by Jaden Skye
Cindy turned and looked out the window at the stalls of merchandise and quick food lined up on the streets. It was past lunch time and she was hungry.
“Sorry to have gotten in your way,” she said.
He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. “What are you really doing here, Cindy?” he asked.
Cindy was startled. Did he suspect her of something? Did he think she had an ulterior motive?
“I told you,” she said. “It’s really just as simple as that.”
“These things are never as simple as that,” he said. “No one takes a trip down here and puts themselves in danger to help an old friend. Even for pay, I don’t buy it. ”
They stared at each other for a long moment. Cindy was being forced to look deeper into what drove her down, back to the Caribbean. The thought of Clint rose up in her mind, to their time together down here on their honeymoon, and the horrible way he’d been pulled away from her, before they’d even had a chance to start their new lives. Her eyes filled with tears. Was her trip down here a way to relive what happened with him? To rescue him? Was it a way to stay connected? Was it comforting to going through it all over again, with Dalia?
“It meant a lot to me that I solved Clint’s murder,” she said quietly.
Mattheus took a deep breath. “I can imagine,” he said, in a softer tone. “And, clearly, you still haven’t let the whole thing go.”
The idea of just letting it all go was deeply disturbing to her.
“It’s so new,” Cindy said, “it just happened months ago.”
“So, think about it, Cindy. Maybe you’re looking for a way to join Clint now? Lots of people put themselves into danger or get sick after someone they loved dies. It’s a fact. ”
Mattheus kept surprising Cindy. She wondered how he knew so much.
“I’m not trying to get myself killed,” Cindy said, “if that’s what you’re implying.”
“Maybe not consciously,” Mattheus said, “but plenty of people come down here sick of life, trying to do themselves in. In one way or another. ”
Cindy wondered if that included him, too.
“You’re in the wrong profession,” she said to him. “You’re a natural psychologist, you know.”
He laughed at that. “That’s the last thing in the world I’d like to do.”
His laugh was contagious and she joined in, releasing a lot of the tension between them.
“Well, maybe you’re running away from your true calling,” she said lightly. It was her turn to be the psychologist now.
“Nah,” he grinned, “I’m happy right where I am. Come on, let’s get out of the car and a bite, before I meet up with Sand. ”
*
Cindy was relieved to get out of the car, even though it was hot and humid. Walking along the crowded streets, they were jostled back and forth. This small village was dilapidated, with small one-room shacks as houses, and unclothed children packing the streets, sharing space with wild chickens on the dirt roads.
Mattheus led her to a side road, and into a dingy restaurant with tables, wobbly chairs and a wall fan. “This place looks terrible, but the food’s fresh. And Sand will meet me here when he’s done. ”
“It’s fine,” said Cindy.
“You’re a good sport,” Mattheus said. “I like that.”
“That’s something, anyway,” said Cindy.
Mattheus laughed. “It’s more than something. But, if you want my advice, get off this island as soon as you can. ”
Cindy felt as though a strong wind had come and slapped her in the face again. The idea of running away from a job, half finished, wasn’t something she could live with. And even if she did, where would she go? The idea of going home now, back into the life she’d had before this all happened, was impossible. It made her feel restless and sad.
“Thanks for the advice,” said Cindy, as the waiter came to take their order, “but I’m not a quitter.”
Mattheus looked stunned. “This case could take years,” he said. “The odds are it will never be solved.” Then he turned to the waiter. “The usual,” he said.
“If you knew how many crimes happened down on these islands that never get solved –” he went on.
“I don’t base my actions on statistics,” Cindy said. “I live with hope.”
Mattheus was silenced for a second. “No one said you shouldn’t have hope. How about hope mixed with facts? ”
The moment he said that, an awareness struck Cindy, like lightning. She suddenly realized why she was needed on the case. The facts for Mattheus were one thing, while for Cindy they were something else. Each person found their own set of facts, based upon the way they saw the world, and what they wanted from it.
