by Jaden Skye
“It’s Christmas,” said Cindy, in what she tried to speak in a light hearted tone.
“Oh, that’s it!” Ann’s voice grew tighter. “The other three hundred and sixty four days of the year don’t matter at all?”
Cindy’s stomach clenched. She wondered why she’d expected a different response, had hoped her sister might have mellowed by now.
“I was hoping you’d be glad to hear from me,” said Cindy.
“You mean you want me to pretend that I have a sister for a day? Someone who cares what becomes of us all?”
“I care about what becomes of you, Ann,” Cindy responded. “Sounds like you don’t feel the same way.”
“Don’t twist this around,” Ann’s voice started to slur a little.
Cindy knew that Ann was deeply unnerved by Cindy’s detective work and it seemed she’d only grown more bitter since they’d last spoken.
“Are you well, Ann?” Cindy said.
Ann started crying a little. “I miss you, Cindy,” she said, in a suddenly childlike voice. “I can’t stand the worrying you’re putting us through.”
“I’m sorry,” said Cindy.
“Sorry isn’t enough,” said Ann, “Come home. Give up this crazy obsession with finding killers.”
“It’s not an obsession,” Cindy defended herself.
“It is an obsession. Clint is gone. You found his killer, that’s enough. Life goes on. There are good people to meet, a new life to build. You’re wasting your life.”
Cindy took a deep, breath, as the thought of Andy crossed her mind. He would be exactly the kind of person that Ann would be thrilled to have Cindy bring home. But was it even possible? Cindy had seen too much by now, been down too many mazes. She didn’t think she could ever go back into that kind of life again. Like it or not, she’d become an entirely a different person.
“I’ll be home to visit soon, Ann,” Cindy said softly.
“Yes,” said Ann, “but then as soon as someone else calls, you’ll go running out on another case! You and the guy you’re working with, he can’t settle down either, both of you running away from ghosts.”
Cindy was offended. Ann didn’t know the first thing about Mattheus and Cindy wasn’t going to start defending him now.
“People need me,” Cindy said quietly. “I’m good at what I do.”
“And what about me, what about the family? We need you, too.”
Cindy was sorry she’d called and caused Ann this upset.
“I’m sorry I called,” she said.
“You miss the point entirely,” said Ann. “Don’t be sorry you called. Be sorry that you’ve left the whole family behind.”
“I love you, Ann,” Cindy said softly.
“That’s all you have to say?” asked Ann.
“Merry Christmas,” Cindy added.
“Merry Christmas,” Ann echoed, as she hung up the phone.
*
Cindy sat quietly for a few minutes after she hung up the phone. She felt even more empty and hollow after talking to Ann. They’d been so close for so many years. It was painful to realize that she and her sister were growing in such different directions and that Ann couldn’t understand her at all now.
Cindy got up then to go down to the lobby, apprehensive about how things between her and Mattheus would go. Oddly enough though, when she got there, Mattheus was excited to see her. It was odd how men could go on as if nothing happened, forget an entire upset in one minute flat. Cindy noticed that Mattheus had dressed for the occasion, looked more dashing than usual, in beige linen slacks and a brightly colored shirt. She did her best to disregard it.
“I’ve got us the best table in the house,” Mattheus said lightly, as he led her through the crowded lobby into the luxurious restaurant on the water.
Actually, it was wonderful to be in the restaurant. It was decorated for Christmas, everyone was decked out, and there was a sense of celebration in the air. Cindy and Mattheus sat at the front table, where the sun shone on them and light breezes gently drifted by.
“Gourmet French dining at its best,” Mattheus said as he glanced at the menu.
Cindy ordered sautéed salmon, salad and white wine. Mattheus chose the same.
After they’d ordered, Mattheus leaned towards her, reaching out for her hands.
Cindy did not offer them, and he slowly drew his hands back again.
“Okay,” he said suppressing a smile, “let’s get right to business.”
