by Jaden Skye
Cindy knew she had to see him. And if she had to wait for the festival, then she would. Without that, she felt a crucial piece of the puzzle would always be missing. “You’ll like Dale when you first meet him,” Dalia went on. “He can be charming, captivating. He’ll like you, too. He likes all the women. ” Her tone wavered and she seemed upset.
Cindy looked at her sharply. “I’m not interested in dating anyone right now,” she said.
Cindy got up and went to her room, lay down in bed for a moment, and then to her relief, almost instantly fell into a deep sleep.
It was about three in the morning when there was a loud crash and splattering of glass, waking Cindy with a start. She jumped up in bed instantly, flashed on the lights and looked around. A rock had come flying through her window. She got out of bed, ran over and picked it up. A note was tied on it, YOU’RE NEXT.
CHAPTER 13
Cindy couldn’t sleep the rest of the night. Mattheus was right. She could be in danger. Who sent the note? And why now? Obviously, someone and was threatened. Did it have to do with her trip yesterday, with Tomale, or had Elizabeth somehow found out that her divorce settlement was being made public?
Cindy knew she had to tell Dalia about the rock and the note, but was reluctant. It would be smarter to inform Mattheus. After she heard from Tomale, she’d call Mattheus and tell him about both things.
The phone rang promptly at nine. It was Tomale, earlier than he promised.
“Okay, got the info,” he said. “Thanks for getting the money to me so fast.”
“Great,” said Cindy. Obviously, Mattheus had taken care of that.
“Here’s the story,” Tomale spoke fast, “the divorce settlement’s complicated. It’s up for re-negotiation every two years, cost of living increases and things like that. Anyway, about a month before Ames disappeared, he and Elizabeth had been in court. He said he didn’t have any more money to give her. She didn’t take that well. They’re in the middle of a nasty fight. ”
Cindy took a deep breath. Had Ames turned into a deadbeat dad, copping out on his financial obligations?
“Why wasn’t there any more money?” Cindy asked. “I thought he was doing well.”
Tomale guffawed. “We guys got to pay you gals off forever?” he asked. “You know how much this sucker already gave her?”
“How much?” asked Cindy.
“More than anyone could ever need for ten lives. This was one greedy bitch. ”
“Was Ames in trouble financially?” Cindy pressed on.
“We’re all in trouble,” Tomale said. “
“I thought Ames’s partner Dale had big money,” Cindy continued.
Tomale made a low, snorting sound. “Even people with big money can get sick of throwing it around.”
Cindy wasn’t sure what he meant by that.
*
Cindy filled Mattheus in on what Tomale said, as soon as she hung up the phone.
“There’s one more thing, Mattheus,” she said then. “Someone through a rock through my window last night with a note tied to it.”
“WHAT?” he said, horrified.
“The note said YOU’RE NEXT,” said Cindy.
“JESUS CHRIST,” said Mattheus, “that’s what I was afraid of. I’m coming right over. I want to see the rock myself and I want to see the note. ”
“It’s connected to what happened to Ames,” said Cindy.
“Yeah, of course,” said Mattheus. “And it’s also connected to you. They’ve got their eye on you now. ”
“Who?” said Cindy.
“Believe me,” said Mattheus, “I’m gonna find out, and fast.”
Dalia walked into the kitchen, just as Cindy was hanging up the phone.
“Who’s that you were talking to?” she asked lightly, in passing, as she gathered papers to put in her briefcase.
“Mattheus,” said Cindy lightly. “I just wanted to see if anything new had turned up.”
Dalia frowned and tossed her head back and forth. “You have so much faith in Mattheus,” she said, “have more faith in yourself.”
Cindy felt irritated being criticized by Dalia. She remembered how Dalia always had something nasty to say about everyone, couldn’t really keep her friends. Now, she understood why. She’d be your best friend one minute, the next find something wrong.
“You got feelings for that guy, Mattheus?” Dalia asked then. Clearly it had been bothering her that Cindy was speaking to him.