“Every fact doesn’t reveal itself to every person,” she said. “No matter how well trained they are.”
Mattheus seemed to like that. “True.”
“I know you’d like me to leave for my own good,” Cindy said, “and I thank you for that. But I have no intention of going anywhere. ”
“You’re one tough lady,” Mattheus said.
“I came down to do a job.”
“For a second you reminded me of Elizabeth,” Mattheus said.
Cindy was insulted, “Why?”
“She’s stubborn, like you. That’s where the similarity ends. I was just thinking of her because we’ve been trying to find out more about the divorce settlement, even though it’s sealed. Plus, she comes down to this neighborhood, regularly. ”
Obviously he was trying now to make things right, including her.
“Why does Elizabeth come down here?” Cindy was amazed.
“The night life,” Mattheus said. “It’s hot and smoking. She likes that. ”
Cindy wondered if Mattheus liked it, too. Was this where Elizabeth ran into him and found out he was unavailable?
“I also mentioned her,” Mattheus continued, “because we’re down here gathering more on her, too.”
Cindy felt that by giving her more information now, he was welcoming her back onto the case. It was his way of telling her that he was impressed with her decision to stick it out.
“Do you need to know more about Elizabeth’s nightlife?” asked Cindy, taking full advantage of his sudden willingness to talk.
“We need to know exactly who the guys are she shacks up with. She can’t go one night without being with someone. She could have said something to any of them about Ames. ”
“Is that why Ames left her? ’
“Just the opposite,” Mattheus said. “This started after he left her for Dalia. If you asked me, it’s her way of getting revenge. He left Elizabeth because she was cold as ice. That’s what he told me anyway I guess Elizabeth became determined to prove that Ames was wrong, by sleeping with everyone. She could have gone a little too far, though, when she hooked up with Dale. ”
Ames’s partner? ” Cindy was shocked.
“Yeah, another player too,” said Mattheus.
“Sounds like everyone down on this island’s a player,” said Cindy.
“Not me,” said Mattheus, smiling and tipping his head to the side.
Cindy smiled, too, remembering what Elizabeth had told her about Mattheus, and wondering if she should mention it to him. But at that moment a big, muscular guy walked up to their table, stopped and stared down at them. It was Sand.
“Well, well, what do we have here?” he asked, genuinely surprised. “A little party during work?”
Mattheus laughed, and Cindy recoiled. It was easy to see that Cindy irritated Sand. He had no room for her on the case.
“Had to rescue the little lady,” Mattheus said.
Sand pulled out a chair to join them, and when he heard that, his eyes opened wide.
“Cindy went to talk to the Captain, and the crew started to rough her up.”
“Damn lousy bastards, all of them,” Sand started to grit his teeth. Then he turned to Cindy, “what in hell gave you the idea to go there, alone? You cou
ld make more trouble for us then we already have. “Just leave us alone,” Sand said. “And stay away from my partner. My job is to keep him out of trouble. And you’re not making it easy. ”
*
The drive home with Mattheus was awkward and silent. Cindy couldn’t wait to be back at the villa, alone, with time to make sense of everything.
As they got closer, Mattheus finally broke into her thoughts.
“Okay,” he said, “I know you’re pissed at Sand, but if you’re determined to stay down here and work on the case, can I ask you to do something for us that will actually help?”
Cindy snapped to attention.
“There’s a lawyer we know of, Tomale, who operates from the part of town we just visited. He’s got connections everywhere and can get any sealed document opened in a matter of hours. ”
“A shady guy?” asked Cindy.
“So what?” said Mattheus. “It’s for a good cause. There are more questions pointing to Elizabeth and we need to find out what exactly what was in her divorce settlement to Ames. It could break the case open. The cops can’t ask Tomale to do this — it’s too tricky. But you can. ”
Cindy turned and stared at Mattheus.
“That’s the life of a detective,” he said, matter of factly, “getting the facts anyway they can. It’s not always pretty. ”
Then he pulled the car to the side of the road, a few feet from the villa. “You willing to do it?”
