Promise Me Eternity

by Ian Fox

  “What evidence can they have?”

  “I don’t really know. They mentioned finding my fingerprints on the scalpel that Helen was killed with, but I know that can’t be true. They were trying to trick me into confessing, but I have nothing to confess.”

  “What else did they say?”

  “My neighbor told them that Helen and I fought all the time. Oh yes, and they found out that we both have life insurance. Now they think insurance money was my motive.” He sounded desperate.

  Christine said nothing.

  “It was Helen who wanted life insurance, not me.”

  “Listen, Simon, all this isn’t good.”

  “I know, Christine. The more I think about it, the stronger the feeling they’ll convict me. I read an article once …”

  Christine listened for a while and then asked, “Have you thought any more about what I asked you?”

  “What?” He was shocked. “Oh, Christine, I couldn’t do it. I’m not a murderer.”

  “Please, Simon, think again. It would save us both.”

  Simon remembered the man who had followed him. “Damn it, this guy followed me home the other night. After we left the hotel, he kept tailing me. I had quite a job shaking him off.”

  “What? What did he look like?”

  Simon described him.

  Christine had no idea who it could be, but was sure it had something to do with Carlo. “Simon, I know it’s hard to do what I ask you, but you’d save both me and you. Don’t you want to help me?”

  His voice rose. “Of course I’d like to help, but killing ….” He slapped his thigh with his left hand. “I can’t do it.”

  “Please, Simon, at least think about it. I know it all looks very complicated, but it would be really easy for you. And you’d save us both. Isn’t that what you want?”

  “Of course I do, but—”

  “Then we could live together. Have you thought of that? We could be happy.”

  “I don’t know, Christine. Don’t ask me to do it. I would never forgive myself.”

  “Forgive what? He’s a murderer. Do you have any idea how many people he’s killed? God would be grateful to you. Please, Simon.”

  He shivered. “I can’t. I really can’t.”

  “Promise me that you’ll at least think about it. Please, Simon, promise.”

  The pressure in his head was so strong that he had to press his fist to his forehead. “OK, Christine, I’ll think about it, but that’s all I can promise right now. Do you realize what you’re asking? My God, I don’t dare even think about it.”

  While trying to suppress her tears, she said, “I know, Simon, it’s terrible, but we have no other choice. Please, be my savior. Please?”

  Simon’s hand was shaking. “I’ll think about it, but we have to hang up now. I promise I’ll think about it.” He put the phone down and grabbed the beer bottle.

  Christine’s words bewitched him for the rest of the afternoon. Even though he had drunk more than four bottles of beer, the alcohol had no effect. His anguish made the beer turn straight into sweat that poured down his face.

  In the end, he pushed the fifth bottle away, trying to focus. What if the officers spoke the truth? Do they really have enough evidence against me? Damn them! Oh, God, I can’t let this happen. I have to decide. Damn it, maybe it wouldn’t be that difficult.

  Chapter 63

  _______________________

  Special Agent Sandra Grant finally found something that might lead her to the solution. In the hairdressing salon where Helen Patterson had worked, Sandra spoke to one of her colleagues, who told her that she had seen Helen meeting an older man. She also told her his name: Robert Miner.

  Within an hour, Sandra was on her way. She was deliberately exploiting her anger in dealing with the Patterson case when she was so close to resolving the Vucci case. She decided that after seeing Robert Miner she’d visit a few bars to dig up additional information.

  “Come in, Ms. Grant, please, sit down.” He gestured toward a beautiful white leather sofa.

  She sat down and immediately asked, “I’d like to ask you a few questions. I’d be delighted if—”

  “But of course, go ahead.”

  Sandra looked at him distrustfully. Dr. Miner seemed too nice.

  “Did you know Helen Patterson?”

  The slightly chubby face which had only moments earlier been smiling, now became sad. He said, “Yes, I did meet her. And I read about what happened to her in the paper and I don’t understand how—”

  “When did you last see her?” Sandra asked.

  “That’s the thing. It was two days before she was killed. She was here late afternoon. I really don’t understand.”

  “What do you do for a living?”

  “I’m a surgeon.”

  Sandra thought of the scalpel and the way Helen’s throat was cut. “A surgeon, huh? Interesting. And where do you work?”

  “I own a private clinic, doing mainly cosmetic surgery. I’ve worked there—”

  “I understand. I’ll ask you something personal: What was your relationship with Helen? Did you have an affair?”

  “No, no, it didn’t get as far as that. I liked Helen a lot and hoped that …. But then her husband ….”

  Sandra looked at him with surprise: “How do you know it was her husband who killed her?”

  “It says in the newspapers. Wasn’t it him?”

  Without giving a reply, Sandra asked, “How many times did you and Helen meet?”

  “Only twice on our own. The first time we had dinner together and the second time she came here.”

  “Can you tell me where you were on July the ninth between 11:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m., at the time she was murdered?” Sandra’s eyes were glued to Robert’s in the hope of seeing something, anything.

  “Of course I can. I was at home. Asleep.”

  “Is there anyone who could confirm that?”

  He shook his head. “Sadly, no. I live alone. My housekeeper left at midday.”