Cindy stood up and walked over to her.
“Mattheus has been giving me a helping hand.”
“That’s all? He’s a great looking, rugged guy, charming as hell. Lots of women down here have gone after him. To no avail. Don’t waste your time. ”
Cindy flushed and stood up. “Dalia what are you talking about? Clint hasn’t even been gone for six months. ”
“So, it’s normal to be lonely. What’s so bad about that? You’re not staying here waiting for him to come back to you one day, like I’m waiting for Ames. ”
Cindy felt punched in the heart, as she realized with horror that Dalia was right. Clint wasn’t coming back. Why did it take so long to realize that? Somewhere within she hadn’t fully accepted that Clint was gone for good. Perhaps she’d even come down here as a way to say goodbye to him. The thought of it was dizzying. She hadn’t yet come to terms with what had happened to Clint or how life could sweep away all that was most precious in a few moments. Cindy also didn’t fully understand how it was possible that the man you loved and thought you knew, had a life totally hidden from you. Even though she’d never found out things about Clint that were remotely similar to Ames, still, in both cases, they lived in a separate world that their wives had no knowledge of. It made her feel insecure.
Cindy wondered about Dalia then. What would she do when she found out the truth? Who would she turn to? She wondered where Dalia’s family was, and if they would be supportive?
“Do you stay in touch with your family, Dalia?” Cindy asked suddenly.
“What family?” Dalia said, surprised. “You know my mother died before I graduated high school.”
“Your dad? Your brothers?”
Dalia threw her head back and ran her hands through her long, auburn hair. “Look, I have work to do. Why are you asking me these questions? My family hates me, they’re all jerks. They were then and are even worse now. ”
Cindy remembered Dalia’s brother as being lovely boys.
“My father married again and so did the boys. They couldn’t stand either of my husbands, practically broke up my marriages. I had no intention ever of introducing them to Ames. They didn’t deserve to meet him. Ames is my family now, and the people down here. Nina is my sister.
“And you,” Dalia continued, “if things go well between us, you can become my sister too.”
Cindy didn’t know if that was a threat or back handed gift.
“Life has been pretty rough with all of us,” Cindy replied.
Dalia suddenly seemed to feel threatened, as if the conversation had gone too far.
“Speak for yourself,” Dalia said, “life has been Great to me. A fabulous husband and a villa in paradise. You don’t see me complaining about anything,” Dalia was on the war path again.
“I didn’t say you were complaining,” Cindy felt defensive.
“So tell me more about you and Mattheus,” Dalia was now going on the offensive. “What’s he filling you in on? Why haven’t you been telling me?”
Cindy paused, unsure how much to say at this point.
“If you ask me, the two of you are much too cozy. But you work for Me!” Dalia suddenly snapped. “Not for the police! I’m the one who hired you! You better know what your place is and where your loyalties belong!”
Cindy was taken aback by her anger. She decided it was best to appease her for now.
“Mattheus and I are working on Elizabeth,” Cindy said.
“What about her?” Dalia’s eyes flashed.
“Going over her divorce settlement with Ames, trying to put the pieces together. He’s helping me think it through. That’s all. ”
“What’s there to think through?” Dalia seemed pissed. “It’s up for re-negotiation every two years and he gives her whatever she wants. It’s as simple as that. I could have told you. ”
“How do you know?” asked Cindy, “I thought the settlement was sealed.”
“Ames tells me everything. He doesn’t have one secret from me. Never did and never will. So, what are your conclusions at this point? ” Dalia asked forthrightly. “Do you think Elizabeth’s involved?”
Cindy decided it was time to speak the truth. “If you really want to know what I think, I think Ames may not be coming home.”
Dalia’s face turned white. “Why?”
“I haven’t wanted to say it before or upset you.”
“I hired you to tell me the truth.”
