by Jaden Skye
“We’re looking for any information you can tell us about what happened to Sparks,” Cindy half whispered.
“I’ve told you a lot already,” said Kiera.
“Yes, you have,” said Cindy, “and I appreciate that.”
“What have you said?” asked Pete, fascinated.
“I told Cindy I found Benita dangerous and volatile at times.” Kiera’s voice rose.
Pete looked startled. “Benita?”
“Yes,” whispered Kiera.
“She and Sparks were engaged,” Pete whispered back. “Benita was crazy about him. Everyone knows that.”
Kiera looked away and Cindy said nothing about the fact that Benita and Wess were together as a couple again, or that Wess had testified that Benita had felt endangered and called him for help with Sparks. Pete seemed out of the loop and overly protective of Kiera.
Pete looked out of the window and then at the television in the corner that was airing a local sporting event.
The waiter brought the delicious food to them and they all grew silent as they ate it.
Finally, puzzled, Pete asked Kiera, “Are you pointing the finger at Benita?”
Kiera shook her head forcefully. “I’m not pointing the finger at anyone. I just want everything on the table. I want the real killer to be found!”
“Okay, okay.” Pete tried to quiet her down.
“I don’t want a repeat of what happened with my sister. I don’t want the wrong person to be sent up for the crime.”
Pete looked even more confused then. “The wrong person?”
“I don’t believe Ron killed my sister. He was set up. And I think whoever killed her might also be involved with Sparks’s death!”
Kiera had spoken a mouthful and everyone at the table grew dead silent, taking it in.
Just as Cindy was about to ask who Kiera thought had done it, the TV in the corner grew louder, interrupting their thoughts.
“Breaking news,” the TV blasted. “New evidence in the recent murder on the beach. Police have a new suspect in custody. Information has just come in that when the suspect was in jail he made threats about taking Sparks down. A former jail mate has come forward. This case is almost over now. Fantastic police work all around.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Right after lunch, Kiera and Pete hurriedly left while Cindy and Mattheus walked for a long while along the bustling streets. It was good to be with Mattheus alone, even though they both were quiet, lost in their own thoughts. When they finally reached the end of a long shopping square, Mattheus turned to Cindy.
“Why don’t you go back to the hotel and take the rest of the day to yourself?” he said. “Go swimming, see some family, do whatever you like.”
Cindy wondered if Mattheus was letting her know that he thought the search was coming to an end. Was he going along with the police’s conclusion that they had the killer?
“You think Wess did it?” asked Cindy. “You agree with the police?”
“More than not I do agree,” said Mattheus gruffly. “I want to go back to the station and talk further about it.”
“When did you make peace with the cops?” asked Cindy.
Mattheus winced. “It’s not that I made peace with them, it’s that I realized we need them in our search. And they need us as well.”
“But do they really want us?” asked Cindy. “Isn’t it a foregone conclusion that the police will take whatever suspect they can get some goods on? They want to close the case quickly, you know that.”
“Most likely true,” Mattheus agreed. “But at least if I’m in their face, it gives them pause. When I share information with them, they take a second to think it over.”
Cindy liked that Mattheus always looked for the best in all situations. Still, his comment concerned her.
“Do you want me to take the afternoon off so we can call off our search?” Cindy asked.
“I’m not calling off anything,” Mattheus objected. “I’m just suggesting you take an afternoon to yourself. How can it hurt? A little break goes a long way. It gives us a larger perspective.”
Cindy certainly couldn’t dispute that. She didn’t feel like swimming, though, or spending time with guests or family. But time alone on the patio overlooking the ocean felt good to her. Cindy would rest a bit and then go over Kiera’s social media footprint to see what else she could find on her.
“Okay,” Cindy said to Mattheus, “I’ll be back in our suite when you’re finished.”
“Good,” said Mattheus. “Then, tonight, after I return, we’ll have a special celebration dinner alone.”
Cindy wondered for a moment what they would be celebrating. Was it that the case was closing? She hoped not.
