by Jaden Skye
“Andrea, you must tell me who beat you up?”
“I’m not sure, I don’t know, they had a mask on,” she finally breathed. “There are all kinds of idiots who enjoy beating me up.”‘
“You’ve got to tell me who the guy is you were with at Magenta’s,” Cindy insisted now. “They saw you with him at Magenta’s but no one will say who. I asked but they wouldn’t!”
Andrea shot up and started pacing back and forth. “You did the wrong thing, you did the wrong thing,” she howled, breathlessly. “It’s nobody’s business, no one at all. You’re making it worse for everybody.”
Cindy was shocked by her reaction. She got up and caught her by the shoulders.
“Andrea, calm down this minute,” Cindy spoke in an authoritative tone. “If you have an alibi and someone confirms it, it will help you get out of jail.”
“So then they’ll kill me the minute I get out,” Andrea started moaning.
Cindy began to tremble as well. “Who’s gonna kill you, Andrea?” she asked in a soft voice.
“You’ve got to tell me.”
“I never will,” Andrea hissed, “or they’ll kill my mom, too.”
“Who? Who?” Cindy demanded.
“I can’t tell you,” Andrea broke into sobs.
“Is the person connected with the guy who loves you?” Cindy had to know.
“I said I can’t tell you, and I can’t,” Andrea went on, yanking away from Cindy. “I want to go back to my cell now,” she yelled in a loud voice. “I want to go back to my cell, I want to go back to my cell.”
In a minute the guard came rushing down the hallway. “What’s the commotion here? What’s going on?” he asked.
“I want to go back to my cell,” Andrea kept shouting.
He put his arms on her shoulders, “Okay, okay, you’re going,” he said, throwing Cindy a nasty glance. “What the hell did you say to upset her so much?”
Cindy shook her head slowly. Obviously, Andrea felt her life was in danger.
“Is Sean around?” she asked quietly.
“Yeah, he’s around,” the guard looked put out. “In fact, I already let him know you’re here.” Then he disappeared with Andrea, back to the holding cell.
Stunned and agitated, Cindy got up and walked back to the front. As soon as she got there, Sean was waiting. He came over to her quickly.
“What happened?” he asked, concerned
“I’m not really sure,” said Cindy disheartened.
“Come on,” said Sean, putting his hand on Cindy’s elbow, “I’m taking you back to the hotel.”
*
Cindy was actually delighted to have Sean with her during the ride back. She was over tired as it was, and she’d had enough shocks for one night. It was good not to be going back alone.
“Thanks for the lift, Sean,” she said, as they got into the car.
“I told you I was here to help you, and I meant it,” Sean replied . “You don’t trust me, you don’t trust any guy by now, but I’m trustworthy.”
Cindy looked at him with gratitude. “It’s not that I don’t trust you, it’s just that I don’t know what to think at this point.”
Sean turned, smiled at her and nodded. “Totally understandable,” he responded. “It will take time for you to get to know me, but when you do, you’ll see who I am. I’m completely trustworthy, Cindy.”
Cindy wasn’t at all sure what he was talking about. Did he think she was staying down here for a long while?
“I have no plans to spend much time down here,” she responded, not wanting to lead him on. “Once this case is over, I’m gone.”
Sean was quiet for a few moments. “Gone?” he finally said.
“Back to the States,” said Cindy. “In fact, I have a court case to deal with once I return.”
“Your ex in laws and the house?” he remarked.
Cindy was surprised that he’d remembered. “Yes.”
“See, I don’t forget anything you tell me,” Sean reached out and stroked her hand. “So, tell me one more thing, please. What brought you down here to the holding cell so late?”
They were almost at the hotel by now and Cindy wanted to ask him to join her at the restaurant for a cup of coffee. It would be good to process the events of the day.
“Want to come in and have some coffee in the coffee shop?” Cindy asked as the car pulled up the main driveway.
“I do,” said Sean, “but I can’t. I have to be up first thing in the morning. I’ll take a rain check. I’d love a rain check.”
