by Jaden Skye
“Really?” Cindy was surprised.
“Yes, April actually loved all this drama,” breathed Kiera, “but it was never for me. For a long time I had nothing to do with this crowd.”
“What got you involved with them?” asked Cindy, curious.
“After April was killed, I wanted to find out all I could about every one of them. They’d all been close to my sister and I wanted to be close to them, too.”
“Naturally,” Cindy replied.
“And do you want to know what I really think now?” Little beads of sweat broke out on Kiera’s forehead.
“What?” asked Cindy, fascinated.
“I think the person who really killed April could also be responsible for Sparks’s death.” Kiera’s voice took on a harsh edge.
That was a huge statement and it stunned Cindy. “And who do you think that might be?” Cindy pulled no punches.
“It wasn’t Wess, that I know for sure,” replied Kiera. “He and April were friends, they liked each other.”
“Okay,” said Cindy, “so, who is it?”
“I can’t say for sure, of course.” Kiera began to back down. “Sparks’s death has upset me terribly, more than I can say.”
“Tell me anyway.” Cindy grew nervous.
“You can’t hold me to it, though,” said Kiera. “I’m not positive, of course.”
“I won’t hold you to anything, just tell me what you’re thinking.” Cindy’s voice got louder. “The killer could be on the loose right around us now, as we speak.”
“Oh my God,” said Kiera, “you’re right.”
“The next victim could be right around the corner.” Cindy needed to make the point strongly, to flush Kiera out.
“Benita can be very scary sometimes,” Kiera finally uttered.
“Benita?” Cindy swallowed hard.
“Benita was totally possessive of Sparks,” Kiera continued. “She couldn’t stand it if he even looked at another woman to say hello. She had to be the queen and have him completely for herself.”
“I heard Benita introduced Sparks to her friends, though, helped him build his company.” Cindy probed deeper.
“Yes, she did,” Kiera agreed. “But she did it to hold him close, make him indebted to her. Benita couldn’t stand it when Sparks was close to female clients. She always insisted that someone else take over. She always started wondering if Sparks and the woman were getting too intimate. The idea of that drove her crazy.”
Kiera’s story was chilling. “How do you know all this?” Cindy demanded.
“April told me,” Kiera snapped. “April complained about Benita again and again. At first Sparks accompanied April places and checked in with her. Soon Benita started calling whenever Sparks was with my sister, making snide remarks. Benita upset Sparks and little by little, April got handed over to someone else. For all we know that’s why she died.”
“But I heard they were clear about who killed her,” said Cindy.
“That’s what they say.” Kiera’s voice grew lower. “I never bought it for a second, though.”
“You think Benita had your sister killed?” Cindy’s head began to spin.
“I can’t help wondering,” Kiera replied. “Benita felt Sparks liked my sister too much.”
Cindy swallowed hard. “I need definite confirmation of all this,” she responded.
“I have people who can back my story up,” said Kiera quickly. “Plenty of them.”
“You think Benita also killed Sparks?” Cindy had to be certain.
“I do.” Kiera grabbed Cindy’s hand. “I think Benita got jealous of someone else, the next woman Sparks was close to, or looking after. Sparks interacted with lots of women. Whether Benita liked it or not, he had to. It was his job.”
“Who in particular?” Cindy felt frozen.
Kiera became silent.
“Tell me, Kiera!”
“I can’t say who,” Kiera finally responded. “One thing I am positive of, though, is that Wess is not the killer. Get him out of here as fast as you can for everyone’s sake!”
*
Cindy had a hard time sleeping that night, tossing and turning, going over every word Kiera had said.
“We need our sleep.” Mattheus reached out for her in bed and drew Cindy close to him. “After a good night’s sleep, we’ll be refreshed. Things will be clearer. We’ll get up early and go to the station to be there when they interview Wess.”
“Kiera is sure the killer is Benita,” Cindy kept murmuring.