*
It was truly wonderful to be alone on the patio with calm ocean breezes wafting over her. Cindy stretched out on a lounge chair, ordered mint ice tea, and closed her eyes for a few moments before checking Kiera’s social media. Cindy knew she should call and spend time with guests and family, but she didn’t have the heart for it at the moment. This was a tempestuous case she and Mattheus were on. The possibility that it could be closing and the search called off frightened Cindy. Not only did she feel that Wess was innocent, she wasn’t ready to face the next stage of her life.
Cindy lifted the cool class of tea to her mouth and drank it slowly. It seemed there had been no respite for her and Mattheus practically since they’d met. After one case was solved, another cropped up. How long would this go on? It seemed as if this was the pattern for the rest of their lives. But what was Cindy thinking, anyway? She knew she couldn’t go back to being a civilian again. Neither could Mattheus. Cindy realized that they both had grown addicted to the intensity of living on the edge.
Cindy closed her eyes for a moment and drifted off into a dreamy sleep. From time to time she opened her eyes, only to see the light of the day slowly fading. Before long, evening fell like a soft blanket over the island. Cindy knew she should wake up and do some research, but the pull of sleep was stronger. She must have been more tired than she thought.
When Cindy finally awakened, not only was it dark out, but Mattheus was there beside her, sitting on the edge of her lounge chair.
“Boy, were you ever tired,” Mattheus said as he jostled Cindy softly to wake her up.
Cindy sat bolt upright and rubbed her eyes. “I slept the whole afternoon away.” She felt dismayed.
Mattheus smiled. “Good, I’m glad you did. You deserve to rest up.”
Cindy turned to him, feeling a bit dazed. “How did it go at the police station?” she asked.
Mattheus looked away from her then, up at the darkened sky. “They’re finding more and more evidence on Wess,” he replied.
Cindy woke up completely. “Like what?”
“A few more guys from jail have now come forward. They all say they heard Wess threaten to take Sparks down repeatedly,” Mattheus replied.
“That could be a perfect setup,” said Cindy. “Who are these inmates anyway, and what are they getting in return for their testimony?”
“Cindy”—Mattheus reached out to her then—“sometimes we have to take a few steps back.”
“When an innocent man’s life could be at stake?” Cindy felt jarred.
“I’m just saying we have to let the evidence speak for itself, no matter what we’re feeling,” Mattheus replied.
Cindy didn’t operate that way, though, and Mattheus knew it. Cindy’s gut feelings always spoke louder to her than any piece of evidence.
“Evidence can always be planted or trumped up,” Cindy reminded him.
“Sometimes it can,” Mattheus agreed. “But most of the time it isn’t. It’s waiting there and we find it. It’s the real world talking to us.”
Cindy felt herself growing upset. “What are you saying, Mattheus?”
“I’m saying they’re collecting solid evidence on Wess,” Mattheus replied, “and we’re closer than we think to the case being over.”
> “And what if we’re not?” Cindy bristled.
“Are you afraid of the case being over?” Mattheus couldn’t help ask. “Are you afraid of finally walking down the aisle with me?”
Cindy shivered. “That’s a strange question to ask,” she commented.
“Answer me, though.” Mattheus moved closer to her.
“Maybe I am afraid of actually being married,” Cindy said softly. “That’s normal, isn’t it?”
“Of course it’s normal,” Mattheus laughed. “But, frightened or not, we have no choice about it. Our wedding is set and this time we’re not skipping it.”
Despite herself, Cindy smiled. “Mattheus, I love you and I want to walk down the aisle. I’m just not going to do it until we’re positive the person who really killed Sparks has been found.”
Mattheus pulled Cindy up to standing then and scooped her into his arms.
“Well, even though we may not have found the killer yet, at least we’ve found the right person to marry,” he whispered. “That’s harder by far.”
Cindy laughed as her phone suddenly rang.
“Don’t answer it.” Mattheus held onto her tighter.
“I have to.” Cindy gently pulled away and reached for the phone that was just behind her.
