Death by Marriage

by Jaden Skye

  Just then the large French doors leading to the sitting room opened, and a tall, lanky young man walked in. He had dark hair, dark eyebrows and a sculpted face that reminded Cindy of someone, but she couldn’t pinpoint exactly who.

  “This is my son Graham,” Margot said quietly.

  Graham looked over at Cindy and smiled shyly.

  “Cindy has come to talk to us about matters from the island,” Margot said to him. “Seems there was a murder there recently, and she’s trying to find out more.”

  Graham flinched.

  Cindy noticed with surprise how sensitive he was. “I’m sorry to come and disturb you,” she said.

  “Who was murdered?” asked Graham, ill at ease.

  “A man named Paul Robbins,” said Cindy. “A pretty well known criminal defense lawyer. Have you heard of him?”

  Graham shook his head and so did Margot.

  There seemed little else to be said here or done. Cindy couldn’t help wondering why in the world Heather had given her this address.

  Graham turned his back to Cindy then and started walking away.

  Cindy didn’t want him to leave. He seemed more available than his mother. “Do you spend time on the main island, Graham?” Cindy asked.

  “Graham goes to high school on the main island now,” Margot answered for him. “All the children in this area commute there for high school. Graham is a senior now and has spent the past four years there.”

  “And after high school?” Cindy tried to make conversation with him.

  “That is exactly what his father and I are trying to decide now,” Margot said and stood up, as if to announce that the interview was over.

  “Will his father be here later on this evening?” Cindy asked, suddenly curious to meet him.

  “He’s out of town for a few weeks right now on business,” said Margot, irritated. “Why?”

  Graham turned and looked back at Cindy then, over his shoulder. “He’s away on business most of the time,” Graham said, sullenly.

  Margot didn’t like that. “But he provides a wonderful life for you Graham. For both of us.”

  Graham turned back then and continued walking to where he’d been headed, soon leaving the room.

  Margot sighed. “He can be difficult at times,” she said, “recalcitrant. Teenagers are that way often, I hear. He was perfect as a child growing up though, never said or did a thing to upset us.”

  “Everything changes,” remarked Cindy, “it can’t be helped.”

  Margot seemed to like that. “You can say that again,” she said with more intensity. “Listen, I’m sorry I can’t be of more help. I just don’t know anything about what you’re doing. I have no idea why Heather sent you to me. My guess is that she can be a trickster at times. Gets pleasure out of creating dramas. It’s something I sensed the first time I met her. I wouldn’t take what she says too seriously. I have no idea what my friend sees in her at all.”

  Cindy had briefly thought the same thing herself. “Of course,” said Cindy, “I understand.”

  That seemed to relieve Margot even more. “Come on, let me show you around,” she said then. “I don’t want your trip to be entirely worthless.”

  “It wasn’t worthless,” said Cindy. “It was nice meeting you and Graham.”

  Margot seemed touched by Cindy’s comment and smiled warmly. “How lovely of you to say that. Let me show you around. Perhaps something will strike you.”

  Cindy got up and followed Margot through the majestic rooms.

  “This painting is from the Gornigor collection,” Margot started, bringing Cindy to a huge impressionistic oil painting that hung on the far wall. “This other one, across from it, is from the Rudon gallery.”

  Cindy looked at both of them. They had power, passion, majesty. Then something else caught her eye. Over on a thick, mahogany table, under the window, were some photographs framed in antique gold. Cindy went over to look at them more closely. As she got closer, she stopped and stared, unable to move from the spot.

  “Who’s that?” asked Cindy when she could finally speak.

  “Just my husband, Gregg, myself and Graham,” said Margot. “Why?”

  “This is your husband?” asked Margot, dumbfounded.

  “Yes, of course. What are you getting at?”

  Cindy stared at the photograph over and over, and then looked at Margot, her heart pounding.

  “When was that photograph taken?” asked Cindy, when she could finally get her voice to speak.

  “What’s wrong with you?” Margot asked, nervous. “It’s a routine photo. I have lots of them. We took that one a couple of months ago.”

  “Does your husband have a twin brother?” asked Cindy.

  “Of course not,” said Margot irritated. “Tell me what is wrong!”

  Cindy had no idea what to say. She stood there completely frozen. There was no question about it - the man in the photograph was Paul.

  CHAPTER 13

  “Do you mind if I step out a moment and make a call?” said Cindy, finally.

  “Do whatever you want to,” said Margot, who looked distressed now as well. “But tell me what’s going on. Please.”

