by Jaden Skye
Lance quickly stepped into the conversation, “Of course, formally, we have a missing person’s case. At the moment the body has not been recovered. But by now, that’s just a formality. No one expects to find her alive. What are the chances that the victim swam up from the depths and landed safely on shore? Highly unlikely, I’d say. And the bigger question would then be, where did she escape to, from whom and why?”
Cindy was interested to hear them refer to Allie as a victim. Did the police feel she was the victim of an accident or of a crime?
“Authorities have scoured not only the waters, but every inch of the Island by now,” Lance continued. “It’s common not to find the body in a scuba diving accident. There are all kinds of predatory fish that live under the waters, tangled plants, moss, reefs. Parts of the body could have gotten separated, something stranded here or there. I don’t mean to be graphic -,” and he gave Cindy a narrow smile.
Cindy did not smile back. She felt uneasy listening to him.
“Of course the families are grieving and frightened,” Lance continued. “That’s to be expected. It’s a bit unusual to call private detectives in, though. We have the best reputation for police work in all of the Caribbean.”
“It’s not personal,” Cindy said directly to him. “I know the groom’s mother.”
“Interesting,” replied Lance. “Well,” he said to Mattheus, “we’re glad you’ve arrived. I’m going back up to the Interrogation room now. Come and join us when you’ve unpacked.”
“We will,” said Mattheus, “and thanks for everything.”
*
The hotel room was unexpectedly beautiful, luxurious, a super deluxe suite. There were burgundy silk bedspreads with gorgeous hand painted throw cushions on it. Under the marble tables were exquisite rugs, and large open windows overlooked the sand. Their luggage had already arrived and was neatly placed in one corner. On a large table in the center of the room, was a bouquet of fresh flowers and a gift basket awaited them filled with fruit, wine and candies. The only thing missing was rose petals on the floor. Except for the two single beds, they could certainly have been entering a honeymoon suite.
“To what do we owe this honor?” asked Mattheus letting out a low whistle as he took it all in.
Cindy went over to the gift basket. There was a small note besides it and she opened it up.
We cannot thank you enough for joining us here and helping. We’ve done all we can to make your stay pleasant. Please make yourself comfortable and then let us know when you have arrived. We are most eager to have you meet everyone here. Edward McPharlen.
Edward McPharlen was Dana’s husband, Peter’s father. Clearly he’d arranged all of this. A well-known financier, who worked both in the States and down here on the Islands, he would certainly know just who to contact to arrange the perfect amenities.
“How well do you know this McPharlen guy?” Mattheus asked, taken aback by their quarters.
“The McPharlens were good friends of Clint’s family for years,” said Cindy. “I met them a few times in passing. They were actually guests at our wedding. Edward, the father has a fine reputation. As I recall he’s an upstanding guy, sponsors one of the biggest charities on Long Island.”
Mattheus kept looking around, taking it all in. Cindy was surprised that it made him so uneasy.
“They’ve sure got lots of money to spread around,” Mattheus murmured. “These guys can have weddings wherever they like, invite hundreds of guests - it doesn’t mean a thing to them.”
“Yes, they’re wealthy,” said Cindy, “but they’re also generous. His money helps many people.”
Mattheus clicked his tongue a few times and turned to Cindy, “We really don’t know anything about how he operates,” he said. “For all we know somebody got jealous of him – very, very jealous.”
Cindy watched Mattheus’s eyes roam around the room and wondered if it was himself he was talking about. Was he was jealous of this wealth?
“Do you begrudge Edward his success?” Cindy asked directly.
Mattheus looked over at her, stung. “I wouldn’t say I begrudge anybody anything,” he said abruptly. “But there are plenty of people out there who could live for years on half of what this wedding cost – the wedding that never took place, after all.”