“Cindy.” A hushed woman’s voice was on it.
“Who’s this?” asked Cindy, jarred.
“It’s Kiera, don’t say anything, just listen to me.” Kiera’s words were spilling out of her mouth one after another.
“What is it?” Cindy started to feel afraid.
“Listen, I told you before I was sure Wess didn’t do it,” Kiera continued. “But now I know it for a fact! And now I also definitely know who the true killer is.” Her voice took on a grating edge.
“How do you know that?” Cindy was mesmerized.
“You’re not the only one who’s been poking around, asking questions,” Kiera snapped.
“Where are you, Kiera? On the yacht?” Cindy had to pin her down.
“Exactly,” said Kiera, “but if you’ll meet me down at the pier in half an hour, I’ll take you directly to the murderer. And don’t bring Mattheus either, he gives me the creeps.”
Cindy grew chilled. “Where at the pier should I meet you?”
“Down at Rosehoe Street, where the other yachts are docked,” Kiera replied.
“You got it,” said Cindy, wide awake now. “I’ll see you in half an hour,” she said and hung up the phone.
“That was Kiera?” Mattheus echoed, irritated. “I got that much at least.”
“I’m meeting her down at the pier, at Rosehoe Street, in half an hour,” Cindy said. “She’s sure Wess didn’t do it and said she’ll lead me straight to the killer. She claims to be certain now who it is.”
“Quite a claim,” said Mattheus. “Why didn’t she just call the police?”
“Good question. I have to find that out,” said Cindy.
Mattheus guffawed. “Most likely, her claim is crazy, like she can be. Okay, I’ll go down there with you.”
“Kiera wants me to come alone,” Cindy replied, offended. She liked Kiera, didn’t see her as crazy in any way.
“Why can’t I come along? Because she can’t stand my guts?” Mattheus shot back.
“She didn’t put it that way,” said Cindy.
“But it’s obvious, isn’t it?” said Mattheus.
Cindy put her hands on Mattheus’s shoulders. “Don’t take it personally, please,” she said. “Some women have issues with guys.”
“And Kiera’s obviously one of them,” Mattheus grumbled. “I felt it the first time I met her.”
Mattheus could be overly sensitive about women’s reactions to him and Cindy realized it. “I don’t know much about Kiera’s love life,” said Cindy. “I have no idea how she behaves.”
“It seems like she’s doing well enough with Pete, though,” Mattheus continued.
“Who knows how any couple is really doing together?” Cindy mused.
“Cindy, this lady could be playing you,” Mattheus interrupted. “My guess is she has some fantasy going on and wants to pull you into it. Or else, whatever she’s going to tell you is specifically designed to be a distraction, get you off course. If it was the real thing, she’d let everyone know.”
“Maybe she is playing me,” Cindy had to agree. “I haven’t done all the research on her yet that I wanted to.”
But Mattheus was on the warpath now. “For all we know she may have a checkered past herself,” he said. “Funny how she jumped into her sister’s world right after her sister died. For all we know, Kiera was always jealous of her sister and never fit in.”
“Now who’s trying to pull me into a fantasy, Mattheus?” Cindy asked. She felt Mattheus building a case against Kiera and didn’t like it.
“For all we know,” Mattheus continued, “Kiera’s really off the wall. Maybe she’s the one who killed both her sister and Sparks.”
“Mattheus, this is crazy!” Cindy felt alarmed. “You’re going too far, there’s no evidence of this.”
“But maybe there is,” said Mattheus. “Where was Kiera when Sparks was killed? Benita said she and Kiera were together. Then Wess testified that Benita was with him.”
Cindy was impressed that Mattheus remembered those details. “I agree,” said Cindy, “I’ve thought of that myself. This is definitely something we have to clear up. I was planning to talk to Kiera about the exact time line. It’s possible she was greeted by Benita and then Benita left to be with Wess. It all could be in perfect order.”
“Could be,” said Mattheus, “or not.”
