by Jaden Skye
“Was he the one who beat you in jail, Andrea?” Cindy wasn’t mincing any words. “Did he want to shut you up?”
Andrea looked shocked. “You heard about the beating?” she asked.
“Yes, I heard,” said Cindy. “And I want to know who did it. Was it your mother’s recent boyfriend?”
“Definitely not! He’s not her boyfriend and my mother had nothing to do with the beating at all,” Andrea stiffened up.
“Who was it, then?” Cindy demanded.
“That’s enough,” Andrea began backing away.
“You’ve got to tell me, it will help me find the murderer,” Cindy begged.
“You’re not gonna find the murderer, Andrea whispered intensely.
“You know who it is?” Cindy stared at her boldly.
“No I don’t,” Andrea insisted. “But there are plenty of people on this Island who wanted Cain dead - a big list of them. The cops know who they are, too. It’s easy to blame me. I’m convenient, that’s why no one looks into my alibi. But I’m sure the truth will come out, it has to, it always does, sooner or later.”
Cindy was stunned by Andrea’s comment and by her strange confidence that truth would prevail.
“I’m going to look into your alibi, Andrea,” Cindy promised, “but you have to tell me more. Where were you exactly? Who were you with?”
“I can’t tell you,” Andrea said softly.
“But it’s going to save your life,” Cindy was amazed.
“I still can’t tell you,” murmured Andrea.
“So how can the truth come out?” Cindy zeroed in.
“It just does, by itself. I believe that, I always did. And I always believed that one day I’d meet my true father and we’d all be together again - him, my mother and me. And see, it’s happening, isn’t it?”
Cindy felt a deep pit in her stomach. She could understand and relate to how Andrea felt. Everyone always wanted their original family to be together. Did Andrea’s wish have something to do with why she wouldn’t give Cindy information?
“Andrea,” Cindy decided to plunge in again, “this person you were with on the other side of the Island, is it the one who loves you? Do you love him, too?”
Andrea smiled. “I have no idea what love is,” she mumbled, “and from the looks of it, neither do you.”
Cindy felt oddly stung. “I know what love is,” she tried to defend herself.
“Really? Are you in love with my father?” Andrea jumped on it.
“Not anymore,” breathed Cindy.
“You were?” Andrea asked.
“Yes, I was,” said Cindy plainly, “your father and I were going to get engaged.”
Andrea’s face turned sour. “You can’t get engaged to him, he doesn’t belong to you. He belongs to my mother.”
“He was with your mother sixteen years ago,” replied Cindy, “and only for a short while.”
“So what?” said Andrea, “he had a child with her, didn’t he? That links them forever, whether you like it or not.”
Cindy stopped at that. There was truth in what Andrea was saying. In an odd way, the bond between Mattheus and Petra was stronger than between her and Mattheus.
“Well, it doesn’t matter,” Cindy went on quietly, “your father and I have broken up now.”
“Because of me?” asked Andrea, sharply, looking ill at ease.
“No,” said Cindy, “because you’re right. The bond caused by family ties is deepest of all. Even if the family hasn’t seen each other, or been together for years.”
“So, you’ll find someone else then,” Andrea said, suddenly comforting. “How about Sean? I saw how he was looking at you. He definitely seems to be in love.”
Cindy smiled seeing Andrea now concerned about her. The little act between Sean and Cindy had made an impression, done its work. Andrea definitely believed that Cindy and Sean had something going.
“Sean and I just met each other,” Cindy replied, “but I do like him very much.”
“That’s good,” Andrea seemed relieved, “that’s fabulous, love works in crazy ways.”
At that moment Cindy heard footsteps coming down the hallway towards them. It had to be Sean returning. The time allotted for the interview must be coming to a close. Cindy was sad about it. She had grown to like and admire Andrea and wanted to spend more time with her.
Sean re-appeared then and Andrea laughed out loud when she saw him.
“See, speak of the devil and he’s right here,” she said.
“The devil, me?” Sean looked surprised.