“Well, that’s what I think. There are drug cartels on the island, you know that yourself. There’s the question if there were drugs on the fleet. If there were, these guys are ruthless. ”
“I know,” Dalia said quietly.
“And there’s also the question of the relationship between Elizabeth and Ames. Who knows how much money she kept wanting? Who knows how she would react if he said no? ”
Dalia liked hearing that. She moved closer to Cindy now. “And I’d stopped giving Ames as much money of my own, recently,” she said quietly.
Cindy was surprised to hear that from her. “Really, why?”
“For one thing, I’m running out,” said Dalia. “For another, I got sick of him funneling whatever I gave him to her. She asked and she got. It wasn’t fair. ”
“Didn’t he get all he needed from Dale?”
“Dale’s money went right to the fleet. It wasn’t set up so Ames could get his hands on it. That money wasn’t for his personal use. And Ames loved money. He needed it, used it, threw it around. It made him feel like he was worthwhile. I told you he came from a very poor home. ”
“So he might have been facing a financial crisis,” Cindy said. “That can do all kinds of things to a person.”
“What are you suggesting?” Dalia suddenly said, ice-cold.
Cindy stared back, surprised at her venom.
“Are you suggesting that Ames, my beloved Ames, killed himself?”
Dalia stood, shaking with rage.
“HOW DARE YOU!” Dalia suddenly shrieked, eyes flaming with rage. “THAT’S MY HUSBAND YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT!”
Cindy was horrified, and scared. She had never seen someone so filled with rage, so quickly and unpredictably.
Cindy had never seen Dalia like this before. She had no idea why she had inflamed her to this extent.
Dalia turned around quickly then, and fled.
After a few moments, Cindy decided to follow Dalia to her room. She wanted to get her to calm down and understand more about what happened. When Cindy got there, she stood outside in the hallway a moment and to her horror, heard a voice speaking inside the room.
Cindy opened the door a crack and peered in. There was Dalia, standing in front of her mirror, talking to herself.
“You’re a good person,” Dalia was speaking to her reflection. “Don’t be afraid, I love you so much. I’ll never let any harm come to you. ”
Cindy stopped cold.
“Now, tell me that you love me, too,” Dalia continued and paused. “Go ahead, say it. I need to hear you answer me, or I won’t be able to sleep all night long. ”
Who was this person? Had she completely lost her mind? Cindy felt as if she barely knew her.
Cindy turned and fled through the hall, and out the front door. She had to leave the house, and clear her head, and decide if she wanted to keep working for her at all.
CHAPTER 16
Preparations for the Millionaire Yacht Festival were taking place all over town, and Cindy walked through town slowly, taking in the vibe. Hotels were filling up, villas being readied, restaurants preparing for the parties, feasts and celebrations that would go on for three solid days. Local merchants were gearing up and bands playing. Wherever she went, she couldn’t escape the celebratory feeling.
A sense of sadness overcame Cindy, as the gaiety in town intensified. It made her feel lonely, as there was no one for her to enjoy it with. She felt like a stranger passing through town, who wasn’t really a part of the celebrations. At moments like this, the reality of being alone became more vivid. She could busy herself with work as much as she liked, as soon; as she stopped, she realized that she’d become an outsider.
Cindy thought about the rock through the window and the note she’d received. She knew Mattheus had her best interest at heart when he told her to back down. She also thought about Dalia’s rage. It wasn’t with her personally, Cindy decided, but with the frustration of waiting for a husband, who might never come home. Cindy couldn’t allow that to force her to retreat and hide. Her whole trip down here would be meaningless if she fled at the first sign of danger. Maybe Mattheus was right— maybe she had become a little crazy now. But helping to solve Ames’s disappearance gave her a purpose for living. And doing her job gave her more strength and energy than worrying about what could possibly happen to her.
Dalia was wrong to yell at her like that, but she could understand. Dalia was temporarily out of her t mind. It could happen to anyone. She owed her another chance. Cindy had hit upon something that upset Dalia deeply, but she wasn’t exactly sure what. More and more these days Cindy noticed Dalia’s moods changing, like a flash flood that suddenly came to shore, and then subsided. It must be the strain of time passing and nothing breaking in the case, Cindy thought.