Cindy was struck that Mattheus was suddenly open to questioning the possibility of another suspect. Was it because Kiera had excluded him from this evening’s meeting?
“Look, I’m leaving very soon to go to the pier to meet her,” said Cindy. “I’ll keep in touch with you constantly by phone.”
“You can do that if you want. But if you’re really going face to face with a killer, I’d rather follow close behind.”
“I don’t want Kiera to have any inkling that you’re there,” Cindy protested.
“Why not?” Mattheus was annoyed.
“She needs the time alone with me to feel safe enough to let me know what’s truly going on,” said Cindy.
“Or maybe she has other plans for you.” Mattheus smirked. “Did you ever think of the possibility that you could be her next victim?”
“I did think of it, actually,” said Cindy, “but it doesn’t compute. I’m the only one she feels truly at ease with. And there’s a lot she has to get off her chest.”
“This doesn’t compute for me, either,” said Mattheus. “My guess is that all of this is a detour and waste of time, leading you into no-man’s-land.”
Just before Cindy left, the phone rang again and Mattheus quickly picked up. Cindy stopped at the door and listened. Mattheus immediately put his phone on speaker, so she could hear the conversation as well.
“Hey, Mattheus, this is Bat here,” the tough voice came on the other end.
“Yeah?” asked Mattheus noncommittally.
“Listen, man, I saw the news conference on TV,” Bat spoke gruffly. “It’s crap, it’s bullshit. Wess didn’t do it.”
Cindy took a step closer, alert.
“Who did?” Mattheus replied bluntly. “You got some idea?”
“I do,” Bat answered fiercely. “I’m coming over to talk.”
Mattheus threw a long, sidelong glance at Cindy. “Okay, but get here real fast,” he replied.
“Is Cindy there with you?” Bat asked then.
“Yes, she is,” said Mattheus, “but she’s going out in a little while. In fact, I think it would be better if you’d meet me down at the pier. Way down at the far end.”
Cindy glared at Mattheus as he hung up.
“It’s okay, it’s okay.” Mattheus grinned. “We won’t be anywhere near Rosehoe Street. That’s right in the middle. I’m meeting Bat d
own at the far end.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
When Cindy arrived at Rosehoe Street, Kiera was already there, huddled on the edge of the pier, a soft throw over her shoulders, waiting. Other than Kiera’s lone figure, the long street in front of the boats was practically empty.
“Kiera.” Cindy walked over and put her hands on Kiera’s shoulders.
“You got here fast, that’s good,” whispered Kiera, her eyes flaming.
“What happened?” asked Cindy, alarmed.
“Plenty,” Kiera spoke between clenched teeth. “Just come with me, and you’ll find out for yourself.” Then she pulled Cindy’s arm and yanked her along the pier and then up through one narrow side street and another. As Cindy followed along, the heavy moisture in the night air made it hard to breathe.
“Where are we going?” asked Cindy as she and Kiera stomped more quickly through the back streets.
“Don’t ask, you’ll see for yourself,” Kiera mumbled, as they finally made their way up to the back of a low, wooden building. There were no lights on anywhere here and it was too dark to see. Faint music sounded through the thin walls.
“What’s this? A bar, a club?” asked Cindy.
Kiera turned and for the first time looked Cindy in the eyes. She seemed torn between deep sorrow and fear.
“This is a club connected to Wess’s hotel,” Kiera said gruffly, pulling Cindy harder around to the front.
The place had a strange aura about it, half hidden, half sleazy. Kiera pulled open the front door and yanked Cindy inside with her.
Inside was smoky and dim with only a little more light. A strange lamp, barely lit, dangled over a long, stone bar. Behind the bar, the wall was covered with a shady mirror. Edgy music played in the background and people, downing one drink after another, leaned over the bar or along its edges. Some talked to each other; most didn’t.
When Cindy’s eyes grew accustomed to the light, she suddenly saw Benita sitting way at the end, pouring a drink down her throat and making odd sounds, liked a caged animal.
“My God, Benita’s completely wasted,” Cindy murmured. “She’s out of control.”