Death by Betrayal (Book #10 in the Caribbean Murder series)

by Jaden Skye

  They kissed deeply again then, and Cindy felt as if her life were returning. The joy of being with Mattheus again assuaged the pain Cindy had been feeling. It also caused her to forget what he’d come to the room for a few minutes ago.

  Cindy pulled away gently. “You had something to tell me, Mattheus?” she whispered softly.

  Mattheus too smiled as if he’d forgotten everything being back in her arms.

  “What happened?” Cindy murmured, “what do you have to tell me?”

  “Come let’s sit down,” Mattheus said.

  They sat close together on the couch. “I hate to talk about this right now,” he whispered. “I’d rather talk about us, our future.”

  “We’ll have plenty of time for doing that later,” Cindy curled up next to him. “We’ve got to stay focused on Ann.”

  “Okay,” Mattheus pulled himself together. “I have intense news for you.”

  “What is it?” Cindy began to feel slightly alarmed.

  “Grenfield recognized the photo I showed him of Frank. After we talked awhile, he finally admitted to knowing Frank well. Apparently he and Frank speak on the phone regularly.”

  Cindy grew uneasy. “And?” she asked trying to find out what Grenfield actually said.

  “I had to definitely establish that Grenfield knew Frank,” Mattheus continued, “so after I showed him the photo, I asked him for Frank’s cell phone number, to corroborate it.”

  “Yes?” Cindy was waiting for the bomb to fall.

  “Grenfield didn’t have the right number,” Mattheus said softly.

  Cindy wasn’t sure what he was getting at.

  “He had another number for Frank that they communicated on.” Mattheus stopped and stared at Cindy.

  “What is it?” Cindy still didn’t know what Mattheus was getting at.

  “None of us have any record of this other number at all. Frank’s got a hidden cell phone. And possibly a hidden life!”

  “I wouldn’t go that far,” said Cindy. “Others may have this number!”

  Mattheus shook his head. “This number is unofficial and hidden. I’ve already checked with the police.”

  “You’ve done what?” Cindy shot up, like a flare. “You called the police first, without telling me?”

  “Of course I called the police,” Mattheus looked confused. “I had to check immediately, see if they had this number, or knew where it lead.”

  “No you didn’t have to do that without asking me,” Cindy was frightened. “Whose side are you on, anyway?”

  Mattheus looked horrified. “What are you talking about? You want me to hide evidence in a murder investigation?”

  “Not hide it, just postpone handing it over, until we know more,” Cindy voice got high and thin.

  “Cindy, your brother in law has been operating with an unknown cell phone number, that’s a big deal,” Mattheus uttered. “The police have to check the calls on it, see where they come from.”

  Cindy closed her eyes quickly. Her head started pounding. “You’ve already given his private phone number to the police?” she barely took it in.

  “Of course I have, it’s procedure,” Mattheus answered. “They’re checking it as we speak.”

  “Oh God, oh God,” Cindy started trembling.

  Mattheus stood up and took her in his arms. “Don’t imagine the worst,” he whispered quickly. “It could be a great find. The numbers on it could lead us to the killer.”

  “Nothing will lead us to the killer,” Cindy suddenly started wailing, startling both Mattheus and herself as well.

  “Something will,” said Mattheus softly. “And we have to be ready for the truth.”

  “The truth, the truth,” Cindy pulled away from him swiftly, “the truth has many faces and colors. It doesn’t always look like what it seems.”

  “I know,” said Mattheus, agitated, “that’s why we don’t leave any stone unturned, even if they’re part of the family.”

  “Frank didn’t kill my sister,” Cindy called out then, emphatically. “Just because he has a hidden cell phone number doesn’t mean a thing.”

  “You’re protecting him, hiding from the facts,” Mattheus responded firmly. “We need to get into his computer right away and I need to speak to him immediately.”

  “Right now? Tonight?” Cindy answered breathless.

  “Not tonight,” Mattheus put his hands on her shoulders to steady her. “First thing tomorrow morning will be fine.”

  Despite herself Cindy started crying.