Cindy didn’t like Mattheus’s comment. She felt strangely unnerved by it. Her wedding to Clint had taken place, but they’d never had a chance at their marriage either. Mattheus himself had come from more modest circumstances than she had, but none of it meant a thing to her. Cindy hadn’t seen this side of Mattheus before so clearly. But then again, they’d never been faced with this kind of lavishness before.
“Why don’t you call this Edward guy and tell him we’ve arrived?” said Mattheus briskly.
“Don’t you want to change from the trip or shower?” asked Cindy.
“No, I’m ready to go right to work,” Mattheus said.
Cindy could see he was getting revved up again. It saddened her for a moment. She’d hoped they’d have even a little time together, even just to stand on the balcony and look out at the sea.
“Okay,” she said in a clipped tone, and picked up the phone to call Edward McPharlen and tell him they were ready to go.
CHAPTER 3
Edward McPharlen sounded startled when the call came from Cindy, telling him that they had arrived.
“That’s fabulous,” he said, “we’ve been counting the hours. Thank you so very much.”
“It’s our pleasure,” said Cindy, “where would you like to meet?”
“How about the back veranda of the hotel, it’s quieter there and more private,” he said in a hushed tone, leading Cindy to wonder who he feared might be listening to their conversation. “How soon can you come?”
“Immediately,” said Cindy, not missing a beat.
“Really?” He sounded impressed. “You don’t need some time to settle in and catch your breath?”
“We’re ready,” said Cindy, “and thank you so much for the flowers and basket.”
“It’s the least we could do,” he said, ever the gentleman Cindy remembered him to be. “We’ll be down there in five minutes then.”
“We’re on,” said Cindy to Mattheus, “let’s go.”
Cindy and Mattheus easily found their way to the back veranda. They took the elevator to the main floor, turned towards the back of the sprawling hotel and stepped outside along a narrow walking path that led through groves, down an incline, to a beautiful, thatched, outdoor veranda.
Almost empty, the veranda was situated underneath a large straw roof, where the late afternoon sun could filter through. Only a few tables had guests at them, talking to each other, drinks in their hands.
Cindy and Mattheus arrived at the entranceway and were shown to a table at the side, nestled out of view, besides vines of bourgenvallias.
The Maitre D’ held out Cindy’s seat and she slipped in gracefully.
“We’ll both have Sangria,” Mattheus said, as he took his seat.
Cindy looked at Mattheus, uneasy. In the beginning of their relationship, he used to order her food without checking with her, but that had longed ceased. She had no idea what led him to believe that she wanted a glass of Sangria now.
As if reading her mind, Mattheus said, “You once told me Sangria was your favorite drink. Just wanted to let you know I didn’t forget.”
Cindy sighed and decided not to make more of this. Mattheus was just being considerate and besides, they had much more important matters at hand. In a moment or two Edward and Dana would be arriving. She wanted to create a calm, settled atmosphere for them.
True to their word, a few minutes later, Cindy looked up and saw Edward and Dana McPharlen walk into the veranda and over to their table without a moment’s hesitation. Edward was tall, with salt and pepper hair, impeccably groomed, and dressed in casual linen slacks and a conservative, blue sport shirt. Dana, who seemed pale and drawn, looked a bit more disheveled, her
hair drifting down along the sides of her face in some disarray.
Mattheus stood up as they approached and so did Cindy.
Before Cindy could say a word, Dana rushed over and hugged her. It was almost as if Dana were a little girl holding onto her mother. Cindy felt Dana’s fear wash through her.
Mattheus introduced himself to Edward and they all sat back down and pulled their chairs a bit closer to one another.
“I’m so sorry,” Cindy kept saying to both Dana and Edward, looking back and forth between them.
“This is not our son’s fault,” Dana started shaking her head, “Peter didn’t do a thing. This is a nightmare we can’t wake up out of.”
Edward was calmer, more deliberate. “We wanted to meet you in the back of the hotel because police and plain clothes men are all over, watching and listening to everything. They’ve got cameras and videos hidden everywhere. For all we know some are seated right beside us.”
