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Mercado drove to Charlestown and parked his car at the Bunker Hill Mall. He didn't want to tangle with Eddie Garavito, but he may not have a choice. He'd cross that bridge when he came to it.
The private investigator was a different matter. While this Patrick guy would be formidable, better to take him on and get it over with. Mercado intended on being the one walking away.
He'd start by inflicting a large measure of pain and suffering by killing Jessica Casey. Then the two could tangle, mano y mano.
Mercado walked the mile to Jessica Casey's building. Along the way he passed the USS Constitution Museum. He remembered going on a school field trip there in elementary school.
He had been so excited when he got home to share what he saw and learned. Neither of his parents cared. His father beat him for leaving the jar of peanut butter on the counter.
When Mercado reached Jessica's building, he waited. He would wait as long as necessary. Eventually she would come home.
At six o'clock he saw her approach the building. She wore a stylish business suit. Jessica Casey was tall and very attractive. Drew Patrick was a lucky guy. His luck was about to run out.
Mercado got up from the bench he had been sitting on and followed Jessica into the building. He stayed at a safe distance in the public lobby. He watched as she got on the elevator. After the doors shut, he took the other elevator by himself to her floor.
The elevator doors opened on Jessica's floor. Mercado stepped out. He looked up and down the hallway. It was empty. He took a right and headed toward Jessica's unit. When he reached her door he worked the lock and entered.