by Jaden Skye
Cindy slipped it on easily and was amazed to see that the dress hugged her body in all the right places and had a wonderful flow.
“You look breathtaking, “said Dalia, “as if it were made for you. Come take a look in the mirror. ”
Cindy looked in the long, gold framed mirror, hanging in Dalia’s room. She could hardly believe the person who looked back out at her. Her hair had grown blonder in the sun and she looked long and willowy, as if she’d stepped off the cover of a model’s magazine, ready to go partying in the finest spots in town.
“You’ll be the newest star on the horizon,” said Dalia.
“Thanks,” said Cindy and the two of them looked at each other, for a moment old friends in high school again, getting ready for the prom. Then, suddenly the situation they were in seemed to hit Dalia. They weren’t back in high school.
“How did we get to this point?” Dalia said, in an odd tone. “We can’t push time backwards, can we?”
“No, we can’t,” said Cindy, wishing like Dalia, that they could. “You never met Clint,” Cindy went on, “but he was a wonderful guy. Whatever happened, he had something smart to say about it and also something funny. He’d never let anything bog him down, or stop him from doing what he thought was right. When his family tried to convince him not to marry me, he stood up to them immediately. It didn’t matter what they thought, I was the love of his life. He was proud of being who he was. He made a choice and never looked back. You can’t imagine how much I miss him. It’s a different world without him in it. ”
Dalia listened raptly, her face softening as Cindy spoke.
“I’m really, really sorry this happened, Cindy,” she said. Then her eyes fluttered, “but this isn’t a world that lets love grow. It’s a world that tears things down. Don’t you notice that? ”
Cindy thought it was a strange way to put it.
“It’s a world that makes you pay for every minute of happiness you get,” Dalia continued, her lower lip curling. “When happiness comes, you have to hold onto it tight, with both hands.”
Cindy looked at Dalia’s face closely. It changed shape as she spoke, almost like a chameleon.
“That’s what I used to think,” said Cindy. “I tried hard to hold onto Clint, but what good did it do? When the time comes to let go, you just have to let go. ”
“What are you trying to say to me?” Dalia suddenly turned nervous and then just as quickly, her mood changed and she became completely business-like.
“Enough of this,” she said. “We have to focus on what’s happening now. Okay, so this is the agenda, this is what will happen tonight - the party will be beautiful. Lots of guys will flock to you. You should take advantage of the opportunity. You won’t be young and beautiful forever. Neither will I.”
Dalia’s words hit Cindy hard. She didn’t want lots of guys flocking to her. She wanted Clint. She wondered if she would ever be interested in anyone again.
“But stay away from that Mattheus,” Dalia continued. “He’s bad news.”
“Why?” Cindy felt stung.
“Why do you ask me, why? See that! You like him!” Dalia retorted. “You have a reaction every time I mention his name.”
“I respect him,” Cindy countered.
“Listen, don’t be a fool. This isn’t time for playing around. You’re alone now, and I’m giving you a great opportunity tonight. ”
“For what?” Cindy said.
“To start your life over. Grab the opportunity. Do it while you can. ”
“That’s not what I came to Grenada for.”
“Sometimes, we think we know why we’re doing something,” said Dalia, “and then it turns to be about something else.”
Cindy’s ears perked up. “Did that happen to you, Dalia?” she asked.
“It happened before I met Ames,” she said. “I got stung over and over. But once I met him, everything fell into place. And nothing will take that away from me. Nothing at all!”
*
The party was held out near the dock at a huge restaurant in the dunes. Lights hung all over the entranceway, welcoming guests, while music played in both the main room and out on the outside deck. There were two open bars, wood planked floors, and waiters walking through with trays of hor d’ouerves. The party was set for eight o’clock in the evening, just as the light of the day was beginning to fade.