Cindy looked around briefly, but most tables were empty.
“The police have to make sure that nothing escapes them, of course,” said Edward.
“They don’t think it was an accident?” Mattheus asked plainly.
“They’re on the fence about that,” Edward answered, clearing his throat. “At least that’s what they tell me. I, for one though, have no idea why they feel that way. These scuba diving accidents are not unusual from what I understand.”
“And Peter is a certified diver,” said Dana, her voice faltering. “He’s done all kinds of dives, has been diving since high school.”
“He’s not the one who’s missing though, the bride is,” said Mattheus plainly. “Was she an experienced diver, too?”
Both Edward and Dana grew silent.
“Yes, she was very experienced,” Dana finally answered, sadly.
“That’s what the police keep asking,” said Edward growing somber. “They’re wondering how it happened, if both of them were so experienced. Or, why at the least, Peter couldn’t protect her. How did he allow the two of them to become separated underwater, knowing all he did?”
“It’s not a fair question though,” Dana interjected, “it just isn’t.”
The waiter brought the Sangria over and Cindy lifted it to her lips, but couldn’t drink it.
Mattheus drank his in almost one, long gulp.
“It was an evening dive,” Dana began whimpering. “Visibility wasn’t great. The two of them swam in different directions for a little while, they got separated.”
Obviously, that was her son’s story, thought Cindy.
“How do you know they swam in different directions?” Mattheus asked her bluntly.
Dana seemed startled by his briskness. “Peter told us. There’s no reason he would lie.”
Edward reached out and put his hand over his wife’s. “Of course there isn’t,” he soothed her.
“There has to be a presumption of innocence,” Mattheus responded. “They need hard evidence to prove anything different.”
“Of course they do,” Edward bristled. “And it’s also only a presumption that she died, anyway. There’s no trace of her body. All that they found was the equipment that she must have pulled off.”
Cindy was surprised. It was the first time she’d heard that detail.
“The question is why she got rid of her equipment?” said Cindy softly. She wanted to stay grounded, soothe the anxiety that was circling around the table.
Edward sat up straighter. “Actually, a report just came in an hour ago,” he looked straight in Cindy’s eyes, “they found something wrong with the equipment. A faulty air gauge. They’re wondering if it had been tampered with.”
“That’s huge,” Mattheus exclaimed, picked up his Sangria glass and drained the last drops dry. “That speaks to foul play!”
“I hadn’t heard that,” said Dana, trembling.
“I just found out,” Edward answered, “I was going to tell you.”
“Does it make it look worse for Peter?” Dana turned to Cindy imploringly. “Does it? Tell me?”
“Not necessarily,” said Cindy.
“They seem to be focusing on him entirely, though,” Dana’s eyes filled with tears.
“That’s because he was the last to see her alive,” said Cindy quietly. “It’s a matter of routine.”
“Who else was on the dive with them?” Mattheus interjected. “Did they rent their equipment? Who was the Captain of the boat?”
“They had their own equipment,” Edward spoke methodically. “It was kept in their hotel room and they brought it with them for the dive. Nobody else went down underwater with them.”
“It was a romantic evening dive before the wedding,” Dana spoke fitfully. “I told Peter not to go, there were so many details still to be taken care of. But he and Allie both loved evening diving, it relaxed them. He said they needed a break. Besides, they’d done it so many times. In fact, it was scuba diving that brought them together. They met at a group dive three years ago.”
“Have the police spoken to the Captain of the boat?” Mattheus turned his attention to Edward.
“Yes, his name is Jared Flay,” said Edward. “He owns one of the one of the best Diver Shops on the Island. He’s taken hundreds of people out. He and Peter have known each other for a long while. They’ve been out together many times before.”
“It was a routine dive, routine, that’s all,” Dana said emphatically.
“I get it,” said Mattheus.
“Get what?” Edward bristled for a moment. “What is there to get?”
