by Jaden Skye
“I know you are,” Sean smiled wanly, “otherwise I wouldn’t have told you. I also heard about how your first husband, Clint, got killed. So, we have something in common. Someone we loved gets knocked off unfairly, and we can’t go on.”
“Until we find justice,” Cindy filled in.
“That’s right,” Sean stepped harder on the gas.
“It makes all the difference, finding justice,” Cindy continued, “makes things right again.”
“You can say that again,” said Sean, as the car wound down a hill now and then pulled under a scraggly tree with low laying branches, and parked. The tree was close to a low, slanty dark wooden, house. You could see the house easily, though the car hidden by the branches. “Let’s just sit here awhile,” Sean suggested, as though he were on the lookout out for someone.
“On the lookout for someone?” Cindy asked.
“I often spend time sitting here watching Pedro’s house,” Sean continued, “just to see who comes out and in.”
“And what do you find?” she asked.
“Not much,” Sean replied, “the same old crew I’ve seen before, but sometimes someone new turns up. That’s exciting.”
Cindy wondered what Sean really had in mind, how long they’d be sitting here. She decided to just go along with things and see where they lead. She was also curious about Sean, wanted to know more.
“Were you ever married, Sean? Ever love someone?” Cindy continued. She’d enjoyed learning the little about him that she had.
“Yeah, of course,” Sean spoke more freely now. “I was engaged and she left me when I decided to give up law and join the police force. She couldn’t understand it, just wanted a rich lawyer for her husband.”
“It’s a hard to be married to a cop,” replied Cindy.
“I guess it is,” Sean replied.
“There are plenty of women who would be fine with it though,” she added.
“You trying to pawn me off on someone else now?” Sean threw his head back and laughed a little.
“I’m trying to give you hope,” said Cindy softly.
“You do give me hope, Cindy,” Sean replied. “Now, tell me more about you.”
“I’m doing okay,” she said calmly, “except for a little court case coming up back home. My dead husband Clint’s family have still got it in for me. Now they’re trying to take the house he left out from under me. I’ve got to go back to fight for it soon.”
“How dare they?” Sean bristled.
“I’m used to it,” said Cindy, “not the best crew in town.”
“I’m sorry,” he said and reached his hand out for her, and then suddenly lurched forward. “He’s there, there!” Sean bolted and leaned closer to the window pane.
“Who?” Cindy was alarmed.
“Mattheus! There he goes! I heard he came here. I’ve been waiting to spot him myself. We’re damn lucky to find him.”
Cindy leaned forward and in the heavy shadows, saw a man crumpled over, coming out of the house, darting down the road.”
Sean started honking. “This is incredible luck. Let’s get out of the car!”
“What’s going on?” Cindy was terrified.
Sean jumped out of the car and made a dash to the figure who was edging down the road.
“Stop right there,” Sean yelled out at the top of his voice.
Cindy couldn’t move. Could it really be Mattheus? Why was he crumpled over? What would it mean that they actually found him here?
“Stop, stop,” Sean was running towards him and calling out at the top of his lungs.
Cindy watched through the windshield as Mattheus came to a halt, straightened up and
Sean approached. She knew she should get out of the car, but was frozen.
“What have you got in your arms?” Sean pulled Mattheus over as if he were a common criminal.
Mattheus opened his arms. There was nothing in them.
“What are you doing down here? Who were you just with?” Sean was digging right in.Cindy suddenly felt enraged. Sean had tricked her into coming down here. What would happen when Mattheus saw her here too? Sean was talking to him, but Mattheus wasn’t saying a word. Cindy was glad. He didn’t have to. But it looked as though they were almost at blows.
Cindy quickly stepped out of the car and ran over. Mattheus’s jaw dropped open in horror when he saw her.
“What the hell are you doing here?” he gasped.
“It’s enough,” Cindy said sharply to Sean. “Leave Mattheus alone.”
Sean backed down somewhat.