“Cindy and I were just talking about you,” Andrea took pleasure in teasing. “I asked Cindy if she was in love with you?”
Sean seemed taken aback and a touch embarrassed. “And what did she say?” he asked, trying to be playful.
“She said she liked you very much,” Andrea babbled, thoroughly enjoying the exchange. “And, frankly, I’m glad about it, because my father is definitely going back with my mother. It would be a real shame, if Cindy were left with no one.”
Cindy shivered. Andrea was masterful in playing one off against the other.
“Mattheus is going back with Petra?” Sean asked Cindy, amazed.
“That’s what Andrea’s wants, it’s what she hopes for and dreams of,” Cindy replied.
“It’s more than a dream,” Andrea flung back at her. “It’s happening right under your eyes. They’ve been together all the time since he returned to the Island. Go, ask anybody.”
“Sounds like a good thing for us to check into,” Cindy said to Sean, alarmed.
Andrea put her hands on her hips and swayed then, delighted. “I got a lot of good ideas, don’t I? And the best idea I had was to ask Cindy if she were in love with you? You’re a great looking couple, you know.”
Chapter 16
After Sean brought Andrea back to her holding cell, he returned to the waiting area for Cindy, smiling.
“Let’s go get a bite and talk all this over,” he said, light heartedly. “After all, we’re a great looking couple, you know.”
Cindy couldn’t join him in his cheerful mood. Even though it was probably all wishful thinking, she was disturbed by Andrea’s comments about Mattheus and Petra.
“Yes, let’s go and get a bite,” Cindy replied quietly.
“You’re all upset about what Andrea said about Mattheus,” Sean said as they walked back down the hallway together, “but there’s no reason for it. She’s told us this before. And, we’ve checked on it thoroughly.”
“And what did you find?” asked Cindy with baited breath.
Sean stopped and looked at her closely. “It still matters so much to you whether or not Mattheus has a relationship with Petra, if he’s going back with her?”
“Of course it matters,” Cindy replied.
“I thought the two of you were broken up,” the smile left Sean’s face quickly.
“Yes, we are broken up,” Cindy repeated, “but I don’t like being lied to. If it’s true it means Mattheus has lied to me. He never said a word about it.”
Sean seemed to understand that. “What else does it mean?” he continued.
“It could cause me to suspect Mattheus,” Cindy replied quietly.
“It’s what caused us to suspect him in the first place,” Sean answered calmly.
“But I thought you said Andrea was unreliable? How can you put confidence in what she said about Petra and Mattheus?” Cindy questioned.
“We didn’t,” said Sean calmly, “we checked it out for ourselves. And it’s true. Mattheus spent a lot of time at Petra’s home. The question we didn’t answer though was, did he go there to be with Petra or with Andrea?”
Cindy sighed with relief. “That’s a good question,” she agreed.
“And why are you so relieved by it?” Sean seemed to feel slightly uneasy.
“Because whatever else Mattheus is or isn’t, I know he didn’t commit murder, “
Cindy insisted, “and I don’t like ha
ving suspicion on him.”
Sean nodded, “Good point and duly noted,” he replied professionally.
Cindy wanted to change the direction the conversation was going in. “It’s really not about Mattheus,” she tossed her hair back off her face. “We have to find out exactly where Andrea was when Cain was killed.”
Oddly enough, Sean looked disinterested.
“Even though Andrea wouldn’t give me details,” Cindy went on, “she said that she was at a fancy bar at the other end of the Island and that people saw her there.”
“That’s not news,” Sean replied. “She told us that a while ago.”
“So, why didn’t you check it out?” Cindy was adamant.
“Andrea fantasizes about lots of things,” Sean started. “If we followed every little thing she said, we’d be using police time to run all over the place. She refused to be specific with us, so we never took it further.”
“I’m going to take it further,” Cindy proclaimed. “I need to. What bar is she referring to?”
Sean smiled. “I believe she told us it was the Magenta Tavern.”
“Why are you smiling?” Cindy didn’t like it.