Cindy entered the room in the ivory gown feeling beautiful, as though this evening could be a turning point. Dalia, right beside her, looked stunning as well, in a lime green satin gown and pearls. She had been to this festival many times and knew practically everyone who was here. Dalia stayed at Cindy’s side, introducing her to people who had flown in for the races and festivities from all over the world.
Almost without exception, people were surprised to see Dalia there. She pretended not to notice, acted as if nothing out of the order had happened. When they asked about Ames, Dalia kept her composure and responded carefully.
“He’ll be back,” she said, again and again. “These things happen. We’re covering all bases,” and then she’d introduce Cindy as an old friend who’d come down to keep her company. She never once told anyone, though, the real reason Cindy was here.
As they mingled, Cindy suddenly spotted a very handsome, well dressed guy, with dark hair and dark eyes, who stood out from the others. He was laughing and talking to both Elizabeth and about five people at once, as he held a cocktail in his hand.
“That’s Dale,” Dalia mentioned, as Cindy stared at him.
Cindy hadn’t pictured him to be quite like this. She thought he’d be somewhat downhearted after having lost his friend.
“Let me introduce you,” said Dalia.
Cindy felt a little nervous to meet him. She and Dalia wound their way through the crowded room to where he stood. The moment they got closer, he turned and stared, first at Cindy, then at Dalia.
“My God, Dalia, what are you doing here?” he said.
“A party’s a party,” she said flippantly.
He tried to smile, but couldn’t, and instead made a feeble attempt at comforting her.
“I’m keeping track of everything,” he said. “They’re funneling all the information through me.”
“That’s what I hear,” said Dalia.
Then Dale’s attention quickly turned towards Cindy. He seemed unable to take his eyes away.
“And who is this absolutely ravishing beauty you’ve brought along?” he asked Dalia.
“Cindy’s a dear friend of mine,” said Dalia. “I imported her from the U. S. to help me solve the case.”
Dale took a step back. “A detective?” he said.
“You could call me that,” said Cindy.
He seemed both amused and flustered by that idea.
Elizabeth wound her way to his side and put her hand on his arm. “Why, if it isn’t Cindy and Dalia,” she said. “Who in the world would have ever expected you here?”
“You guys met?” asked Dale.
“Briefly,” said Elizabeth. Her huge eyes stared at Cindy, as if warning her to stay away from her man.
A waiter walked by, serving cocktails and little hot dogs. Cindy helped herself to a cocktail and took a long sip.
“I’m here to help find Ames,” Cindy said softly to Dale, and looked up at him as she sipped her drink.
“You may find more than you’re bargaining for,” Elizabeth sniped, “something much more difficult than Ames.”
“Cut it out,” Dale said to her. “Cindy’s here for a serious reason,” and he shook off Elizabeth’s hand.
Cindy appreciated that.
“Well, I’m going to leave you two to talk things over,” Dalia said, backing away. “And maybe you can give them a minute, Elizabeth?”
“I can give anyone anything they want,” Elizabeth had a smile like a razor, showing a row of tiny teeth. Then she turned and left Dale and Cindy to have a few moments to talk.
“Let’s go outside,” he said. “
Dalia’s right, there’s a lot we have to say. And it’s better to say it alone. ”
He put his hand on Cindy’s arm and led her through the crowd, which grew more noisy and dense as evening went by.
The outside lounge was at the very back of the restaurant, almost hidden in the dunes. Right now it was relatively empty, and there was a little wicker sofa in the corner they sat on.
Dale sat close to Cindy, as the salt breezes from the ocean washed over them.
“So, tell me all about yourself,” he started.
Cindy leaned over and put her cocktail down on the little table in front of the sofa.
“No, tell me all about yourself,” she countered, “and about Ames.”
Dale was taken aback. “You’re all business?” he said, smiling strangely.
“Time is getting short,” Cindy answered. “Pretty soon this is going to turn into a cold case. Aren’t you worried about your partner? ”
“If you want to know the truth, I’m not,” said Dale. “He’s a powerful guy and a smart one. Ames can take care of himself. ”
“Which means what?” asked Cindy.
