Death by Temptation

by Jaden Skye

  “Rod didn’t like it, though,” Mattheus continued. “He thought you should have gotten permission from Rowley first.” It felt to Cindy as though Mattheus was siding with Rod.

  “What is this really about, Mattheus?” Cindy took a few steps away. “Is there some family feud I’ve inadvertently stepped into?”

  Cindy saw Rod throw Mattheus a knowing look. “See that, she’s trying to drum up trouble between all of us now,” Rod muttered. “That’s what women do, make things complicated, look for ways get under your bones.”

  Mattheus put his hands on Rod’s shoulders. “It’s okay, pal,” he uttered.

  “There’s nothing okay about it, Mattheus,” Rod mumbled. “Open your eyes and take a good look. You want to know why things haven’t worked out between you and Cindy so far? Take a good look.”

  Mattheus said nothing and Cindy was appalled. Obviously Rod had taken a dislike to her and was trying to get in between their relationship. It wasn’t unusual for a grieving family member to thrash around for someone to take out their anger on. Obviously Cindy had become the butt for Rod’s upset now. But why wasn’t Mattheus setting him straight, standing up for her? That was more upsetting than anything else.

  Cindy turned away, flushed and angry. She wasn’t going to get pulled into this, or let Rod’s distress derail her from the job she had to do. Her first priority was finding Kara, no matter how many obstacles came along, trying to get in her way.

  “I think it’s a good idea for you go to our room now, Cindy,” Mattheus said quietly, trying to defuse the situation.

  “Fine,” Cindy agreed. She was thankful that she’d had some time alone with Rowley before Rod returned, but wanted more. “I’ll be back though,” she added, flinging a quick warning glance at Rod, who had his back toward her and would not turn around.

  *

  Back in the room, Cindy waited fitfully for Mattheus. Although she could give herself plenty of reasons why Mattheus hadn’t stood up to Rod for her, it was hard to believe any of them. Certainly, family members had a right to go crazy when someone went missing or was harmed. It was also expected for them to lash out at others. But it was also necessary for them to be put in their place. They had to be made to understand that law enforcement wasn’t the enemy. Someone had to set things straight and Mattheus had always done it before. Cindy was agitated and eager to talk to him about it.

  As she waited for Mattheus to return the phone rang suddenly. This had to be him, she thought, asking her to come downstairs and meet him in one of the exquisite restaurants in the hotel for dinner. He probably hoped they could unwind and dine there together. It would be a perfect way to clear things up.

  “Yes?” Cindy answered hopefully as she picked up.

  “Cindy, this is Frank,” the male voice on the other end answered. It was Cindy’s brother-in-law, her dead sister’s husband.

  “Frank?” Cindy was stunned. “Why in the world are you calling me here? Is something wrong? Is my mother all right?”

  “Your mother’s fine,” Frank answered soothingly. “I’m so glad you picked up.”“Why did you call?” Cindy repeated.

  “Why wouldn’t I call?” Frank went on. “I heard you were down in St. Lucia’s and I wanted to check in on you. Your sister’s not here anymore to look after you, and I feel as though it’s my place now.”

  Although Cindy was surprised to hear from her brother-in-law, she was also strangely comforted. She’d been thinking about Ann and missing her a great deal these days.

  “That’s kind of you, Frank,” Cindy responded. “Actually, Ann has been on my mind.”

  “She’s been on my mind as well.” Frank seemed eager to talk. “It’s gets harder and harder without her around.”

  “Yes, it does,” agreed Cindy. Right after a loss, it was often easier, Cindy realized. One always expected the loved one to return, or to wake up suddenly from what seemed like a dream. When the days passed and none of that happened, when life had to go on without them, it was definitely a difficult time.

  “How are you doing, Frank?” Cindy asked kindly.

  “I’m getting along, but nothing’s the same anymore,” he said. “It will never be.”

  “No, it won’t,” Cindy echoed.

  “That’s why I wanted to call you,” Frank went on. “I know Ann would have wanted me to stay in touch. She thought about you all the time.”