“Hell, that’s one of the classiest spot in town, filled with rich tourists and wealthy ex pats with Villas on the water. Not exactly a place a girl like Andrea would frequent,” Sean remarked.
“You never know,” Cindy was offended. “She might have had a John who took her there for a lark.”
“Come on now, Cindy,” Sean looked at her skeptically. “You don’t really believe that? Hell, there are beautiful women down there, hungry for company. No one needs a young, snippy kid from the poor side of town. That place if way out of her league.”
Cindy wasn’t buying it though. “Anything is possible,” she murmured.
“Listen, our time is valuable,” Sean said curtly. “If we let ourselves get distracted by improbable suggestions, we’d end up nowhere fast.”
“That’s true,” said Cindy, “but where have you ended up now? I’m going to Magenta’s Tavern and sniffing around.”
“Going alone or with Mattheus?” Sean asked unexpectedly then.
Cindy noticed Sean looking at her strangely. She hoped he wouldn’t ask to go along, she wanted to be alone for this trip, not influenced by his opinions.
“Going alone,” Cindy answered quickly. “Mattheus is busy talking to the guys in the gangs, getting more of the inside story on Cain.
“Still?” said Sean. “He won’t let go?”
“That’s Mattheus,” Cindy smiled lightly. “Once he’s on a trail, he follows it to the bitter end.”
“And it this one can end up pretty bitter. Look, his behavior doesn’t work for us,” Sean grew irritated. “I told him before and I’ll say it again. He can mess up the works, get in the way. Please tell him!”
“I told him,” said Cindy.
“And it doesn’t mean a damn what you say to him, does it?”
“Of course it matters,” Cindy felt hurt
“From the looks of it, it doesn’t,” Sean replied. “Cindy, please wake up, your life’s at stake here. Let me come with you to Magenta Tavern, I want to come with you.”
Cindy was taken aback. “Why?”
“I just want to,” Sean replied, “the underworld down here has got tentacles. Mattheus’s is creeping in places he doesn’t belong. They have to know you’re down here with him. Someone even threw a rock in your taxi window. There’s a bunch of guys who’ve got to be getting off on Mattheus checking things out, and another bunch of guys who don’t like it. They’ve got to be threatened. One way or another they want both of you gone.”
“How would they know I’d be going to an expensive bar?” asked Cindy, incredulous.
“They could be watching every move you make right now, as it is,” Sean replied. “There’s a lot at stake here. I doubt very much that one of those guys took Cain out. Cain worked directly for Pedro, had the best protection around. If you touch one of Pedro’s guys, your life isn’t worth a damn.”
“Are you saying that if one of Pedro’s guys did it, they’re already dead?” Cindy was shocked.
“Yeah, of course they’re dead, if they did it,” Sean answered.
“Then you have to let Andrea out of jail, don’t you?” Cindy stared at Sean boldly.
“Once we determine she’s innocent, she’ll be let out of jail,” Sean replied soberly.
“Are you sure?” asked Cindy.
“What are you implying?” Sean seemed really disturbed. “Are you suggesting we’re
keeping her to cover up for someone?”
“I don’t know what to think, Sean,” Cindy finally cried out. “Mattheus is convinced the force has been bought off.”
“Crazy rumors,” Sean gritted his teeth. “I heard them too, and I don’t believe them.”
“Why not?” asked Cindy.
“There’s always rumors like that about every police force,” Sean’s voice got garbled.
“So, Mattheus is helping find out the truth,” Cindy felt justified. “The more he learns the better.”
“We have guys down in the underworld, too, trying to find out if Pedro had someone killed off for this. We have our contacts, Mattheus is a fool – he’s just getting in the way. How about it?” Sean looked at her boyishly then. “Can I go with you to Magenta’s Tavern? I’d really like to.”
“Sure, come along with me,” Cindy said lightly, “it’ll be good having the company.”
*
Cindy returned to the hotel to change for her trip down to Magenta’s Tavern. It was an elegant place and she wanted to fit in. As soon as she got into her room and checked her email, she found a message from her sister Ann.