“Yes,” Cindy said, “of course.” Mattheus had gone out his way for her and she wanted to reciprocate. She also truly wanted to be of help.
Mattheus nodded appreciatively and wrote something on a piece of scrap paper and gave it to her.
It was the name and phone number of Tomale. Cindy took the paper and put it in her bag.
“Can we consider it done?” Mattheus asked.
“Absolutely,” said Cindy.
Mattheus let out a deep breath. “But don’t go back down there again,” he warned, “there’s no reason for it. Just do the whole thing over the phone. I don’t want to hear that you turned up dead. ”
Cindy turned to him, her eyes flashing, “Believe me, I have no intention of turning up dead.”
“No one does,” said Mattheus. “Ames didn’t either.”
CHAPTER 14
Fortunately, Dalia wasn’t home when Cindy got into the house. She went into her room first thing, and called.
To her surprise, a guy picked up the phone immediately.
“Yeah?” he said in a low, growly tone.
“Tomale, please,” said Cindy.
“This is Tomale,” he said.
Cindy hoped she had the right person and this wasn’t a setup of some kind.
“Nobody has this number who isn’t supposed to talk to me. Shoot, what is it? ” the voice continued.
“I need to know what’s in the complete divorce documents of Elizabeth and Ames,” Cindy started.
“Finally,” Tomale said, “good. Give me your name and number. ”
Cindy gave it to him, a little afraid.
“Who’s dropping the money off?” Tomale said.
“I’ll make the arrangements,” said Cindy, knowing Mattheus would see to it that it was done.
“If you got my number, you know what you’re doing,” Tomale’s voice got a bit clearer.
“When will I have it?” asked Cindy.
“By noon tomorrow,” Tomale said. “I’ll call you. And tell whoever gave you my number, it’s a smart move. Very smart. ” Then he hung up the phone.
Cindy called Mattheus immediately and told him what Tomale had said.
Mattheus laughed. “Good work. I’ll have everything taken care of. Call me as soon as you get the report. ”*
After Cindy hung up the phone, she was relieved and tired. The day had taken a toll and she decided to take a long, slow bath and unwind. Even though things were intensifying, Cindy didn’t feel as though she were getting closer to finding Ames. The web just kept getting larger, including more people and possibilities.
And Mattheus had a strange effect on her. At times she felt supported and uplifted by him, and at other times, she felt insignificant, as if she had no reason to be there at all. That probably reflected his feelings, she thought, that went back and forth regularly. He was extremely smart and savvy, very caring at times, and then, at other times, business-like and aloof. Whatever his feelings were, she couldn’t allow herself to feel shaky about her right to do what she was doing. And her ability to break through.
After her bath, Cindy went out on the patio and stretched out on a lounge chair. The heat of the day had passed and it felt good laying there, allowing the soft breezes from the ocean to wash over her.
She lay there for a while and then suddenly felt someone close beside her. Cindy opened her eyes quickly, and saw Rosa at the edge of the patio, sweeping. Rosa had never come onto the patio when Cindy was here alone. Cindy sat up straight in her lounge chair and turned towards her.
Rosa looked up at her for the first time, and came closer, still sweeping her broom. She seemed uncomprehending of what Cindy said. Her eyes looked extremely sad.
“Do you want something from me, Rosa?” Cindy asked, more softly.
Rosa slowly shook her head. She didn’t move though, just kept staring at Cindy.
Cindy shivered. Rosa had something she wanted to say, Cindy felt it. Maybe she didn’t know how?
“Rosa, do you want to tell me something?” Cindy asked again.
Rosa’s eyes filled with tears and she nodded her head yes.
Cindy’s heart started beating fast. “What is it? Tell me. ”
Then, just at that very moment, a loud voice rang out behind them. Dalia had returned home. She was coming out onto the patio, too.
