friends.36

Neil never waited on anyone again.37

Knowledge through the years kept some of the meat off Neil’s ample hips but not even a surgeon’s blade could restructure his entire body shape. Neil couldn’t be bothered suffering over nature’s apparent lapse in judgment; satisfied that She gave him the voice of an Adonis and a near genius level of intelligence, he profited from the qualities he did have. 38

He showed he liked people and people mostly returned the favor. He was perfectly suited for his chosen well-paid profession, a compassionate watcher and listener. Now on this hot summer day he couldn’t keep the grin off his face as he watched Sandy manipulating the situation to further her desires. 39

Finishing her bit of calisthenics, she sashayed over to the lounge nearest to where Joe was spread out. As she passed Neil his nostril’s picked up on a new scent. He was accustomed to the fresh, rather citrus scent she wore to work, but this was a heady –far too heavy perfume from a different era. It reminded him of his Mother’s even his Grandmother’s smell. Neil fought the urge to laugh out loud. 40

Sandy had brought her beach bag and placed it on the deck. She bent sideways to retrieve a bottle of sunscreen from it. She paused in rising and her face was so close to Joe’s they could have engaged in pillow talk.41

“Can I coax you to do my back,” she let the words slide out as she held up the tube and wiggled it beneath his nose.42

Joe pushed upright and swung around so his bare feet hit the deck. “Sure,” he said. He grabbed the tube as if in a rush to complete the task.43

“Let me lay down first,” Sandy said and proceeded to park her butt on the lounge, turn and cat-like crawl onto her belly until she lay face down, her body stretched the length of the recliner. The dark green thong covered only the barest amount of flesh and a bright pink pattern slashed from where it started at the end of her spine down to disappear between her legs.44

Sandy’s face was turned towards Joe. She kept moistening her lips then nibbling on the lower one. Neil could imagine the sighs she was giving off as Joe diligently rubbed her back with the lotion. He saw the beads of sweat pop up on Joe’s forehead and trickle down his nose and cheeks. Yes, Sandy was definitely making an impression on his friend.45

The cell phone on Joe’s waist tried for reception and couldn’t accomplish the link. It didn’t ring.