“Good,” said Cindy. “My talk with Rori was incredible. She claims that Tiffany was a drug addict and game me the name of her pusher.”
“Whoah, hold up. What kind of drugs?” asked Mattheus, disconcertedly.
“She recently graduated to heroine about two months ago.”
“According to her sister,” said Mattheus.
“I can check it out with the pusher,” said Cindy.
“That’s a trip we’ll take together,” said Mattheus, “it’s not a place for you to rummage around alone.
At one time that would have made Cindy feel cared for, now it irritated her.
Cindy disregarded his comments, “I have more information,” she said. “Rori also said Tiffany and Frances were in love.”
Mattheus looked startled.
“It’s an important part of the picture,” Cindy said, “could explain a lot of things, like why Tiffany chose to become engaged to Tad, who rarely could have sex, was impotent.”
Mattheus’ eyes flashed. “You sound like a living tabloid.”
Cindy didn’t like that. “Tiffany’s mother said Tiffany confided in her and told her that.”
“So, that’s why explains Tiffany’s affair with Frances,” Mattheus remarked. “But why marry a guy who’s got a problem like that?”
“Rori said Tiffany never intended to marry Tad. She became engaged to pacify her mom.”
“It’s all very interesting,” said Mattheus, “but none of it takes us one step closer to who committed this sordid crime.”
“The drug part might,” said Cindy.
“I have my money on Petrovich,” said Mattheus
“You think he killed Tiffany?” Cindy asked point blank.
“Not him, once of his henchmen. He’s got them spread out, like tentacles, all over the place.”‘
“What’s the motive?” asked Cindy.
“Not exactly sure yet, but getting closer,” said Mattheus, definitively.
“Fill me in,” said Cindy.
The waiter brought the food and placed it luxuriously down in front of them. Mattheus started to eat. He seemed happy to be there, and hungry. As he ate, Mattheus looked up at Cindy and talked in a low voice.
“Petrovich is head of a smuggling ring, money laundering operation, and huge real estate empire. And, he personally controls every part of it. The cops, politicians and intelligence agents are all in his grip. And it’s a tight grip, let me tell you.”
“How’d you find all this out?” Cindy asked.
“I put it together,” said Mattheus, talking to the folks around him.
“You mean the red head?” asked Cindy.
Mattheus looked up at her with a strange look, “let’s not get into that again.”
“I’m not getting into anything, just asking,” said Cindy. “Is she part of his covert operation?”
“Yes,” said Mattheus. “She doesn’t think I know, but I do. She told me last night she was an intelligence agent, with her own questions about Petrovich.”
“She’s a double agent?” Cindy remarked.
“I’m sure of it,” said Mattheus, his eyes narrowing.
Cindy picked up her fork, but couldn’t eat.
“So, she’s feeding you false information?” said Cindy.
“Right” said Mattheus grinning, “but I’m two steps ahead. I know how to ferret out the truth and read between the lines.”
Cindy put her fork down.
“What’s the matter?” asked Mattheus, “the food’s fantastic.�
�
“I’m not so hungry,” said Cindy.
“You need a strong stomach for the work we do,” Mattheus looked directly at her. “You can’t let developments affect you like this.”
Cindy realized he was right. She had to learn to deal with whatever this life laid out before her.
“Tell me more about the cop you ran into,” Mattheus asked.
“Sanchez Hanuah, from Guadeloupe, showed me his badge. Wanted me to go for a ride with him.”
Mattheus stopped eating. “Yeah, a ride straight to hell.”
“He warned us to stop poking around and get out of town as quickly as we could. He wasn’t kidding, Mattheus. He meant business.”
“So do I,” said Mattheus. “I looked this guy up after you mentioned him. There’s no record of anyone like that on the police force in Guadeloupe.”
Cindy was startled. “Could he be working for Petrovich?”
“I asked Petrovich about him, too,” said Mattheus. “He denies knowing anyone like that.”