  Mattheus stood quietly by as she cried, and then slowly asked her. “What about your night, Cindy? What did you find?”

  Cindy forcefully pulled herself together. “Beggio said he didn’t know Frank. There were lots of people at the party. One woman there, Penny, claimed to have recognized Frank - though she wasn’t sure where she saw him.”

  Mattheus’s eyebrows raised. “Sounds like Frank’s part of the scene down here,” he murmured.

  “Not necessarily,” Cindy fought back. “He comes down for business, we know that already. So, when he’s down here he takes in the sights. That’s not proof of anything.”

  “No, it’s not,” Mattheus agreed.

  “But you’re on board with the police, aren’t you?” Cindy asked. “You all feel that Frank’s the killer!”

  Mattheus looked down for a moment. “The police feel Frank’s deeply involved. I don’t know for sure, but it isn’t looking good right now.”

  Cindy shook her head, bewildered. “I thought you came down here to help me, Mattheus.”

  “Of course I did,” he held shoulders tighter then, as if to wake her up. “When we find the killer I’m helping you, aren’t I? Do you want to protect Frank or do you want justice?”

  Cindy was stunned by the question, how could he even ask?

  “Of course I want justice,” she breathed, “justice for Ann, justice everyone.”

  “Good,” said Mattheus.

  “Including Frank,” Cindy added.

  “I know, I know,” Mattheus spoke softly. “Let’s go to bed now. Things will look different in the morning. First thing I want to talk to Frank, get his password. Then the boat races start in the afternoon. We can even take some time later on and go to them.”

  “Alright,” Cindy acquiesced. “You can talk to Frank first thing in the morning, but remember, there’s no real evidence yet. And remember, he’s just lost his wife. Take it easy on him, please.”

  “I’ll take it easy, I’ll be good to him,” said Mattheus reassuringly.

  Cindy saw Mattheus’s looking down at her sadly.

  “I know you will, Mattheus” Cindy said, suddenly sorry for doubting him. “You’re good and fair to everyone.”

  *

  Mattheus went back to his room to sleep and planned to join Cindy first thing the next morning for breakfast and then to speak to Frank.

  Cindy slept fitfully all night long with ragged dreams she could not make sense of. In one of them she was looking for Ann on a beach filled with pebbles. In the middle of the pebbles were shards of broken glass. In the middle of the glass a small diamond was shining, it was so small Cindy almost passed it by.

  When Mattheus rang the doorbell first thing the next morning, Cindy had barely woken up. She answered the door dressed, but groggy.

  “I already ordered breakfast up to the room,” Mattheus said as he entered, all washed, fresh and ready to go. “We’ll have our eggs and coffee and be ready to tackle the world.”

  Cindy always loved that about Mattheus, he didn’t let anything stop him or keep him down. He just kept going, step by step until he found what he wanted. What we need is right here, he would always tell her, buried in plain sight. Cindy usually found that inspiring, but it was harder to go along with his energy now with own family involved.

  They ate breakfast quickly and Cindy called Frank’s room to speak to him. She decided she would arrange the interview between him and Mattheus.

  The phone rang and
rang, but no one answered. Cindy looked at Mattheus blankly then.

  “He’s not answering,” she said in a small voice.

  “Call his other number then,” Mattheus said in a clipped tone.

  “I can’t do that,” said Cindy. “He’ll know right away we’ve found it.”

  “You’re right about that,” said Mattheus. “We can’t let him know that until we’ve find out more.”

  “I’ll call my mother,” Cindy offered then. “She has to know where Frank is. She can get hold of him for us.”

  Mattheus looked pleased. “Great that you’re willing to do that,” he responded. “Makes perfect sense.”

  Cindy put in a call to her mother immediately. Fortunately, she picked right up.

  “I need to talk to Frank, mom,” Cindy started. “Do you happen to know where he is?”

  Her mother paused for a moment, “Actually I don’t,” she replied, edgy. “In fact, I was planning to call you in a little while and ask you the same thing.”

  Cindy took a swift breath in. “What do you mean you don’t know where he is?”

