SIXTEEN
Coral Vinegate dropped off her daughter, Kelly, and Lisa Emerson to Sally Pearson's house around 7:30p.m. Though both girls lived just down the road from Sally’s house and desperately wanted to walk together, Mrs. Vinegate insisted on giving them a lift. Lisa had spent the greater portion of the day at Kelly’s house and had even gotten dressed there for the highly anticipated party.
As the girls hopped out of the car, Kelly assured her mother that they would get a ride back home by eleven o’clock. Lisa had previously informed her father that Mrs. Vinegate would drop her off at home that night after the party.
They took the walk up to the weighty, iron gates that secured the residence. Three feet tall, white, angelic statues stood on each column attached to a seven-foot tall, white wall that encircled the entire property. The house was incredibly stunning – particularly from close view.
“Sally’s house is grand!” Kelly said, pressing the buzzer outside the gate. Someone answered, music blaring into the air. “Kelly Vinegate and Lisa Emerson,” Kelly yelled into the tiny microphone braced to the wall.
The gates lazily separated and the girls walked through.
Sally Pearson greeted the girls at the door. She was dressed in a stunning, tight-fitted, sleeveless gown with a high split extending a few inches above her knees. Her long, auburn hair was elegantly styled. “Welcome, guys. Glad you could come,” she said to them cheerfully. Lisa and Kelly smiled back, both very delighted to be invited to a twelfth-grader’s college acceptance party. Sally had been accepted into the most prestigious Harvard.
Sally quickly went on her way, mingling with other guests as Lisa and Kelly helped themselves to the mouth-watering delights that were show-cased on a large center table in the great room.
“You know, when I first met her, I really thought she was a snob,” Kelly muttered while sampling the hors d'oeuvres.
“Me too,” Lisa replied. “In fact, I still think she is.”
“Yeah?”
“Well, look at her over there. She thinks her dad makes more money than anyone else’s parents. She boasts about it all the time!” Lisa said.
“Oh, who cares, Lise? That doesn’t make her family any better than ours,” Kelly returned.
They watched the other party-goers with acute interest. Their main focus was on who was screwing the other over in school and who had stolen the other one’s girlfriend or boyfriend. The spicy chatter seemed to make time pass quickly. As they stood in a corner swaying to the music, a tall, husky kid soon approached them.
“May I have this dance?” He asked Lisa.
Kelly almost melted where she stood. It was Melvin Hines - in her opinion, the sexiest boy in school.
Lisa looked at him, definitely not as enthusiastically as Kelly did. “You’re talking to me?” She asked knowingly.
“You’re Lisa, right?”
“Uh, huh.”
“Well, I was wondering if I could please have this dance,” he said.
“I’m sorry, but I’d rather not right now,” Lisa replied flatly. ”Besides, I really can’t dance; I’m dreadful at it.”
Quickly backing away, Melvin said, “That’s all right, Lisa. I can tell when a girl’s not interested. See you around, huh?”
Lisa nodded while Kelly stood there scowling at her as if she had committed the most heinous crime.
“Lise, I can’t believe you did that! That was Melvin Hines - the Melvin Hines of St. Paul’s High! What are you... crazy or something? That was the chance of a lifetime!”
“Melvin’s no big deal, Kelly. I don’t know why you girls whip yourselves up crazy over a loud-mouthed, self-centered jerk like him.”
“I wish he had asked me,” Kelly pouted.
“Well, maybe he still might. Keep your fingers crossed.” Lisa sauntered over to the table and dished up a slice of chocolate cake.
“Hi, Lisa!” Someone said next to her.
Lisa looked surprised. “Tina, what are you doing here? I thought Kelly and I were the only ones invited from our class.”
“Sally’s my second cousin. I guess that’s the only reason why I’m here. She thinks seniors are adults and everyone else are kids. That’s why I’m surprised to even see you two here,” Tina said excitedly.
Kelly approached them slowly with arms folded. “Hi, Tina,” she said to the dark-haired girl with smooth, Indian-like complexion.