“Look, you’re Dalia’s friend, but I’m gonna give it to you straight. Ames was a guy who needed adventure. He couldn’t live without it. Coop this guy up and he’s not gonna make it. ”
“Dalia cooped him up?”
“Marriage cooped him up. It was a trap he couldn’t get out of. It drove him nuts. ”
“So, he just took off and ran away?”
“That’s my guess,” said Dale. “I tried calling him a few times before he went missing and he just didn’t pick up the phone. Probably on the prowl, I thought. ”
“And what about the business?” asked Cindy.
“I took care of it.”
“You gave Ames a lot of money,” Cindy said pointedly.
Dale ran his suntanned hand through his hair. “I gave it to the business. Not a penny went directly to Ames. Dalia was the one who fed him money, who bought his love, for a long, long time. ”
Then he picked up the cocktail glass Cindy had put on the table and brought it to her mouth. “Have a drink,” he whispered. “I’m so happy to meet you.”
Cindy took the glass in her hands and put it back down.
“You’re a beautiful woman,” Dale said.
“Thank you,” said Cindy obliquely.
“There’s a lot here for you on the island,” Dale continued. “You could have a wonderful life.”
Cindy wondered exactly what he was getting at.
“There’s no reason to investigate this further,” Dale said then suddenly. “There’s a lot of dirty underwear floating around, and none of it has to do with Ames’s disappearance. If you ask me, he’ll stay away as long as he wants to, then he’ll come creeping back after everything dies down. He’ll act surprised at all the commotion. When he does return, for example, I wouldn’t want him hearing things about me. ”
Cindy smiled, as if she were going along. “Of course not,” she agreed.
Dale liked that, he moved closer. “Ames and I are best friends.”
“That’s what I heard,” said Cindy. “What is it you don’t want him hearing about you?” and she smiled, coyly.
Dale looked surprised by the question. He focused his glance on her deeply, to see how much she really knew.
“Not about you and Elizabeth?” she said then playfully. “That everyone already knows.”
“What difference would that possibly make to Ames?” said Dale, taken aback.
“Nothing at all, of course,” said Cindy.
Then suddenly she remembered something Dalia had said.
“About you and Dalia?” Cindy asked light heartedly, as if that were common knowledge as well.
Dale’s face tensed up. “There’s nothing to that,” he said in a gruff tone. “Just once or twice. It meant nothing. I don’t know exactly what Dalia told you, but I don’t want anyone making a big deal about it. ”
Cindy tried not to show the shock she felt. “Just part of life down on the island,” she whispered.
“Right,” said Dale, “nothing more, nothing less.”
Just then Cindy looked up and saw Mattheus and Sand on the edge of the lounge, watching the two of them. Cindy was glad to see Mattheus, but apparently he didn’t feel the same. He turned quickly, the moment she looked at him, and got out. Sand stood there alone, watching. Cindy nodded to Sand, acknowledging his presence.
“I guess you know the cops in town,” Dale said, as Sand walked towards them.
Right behind Sand, Cindy saw Elizabeth following, in her tight aqua gown.
Dale stood immediately when Elizabeth came over.
“Hey, come and join us,” he said, looking ill at ease.
“I have something important to talk to you about, Dale,” she said, staring at both him and Cindy with narrow eyes. “Hope you got your questions answered,” she said to Cindy, flippantly.
“All right, let’s go,” he said. Then he turned to Cindy for a moment. “Sorry about that. Hope I was helpful. ”
“Before she could respond, Elizabeth dragged him away.
Cindy got up to leave then, but Sand stood in front of her, blocking her way.
“Those two are an item,” he said. “Stay where you are. I have something important to tell you, too. ” His face had a scowling expression.
Cindy sat back down on the sofa and Sand sat beside her. He started to talk without missing a beat.
“Listen, I want you to leave Mattheus alone.”