  Cindy didn’t know what to say. “I will,” she answered slowly, “but first let me make this call.”

  Cindy stepped out through the back door of the living room, into the blooming garden and breathed deeply. She felt as though she were in a dream. How could this be possible? Was the man who Margot thought was her husband, just someone who looked like Paul? Cindy didn’t think so. It was definitely him. She’d inspected his photo too many times.

  Cindy took out her phone and quickly dialed Mattheus. Fortunately, he picked up instantly.

  “Mattheus,” Cindy gasped, having a hard time catching her breath.

  “What’s wrong?” Mattheus sounded alarmed.

  “You’ve got to come here immediately.”

  “Why?”

  “Paul had a second wife and family.”

  “What are you talking about?” Mattheus said.

  “The woman I’m with is married to Paul. He has another name here, Gregg Kowan.”

  “Holy God,” said Mattheus.

  “And his wife has no idea he’s missing. She thinks he’s on vacation.”

  “She’s nuts?” Mattheus asked.

  “She’s fragile,” said Cindy. “Get over here. I don’t want to tell her alone.”

  “Don’t say anything,” said Mattheus. “The police have to be notified. There are all kinds of steps we have to take. I’ll contact them immediately, and then I’ll get right there. In the meantime, don’t leave the premises. Stay there and wait for me.”

  CHAPTER 14

  Cindy hung up the phone and stood outside, not knowing how to proceed. She couldn’t leave until Mattheus arrived, and she knew that Margot didn’t want her to stay. She waited outside, lingering, trying to buy as much time as possible. It was actually beautiful and soothing to be out in the garden which was filled with small cobblestone walks winding between beds of rich flowers. Over on the far side was a grape arbor with a small bench inside it. Cindy walked over to the arbor, went in, and sat down. Delightful breezes wafted through the enclosure, refreshing Cindy and soothing her mind. She wondered how long she could stay hidden here, before Margot came looking for her.

  To Cindy’s surprise as she sat, waiting, no one appeared. Cindy was left alone in the tranquil beauty of this home, which would soon be coming to an end. The man she thought she was married to was also married to someone else - and had a child with her as well! Cindy could barely absorb it. This turned the case on its heel. She had no idea how Margot would be able to handle the shocking news that lay in front of her. She seemed herself like one of the hothouse flowers, so carefully planted here. Although she’d seemed cold and distant in the beginning, as Margot relaxed and opened, Cindy developed a liking for her. She appeared to be a fine, delicate woman, who had just lived her life in a world of her own.

&nbs
p; Margot’s home would be about half an hour’s drive for Mattheus. Cindy wondered how long she could really stay, before Margot came to the arbor to find her. To Cindy’s surprise, time passed uneventfully for what seemed like a long while. Then Cindy saw a shadow approaching on the ground, coming towards her. She stood up and walked to the edge of the arbor, as Graham approached. He stopped when he saw Cindy standing there in the shade.

  “We wondered what became of you?” said Graham, edgy.

  Cindy looked at him closely now. Now she knew who he’d reminded her of! His father, Paul. It was shocking to realize that Paul not only had a second wife, but a son he’d been raising. There was also an intensity about Graham that Cindy found him interesting.

  “I was just taken a moment’s rest in the shade,” she said. “I hope it’s okay.”

  “It fine,” Graham answered, surprised. “My mother was looking for you, down at the other end of the garden. She said that you disappeared into thin air.”

  For no reason a pang of deep sorrow for Graham came over Cindy. As he looked at her, he suddenly seemed excruciatingly forlorn.

  “I’m so sorry,” said Cindy.

  “About what?” Graham asked, his dark eyebrows curling. “And why did you really come to see us?”

  Cindy saw that he couldn’t really make out why she wanted to talk to his mother. It bothered him.

  “Sometimes events have a life of their own,” Cindy started to say, desperately wanting to prepare him also for what lay ahead. “Things happen that we can barely imagine. Our lives get turned upside down.”

  He listened more closely, his eyes slowly glistening. Cindy could see that he understood every word that she said. She wondered if he’d had some sense of trouble.

  “The more we struggle to get out of a bad situation,” Cindy continued, “the more we can get trapped in it.” She didn’t know exactly why she was saying that to him, but he absorbed every word she said.

  Just as he was about to respond, there was a crunch of noise behind him.

  Margot arrived. “Well, here you are,” she said to Cindy. “My goodness. I’ve been looking all over for you.”

  Cindy’s heart began beating strongly. “I’m so sorry,” she said, “it’s so beautiful here. I couldn’t resist stopping in and sitting down for a moment.”