“That doesn’t mean anything,” said Cindy, “Petrovich’s security guy at the door knew who he was. The two of them had a relationship.”
“I should have been there with you,” Mattheus said firmly. “Don’t run away like that again.”
Cindy felt a flush of heat as he said that. “There’s more too,” she said quickly, defending herself, “Hanuah said you were a typical ladies man. Someone who easily fell into the trap and that I wasn’t safe with a partner like that.”
“I’m not a lady’s man,” said Mattheus definitively. “I was once, years ago. Those days are over forever. You are completely safe with me.”
Cindy shrugged. “Just telling you what he said.”
Mattheus looked sad. “Sounds like he got to you and turned your head inside out. That was his intention, make you insecure, split us apart, take your power, dislodge our investigation. That tells me we’re getting close to something big.”
Cindy wondered if it were true? Had she simply fallen into a trap? It was frightening to contemplate. For a moment she felt way out of her depth.
“Listen,” Mattheus said, pushing his plate away from him, “I have an appointment in an hour with the person from the party. I’ll grill her on Hanuah, as well as everything else.”
“An appointment with who?” Cindy was startled.
Mattheus pushed his chair back.
“I left our discussion midway last night. There’s more stuff I need to get from her.”
“The red head?” asked Cindy.
“You’ve got to drop that,” Mattheus said. “This is a murder case we’re on.”
Cindy’s heart started pounding. He was right. She had to pull herself together immediately. He had every right to talk to anyone he liked.
“You’re right,” said Cindy, as strongly as she could. “Find out about Hanuah, and while you’re at it, I’ll go check out the guy who sold drugs to Tiffany.”
“Wait until tomorrow when I can go with you. Those guys are low lives. Don’t go alone.”
Cindy only half heard what Mattheus was saying, her mind was racing uncontrollably. In a few
minutes he was going to take off and meet that woman again. Was it so urgent that he had to see her on Christmas day? Why he really was going back? How much information could she really have?
Cindy didn’t say a thing to him, just drank the water near her plate.
“Hey,” Mattheus said then, “you haven’t eaten even a bite of lunch.”
“I’ll eat later,” Cindy said lightly, her stomach clenched in a knot.
CHAPTER 19
After Mattheus left for his appointment Cindy stayed downstairs, walking along the winding stone paths that surrounded the hotel, leading to the edge of the water. It had been a wild holiday so far, and she wondered what was to come next. There were a few hours left before sun down. Cindy especially loved this time of day. She slowed down as she walked and basked in the soft light that filtered through the clouds. More than ever now, she realized what a rocky path she had chosen. Danger lurked everywhere, not only from those she encountered, but from the emotion and confusion that arose within. To Cindy’s dismay, she didn’t know now whether or not she could trust Mattheus. Her confusion and suspicion about him, distressed her most of all. Was Mattheus simply a ladies man, as Hanuah had claimed? Was Mattheus playing with her, relishing her need for him, enjoying the power? That would be entirely unacceptable. If it were so, there would be no way they could go forward. Or, was it only her loneliness and longing for a partner that had allowed fantasies to develop about him?
She sat down on the edge of a rock then, close to the water. No matter how she tried to rationalize it though, the plain fact of the matter was that something was off. Right now Mattheus was with the red head, taking her out for a drink. They’d made the date last night. Part of Cindy wished she could follow him and see for herself exactly what was going on. Another part was ashamed for even having those thoughts.
As she sat there, wondering, the water splashed close to where she was sitting. She snapped back, startled, and woke up. How she could even be wasting another moment dwelling on this? Time was of the essence. She was here for a purpose. There was so much more to be done. Cindy took her phone and quickly dialed the number of Tiffany’s pusher. He was an important lead and she’d get on it right away.
His phone rang and rang. No one answered. Cindy wouldn’t be put off. She got up from the rock and decided to grab a cab and go in person to his address to see what she could find. After all, Mattheus was out there, investigating, there was no reason she shouldn’t be as well.