“What a long day,” Dalia said loudly. “There was so much to take care of at the gallery, I couldn’t even get half of it done. Thankfully, Nina is working hard. She’ll be over in a few minutes with the rest of the paperwork I need to go over tonight. ”
Dalia came over, to where Rosa was standing. “Sweeping out here? At this time of day? ” she asked, surprised.
Rosa said nothing, just grabbed her broom tighter and began sweeping fervently.
After Rosa left, Dalia plopped down on the lounge chair beside Cindy.
“You can find her in the oddest places,” said Dalia. “Don’t let it bother you. Sometimes she gets it into her head that a place needs sweeping, and there’s no way you can stop her. ” Then she threw her head back on the lounge chair and took a deep breath.
“It’s fine,” said Cindy.
“What’s fine?” said Dalia. “Nothing is fine. We’re not getting any closer to finding Ames. It’s over a month now that he’s been gone. ”
“I’ve only been here a short while,” said Cindy.
“But we don’t have forever,” Dalia’s voice was beginning to have that rough edge. “Soon the rains will come. It’ll be harder then. They wipe everything away. ”
Cindy took a deep breath. Ames had been missing for quite a while before Dalia called her down on the case. She couldn’t expect her to have all the answers in such a short time.
“You went to see the Captain today,” Dalia turned up the pressure. “What did he say? What do you think? ”
Cindy had no intention of telling Dalia all that had happened today. She wasn’t going to tell her about being roughed up by the crew, about Mattheus coming, their trip, or the call to Tomale. Cindy wanted to be more clear herself, before she threw doubt and suspicion into Dalia’s mind.
“Yes, I went to see the Captain today,” Cindy said lightly.
“And?” Dalia seemed annoyed. “I don’t want to have to pull teeth. Tell me what he said and what you think? ”
“I’m not purposely withholding from you,” Cindy said then, “I’m just being careful until I’m clear.”
“Is he filled with revenge?” asked Dalia. “Furious for being fired? Out to get me? ”
&nb
sp; “No, not at all,” Cindy said calmly.
Dalia looked amazed. “I don’t believe you.”
“He seemed sad,” Cindy answered, “a little drunk. Why was he fired? ” That tremendously important point hadn’t been made clear to her yet.
“You didn’t ask him? He didn’t tell you? ”
“I thought you could tell me,” Cindy said.
“But I was interested in what he thought!” Dalia’s voice rose a pitch.
“Why was he fired, Dalia?”
“I told you before, there was a question of drugs on the boat. Rumors. But down here, drugs equal disaster to a business. ”
“Ames thought he was involved in trading drugs?”
“Ames didn’t fire him directly,” she said. “He couldn’t do it, didn’t want to.”
That stunned Cindy. “Really? Who did? ” she said.
“It’s not important,” said Dalia.
“It’s very important,” Cindy insisted.
“Dale did it,” Dalia said. She paused. “It had to be done, so Dale did it. He’s a partner, heavily invested in the fleet. If the drug cartels got involved with the business, they’d take Dale down along with everything else. So, Dale did it a week before Ames went missing. I’ve even been thinking lately that Ames could have gone into hiding after that happened, because he felt lousy and ashamed. He couldn’t face the Captain. He loved that guy. ”
This was a whole new possibility. Not that Ames was in hiding, but that the drug cartels had taken him out. She wondered why Mattheus hadn’t brought up that possibility, why he was so focused on Elizabeth? Now Elizabeth’s relationship with Ames seemed like a diversion. Cindy felt she had to find out more about the cartels, and about Ames’s shipping partner.
“Will Dale be at the festival?” Cindy asked.
“He wouldn’t miss it for the world,” said Dalia. “The festival is fantastic, beautiful, amazing. Yachts come from all over the world. The days are filled with contests, laughing, drinking. The night is filled with parties, dancing. The gallery sells more in the next few days than all year long. Of course he’ll be there. He’s always here for the festival. He has the biggest Yacht of all. ”