“Everyone’s always sure of everything,” Mattheus mumbled back. “And then the truth comes to light. When it does things fall into place.”
“I’ve felt a little afraid of Benita myself,” whispered Cindy.
Mattheus put his face down on Cindy’s then. “You never have to be afraid of anyone, Cindy, not as long as I’m around.”
Cindy looked up at Mattheus’s beautiful eyes which were so close to hers.
“I love you so much, Mattheus,” she whispered.
“And I you,” he said. “And I feel for sure this will be over soon.”
“And once the case is over, then what?” asked Cindy softly.
“Then we’ll step out and move on,” said Mattheus. “Most of our guests are still here waiting. It will all be beautiful,” Mattheus reassured her, as Cindy tried once again to close her eyes and sleep.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Mattheus was right; Cindy felt much clearer in the morning and calmer as well. Somehow they’d both managed to have a good night’s sleep and it meant a lot. After a quick breakfast, Cindy and Mattheus headed down to the police station, as planned, to be there when Wess was interviewed. To Cindy’s amazement, Chief Mark Watson had even told Mattheus that he and Cindy could join in the questioning, if they wished.
Cindy and Mattheus arrived just a few moments before Wess was brought into the long, narrow room that was used to question suspects. Along with Chief Watson, a group of other officers were seated at one side of a table, across from the steel chair where Wess would be placed.
When Cindy and Mattheus walked in, Watson motioned to two seats which had been left free for them at the table, beside him. To what do we owe this honor? wondered Cindy. But Mattheus looked happy about it and confident, as if he and Chief Watson had worked something out.
After Cindy and Mattheus were seated, the door opened and Wess entered. Unlike Angua, Wess was dressed in civilian clothes, freshly showered and shaved. Wess immediately tossed a glance across the table at Cindy and Mattheus. Cindy nodded back encouragingly, but Mattheus made no response.
“Okay.” Chief Watson confronted Wess the moment he sat down. “Looking at the record, it seems there was plenty of bad blood between you and Sparks. Do you deny it?”
Wess cleared his throat slowly. “I wouldn’t exactly say bad blood,” he replied.
“Really? The record states that you were originally engaged to Sparks’s fiancée, Benita. Were you not?” Watson had no intention of backing down.
“I was,” said Wess, noncommittally.
“It also states that things were good between you and your fiancée until Sparks came along. Is that so?” Watson spoke in a clipped tone.
“Yes, they were good,” Wess agreed.
Cindy was impressed by Wess’s straightforwardness. He was not trying to evade the truth, or slip and slide all over the place. He was also not pretending he hadn’t cared for Benita.
“Must have hurt like hell when Sparks came and grabbed your lady away from you,” Watson goaded Wess in a nasty tone.
“Yes, it hurt.” Wess didn’t dispute it. “I got over it though.”
“I didn’t ask you that!” Watson became irritated. “Let’s just stick to the main point.” Clearly Watson was going for the kill, felt he had the right guy here.
However, Wess went on speaking, ignoring Watson’s warning. “Not only did I get over the breakup,” he said, “I started dating others, rather quickly.”
Watson riffled the papers that were before him on the table.
“The record also says that Sparks was also instrumental in getting you sent up to jail.” Watson’s voice took on a sneering tone. “You were put away for embezzling.”
“Those charges have been dropped. I was completely exonerated, and got out quickly,” Wess replied curtly.
“Trumped up charges?” Watson’s eyebrows rose.
“Absolutely.” Wess’s voice deepened.
“And why the hell would Sparks do that to you?” Watson peered at Wess.
A strange smile passed across Wess’s face. “You’d have to ask Sparks that yourself,” he said mockingly.
Watson didn’t take that well. “Listen, buddy, I’m not interested in any sarcasm from you. It looks to me like Sparks had it in for you big time. And it looks like you wanted to get back at him, too. Word is the minute you got out of jail you were like flypaper all over him.”
Wess looked up at the ceiling for a flashing moment. “That was because I wanted to stay close to Benita,” he replied. “She started calling me, asking for help.”