“Hi, Kelly. This place is so packed, I didn’t notice you guys until now,” Tina replied.
The girls tagged together for the remainder of the night until Lisa and Kelly were ready to leave.
“But it’s only a quarter of eleven,” said Tina checking her watch.
“I know, but I promised my mom I’d be home by eleven,” Kelly replied.
“My curfew’s at eleven too,” Lisa smiled.
“So your ride’s waiting outside?” Tina asked.
“No, we’re walking. We live just down the street from here,” Lisa said.
“Well, just be careful then,” Tina said.
“We will.” Lisa returned an appreciative smile.
As the girls walked the long, dark stretch of road, amply engaged in conversation, Lisa instinctively observed their surroundings. The street was lined with dimly lit lamp-poles situated some fifty yards apart in front of mostly darkened houses. Lisa noticed lights on the inside of several homes.
After a short walk, Kelly turned off to go home. Lisa’s house was just around the corner and she figured she would be there before Kelly had a chance to change into her nightgown.
As she hurried down the street, she was suddenly approached by a dark male figure who appeared out of nowhere.
“Need some company?” He asked, tagging along.
Deflecting the creepy feeling he gave her, she said, “No. I’m fine. I don’t have far to go.”
Then she felt a sharp penetration at her side and her heart raced more rapidly now.
“Turn left,” he spoke quietly, referring to a patch of bushes near the road.
Reluctantly, Lisa heeded the stranger’s demand. Several yards in, he pushed her onto the ground.
“Please, Mister, don’t hurt me!” She pleaded, desperately wishing she had gotten a ride home.
He unbuckled his trousers, pulled the zipper down and Lisa instantly noticed his erect penis.
“Oh, my God!” She panicked, covering her mouth with both hands. “Please, don’t do this. My father has money; he’ll give you whatever you want!” By now, feeling utterly hopeless, she started to cry.
“I don’t want your father’s money. I want you,” he replied. “Now stand up and take your clothes off, now!”
Lisa fearfully unbuttoned her blouse, tears streaming down her face as the knife pricked her left breast. Then out of the dark, a figure appeared behind her attacker and clamped a strong arm around his throat. His eyes bulged as the dark form squeezed. Lisa attempted to scream but no voice escaped. Her mouth stopped moving and her eyes gaped wide open.
She saw the shorter man collapse to his knees squealing in agony as blood gushed from his mouth. Her voice soon returned and she screamed frantically, watching him as he fell to the ground - a knife buried deeply in his back. Moments later, her attacker lay there motionless.
Lisa stood frozen, unsure of what to do next. Sensing the intensity of the killer’s stare around his darkened eye-pits as he stood there, made her wonder if any movement on her part would provoke another murderous attack. Then unexpectedly, without a word, the killer turned away and bolted through the bushes.
After finally mustering up the courage to move, she darted into the street, her screams now filling the night. Running at full speed, she bumped into someone. He tried to hold her still while another shone his glaring flashlight onto her face.
“Hey, what’s the matter?” The one holding her asked. He was Ralph Henderson, a ten year veteran of the police force.
“Someone tried to rape me!” Lisa was sobbing uncontrollably.
&n
bsp; “It’s all right now, honey,” Ralph tried to console her. “What’s your name?”
“Lisa...Emerson,” she hesitated between sobs. “I live up the road from here.”
“You’re all right now, Lisa. We’re here to help. Now tell us what happened to you,” Ralph adjured.
“That man over there in the brush tried to rape me,” she stammered, pointing toward the bushes, “…and another man came up behind him and killed him.”
“Are you hurt?” Ralph asked her as his squad partner, Marty, cautiously approached the area in which Lisa had indicated.
“I'm okay. I just want to go home,” she pleaded.
“There’s one over here just like she said,” Marty shouted to his comrade, who quickly joined him. Chief Tuyler was already in the area when they summoned him to the scene by radio.
Marty extracted a wallet from the dead man’s pocket. Shining his flashlight on a driver’s license, he said, “His name’s Charles Danson. He actually lives in this here neighborhood.”