“Okay,” said Cindy.
“But before you get out of the car, answer my question, I need to know,” Sean replied. “What brought you down to the holding cell so late at night? The guard said it was urgent.”
“I thought it was,” said Cindy. “I checked out Andrea’s alibi at Magenta Tavern this afternoon,” Cindy continued.
“That wasn’t a smart thing to have done,” Sean interrupted.
Cindy had no idea why not. “The bartender said he saw Andrea there during the day Cain was killed. She was with some guy.”
“Did the bartender give you the name of the guy or the time she was seen with him?” Sean turned completely professional.
“No,” said Cindy. “He didn’t know. He just said he saw them.”
Sean sighed. “Remember I told you not to poke around in certain places,” he started.
“This is Andrea’s alibi, Sean,” Cindy exclaimed. “Someone had to go down there and check it.”
“What makes you think we didn’t?” asked Sean, a muscle in his cheek working.
“Because if you did no one told me a thing about it,” Cindy was adamant.
Sean nodded crisply. “You’re a fabulous detective, Cindy,” he exclaimed. “You do your job down to the last detail. “
“You’re all hiding something from me, though,” Cindy exclaimed. “You are, Andrea is, even Mattheus.”
“You might be right about that,” Sean said quietly, “but someone got into the holding cell and beat Andrea once. It was a warning. We don’t want it happening again.”
“You’re telling me Andrea’s in danger?” Cindy asked breathlessly.
“More than you realize,” Sean responded.
“You’re telling me you’re protecting her?” Cindy kept going.
“Exactly right,” Sean responded. “And I can’t say more. I want to, but I can’t. Let’s leave it at that. Please respect my professional position. I’m not authorized to say another word.”
*
When Cindy got out of the car and went into the hotel, Mattheus was waiting in the lobby, distraught.
“Did you see Andrea? What happened?” he asked the minute Cindy walked in.
“Yes, I saw her and she wouldn’t give me any more information,” Cindy said in a clipped tone. “She’s convinced if she does someone will her.”
“Maybe she’s right?” Mattheus breathed.
“And maybe she isn’t,” Cindy was at her rope’s end. “She’s actually safer if we know who the guy is that she was seen with.”
“And maybe she isn’t?” Mattheus mused. His face was flushed and he looked wrung out.
“Well, it’s enough for one day now,” Cindy said, exhausted.
“I need to talk to you, Cindy,” Mattheus reached for her hands.
She pulled them away. “I’m exhausted, Mattheus.”
“You’re furious that I was at Petra’s,” he responded.
“That too,” she replied. “Though I wouldn’t say furious, I would say confused, betrayed, fed up.”
“You’re reading this wrong, though,” Mattheus insisted. “It’s purely professional between me and her. I was just trying to find out more about Andrea, and who she was with.”
“It didn’t look that way, Mattheus,” Cindy flushed, “though it’s no business of mine, we’re broken up.”
“You’re getting over sensitive,” Mattheus wouldn’t let it pass.
“You’r
e only half with me on this case,” Cindy replied. “I didn’t come down for a romance with you, I came to help find a killer and get your daughter out of a mess. That’s the reality. Let’s hold onto it.
Still, given our task, I need your help. I need you to be totally forthright with me.”
“I have been,” Mattheus insisted.
“You haven’t,” Cindy insisted.
“Tell me how?” Mattheus demanded.
“I’m too tired now, way too tired,” said Cindy. “Let’s leave this discussion for another day.”
“We can’t leave it for another day, Andrea is definitely in danger,” he breathed.
“Yes, I agree,” said Cindy, focusing in on him. “And what better way to protect her than to find the truth?”
“I agree,” said Mattheus, “I want the truth too. And there’s something I also have to ask you.”
“Go ahead,” said Cindy, “what is it?”
“Is there something going on between you and Sean? Do you like the guy?”
“Yes, I do,” Cindy answered, to her surprise.