  “Thanks for that,” said Cindy, truly appreciating it.

  “Are you down there on another case alone?” Frank asked then.

  “No, not at all,” Cindy replied quickly. “Mattheus is down here with me now.”

  “Mattheus?” Frank sounded shocked.

  “Yes, of course,” said Cindy.

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” Frank exclaimed. “Truly I am.”

  Cindy sighed. Frank had no right to be sorry, she thought. Now they were back to square one, the same old thing.

  “Ann never trusted Mattheus, she never liked him,” Frank couldn’t help add.

  “I know she didn’t, Frank,” Cindy replied, “but Ann’s not here now, is she? She’s not down on the islands solving cases. And when you’re on a case, it’s crucial to have someone at your side.”

  Frank became quiet then. “I understand, you’re right,” he said finally. “I shouldn’t have said that, I was just surprised.”

  “It’s okay, Frank,” said Cindy, relenting. “You meant the best for me, I know.”

  “I certainly do,” Frank responded. “And I’m asking you, please, please, don’t forget that. Stay in touch. You deserve the best, Cindy, only the best.”

  *

  The call from Frank unsettled Cindy even more than she’d been before. And his words rang in her ears: she deserved the best. But what was truly the best for her? That wasn’t a question that could be so easily answered. Whether or not she’d expected it, after Clint was killed and she’d become a detective, her life had taken a completely different turn.

  Cindy stood up and began pacing restlessly in the room. Where was Mattheus? Why was he taking so long? Cindy needed to see him and talk things over. She picked up her phone and called him right away.

  “What’s going on? Where are you?” Cindy exclaimed when he answered.

  “I’m still here with Rod,” Mattheus answered softly. “He needs me badly. Nothing about this looks good, Cindy.”

  I need you, too, Mattheus, Cindy wanted to say, but held back just in time. Rod was Mattheus’s old friend whose daughter had just gone missing. Of course Mattheus was doing the right thing staying at his side.

  ”What doesn’t look good?” Cindy asked, eager for more information.

  “Nothing?” Mattheus answered. “There’s absolutely no sign of Kara, no tips coming in, and the police are getting ready to call the search off.”

  “Already?” Cindy was upset.

  “They’re tapering it down anyway,” said Mattheus. “Rod’s furious, he’s beside himself.”

  “I see,” said Cindy, feeling distraught.

  “We’ll talk more when I get back,” Mattheus added, seemingly eager to get off the phone now.

  “When will that be?” asked Cindy, feeling at loose ends suddenly.

  “I can’t say when,” Mattheus answered quickly. “Whenever I’m through here. Do what you have to tonight. Don’t wait up for me, I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Cindy felt punched in the stomach as she hung up the phone. She felt dismissed, unnecessary. That was not Mattheus’s intent though, she quickly reminded herself. They weren’t down here on a vacation any longer, they were on a case, and solving it had to be the first priority. Cindy couldn’t allow personal feelings to confuse the situation. Normally Cindy

  enjoyed time alone, but right now she was on edge and restless, unsure about what steps to take next. She had no intention of spending the evening alone in the room, either. Instead, Cindy decided to get out and take a long walk in town, alone.

  CHAPTER 9

  Cindy fel
t she could walk off the anxiety that had suddenly taken grip of her. She put on a pair of jeans, loose shirt, and sneakers and left the hotel. There were many directions she could go in. Evening was falling though and soon it would be dark. Cindy decided to stay along the edge of town, but also give herself time in nature. There was a well-known trail called Angola that she’d always been curious about. Although you could see the lights of the town from the trail, it also wound through deep trees and underbrush, around waterfalls and natural alcoves created by tree branches.

  Cindy arrived at the edge of the trail, took a deep breath which was filled with the moisture of earth and leaves. It felt wonderful and refreshing already to be here. She would walk and walk, think of nothing, just let the natural rhythms of life guide her along her way.

  As Cindy began to walk she couldn’t help wonder about Kara. Were they searching for a ghost? Had she long left this world? Who among the people Cindy’d met so far could really help her? Suddenly Cindy heard a long, low whistle behind her and moved quickly to the side, into the shadow of a tree.