“What are you doing, working with Sean?” Mattheus was outraged. “Spying on me? Dressed to the nines? Going out with him?”
“None of the above,” yelled Cindy.
“Then what’s going on?” Mattheus suddenly seemed devastated.
“Sean and I were driving to Magenta Tavern, to check out Andrea’s alibi. That’s why I’m dressed to the nines. Unexpectedly, he took a detour, wanted to show me where Pedro operated from.”
“You have no right to be here, Mattheus,” Sean jumped in, upset. “We asked you not to, to lay low.”
“I’ve got every right,” Mattheus charged back at him. “You’ve got my daughter locked up in jail and me under suspicion. Can’t think of a better reason than that.”
Cindy had to agree. “Mattheus is right,” she said firmly. “He has every right to talk to anyone he wants to.”
Sean stepped closer to Mattheus. “What did Pedro tell you? We’ve got to know?”
“He wants to find the killer as much as I do,” Mattheus suddenly smirked. “He asked me to find him.”
“Wants you to work for him?” Sean was appalled.
“He wants to help me find out who did it,” said Mattheus.
“And once you do, he’ll shoot both of you dead,” Sean remarked.
“What did you tell Pedro?” Cindy could hardly believe that Mattheus had access to him.
“I told him I want my daughter out of jail, that she didn’t do it.” Mattheus proclaimed.
“What else?” Cindy got between him and Sean.
“I told him the police think I’m a suspect. Pedro laughed at that and told me they had it upside down. It was me who should suspect them.”
“Mattheus, Mattheus,” Cindy reached out and put her hand on his arm.
He quickly shook her away. “I’ve got my car down here and Sean has his. Whose car are you driving back to the hotel in?” Mattheus answered fitfully.
“Sean and I are supposed to go to Magenta’s Tavern,” Cindy replied.
“Guess I had enough for one day,” said Sean. “I’ll pass on that stop for now. You can go there with Mattheus, if you want to.” Obviously, Sean was upset that Cindy had gotten between them and sided with Mattheus.
Mattheus was in no shape to go to Magenta’s Tavern though and Cindy didn’t want to go with him anyway.
“I’ll just go back to the hotel,” said Cindy and get a taxi of my own to go from there.
“Okay, that’s fine,” said Sean. “Go back to the hotel with Mattheus, because I have to go straight to the police station and file a report, anyway.”
“About what? About me?” asked Mattheus.
“Who else?” said Sean. “It’s not every day we find someone who’s been able to talk to Pedro. That’s got to be on the record, pronto.”
Chapter 17
At first Mattheus was dead silent in the car going back to the hotel. Cindy looked out of the window as they drove, trying to keep perspective. Naturally, Mattheus was surprised to have seen her with Sean, even though she’d told him many times she needed his help on the case. As they drove along the narrow roads, the tension finally became so thick Cindy could barely breathe.
“This is not time to indulge in crazy jealousy,” Cindy finally broke the silence. “Your daughter’s life is at stake and frankly, yours may be as well.”
Mattheus just gripped the driving wheel more tightly.
“I’m on yo
ur side Mattheus,” Cindy continued. I have been siding with you all along. I’m your advocate with the police.”
“I didn’t know I needed an advocate,” Mattheus muttered.
“Well, you do,” Cindy said.
“I’m that bad off?” asked Mattheus.
“You could be,” Cindy replied. “Nothing is clear.”
“You can say that again,” Mattheus relaxed a little.
“The police are shocked and disturbed by your access to Pedro,” Cindy went on abruptly.
“Naturally, they’ re watching you closely.”
Mattheus took it in. “I suppose you’re right,” he conceded. “But what choice do I have? The police have aced me out and there’s got to be a good reason for it.”
“You’re too close to the case,” Cindy replied.
“Nah,” Mattheus’s face grew contorted, “that’s the convenient party line.”
“So, you’re playing one side against another, going over to the other side for help?” Cindy
suddenly felt agitated.