Chapter 19
Cindy slept fitfully, with troubling dreams. She saw Mattheus in them, laughing with Petra on the beach and then in the middle of a beautiful day, there was Andrea on the gallows, being hung. Mattheus and Petra were watching on from the distance, seemingly unconcerned. Cindy kept desperately trying to stop the execution. Drenched with perspiration, Cindy suddenly woke up, to her great relief. These dreams don’t mean a thing, she told herself as she rushed to the bathroom. It’s only my fear surfacing, warning me of what could come.
Cindy splashed cold water on her face and showered quickly to wake up. When she was fully dressed in linen slacks and a lime green print shirt, she decided to call Sean to check on Andrea’s safety. But the phone rang first.
“Yes?” Cindy answered, still a bit rattled. She half expected it to be either Sean or Mattheus on the other end. To her surprise, a young woman answered.
“Cindy, this is Natalie, remember me? I’m Andrea’s friend, we talked a while ago.”
“Of course I remember,” Cindy replied.
“I know it’s early to call,” Natalie continued, “but I really need to talk to you about something important. Time is of the essence. Can you meet me at Thompsons Coffee Shop? It’s a few blocks away from your hotel.”
Cindy didn’t hesitate for a moment. “Definitely,” she said, on the alert. Cindy was surprised that Natalie knew where she was staying. “I’ll be there in fifteen minutes. Does that work?”
“Absolutely,” Natalie breathed. “Thank you so very much.”
*
Natalie was sitting at a little table near the door when Cindy entered the coffee shop.
The place was quite full as it was still the breakfast hour and it was lucky that they got a spot.
“Here, here,” said Natalie, getting up from her seat and waving at Cindy the minute she walked in.
Cindy went right over to Natalie who greeted her with a little hug.
“It’s so wonderful of you to meet me here like this,” Natalie said in a low voice. “Thank you again, thank you.”
“It’s fine,” said Cindy, sitting down, concerned. “What’s happening?”
“Let’s order breakfast,” said Natalie, “and then I’ll tell you everything.”
Finally, Cindy hoped she’d get filled in on details. They ordered breakfast and after the waiter took their orders, he brought them both café latte, which hit the spot.
“Okay go ahead, talk to me, Natalie,” Cindy said as she practically drank the whole cup in one gulp.
“It’s about Andrea,” Natalie whispered, looking nervous. “She in danger.”
“I know she is,” Cindy responded.
“You know?” Natalie looked alarmed. “How?”
“I’ve been working this case since I saw you,” Cindy replied.
“But who told you? She was in danger?” asked Natalie, wide eyed.
Cindy wondered why it mattered. “What difference does it make?” she asked.
“It makes a world of difference,” Natalie continued. “Nobody’s supposed to know a thing.”
“But we do know,” Cindy whispered, hoping to get more from Natalie. “The word is out.”
Natalie looked horrified. “The word is out? It’s worse than I thought.”
“What do you want to tell me?” Cindy persisted.
Natalie jumped in, “Pedro’s guys are really on edge now - hungry to find the real killer.”
“I need to know how you know that?” Cindy replied.
“I was afraid you would ask me that question,” said Natalie as their breakfast was served.
“Don’t be afraid of me, Natalie,” Cindy reassured her. “Whoever your friends are, whatever you know, whoever told you, it’s safe with me.”
“You swear to death?” asked Natalie, pushing her eggs from one side of the plate to the other.
“Yes,” said Cindy. “All I care about is finding Cain’s killer and learning who beat Andrea up.”
“It’s horrible, horrible,” Natalie whispered, “and it’s going to get worse.”
“More beatings?” asked Cindy.
“Or, she could get killed in jail, for all we know,” Natalie was practically whimpering. The guys told me Andrea’s gonna get it, one way or another. “
“Why?” Cindy asked. “Do Pedro’s guys think Andrea killed Cain?”
“Some people think she did it,” Natalie spoke heatedly, “others are convinced she’s taking the wrap. But whoever it is, they definitely want Andrea out of the way.”
“Who’s Andrea taking the wrap for?” Cindy demanded.