Lisa stood in shock. The name sounded familiar to her. “You said another man did this?” Ralph asked her.
“Yes, a taller, larger man. He appeared out of nowhere.”
“Which direction did the other man go?” Marty asked.
“He went that way toward the road,” Lisa pointed. “Now, can I go home?”
“We’re going to take you home, honey,” Ralph said.
Marty set out to search the street for anyone who resembled the vague description of the suspect. Shortly after he left, Chief Tuyler, Nick, Lou and six other police officers arrived on the scene.
Nick immediately recognized the slender brunette standing with arms folded and looking somewhat frazzled. “Aren’t you Victor Emerson’s daughter?” He asked.
Lisa turned and looked at him knowing who he was. “Yes.”
“This guy assaulted you?” Nick was looking at the dead man.
Lisa explained everything just as it happened. She was then seated in a patrol car while the detectives examined the scene.
“I’ll be damned… we caught the bastard!” Tuyler exclaimed when he saw the body.
Ralph Henderson felt the need to intervene. “Sir, I don’t think...”
“Did she kill him?” Tuyler asked.
“Chief, I don’t think this is the guy we’re looking for. In fact, this isn’t even the girl we're supposed to be monitoring,” Ralph finally revealed.
Tuyler walked up to the officer with a most intimidating glare in his eyes. “What the hell are you talking about Henderson?”
“The girl said this guy tried to rape her, sir. It was another guy who killed him,” the officer replied.
“You’re saying this dead guy is not our killer and that girl is not our girl?” Tuyler probed reluctantly.
“Yes, sir. That’s what I’m saying.”
“So who the hell is she?”
“Her name’s Lisa Emerson, I think she said. She says she was walking home from the party up the road there and this guy accosted her,” Ralph explained.
Marty soon returned having seen no one on the street that fit Lisa's description of the killer.
“So that means we’d better pray the other girl is still at the party,” Nick said, approaching them.
Tuyler panicked. “Shoots! If that girl dies...” He hurried over to his car, hopped in and sped off.
Nick and a few others followed the Chief. Lou, in the meanwhile, escorted Lisa home.
By the time Nick and the other officers arrived, Chief Tuyler was just being admitted through the iron gate. They managed to catch it before it closed. A middle-aged lady with short, blonde hair awaited them just outside the front door. Tuyler officially introduced himself.
“Sir, what is the problem here?” The lady asked. “Did the neighbors complain about the music?”
“Is this your house, ma’am?” Tuyler asked.
“Yes. I’m Flora Bouganville. We’re having a little party for my daughter, Sally.”
“Mrs. Bouganville, is there a girl here by the name of Tina Barnett?” Tuyler inquired.
“Yes. Tina’s my niece. Why do you ask?”
“Ma’am, we’d appreciate if you brought her out here for a minute. We don’t want to disturb the party if we don’t have to.”
“All right. But I’d like to know what this is about when I return.” She went inside and shut the door behind her. Moments later, she returned outside with Tina.
Tuyler approached her. “Hello, young lady. Are you Tina Barnett?”
Tina nodded; a puzzled expression blanketed her face.
“I’m Chief Tuyler from the Los Angeles Police Department. Have you left the house since you arrived here at the party?” He asked.
“No, sir. I haven’t,” Tina replied.
“Can you please tell me what’s going on here?” Flora insisted.
Tuyler pulled her to the side, away from the young girl. “Ma’am, we received a call today and were informed that your niece might be in danger if she left this house tonight.”
“What kind of danger?” Flora demanded. “Who called?”
“It was an anonymous tipster,” Tuyler replied, glancing back at Nick. “We just thought we’d follow up on it, even if it turned out to be nothing.” He looked at Tina again. “So, do you live here, Tina?”
“No, she doesn’t,” Flora interjected once again. “In fact, I was just about to take her home. She has to take part in a production at church in the morning.”
“Do you mind if an officer followed you to her residence?” Tuyler asked.
“If you really deem it necessary,” Mrs. Bouganville replied.
“We’d just like to take precautions, Ma’am. I’m sure you understand.”