The courtroom fell silent for a moment.
“That’s news to me,” Watson replied.
“There’s a lot that’s news to you!” Wess took the offensive. “But if my ex-fiancée was in trouble and called for help, there was no way I was going to refuse her. What kind of guy would do that?”
Watson half rose in his seat and leered at Wess. “And what better reason to get rid of the guy who not only stole her from you, but was threatening her now? And had you thrown in jail to top it off. I’d say there’s plenty of motive to kill here.”
Wess’s face flushed as he half rose from his chair. “Sparks was completely rotten and everyone knew it. It wasn’t only me he double dealt, but most of the people he worked for. Why don’t you talk to them and find out who did or did not have motive to kill him?”
“Why don’t you sit your ass down and stop telling me how to run my business,” Watson slapped back.
“Take a look into Sparks’s accounts.” Wess was becoming rattled. “The guy had a bunch of rich people he was supposed to be guarding, but he had them all coughing up money for him. Recently, a client, April, got killed when she found out too much and was going to spill the beans. This guy was running a blackmailing operation.”
“You’ve got evidence of that?” Watson’s voice became tougher.
“Her sister Kiera knows about it,” Wess replied.
“Where the hell is Kiera?” asked Watson.
“She’s down in Belize right now too,” said Wess.
“Are you saying Kiera’s complicit?” Watson asked. “Throwing her under the bus?”
“Not at all,” said Wess. “But she’s got a wealth of evidence. Get her in here to talk!”
Watson rolled his eyes. He clearly had no intention of gathering witnesses and prolonging the case.
“Don’t you tell me who to get in here.” Watson slapped his papers on the desk. “Are you saying that Sparks was blackmailing you too?”
“What would he blackmail me for?” Wess became furious.
“How the hell do I know?” asked Watson.
“There’s nothing in the world to blackmail me for.” Wess let loose then. “But if you slobs all want to know the truth, it’s better for everyone that Sparks is dead. I’m happy about it. The world’s a safer place without him in it. And there’s not one thing you have to link me to his death.”
Watson’s s voice grew deadly. “You were down in Belize when Sparks was killed, weren’t you?”
“Yes, I was,” said Wess proudly.
“And where were you when he died?” Watson’s voice grew deadly and official.
“I was in my hotel with Benita,” said Wess slowly.
“Bullshit,” Watson shot back. “Our records say Benita was with Kiera, who had just arrived. She was welcoming her friend.”
“Your records are wrong,” Wess thundered.
“Benita testified to that herself,” said Watson.
“I don’t care what she testified to,” Wess rolled on. “Benita was with me, in my room at my hotel.”
Horror filled Cindy as Wess spoke. If Benita had lied about her alibi, then Kiera had as well. Their alibis were interconnected. If one thread was pulled out of this tapestry, all their stories unraveled.
“Did any witnesses see you and Benita at your hotel?” Watson was all over it.
“Not one,” said Wess.
To Cindy’s relief, Wess’s alibi was shaky. Everything was up for grabs now. Any one of them could be lying. Pete had been right when he had said that they were in the middle of a garden of snakes.
Mattheus rubbed his hands slowly over his face. He, too, must have been amazed by the mass of confusion Wess’s testimony created.
“Do you have any questions for the suspect?” Watson turned to Mattheus then.
“Just one,” said Mattheus slowly. “Are you accusing my friend Sparks of blackmailing you?”
“I’m not,” said Wess plainly.
“I want a list of the people he blackmailed then,” Mattheus continued. “And I want proof of each one of your claims.”
“I have a list, but no proof,” Wess replied. “You can ask each person yourself.”
“Without proof your entire statement is worthless.” Mattheus stood up, his face darkening. “You’re sending us on a wild goose chase, to deflect from yourself. And more importantly, you’re maligning a good man to save your own face. Admit it.”
“I’m speaking the truth,” Wess countered. “There are lots of people who could have wanted to take Sparks down.”