*
The roads were not as crowded today and taxi drove quickly over a hill, down a ravine, through a narrow cluster of spindly trees and straight to a tiny fishing village in an out of the way spot. Cindy enjoyed looking out the window, watching the scenery fly by. There was no end of nooks and crannies on the island with unexpected flowers, bramble, trees and rocks.
They arrived at the bottom of a hill and the driver stopped.
“Should I wait for you to take you back?” he asked.
Cindy was surprised. “No, it’ll be a while,” she said.
“May not be so easy to get a cab back,” he said, “especially today.”
Cindy hadn’t thought of that.
“How long will you be?” he continued.
She had no idea. The guy might not even be around.
“It could take a few minutes,” she said, “or I could be here for half an hour, or more.”
“I’ll wait,” the driver said nonchalantly, inspecting Cindy out of the corner of his eye.
Cindy appreciated it, but it also made her uneasy. Why did he want to wait so much, she wondered? Maybe he’d also have a hard time getting another fare today.
“Okay, thanks,” she said
*
A few, small, wooden shacks lined the bottom of the sloping hill he’d taken her to. Cindy walked along the tiny road in front of them. Loud music was playing in the first shack Cindy passed. The next one was dead silent. The third one, dark grey and broken down was a bit further away. The place had a seedy, moldy feeling about it. The paint was peeling and the fence in the front, cracked. Cindy walked up closer to it and checked the address on the front door. This was it, the place Rori had said Tiffany came to buy her drugs.
Cindy walked up to the front door and knocked on it, loud.
No one answered. Who knows where he could be today, Cindy thought. She knocked once again and waited.
No answer again.
Cindy turned and was about to go back to the cab, when someone came to the front door and opened it slowly, peering out. The door creaked as he opened it wider.
A small man with thick lips and beady eyes stood there, rumpled and worn.
“Yeah? Who are you?” he said.
Cindy was taken aback. He looked as if he had either just woken up or was high on something himself.
“Cindy Blai
ne,” she said.
It meant nothing to him. “What are ya here for? Want to buy?”
“I want to talk to you,” Cindy said slowly, not wanting to put him off.
He jutted out his big bottom lip, “What about?”
“Tiffany O’Connell.”
His face contorted for a second. “What about her?”
“Can I come in?” Cindy asked, not knowing what she expected to see inside.
“We can talk on the porch,” the guy said, eased out and slammed the door.
That was probably a better idea thought Cindy, though she was curious to look around inside his house.
“I don’t got anything inside you would want,” he said, covering his bases. “Who told you to come here?” Minute by minute he seemed more awake.
“Tiffany’s twin sister, Rori,” said Cindy.
He shrugged as if he had no idea who Cindy was talking about.
“Rori said you might have some ideas about who killed Tiffany.”
Suddenly, is bottom lip dropped and looked glum.
“Heard about that,” he mumbled, “damn, rotten shame,” he seemed truly distressed. “Nice girl.”
“You knew her well?” Cindy continued.
“Not well. But I knew her.”
He sat down on the edge of the one broken chair on the porch, and rubbed his knees.
“What can you do? You play with fire and it burns your ass,” he said.
“She got burnt bad,” Cindy said intrigued.
“Sure she did. Drugs burn. I have no idea what happened to her, if that’s what you’re asking.”
Cindy could barely breathe. The smoldering air down at the bottom of the hill, the dampness of the shack, the horrible discovery all pressed down hard on her chest.
“You have no idea who could have done it?” Cindy dug deeply in.
“You should know, not me,” the guy said, peering carefully at Cindy. “Who are you anyway, the lady detective I heard about who came down from the US to solve this crime?”
“How did you hear about me?” asked Cindy.
“People talk, word gets around. Nothing stays hidden here very long.” He looked at her more closely and grinned. As he grinned, his nose slanted to the other side of his face.