  “Your uncles and I were calling him all day yesterday and he didn’t pick up. Ben said that Frank probably needs a little time alone, went somewhere to be away. He’s still on the island, obviously, but we don’t know where right now.”

  Cindy got cold all over. “That’s not acceptable,” she murmured.

  “Well, acceptable or not, that’s how it is,” her mother responded snippy and hung up the phone.

  Mattheus was listening and watching closely.

  “They don’t know where he is at the moment,” Cindy murmured.

  “So I gathered,” Mattheus was on the alert.

  “He could just need some time alone to grieve for Ann,” Cindy searched for excuses.

  “Yes,” Mattheus answered, “or he could be with someone right now.”

  “Who?” Cindy answered outraged.

  “Don’t worry, we’ll find out,” said Mattheus heavily. “The police have been checking those hidden cell phone calls. Once we know who they are from, we’ll have a better idea where Frank’s holed up right now.”

  Cindy broke out into a little sweat. He’s not hiding, she had to remind herself. He obviously has a life down here, and could just be spending time with some friends.

  “Let’s get to the boat races early,” Cindy said to Mattheus. “The woman I met at Beggio’s party thought she’d seen Frank there. Maybe there’s nothing suspicious, maybe Frank’s taking a breather at the water? He loves boats and races.”

  “Good idea,” Mattheus agreed.

  Chapter 16

  It seemed as if all of Bermuda had gathered for the races. The atmosphere down at the water was lively and festive, people were sprawled out on blankets with picnic lunches, some were sitting on benches, others trimming the shore, waving their favorites on. Music was playing and vendors were selling food and souvenirs of all kind. It was a perfect day too, with the sun shining brightly. Cindy knew it would be a long shot to spot Frank here, but you never knew, had to cover every possibility. Guilt couldn’t stay hidden forever, especially not when flashlights were on, searching for the truth. One of the rules she and Mattheus had lived by was that sooner or later whoever you needed to see was drawn to you. Over and over again Cindy had been amazed by the unexpected meetings that had taken place in the midst of an investigation, the pieces of vital information dropped innocently enough. The investigators just had to keep their antenna wide open and not overlook anyone who drifted their way.

  “What a spectacle,” Mattheus exclaimed as they approached the gala celebration. “What’s the chance of spotting Frank here?”

  “Probably ten to one against it,” Cindy commented, looking around at the boisterous crowds.

  “We just need to be a little patient,” said Mattheus. “The police will call soon with more information.”

  Cindy recoiled. She didn’t want the police all over this, wanted to get in and do the work herself.

  “Is that the Cindy Blaine I just met yesterday?” Cindy heard a voice calling to her. Cindy turned and there was that woman Linda, she’d seen at Beggio’s party.

  “Hi, Linda,” said Cindy, turning to greet her. “And this is my partner, Mattheus.”

  “Is this a fabulous day or what?” Linda asked, smiling at Mattheus plainly.” No one in their right mind misses the races. So glad to see you here.”

  Cindy didn’t like her overly familiar attitude, but tried to overlook it.

  “Oh, there’s my friend Ronnelle,” Linda waved to her brightly. “We’re all together, no one absent.”

  “What about Frank?” Mattheus asked lightly then.

  “Who’s Frank?” Linda looked confused a second, then quickly remembered. “Oh, is he the guy Cindy had the photo of the other night?”

  “Right,” said Mattheus.

  Linda smiled at Mattheus boldly. “I have no idea at all about him,” she answered, doing a little side step, “we talked all about it at Toni’s party. You were there last night, were you though?”

  “Nope, sorry I missed it,” Mattheus played along with her. Cindy knew Mattheus was being charming in order to cull information from her, but still Cindy felt rankled.

  “Well, I’ve got to run to my friends,” Linda looked down the way, at Ronnelle beckoning to her.

  “You guys are welcome to join us, if you care to.”

  “Thanks,” said Cindy, “but -.”

  “We will in a little while,” Mattheus interrupted, as Linda did a little turn and smiled at him over her slim, beautiful shoulders.