“But right now I’m looking at the one who did,” insisted Mattheus.
“No, you’re not,” Wess objected. “I’m completely innocent and you have no proof that I’m not.”
“But I will soon,” Mattheus declared. “It’s just a matter of time.”
After the interview was over, Wess was rushed back into another room.
“Based on his testimony we can keep him here as long as we need to,” Watson murmured to Mattheus.
“Keep him under lock and key.” Mattheus nodded. “Cindy and I will do the footwork for you. We’ll get you the evidence you need in no time flat.”
*
When Cindy and Mattheus got outside to main office, to their surprise Kiera and Pete were sitting there nervously, waiting for them.
Kiera jumped up the minute she saw Cindy. “We heard you and Mattheus would be here now,” she uttered. “You’ve got to get Wess out of custody right away. He had nothing to do with any of this. The police have to keep looking for the real killer.”
Cindy’s heart dropped. Kiera had no idea that Wess had told them that Kiera had important information. Cindy knew she had to sit down with her quietly and let her know what had been said. She also wanted to ask Kiera about Wess’s alibi. Of course it was possible that Benita had greeted Kiera when she arrived in Belize and then went off to be with Wess. Cindy needed confirmation of that.
“Why don’t the four of us go for a quick, early lunch?” Cindy suggested. “And we can fill each other in.”
“Great idea,” said Kiera, eager to talk more.
However, Pete got up quickly and stood behind her as if to lead her away.
“Do you want to go with Cindy and Mattheus for lunch, Pete?” Kiera checked with him.
Pete seemed reluctant. “Sure, why not?” he said quietly. “If Cindy and Mattheus can find the time. But I’m sure they’re very, very busy.”
“We are,” said Mattheus, “but we always have time to talk to someone who has important information for us.”
Pete bristled. “Like who?” he said.
“Like Kiera.” Mattheus smiled at him.
“What makes you think Kiera has important information?” Pete didn’t take well to the idea.
“Well, for starters, Kiera and Sparks were close, weren’t they?” Cindy joined in.
Pete didn’t
like that, either. “Sparks felt badly about Kiera’s sister dying, so he was looking after her. I wouldn’t say Kiera and Sparks were close, exactly.”
Kiera’s eyes clouded over. “No, Cindy’s right, we were close,” she corrected him.
“It depends what you mean by close.” Pete stared at Kiera directly, as if telling her to be quiet.
“Let’s go right across the street to the pub,” Mattheus suggested then. “I’ve heard they’ve got great soup and sandwiches. It’s a perfect place for lunch.”
*
Fortunately, it was still early for lunch and the four of them got a table easily. After they each ordered a house salad, spinach quiche, and mint tea, Pete took a deep breath.
“You have to be careful who you talk to and what you say,” he started. “The cops down here will jump on anyone. Next thing we know they’ll lock up Kiera,” he laughed.
Kiera didn’t take that well, though. “What in the world are you talking about?” She looked askance.
“Well, Mattheus said you had important information,” Pete went on, edgy. “Where did he get that idea?” Pete looked at Mattheus once again boldly.
“Does she?” Mattheus took Pete on.
“Not that I know of,” replied Pete. “From where I stand Kiera’s an innocent bystander. And I would hate to see her get roped in.”
Kiera ran her hand through her long hair and then motioned for the waiter.
“What?” asked Pete.
“I’d like a glass of wine,” she said.
“Why?” he asked, fretting. “That’s not a good idea now.”
“What’s wrong with it?” Kiera looked dismayed.
“You want to stay clear and quiet,” Pete murmured to her.
“Cindy and Mattheus are friends,” Kiera complained.
“They’re also detectives,” said Pete. “They’re looking for something.”
“What are you looking for?” Kiera addressed Cindy boldly. “Tell me. I’ll help you get it. Sparks was important to me.”
Kiera suddenly seemed far more distressed by Sparks’s death than Cindy had realized.