  “Cindy,” someone called out softly behind her.

  Cindy jumped, alarmed. Someone knows I’m here, I’ve been followed. Cindy trembled and thought of darting away through the shadows to the other side of the trail. But she had no idea where she was going and it was dark out.

  “Cindy,” the voice called again.

  Horrified, Cindy realized she had no choice but to stay where she was, face the person directly.

  “Yes?” she answered calmly, though her entire body was shaking by now.

  “It’s Alfred.” The voice got closer.

  Cindy turned around slowly and could make out his figure walking toward her methodically.

  “Alfred?” Cindy was astonished. “Did you follow me here?”

  “Yes, I did.” He was close up to her now.

  “You followed me? Why?” Cindy was appalled.

  “I wanted to make sure about you,” Alfred said slowly. “I’ve been checking on you and everyone carefully.”

  “And what did you find?” asked Cindy, mesmerized by him.

  “I like what I found out you.” Alfred’s voice grew clearer. “I’m sorry about the death of your husband, Clint.”

  “Thank you,” said Cindy, taken aback.

  “You’re a noble person, Cindy,” Alfred continued. “Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for anyone else.”

  Cindy didn’t want Alfred putting her on a pedestal or developing fantasies about her. “We’re all a mixture of everything, Alfred,” she said. “We all have noble moments, and lesser times, too.”

  “You’ve passed my test,” Alfred continued, unwaveringly. “So now I’m going to tell you more.”

  Cindy shivered. “More about Kara?”

  “Yes,” Alfred whispered as the moon shone down upon them from between the leaves.

  “Is it something you found out recently?” asked Cindy, fascinated.

  “Not at all,” Alfred declared. “After everyone said Kara disappeared, she sent me two emails, not one!”

  “Two emails?” Cindy couldn’t believe it. “Show them to me. I have to see them with my own eyes,” she demanded.

  “I knew you’d say that so I brought them here for you,” Alfred went on quickly.

  “How did you know I’d be here on the trail? I didn’t know myself,” Cindy spoke quickly.

  “I didn’t know you’d be on the trail,” Alfred continued. “I just waited to see where you’d go tonight. I knew Mattheus wasn’t with you. I found out that he was having a long dinner with Kara’s father, Rod.”

  “How did you find that out?” asked Cindy, agitated.

  “Because late today I called Rod and told him I was down at St. Lucia. I asked to see him and he said no. He told me he was having dinner with Mattheus tonight.”

  “Rod doesn’t like you?” asked Cindy, startled.

  “There are very few people Rod likes,” Alfred grumbled. “So what? He’s a jerk who doesn’t like anyone who doesn’t fit into his little world.”

  “Why don’t you fit in?” asked Cindy, breathless.

  “Because I’m too interesting and smart,” Alfred replied. “I don’t follow all Rod’s little rules. I follow myself, I follow my own mind.”

  Cindy was speechless. In his way Alfred was a tremendously impressive young man.

  “Rod likes Rowley though, doesn’t he?” Cindy followed up quickly.

  “Yeah, he likes him well enough. So what?” said Alfred.

  “Does Rod love his daughter, Kara?” Cindy couldn’t help asking.

  “Sure he does. Kara’s his whole world. Rod only stays with his wife for one reason, because of their daughter, Kara.”

  “Rod and Alice have problems?” asked Cindy.

  “Like everyone else, but it doesn’t matter.” Alfred pouted, annoyed with the line of questioning.

  “Everything matters,” Cindy answered, “every little thing. You never know when you’ll suddenly hear one detail that puts the whole picture together.”

  “I know,” said Alfred, his eyes gleaming again. “That’s why I wanted to show the second email to you.”

  “Thank you, thank you,” said Cindy, holding her hands out to take a look.

  The email was hard to read in the darkness. Cindy and Alfred moved away from the trees into a patch of open ground beneath the moon.