“Nobody’s sure,” whispered Natalie. “Could be her mom.”
“Her mom?” Cindy’s blood started boiling.
“At the end Petra hated Cain like poison and made no bones about it,” Natalie went on. “And Andrea’s whole life was about protecting her mom. And also about protecting about the guy she said loved her. Who knows if he ever really did? Andrea had a lot of hopes about everything.”
“A lot of fantasies,” Cindy interjected. “Natalie, whether he loved Andrea or not, I need to speak to this guy.”
“Why?” Natalie seemed ill at ease.
“Because he and Andrea have some kind of connection and I need to know more about it.”
“This guy has absolutely nothing to do with it,” Natalie insisted. “He doesn’t do drugs, he’s not part of a gang, he’s absolutely fringe. He loved Andrea and she wants to protect him.”
“Just give me his name at least and let me talk to him,” Cindy pleaded.
“I promised Andrea I wouldn’t tell anyone who he was. I’m the only one she ever told,” Natalie cringed.
“But you called me here for a reason, didn’t you? You know your friend’s in danger,” said Cindy.
“She is,” Natalie cried out, tears filling her eyes. “I don’t want her killed in a horrible way, even if she did kill the rotten bastard.”
“Did she?” Cindy asked, appalled.
“I really don’t know at this point,” said Natalie. “But if she did it or not, she had a good reason, and she doesn’t deserve to die like this. At least let them give her a fair trial.”
“You’re absolutely right,” Cindy agreed.
“Yes, I am,” Natalie’s spirits lifted.
“So, let’s give her a chance to get that fair trial,” Cindy continued, adamant. “Give me the name of the guy who loves her and his address if you have it.”
“I do,” Natalie whispered.
“Great,” Cindy breathed. “We can’t leave any stone unturned. For starters, he knows Andrea better than anyone else.”
“Not better than me,” Natalie was offended. “I’m Andrea’s best friend.”
“It’s possible he can tell me something that don’t know. It could be an important clue,” Cindy went on. “That’s how it works when you’re a detective. You hunt for clues everywhere, even
in places you’d never expect to find them.”
Natalie suddenly got quiet and listened. “That’s how it works?” she finally asked.
“Yes,” said Cindy, “you follow a trail, you never know where it leads you, you talk to all the people a person knew well.”
“That’s cool,” replied Natalie. “Maybe someday I’ll be a detective, too. Okay, I’ll give you his name and address, but never, ever tell anyone you got it from me. He’s from a big, rich, prominent family. They’ll go crazy if they find out he’s had anything to do with someone like Andrea.”
“I won’t tell a soul,” said Cindy, “and thank you. I just can’t thank you enough.”
*
Natalie and Cindy parted quickly as soon as Cindy had the information . Cindy thanked her again and immediately left the coffee shop. There was no reason to be sitting there, in full view of everyone.
As Cindy stepped out of the coffee shop, to her amazement there was Mattheus, waiting for her. Had he been following her, watching her every move?
“What are you doing here? Cindy asked right away, uneasy.
“I’ve been following you,” Mattheus said with his quirky, sweet smile that had always melted Cindy’s heart. It didn’t now. “Let’s take a walk and talk things over, please.”
Cindy had no desire to talk about their relationship, but she did need to tell him that she’d found out who the guy Andrea had been involved with was.
“It’s good timing,” Cindy continued professionally. “I’ve got a huge piece of new information.”
“What?” asked Mattheus, surprised.
“I’ve got the name of the guy over on the East Side of the island that Andrea claims she was with the day Cain was killed.”
Mattheus’s mouth hung open for a second. “You’re amazing,” he breathed. “How in the world did you get this? No one could.”
“You’ve got to keep it close to the chest,” Cindy demanded. “None of those guys you talk to can know.”
“Okay,” he replied.
“In fact, I’m going over to the East side of the island to see him this minute,” Cindy decided on the spot.
“Yes, you are,” said Mattheus heatedly, “and I’m going over there with you.”
Cindy paused for a moment.