  “Good,” Linda said, “looking forward to it.”

  “Why join them?” ask Cindy irritated.

  “Why not?” said Mattheus. “Someone knows something and we need to be positioned to hear about it.”

  “I already spoke to that crew at the party,” said Cindy.

  “So, I’ll take a turn now,” said Mattheus. “I can go alone if that would work better. There’s plenty of other people around you can talk to.”

  Cindy knew he was right. That was their M.O. They always broke up in order to use their time wisely and have more impact on the people they were with.

  “Okay,” she said, “go talk to the ladies. I’ll wander around and see who I run into, what else I can find.”

  “I’ll meet you back here in this spot in about half an hour,” said Mattheus. “This way we’ll have used our time optimally. If you’re going to be delayed, give me a call.”

  *

  Cindy felt both uneasy about Mattheus’s joining the ladies and relieved to have time to wander alone. Even during the short time she’d been here, the crowds had grown thicker. Cindy decided to just walk amidst the throngs of people and see who and what came her way. The day was warm and sunny, and at the very least she’d have some exercise and time to relax.

  Cindy wandered a bit, looking at the happy couples and families, enjoying this summer day to the hilt. All of them seemed like strangers to her and certainly she was a stranger to them all. No one had the least idea of who she was or why she was here. Though she looked like them on the surface, no one would imagine that she was actually hunting down a killer. Nor did they realize for a second that a killer could be wandering among them right now.

  Suddenly, to her surprise, Cindy heard her name being called.

  “Hey, Cindy, hold up a minute. I’m so glad to see you again.”

  Cindy turned swiftly and to her surprise, there was Evan Price, gliding towards her purposefully. He was the last one she’d imagined she’d meet at the races.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked him astonished.

  “I could ask you the same thing,” he smiled broadly. “How are you doing? How is it going?”

  Despite herself Cindy was glad to see him.

  “I’ve heard that you wowed everyone at Beggio’s party, all decked out in jewels,” Evan couldn’t seem to take his eyes off her.

  “How did you he
ar that?” Cindy was astonished.

  “Nothing goes on here that everyone doesn’t hear about,” Evan’s voice dropped a few octaves. “I was thrilled that you took my advice and went to see Beggio. That’s your best lead. Don’t get distracted, don’t take the pressure off that guy.”

  “Beggio’s party didn’t yield much,” Cindy spoke frankly. “Beggio said he’d never heard of Frank.”

  “Don’t believe a word of it,” Evan whispered. “Beggio’s heard about everything.”

  “One woman at the party said she vaguely recognized Frank from his photo,” Cindy added.

  “That’s something,” Evan was pleased to hear that.

  “Not much. I need specifics,” Cindy answered sharply.

  “You’ll get them,” Evan seemed certain. “And in the meantime, tell your good looking partner, Mattheus, to stay away from Grenfield.”

  Cindy was stunned at that. “Why?”

  “Grenfield’s a master of planting false leads,” Evan Price went on quickly.

  Cindy was amazed and fascinated. “Grenfield told Mattheus about a hidden cell phone number Frank had,” she immediately blurted out. Cindy was thrilled to be able to talk about it to someone who was sympathetic to her.

  “Yeah, yeah,” said Evan sarcastically, “everyone in Bermuda has a hidden cell phone number. It doesn’t mean a thing.”

  Cindy was relieved to hear that. “Mattheus gave the number to the police immediately,” Cindy quickly continued.

  “Dumb move,” said Evan. “The police grab at anything they can find. Once they close the case it’s a feather in their cap. Of course they want to nail your brother in law - it will make them look good.”

  “That’s what I felt right away,” said Cindy.

  Evan stopped talking a minute and looked at her closely. “That was quite a necklace your partner got you,” he remarked slowly.

  “How do you know Mattheus got it for me?” Cindy was astonished.

  “I have friends at Beggio’s party,” Evan commented. “I have friends everywhere keeping an eye out for me. In fact, I heard Mattheus bought the necklace for you that very morning.”