“I get that this is complicated,” said Mattheus. “There are lots of factors to consider when someone disappears.”
Cindy suddenly realized that this scenario had to be re-kindling Mattheus’s fresh memory of his wife going missing and the years of torture that went with it.
“These things are never what they seem to be,” said Mattheus bluntly. “These cases can twist and wind you in a thousand directions before you find out what really went on.”
Dana sat up straighter at that. “Find out now! We don’t have time to twist and wind in a thousand directions. Our family and closest friends are here at the hotel for the wedding. Speak to them all, and to those on the bride’s side as well.”
It struck Cindy that this was the first time they’d mentioned anything about the bride. Their entire concern so far had been for their son’s safety. That was normal enough, she guessed. Everything had happened so quickly, they all still had to be in shock.
“How are the bride’s parents doing?” Cindy asked quietly then.
Both Edward and Dana looked away. “They’re extremely private people,” said Edward finally. “If truth be known, we haven’t seen them at all since this all happened. We tried to offer condolences but they wouldn’t have any part of it. They’re just holed up in their room.”
“They’ve got to be devastated,” said Dana. “Can you only imagine how you would feel if this happened to Peter?”
“I cannot,” said Edward, “and I don’t want to. I also don’t want Peter to take the punishment for a crazy accident right before his wedding.”
Mattheus and Cindy shared a sudden glance. Peter’s parents were convinced of his innocence, but who knew what had actually gone on - not only under the water, but also between Peter and Allie.
“Have the bride’s family and wedding party been interviewed?” Cindy asked.
“Yes, they have,” said Edward, “the police here pride themselves on being thorough. Naturally, they haven’t told us what her family said.”
“Tell us a little about the relationship between Peter and Allie,” said Cindy.
Allie was an only child,” Dana looked at Cindy knowingly. “She was extremely attached to Peter almost from the start. Peter always felt that it was up to him to take care of her. That’s why this has to be particularly devastating for him as well.”
“What do you mean very attached?” asked Mattheus.
Edward stood up at tha
t moment and then sat down again. He didn’t like what he’d heard being said.
“Peter and Allie were very compatible,” Edward insisted. “I don’t know why Dana says they were overly attached! Peter always seemed happy when I saw him with Allie. I said that to Dana, again and again.”
“Did Dana feel otherwise?” Mattheus asked.
“It’s not that,” Dana burst in, “mothers see things one way, fathers another. Edward is simply saying that he admired Allie, was looking forward to having her as a daughter in law. Allie was quite different from me. It might have been a relief for him. I can be a very strong woman at times, perhaps a bit overwhelming.”
“Did I ever say you were overwhelming?” said Edward, irritated.
“Not in so many words, of course,” Dana replied.
“How else were you and Allie so different?” Cindy asked Dana, alerted.
“Allie went along with whatever Peter wanted,” Dana replied. “I wondered about it at times and so did others. Some people thought she didn’t have a mind of her own, or was too malleable. But she did well in school, had a good job in advertising. Everyone who knew her liked her a lot.”
“Did you like her?” asked Cindy.
“Of course Dana liked her,” Edward jumped in quickly. “We all loved her. Would we have made a wedding like this and paid for every bit of it, if we didn’t?”
“Quite a shindig,” Mattheus said, reprovingly.
“My son works in my company and has been down on the Island all through his life. He loves it here and so do I. Peter completely deserves this wedding.”
“Did I ever say he didn’t?” Dana gasped.
“Not you,” Edward was growing heated, “but Mattheus is suggesting something -.”
Cindy wanted to immediately cut into the tension between them.
“And the bride’s family?” she asked Dana, “were they happy about the wedding?”
“They couldn’t care less where the wedding was held,” Dana said emphatically.
“That seems odd,” Cindy replied.
“Of course they care,” Edward corrected Dana, “they’re just not in the league to pay for this kind of thing. They were happy to have us do it for them.”