“There’s only one side I’m interested,” Mattheus sat up more like his old self, “the side of truth. I’ve got to find out who killed Cain and get Andrea out of jail. It’s perfect natural to figure that the guys down here would have some answers for me, especially Pedro.”
“Does he?” asked Cindy, nonplussed.
Mattheus started driving more slowly then, obviously wanting to talk. “Listen, the guy’s burning. He’s as upset as I am. Someone swooped in under the radar and took out one of his best men. Nobody does that to Pedro.”
“And he can’t find out who?” Cindy was cynical.
“He’s got his boys out searching,” Mattheus replied, “and he wants me on it too. We got a common interest here. Whoever killed Cain didn’t have a motive they can understand. The murder came from out of left field. He wasn’t expecting it.”
Cindy took a long, slow breath. The afternoon had grown warmer and the thick, humid air drifted in through the car window, washing over both of them.
“That makes it look more like Andrea might have done it,” Cindy murmured, wondering how Mattheus would respond to that.
“No, not at all,” Mattheus bristled. “No one believes that for a minute.”
“Why not?” asked Cindy, “Andrea had motive, opportunity and -.”
Mattheus cut her off. “Andrea didn’t do it. There was no reason for it. She’s Cain’s stepdaughter and the guys down here have been keeping an eye on her. They all said she’s harmless, just a kid having a little fun.”
Cindy took great exception to that. “Sex for money is fun?” her voice rose.
“Let’s not go there,” Mattheus hands starting trembling. “Let’s handle one thing at time. Pedro and his boys know she didn’t do it, they also know that whoever did, wants Andrea locked up. Or killed.”
“Once Andrea is blamed for it and out of the picture, the heat will be off the real killer,” Cindy burst in.
“Not the real heat,” Mattheus insisted. “Not Pedro’s boys.”
“But the killer doesn’t know that,” Cindy was tossing it all around in her mind. “The killer thinks the danger comes from the cops. The killer isn’t wired in the underworld.”
“Not in Pedro’s world, they’re not,” Mattheus said.
“That tells us something, Mattheus,” Cindy was back working the case with her partner as she had so often done before.
“This has got to be connected to who beat Andrea up in jail,” said Mattheus in a low tone.
“I’m sorry about that, Mattheus, I’m so sorry,” Cindy offered.
Mattheus slowed down before turning onto a wide rode. The car was steamy from the humid day and the tension they were feeling. He pulled the car into an alcove, and then stopped the car.
“I know you’re sorry, Cindy,” he looked at her softly. “I know you’re doing your best, I know you’re alone with this. You’re incredibly gutsy for even being here.”
Cindy felt shocked. This was the last thing she expected from Mattheus. Despite herself, tears started falling down her face.
“I thought you totally hated me,” she said, distraught. “You keep acting as if I’m betraying you with Sean.”
“Look, I love you,” Mattheus answered gruffly, “I always have and I always will. I respect you, I adore you, and I have no idea how to hold onto you. I keep making a mess of things.”
“You’re trying your best, Mattheus,” Cindy replied in a low tone. “You deserve everything good in your life.”
“You’re the only thing that’s good in my life,” Mattheus quickly responded.
Cindy turned and looked out the window. This was more than she could take in right now.
“You have a daughter who needs you,” she said quietly then.
“Yes, I do,” said Mattheus, “I won’t deny that. How was your interview with her?”
“It went well as far as it went,” said Cindy. “We broke the ice, she talked to me. I made her think Sean and I were an item so she wouldn’t see me as a rival for you. That helped open her up.”
Mattheus took a swift, painful breath at that.
“It was Sean’s idea,” Cindy continued quickly, “and it worked. It was a good one. Andrea talked to me. She told me she’d been at Magenta Tavern on the other side of the island when Cain was killed. I was headed there now, to find out more.”
“With Sean?” Mattheus broke in.
“Yes, he was taking me there, when he suddenly took this detour to Pedro’s. Obviously, he was more interested in tracking you.”
