Free Scent of Gardenia (Scott Tucker Series) by Dick Waters Page A

part did you like
best?” she said, with a mischievous smirk.
    I could
finally look her in the eyes without fear. “ You .”
    “Do you
want to come over to my apartment for a night cap?”
    I took
another deep breath. “I probably won’t want to leave though.”
    “That
saves me having to tie you up.” She put the mischievous smile back on.
“Speaking of tying you up…I was thinking of going away over one of these
upcoming weekends back to the cabin in Topsfield. Do you have any interest?”
    I looked
into her blue eyes. “Do you think we can capture what we missed that weekend?”
    “Why
don’t you let me worry about that? Hopefully the towels are still the
same as they were that weekend.”
    I had
been carrying her image in, or out of, that towel for years. I felt her tugging
at my hand. “Come on Scott, we’re wasting precious time. I have to get up early
in the morning.”
    I
thought about the doughnuts – maybe I could get a discount if I paid for
several dozen ahead of time.
    Maggie
smiled and blew a kiss as we flew by her, and out the door. Then she gave me
the thumbs up sign and I winked at her.

Chapter
19
     
    Mike
received Mercedes’ call giving him the address for the Nielsens’ and the
meeting time. He could tell that Scott and Mercedes most likely spent
additional time together, as Scott was the last one in this morning, bringing
with him two dozen doughnuts.
    It was
strangely quiet in the office today. Scott was in and out of the office working
on Mr. Strong’s project. Holly was completing an investigation. Bill was off
playing with the MIT computers. Paddy was with the AG getting an earful of what
Nielsen’s missing son meant to him.
    Paddy
was strangely quiet on the drive to Brookline to meet with Mercedes and Larz
Nielsen. That gave Mike some time to think about the approach to take with the
investigation. He wondered how Paddy was going to bill the project, where it
was out of the country.
     
    *.*.*
     
    Mike
spotted the brass sign with the address Mercedes had given him. The wall along
the street was a combination of old stone pillars with steel fencing in
between. The house was not visible from the road. Entering the driveway, he
noticed the security gate was in an open position. He drove up the winding
driveway, spotting Mercedes’ white T-Bird under the portico. She was already there,
which was good.
    Paddy
finally commented, “I don’t think we have to worry about the investigation
payment, do you?”
    “No, I
would say we might all want to join in this investigation…it is in Bermuda you know.”
    Mike
could hear the Westminster chimes ringing inside. An elderly man with gray hair
and a white coat greeted them. “Good evening.”
    Paddy
spoke before he could. “Yes, I’m Paddy O’Brien and this is Mike Miller. We have
an appointment with Mr. Nielsen.”
    “Yes he’s
expecting you. Your associate, Ms. Strong, is already in the study with Mr.
Nielsen. Please come in. I’ll take your coats.” He took our coats, hanging them
in the vestibule closet. “Please, if you will follow me.”
    There
were many artifacts in the vestibule, hallway and study. “Excuse me Mr. Nielsen;
Mr. O’Brien and Mr. Miller have arrived.” Mercedes and Mr. Nielsen immediately
stood.
    Mercedes
introduced us. “Mr. Nielsen I would like you to meet Paddy O’Brien and Mike
Miller, gentlemen, this is Mr. Nielsen.” After some quick handshakes, Mr.
Nielsen waved at the other two chairs facing his very large antique desk.
    “Gentlemen,
I appreciate your coming to discuss my son’s disappearance. First, would you
care for a cocktail?
    They
both replied, “No thank you.”
    “Well,
please let me begin. Ms. Strong has been very helpful. I’m sure she is walking
a fine line between her official duties and her sympathy for my dilemma. I
appreciate her recommendation of your office. Victor Young has given me a
glowing report on how professional and thorough your office is. I need a
separate