Cindy, things are heating up here. Marge and Ralph are opening a court case to get your house from you. When are you returning? Are you going to fight this, or just let them take it away? Love, Ann. (P.S. The job is still waiting for you, too.)
Cindy flinched. This was the last thing she needed now. I’m fighting it, Ann, she replied quickly. As soon as this case is over, I’ll be back. It’s right in the middle, but things are moving along well now. Shouldn’t be too long.
There was no way Cindy was going to buckle to pressure like this from Marge and Ralph. They probably thought that since she was away so much, and absorbed in solving cases, they could grab the house from under her without her evening knowing it. But this had been her home with Clint and she wasn’t giving it up so fast. And, if one day, she decided to sell it, she would decide to whom. Even after Clint’s death they were still finding ways to make things difficult for her.
Cindy quickly went to the bathroom, showered and changed into a beautiful, silk, summer violet tank dress, and hungry for a change of mood, put on a lovely silver necklace a pair of heels. After brushing her hair and fixing her makeup, she looked as though she were on her way to a bridal party, not to a murder investigation. She went down to the lobby to meet Sean, feeling excited.
*
A minute after Cindy got down to the lobby, Sean walked in.
“Boy, you look beautiful,” he said, his eyes opening, “you look like a model, not a detective.”
“The perfect cover,” Cindy smiled.
Sean put his hand on her elbow and led her to the police car outside.
“Before we go to Magenta Tavern, I want to drive you through the neighborhoods where Mattheus has been prowling around,” he said.
Cindy thought it was an odd detour, actually going in the opposite direction.
“Why?” she asked, surprised, as they got into the car. It was strange to go down to the dank, lowlands dressed in silk. “I’m not exactly dressed for the occasion,” Cindy tried to make light of it.
“You look fantastic, Cindy,” Sean responded, “and this will only take a few minutes. I just want you to see the types Mattheus hangs around with – get the real picture of what he’s up to.”
Sean acted as though Cindy had never interacted wi
th the scuzzy characters to be found everywhere.
“I’ve been in places like this before,” Cindy murmured as Sean took a turn off the main road, and headed through narrow streets, which were hot and humid, covered by thick palm trees with branches that hung too low. On the sides of the streets were small shacks. You could smell heavy, spicy cooking through the open windows of the car.
“Lots of the girls they import onto the island get stashed down here,” Sean reported as they drove along.
“Why don’t you free the girls if you know where they are?” Cindy asked appalled.
“Not as simple as it looks. These guys have rings, are backed by big money, they know how to maneuver.”
The car turned up through a street that looked dirty and hidden. “We’re getting closer to Pedro’s place now,” Sean commented.
“Why are we going there?” Cindy was taken aback, suddenly feeling endangered.
“He’s the main Kingpin on the Island,” Sean retorted. “Once you get to talk to Pedro, you got it made. He won’t talk to the cops, hates our guts. We sit around watching him though.”
“I would think a guy with so much clout would live in a mansion somewhere,” Cindy remarked, “not in a hell hole down here.”
“He likes it here, it suits him,” Sean grinned, “this beast, lays low, and has others do his killing. No one gets close to him. I have no idea how Mattheus is even allowed to roam around in his territory and stay alive.”
“Mattheus has his own protection,” Cindy commented quickly
“From who?” Sean was right on it.
“From wonderful cops and detectives all over the Islands that he’s worked so hard to help,” she replied.
Sean quieted down. “I’m afraid you’re still in love with the guy.”
“No, but I do respect him,” Cindy replied. “Respect is respect, love is love. What about you? What really got you into this line of work, Sean?”
Sean threw a quick look over at her. “My twin sister got killed in a car crash,” he suddenly spoke out, as he drove along. “A drunken driver rammed into her car. After that, I couldn’t go back to life as usual.”
“I’m so sorry,” said Cindy, touched that he would reveal that to her. “Truly.”