  Sandra wasn’t happy with this answer. What if he’s the murderer? She got up. “And another thing.”

  “Yes?”

  “Would you be willing to take a lie detector test?” She was trying to check him out. If he said no, then ….

  He thought for a while. “You know, I sometimes get excited even when there’s no reason for it. I don’t really trust those machines.”

  “It can’t be used as evidence. You’d only be helping me to eliminate you as a suspect.”

  “If that’s the case, then I’ll gladly take the test.”

  Surprised yet pleased, Sandra pulled out her business card and wrote an address on the back. “Could you go to this address today, if possible? Would that be OK?”

  He nodded and took the card.

  “And you can call me anytime.”

  “Good. I’ll call you if necessary.” He walked her to the door.

  As he watched her walking down the drive to her car, his eyes glazed over. He went to the drinks cabinet and poured himself a drink. After two long sips, he puckered his lips and let out a long breath.

  He said aloud, “I’ll give you a lie detector. If you want, I can stick it up your ….” He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He pictured her in a police uniform. “Oh yes, that would be the right thing.” Quickly, he took another two sips.

  He could see her walking toward him with handcuffs in her belt. His arousal grew. He raised his hands as he imagined her hitting him.

  Then he gathered himself, strode to the window, and followed her car with his eyes. He smiled. “We’ll see each other again, Ms. Grant.”

  Chapter 64

  _______________________

  Around one in the afternoon, when Simon had finally cooled down and he was lying on the sofa watching television, he heard some loud scratching at the back door. He muted the volume and pricked up his ears, thinking the murderer might have returned. He ran to the kitchen, grabbed the largest knife he posse
ssed, and went to check out the strange noise.

  What if the murderer is already inside? The solid oak door led to a small anteroom with an antique desk and a tall, wooden, free-standing closet.

  He heard another scratch. “Who is it?” Simon asked.

  No reply.

  The noise repeated, this time louder.

  Simon asked, “Who the hell is it?”

  “It’s me, Christine. Please, open up!”

  “Oh my God!” He quickly unlocked the door and let her in. “Christine, what are you doing here? And why are you dressed like that?”

  She was wearing cheap brown and gray clothes. On her head she had a crumpled cotton scarf. She looked like a stall holder at the food market.

  “I had to see you. I know how you feel, so I—”

  “But someone might have seen you. If Carlo—”

  “No one saw me, Simon. Someone did follow me, but I managed to lose him.”

  “What, you were followed?”

  “Yes, Carlo clearly suspects something.”

  Simon put his hand to his head. “But that’s terrible. First, somebody follows me and then you. It must be someone your husband hired.”

  “I think so too. That’s why I had to come. I wanted to see you. I don’t know if it will be possible in the future.”

  He looked at her apprehensively. “Are you sure you were being followed?”

  “Yes, he was behind me all the time, until I went into a small shop. I had an agreement with the shop owner. I changed clothes there and he let me out the back door. I paid him well. I ran for a few blocks and then called a taxi. No one followed me then. And I walked the last half-mile.”

  Relieved, Simon said, “Come on, I’ll make you a coffee.”

  They went toward the kitchen. Christine walked behind Simon, looking at the old-fashioned furniture.

  “How much time do you have?” he asked her.

  “I’m not in a great hurry. I have to be home by evening.”

  He fixed her a coffee. “Would you like anything else?”

  She thought of sparkling wine. “A glass of water, please.”

  He filled a tall glass from the fridge dispenser and sat next to her in the dining room, saying. “I’m very glad you came. I’m afraid of everything, as if the whole world is against me.”

  Christine flashed him an encouraging smile. “I know, Simon. I know what you’re going through and that’s why I had to come. I couldn’t just sit at home.”

  He lowered his eyes. “I don’t have anyone left but you.” He let out a strange laugh. “I was so obsessed with my research that I long ago lost all my friends. And then, after Helen was killed ….” His voice broke.

  “Shh.” She stroked his cheek with a smooth hand.

  “I’m very lonely and have nobody left. I lived under an illusion …” His eyes teared up and his words became slurred.

  Christine gently cradled his head with her hands. “Poor Simon, it’ll be alright. Come here.”

  He was like a small child, hardly able to wait for his mother to hug him. As soon as his head was on her chest, he started sobbing. “What shall I do, Christine? I can’t do what you asked me. I’m not a murderer.”

  She put a finger on his lips. “You won’t have to do anything, calm down.”

  “I’d do anything for you, truly anything, but I can’t ….”

  She stroked him gently, rocking him. “You won’t have to do anything, I’ll sort it all out. I have another plan.”

  He stopped crying. “You do? What plan?”

  With her jaw set, she said, “I’ve decided to tell everything to the police.”

  He lifted his head and blinked his wet eyes. “Are you crazy? You can’t do that.”

  “But that’s exactly what I’ll do. It’s the only way to save myself. I’ll tell the police that we were together and you’ll be let off. I’ll demand that they give me protection until they convict Carlo.”

  “Hang on. … If you do that, he’s sure to kill you. He’ll pay your murderer in advance.”