Cindy couldn’t have been more taken aback.
“He’s a terrific guy and he doesn’t need some lady coming down here playing with his head.”
“What are you talking about?” Cindy was humiliated.
“Since you got here, the guy’s not himself. And it’s no good. He’s in a rough business and has to do his job. He’s come a long way since I know him, too, since his wife was killed. ”
He’s a great cop. He’s doing it for her. He still hasn’t gotten over her. ”
Cindy was flooded with a mixture of feelings when she heard that. She felt sad for Mattheus and proud of him too, for having gone forward and doing the work he did.
You came down here to help your friend,” Sand continued. “We were pacifying her in the beginning, but this has gotten out of hand. You’re snooping where you don’t belong, creating waves where we need smooth sailing. You got the poor guy worried about you. We come here to investigate, and he sees you smooching with Dale. How do you think that makes him feel? ”
“I wasn’t smooching with anyone,” Cindy was offended. “I was talking to him to find out what I could.”
“Yeah, on the back lounge, drinking, staring into each other’s eyes. Give me a break. ”
“You got it all wrong,” said Cindy.
“I’m telling you to get out of the picture,” said Sand. “Leave my partner alone!”
Sand stood up quickly and walked away. Cindy walked to the edge of the lounge for a moment and then decided to walk out on the beach, along the shore, to get away from all of it and let herself think. She was horrified that Mattheus’s wife had been killed. That explained so much, including why he felt close to Cindy. They’d been through the same thing.
*
It felt wonderful walking along the edge of the beach, barefoot, the soft sand rolling through her toes. Cindy ran everything through her mind: Dale, Elizabeth, Sand and most of all, Mattheus. She had stumbled into a convoluted world, where people were intricately interwoven. Anyone down here could have wanted Ames dead. Anyone could have done something to him. Dale could have gotten rid of him for financial reasons, or because he didn’t want Ames to find out that he’d slept with his wife. Elizabeth could have been furious about her divorce settlement. The drug cartels themselves could have snuffed him out.
Cindy lifted her beautiful gown, splashed her toes in the water, and thought about Clint. How she wished he could be here with her now. She wonder
ed what it would take for her to be really able to let him go?
As she stood still, looking up at the star-studded sky, she heard steps behind her. Cindy had no idea who it could be, and got stiff and filled with dread. She didn’t move a muscle as the footsteps came closer and closer on the sand. Where was there to run?
“What are you doing standing here alone?” Mattheus’s voice rang out on the rolling water.
Cindy swept around. “You scared me to death.”
“I’m taking you home,” he said, putting his hand on her arm.
“Did you have a good night hanging out there with Dale? Plan to go out on his boat with him? ”He was jealous and peeved.
“This isn’t like you,” Cindy said, “I was investigating… ”
“Yeah, yeah,” Mattheus said, “okay, let’s get back to the restaurant now. You’ll wait for me there. I’ll get my car and drive you home. ”
“Mattheus,” Cindy said intensely, “I’m glad to have you drive me home, but I also have to tell you, there’s absolutely nothing going on with me and Dale. Nothing at all. ”
Mattheus paused, backed up and looked at her then with a crinkly smile.
“Sorry about that,” he said, suddenly sheepish. “Guess my nerves are a little on edge these days. So many bases to cover. So many people in town”
*
When they got back to the lounge, everything had changed. Pandemonium had hit the place. People were scurrying around, yelling, calling to each other. Someone was standing alone crying. It was as though doomsday had struck.
“What the hell happened?” said Mattheus, a vein standing out in his neck.
Sand spotted them immediately and came running over.
“Jesus Christ, where were you? I’ve looked everywhere,” he was breathless.
“What’s going on?” said Mattheus.
“You’re ready for it?” Sand’s eyes were flashing.
“What?”
“Ames’s body just washed up onto shore.”
CHAPTER 18
Dalia could not stop pacing in her living room. Her hands were in fists that banged against her legs as she moved.