A uniformed police officer waited by the gate for Tina and her aunt. Tuyler, on the other hand, was fuming at Nick and his mysterious, Richard Braxton.
“He sent us here on a damn wild goose chase!” Tuyler exploded on his way to the car. “I should have known the hell better.”
“I don’t know what to say, Chief.” Nick was perplexed himself.
“We’ll know better for next time. That’s for sure. This jerk isn’t gonna play us for the fool again,” Tuyler riposted.
“But sir, if it turns out that Tina really isn’t a target, don’t you think it’s possible that Braxton might have made an honest error somewhere along the line here?” Nick posed. “Besides, he did just recently lead us to some crucial evidence.”
Tuyler heaved. “Well, I guess that’s a point to be considered. But in the meanwhile, dig up as much information on this Braxton fella as you can. We don’t need run-around clues leading us to body parts. We need to catch the killer!”
SEVENTEEN
“Your daughter was attacked, sir,” Lou Riley said to Victor Emerson at the front door.
“What?! Honey, are you all right?” Victor held his daughter closely.
“I’m fine, Dad,” Lisa went over to the couch quietly, somewhat calmly.
Tim darted downstairs. “Are you all right, Lise?” He had over-heard what had been said.
“I’m fine. Really. He didn’t get to rape me,” she replied.
“Rape? Someone tried to rape you?” Victor asked, a rage quickly filling his gut. “Where did this happen?”
“On my way home,” she said.
“Just around the corner, sir,” Lou added. “Less than a five minute walk from here. Look, I just need an official statement from your daughter and I’ll be on my way.”
Lisa went on to elucidate the events of the night in detail, then Lou asked, “Do you know the man that saved you, Lisa?”
“I’ve never seen him before,” she answered.
“Could you describe this man?” He asked again.
Lisa looked at her father. “He was about the same height and weight of my dad.”
Lou looked at Victor then back at Lisa. “What about his hair, eyes, facial features?”
“I couldn’t see his eyes. It
was too dark. His hair was medium length - maybe black or brown. I can't be totally sure,” she admitted.
“Is there anything else you can remember about him?”
Lisa thought for a moment, then shook her head slowly. “No. That’s about it. How he stood there and stared at me, though, was really, really weird.”
“What do you mean?” Lou asked.
“After he killed that guy, he just stood there for the longest time staring at me.”
Lou put his pad and pen away. “Okay, thanks, Lisa. That’ll be all for now. Mr. Emerson, at your convenience, we’re going to need Lisa to come by the station to view some mug shots, and maybe, if necessary, assist in a sketch of the man who got away.
“Sure, detective. We’ll stop by tomorrow,” Victor replied.
He walked the detective to his car while Tim remained inside with his sister. “Thanks, for bringing my daughter home safely,” Victor said. “I can’t tell you how very grateful I am.”
“The guy we’re looking for is the one who deserves your thanks, sir,” Lou said.
Without responding, Victor waited until the detective pulled off, then returned inside.
“Lisa, why did you walk from the party?” he asked, sitting next to her. “You told me Kelly’s mom was going to bring you home.”
“We told Mrs. Vinegate that we would catch a ride home, but we thought that since we lived so close by, we could just walk instead. I’m sorry, Dad.”
Lisa popped a couple of aspirins, then went upstairs to take a bath. Eventually, she drifted off to sleep. However, sleep would not easily come for Victor. He lay awake for hours staring up at the ceiling and thanking God for sending a guardian angel to his daughter’s rescue.
* * * *
After finding Lisa awake in her room, Netta sat next to her in bed and held her tightly.
“I’m fine, Netta,” Lisa said after sensing Netta's reluctance to release her. “Nothing happened. Believe me.”
“But your father said a horrible man tried to...”
“Yes, tried to, Netta. He never did,” Lisa asserted. “I’m all right, really. Look at me. There’s not a scratch or bruise anywhere on my body.”
Netta looked her over for a minute. “Oh, thank God that beast didn’t harm you!” She said, holding Lisa again.
Dangerous & Deadly- The Nick Myers Series Page 10