“Could be he’s using you as a foil,” said Mattheus.
“There’s nothing to use,” Cindy objected, “I constantly stand up for you.”
Mattheus grew silent and Cindy wanted to get out of the car and walk with him along one of the trails that branched out from the road. She wanted to get something to drink and then sit in a cool place and talk on and on about what to do. But this wasn’t the time for it. She was dressed to go to Magenta’s Tavern and the feelings between them were running too high already, as it was. The feelings couldn’t be trusted either, the heat, the danger and the pressure of the moment caused all kinds of emotions to float around.
“I think we should get back on the road to the hotel, now, Mattheus,” Cindy continued calmly. “I’d like to get a cab and go to Magenta’s Tavern.”
“Do you want me to go with you?” Mattheus asked as he started the car up.
“Actually, no,” said Cindy, “I think it’s better if I do this trip alone.”
*
As soon as they returned to the hotel, Cindy immediately hopped into a cab and headed
to Magenta’s Tavern. By the time she arrived it would almost be happy hour and the place should be full. Cindy was relieved to be alone in the cab as it wound its way across a small bridge to the other side of the island. The air grew cooler as they went East and she opened the car windows, and let the refreshing breeze wash over her. It was necessary to be away from both Mattheus and Sean and have time to think things over by herself. She could see why there was irritation between them, the undercurrent of competition for her. But did this competition have anything to do with her, or was it just male ego asserting itself? Were they vying for who would ended up winning and getting the prize? Cindy didn’t want to be anyone’s prize anymore. Right now she simply wanted to get the job done and then to create stable basis for her life. Once the cab passed a narrow wedge in the road and clump of trees, it picked up speed. The driver turned on the radio, music played and for the moment, Cindy felt good.
*
Magenta’s Tavern was indeed an elegant spot, much more like the places she’d been to on the other islands. It had a large gold plated door, which was open when she arrived. Inside were painted tiles on the floor, a long, swerving, silver plated bar and patrons dressed in expensive but casual silks and linens, looking suntanned, relaxed and dashing. They turned their heads when someone walked in and subtly
looked them over. Cindy felt she passed the test.
Cindy glided over to the bar slowly and took a seat. A tall, rather handsome guy in a blue sports shirt and blazer who was sitting a few seats away, turned, looked at her, and smiled. Cindy smiled back.
It really didn’t matter who she started talking to, she thought, one person would lead to the next.
“Don’t think I’ve seen you here before,” he started, sliding over a seat closer to her, obviously liking what he saw.
“First time at Magenta’s,” Cindy answered lightly.
“And what brings you here?” he had a warmth about him that was appealing despite his slick manner.
Cindy really didn’t have time to banter. She was sorry to burst his bubble so quickly, but had to get right to the point.
“Actually, I’m a detective down here, investigating a case,” she replied.
Startled, he moved a bit back. “What kind of case?” he asked, disconcerted.
“Murder,” said Cindy, point blank as the bartender came over to them.
“This beautiful young lady’s a detective,” the guy announced to the bartender immediately, “can you imagine that!”
The bartender, an older guy in his late forties, scratched his head. “I can imagine all kinds of things,” he responded. “Nice of her to let you know. Some of them come in here undercover and take you for a sweet, little ride.”
That commented interested Cindy. She had no idea there were undercover cops around down here.
“Lots of problems on the island?” she asked the bartender.
“Not usually down here,” the bartender shook his head. “Over there on the other side, we got one of the worst drug rings around.”
The guy sitting next to Cindy pushed his stool away a bit further. “She’s investigating a murder,” he gave the bartender a heads’s up.
Cindy didn’t like having someone speak for her. “Have you heard about the young Caribbean girl on the other side of the island accused of killing her stepfather?” she asked.
The bartender shook his head. “Nah, don’t keep track of all the problems they got over there. Here, we cater to tourists and ex pats in giant villas. It’s a different scene.”