Cindy thought about her own sister, Ann. She’d emailed her a few times, letting her know that all was well. Ann answered tersely, upset that Cindy was back in the Caribbean, putting herself in danger again, and putting Ann through this worry. Ann was sick of it. She asked when Cindy was coming home and when Cindy couldn’t answer, didn’t email back for a while. When she did, it was only one line. It’s your life to live, I can’t do anything. And I can’t stand hearing about it.
Cindy took that to mean that Ann didn’t particularly want to hear from her right now. She could understand how Ann felt and also realized that she needed a break from her family as well. It was time to get in touch with new parts of herself, with who she’d become and what life could mean to her now.
Cindy decided to give it all a break, and take a walk down to the docks, and watch the Yachts pulling into shore.
*
Incredible Yachts were moored in the dock, and moved in from all directions on the horizon. This renowned festival drew the best and most beautiful. Handsome sailors, dressed in white slacks, lined the decks, along with smiling women, song and wine. The weather participated fully, with soft breezes, blue skies, and wonderful, warm seas. A list of the races was posted all over and old friends greeted one another, while new friendships were being made.
Cindy wondered which Yacht belonged to Dale and when she would actually meet him. She enjoyed watching the boats sail in and sensed the growing excitement in the air as the wind blew her hair and skirt gently.
As she stood there watching, she heard a voice behind her, “I thought you were going home?”
She turned and there was Mattheus, looking disturbed to see her there. .
“What a beautiful day,” Cindy said softly.
Mattheus shook his head. “Not smart,” he said gruffly.
It’s a great time during the festival,” Mattheus said, “but you can’t roam around alone. There are too many people in town now, the crowds are too thick. It’s a perfect setup for something to happen. I can’t risk anyone hurting you. ”
Something in his tone touched Cindy deeply. She looked into his eyes.
“I’ll be all right, I promise,” she said softly.
“You can’t promise something like that.” Mattheus looked troubled. He looked off i
nto the horizon, silent for several minutes. Finally, he sighed deeply. “My wife was killed back home, right under my nose. I was two doors away when it happened. I’ll never, ever forgive myself. And I couldn’t stand it if something like that happened again. In fact, I made a vow that it would never happen again to anyone I knew, as long as I was around. ”
Cindy gasped. “I’m so sorry,” she uttered. “I had no idea.”
“It was a long time ago,” he said quietly, “but it feels like yesterday.”
Cindy wanted to reach out and hug him, to comfort him, but she held back.
“I can only imagine the pain you must have gone through,” she said.
“I know you realize,” he responded. “Not many people have been through something like that.”
Now Cindy understood why he was so protective of her.
“I wish I could make it better,” she said.
Mattheus grinned in an odd way, then. “In your own way, you already have,” he said.
CHAPTER 17
When Cindy returned home, Dalia was waiting for her. She was clearly apologetic, feeling sorry about her outburst.
“I’m sorry I blew up like that.”
“It’s okay,” said Cindy, “I only had your best interest in mind.
“I’m going to make it up to you, Cindy. I’m taking you to the opening party of the Yacht Festival. It’s an incredible, formal affair, with fantastic music, people, dancing. Dale will be there, for sure. I’ll introduce you to him casually, and you can spend as much time with him as you like. Usually, he drinks a lot at these parties, and it’s easy to get him talking. ”
Cindy hadn’t brought a formal dress with her, so Dalia opened her huge closet and told Cindy to pick anything she liked. Dalia’s closet was filled from top to bottom; there were all kinds of afternoon dresses, cocktail dresses and full length gowns.
“My God, you could open a store with these,” Cindy laughed and chose a beautiful, fitting, pale ivory, cut dress with a shimmering neckline. “I hope this fits,” she said.