  “But he’ll have to pay for what he’s done. The most important thing is that they put him in prison. The rest doesn’t matter.”

  Simon put his hands on her shoulders and shook her gently. “That isn’t a good idea. We’ll have to come up with something better. That’s completely unacceptable. It’s better that I go to prison than you telling the police. I’ll be let out in ten or fifteen years with good behavior.”

  “You won’t go to prison for something you haven’t done. I won’t allow that to happen.”

  He was truly surprised. “There’s no way you’d put your life in danger.”

  She smiled. “That’s what I thought too, because I was afraid for myself. But what about all those people Carlo has killed? What about them? And who knows how many others there will be? I must stop it. My life doesn’t matter here.”

  She was so beautiful and alluring that he wanted to kiss her. “Christine, you’re the only one I’ve got. I can’t lose you. I wouldn’t be able to stand it. You mustn’t do it.”

  “But I will,” she said with sadness. “I’ve no other choice. Someone has to make the sacrifice.”

  He couldn’t stop himself any longer. He kissed her eyes, her cheeks, her neck, her lips. “I won’t allow it. I can’t lose you.” He continued kissing her and undoing her buttons.

  “Oh, Simon, everything’s so complicated.”

  He opened her blouse and saw her pert breasts. “We’ll find a way, we’ll—” He pressed himself to her.

  She said, “Let’s stay like this. I like it when we’re close together. I can feel warmth all around me.”

  “Oh, Christine, I like it too. I don’t want to let you go. We’ll stay like this forever.”

  They embraced, gasping loudly.

  “Your kisses are making me faint.”

  Smiling, he kissed her even more passionately.

  After a while, hand in hand they walked to the living room, to the large sofa. There, he slowly removed the rest of her clothes while caressing her body.

  “How lovely it is to be with you,” he whispered.

  She was shaking as if she had a fever. She had risked her life to come to him and now she knew it was worth it. She longed for him and gave herself to him with pleasure.

  Simon was so scared and at the same time so aroused that he kept groaning. She was all that he had left, nothing else mattered. He treated her as if she was very fragile, afraid to lose her and be alone again.

  They swayed in the rhythm of love, sighing and moaning.

  When they had finished, they remained in each other’s arms.

  “It’s so lovely with you,” he whispered in her ear. “I could eat you.”

  “And I could eat you,” she said, kissing his nose.

  “I wish you’d never leave.”

  “I’d like that too, but you know ….”

  He heaved a sigh.

  “What if we ran away together?” she asked.

  “What do you mean?”

  “After I tell the police, they’ll put Carlo in custody. We could escape somewhere, where no one would find us. What do you say?”

  He didn’t like the idea. “You said yourself that Carlo would find you anywhere in the world. You’d never be able to get away from him.”

  She sighed helplessly. “We could at least try. I think it’s worth it.”

  He embraced her passionately. “Not only are you as beautiful as a goddess, you’re good-hearted, too. You’d risk your life to save me and others. I can’t allow that.”

  “I’ll do it, whether you want me to or not.”

  He slowly kissed her forehead. “I’ll wait for him by the road and do it. I can’t let anything happen to you.”

  “No, Simon. I can’t let you become a murderer. You’d never forgive yourself.”

  “I’d be even less able to forgive myself if anything happened to you. I’ll do it. It’ll be best for both of us.”

  She said de
cisively, “No, I’m sorry. None of it is your fault. You didn’t do anything. I got tangled up in it and I’ll resolve it.”

  He took her face in his hands. “I’ve decided I’ll do it. It will be a good deed, in fact. God will be grateful.”

  “Oh, Simon, you’re so stubborn. But you simply won’t be able to do it.” She stared at him angrily.

  “I said I’d do it.”

  After a long sigh she said, “OK, if that’s what you want. But I still think—”

  “Shh.”

  She gave him a passionate kiss. “I love you.”

  Simon returned the kiss. “And I feel something I’ve never felt before. I don’t want to lose you.”

  They made love for another two hours, until they fell asleep, exhausted.

  Chapter 65

  _______________________

  She held a white plastic cup in her hand, sipping water. Her thoughts kept revolving around Dr. Miner. “I don’t like that man, there’s something in his eyes.”

  She threw the plastic cup away and dialed her phone. After a while, she said, “Hi, it’s Sandra. I’m calling about test number 245218.”

  A male voice replied, “Hi, just a moment, I’ll check.” In half a minute he was back. “I’ve got it in front of me. His name is Dr. Robert Miner, isn’t it? It’s OK. He’s obviously not the right guy.”

  “So there’s absolutely no chance of him being the murderer?”

  “According to the test. But you yourself know it’s not 100 percent reliable.”

  “I see. Thanks.”

  Steven walked into the office, late, as usual. His cheeks were flushed, as if he’d been drinking all night.

  Sandra glanced at him and said, “I see you had a wild night.”

  He ignored her. After a while he asked, “Any news?”

  “It seems that our Dr. Patterson really is a killer, though I would never have thought it possible. They just let me know that Dr. Miner passed his lie detector test. And I was hoping so much that it would be him.”