  Did I make a mistake, Alfred? the email started. So far, everything’s okay, but I keep wondering if I did something wrong. Are things going to stay like this always? Before the wedding a few things happened that shook me up. I didn’t have time to pay attention to them then. But I’m thinking about them now a lot. Love, Kara.

  “What things?” asked Cindy, alarmed, handing the email back to Alfred.

  “I don’t know,” said Alfred, pleased with Cindy’s reaction. “Kara didn’t tell me about them, but I’m looking into it now.”

  “But I thought she told you everything,” Cindy exclaimed.

  “She did,” said Alfred, “so this must have been something she didn’t want to face in the middle of the wedding preparations. She had enough on her mind.”

  “My God,” Cindy breathed. “You haven’t told anybody about this email, either?” She wanted to be completely sure.

  “You’re the only one who’s passed the test,” Alfred murmured.

  Cindy didn’t know what to do next.

  “Let’s keep walking on the trail,” Alfred suggested, seeing Cindy’s confusion. “Mattheus isn’t coming home until really late tonight, anyway.”

  “How do you know that?” Cindy asked, unnerved.

  “Because Rod likes long nights out with the boys,” Alfred replied. “Kara used to tell me about it. It bothered her mother a lot. So many nights Rod told her mother not to wait up for him, that he’d see her in the morning. It upset Kara, too.”

  Cindy trembled under the brightly shining moon. Those were the exact words Mattheus had said to Cindy. For a second Cindy felt as though Mattheus was bonding deeply with Rod and that she could easily lose him. She also felt that somehow Kara had sent Alfred to her, to help Cindy see the truth, and stay strong.

  *

  When Cindy awoke early the next morning, Mattheus was sleeping soundly beside her. The first thing she thought was how badly she wanted to tell him about the emails, even though Alfred said not to tell anyone who didn’t pass the test. Did Mattheus pass the test? What did that even mean? Of course Mattheus did, Cindy swiftly realized. It was crazy to think anything else. These emails were vitally important and Cindy couldn’t allow them to remain hidden. They threw a whole new light on whether or not Kara might still be alive. She would show them to Mattheus first thing, as soon as he awoke and dressed.

  *

  As soon as Mattheus awoke Cindy ordered breakfast up into the room. It was important that they have time together alone to go over everything now.

  Mattheus seemed somber at breakfast and tired. He’d stayed out much later t
han usual and Cindy even wondered if he might have had too much to drink.

  “Long day yesterday,” she remarked casually as they both poured themselves hot cups of coffee.

  “It was a good day, though,” Mattheus spoke evenly. “It’s been a long while since I’ve taken time to really catch up with an old friend.”

  Cindy drank her coffee slowly and said nothing.

  “Why are you so quiet this morning? Does it bother you that I hung out with Rod last night?” asked Mattheus.

  Cindy didn’t even know where to begin. To say it bothered her was off the point. Rod’s behavior toward Cindy, plus everything Alfred had said about him, made her deeply uneasy.

  “You have every right to spend as much time with a friend as you like,” Cindy responded.

  “So why do you look so glum?” asked Mattheus. “Your words and your actions aren’t matching up.”

  “I was disturbed by the way Rod behaved toward me,” Cindy answered, upset that she had to spell it all out.

  “It’s not a big deal, it wasn’t personal,” Mattheus interrupted. “For God’s sake, his only daughter’s just gone missing.”

  Cindy had never seen Mattheus quite like this before. Obviously Rod had sparked off something inside him.

  “I would have thought you’d say something to Rod about me on the spot,” Cindy went on. “It would have felt good to have gotten some back-up then.”

  “I had to back up Rod,” answered Mattheus abruptly. “He’s the one who needs it now. Why bring in your personal feelings at a time like this?”

  Cindy was completely taken off guard. This wasn’t like Mattheus at all.

  “It’s all part of the job,” Mattheus continued. “Rod’s devastated that the police will be calling off the search completely today. Soon he and his wife will have to go home without their daughter, without anything.”

  “Completely calling off the search? It’s too soon for that,” exclaimed Cindy. ”How can they? There’s a definite possibility that Kara’s still alive.”