  Margot looked at her strangely. “I find that odd, very odd.”

  “I’m terribly sorry,” said Cindy.

  “How long do you plan to stay?” Margot continued, “and what are you saying to my son?”

  Margot was right not to go along, thought Cindy. She wasn’t being straight forward. There was no reason to play these games with her, either.

  “Listen,” said Cindy, “when I called my partner, he asked me to stay here until he arrived.”

  Margot looked outraged. “I beg your pardon?” she said. Then she turned to Graham. “Graham, go to your room. There’s absolutely no reason why you should be involved in this.”

  “I want to be here,” he started.

  “No, it isn’t okay. Go to your room.” Her voice took on a shrill, demanding edge that could not be easily turned down.

  “Don’t push me away,” he said, nervous.

  “I’m not pushing you anywhere, I’m just telling you to go.”

  Graham turned and walked away, throwing Cindy a long look over his shoulder.

  “You have a wonderful son,” said Cindy.

  “It’s irrelevant,” said Margot. “You’re not here on a personal visit. Who’s your partner and what’s going on?”

  “My partner and I are private detectives,” said Cindy.

  Margot’s hands tied into tight little fists. “And what has that got to do with me?”

  Mattheus had told Cindy not to say anything until he arrived. He should be here any moment, Cindy figured. She’d pave the way for Margot slowly, start to prepare her for what lay ahead.

  “You know there was a murder on the main island. My partner and I were called down to investigate it,” Cindy began.

  Margot’s irritation seemed to grow. “So?” she said.

  “Heather May told me I’d find out all I needed to know about the case right here.”

  “You’re repeating yourself,” Margot rubbed her foot on the ground, almost as if she were stamping out a bug that was annoying her. “We already said that was ridiculous.”

  “I didn’t believe Heather either in the beginning,” said Cindy. “But now I realize it was true.” Just at that moment, Graham came running back to the arbor, his face white. “Police cars are pulling up to the house, mom,” he called loudly.

  “What?” Margot gasped.

  “Come and see for yourself.”

  Margot turned and fled with Graham to the front of the house. Mattheus had arrived - he’d probably brought back up with him. This was a huge break in the case. It couldn’t be kept under wraps long.

  Cindy walked slowly back to the living room, dreading what was to come. By the time she arrived, Mattheus and three cops were surrounding the photos of Paul. Brayton was there, along with Nojo and another cop Cindy didn’t recognize, who was taking pictures of everything. Margot stood near the sofa, terrified. Graham was nowhere to be seen – she’d probably sent him to his room again.

  “Please sit down, Miss,” Brayton said to Margot.

  “Not Miss,” said Margot icily. “Mrs. Gregory Kowan.”

  Mattheus came over and stood beside Cindy. “Great work,” he whispered in her ear.

  It felt good to hear that and to have him here.

  Brayton held the photo of Paul in his hands.

  “This intrusion is unacceptable,” said Margot, “I’m going to call my husband right now.” Her body began to tremble.

  Brayton took pity on her for a second. “It won’t be necessary,” he said in a softer tone. “Just sit down a minute. We need to talk to you.”

  Margot obeyed automatically and sat on the edge of the sofa, upright.

  “Listen, we don’t mean to frighten you,” Brayton went on. “But the guy in this picture is someone we’re familiar with.”“

  “You’re familiar with my husband?” Margot’s eyes flitted back and forth between everybody, unable to comprehend.

  “You haven’t seen the papers recently?” Brayton went on.

  “What papers?” Margot asked breathless. “I read our local papers. What have your papers got to do with anything? Has something happened to Gregg?”

  “We know your husband by a different name.”

  Brayton was doing a fine job, thought Cindy. Nojo stood behind him for support, his face impassive, taking it all in.

  “What name do you know my husband by?” Margot’s voice started to teeter.

  Brayton kept going evenly. “We know him as Paul Robbins, a well-known criminal defense attorney.”

  Deep confusion spread over Margot’s eyes. “Who?”

  “Paul Robbins was murdered about two weeks ago.”

  Margot stood up swiftly. “But Gregg Kowan was not.”

  “They’re one and the same,” said Brayton.

  “This is ridiculous,” Margot yelped. “Obviously, you have my husband mixed up with someone who looks just like him. My husband’s fully alive, doing business right now on another island.”

  Cindy turned at that moment, and saw Graham outside, at the edge of the door, crunched up against it, listening in.

  “When did you last speak to your husband?” Brayton asked.

  “When he left for his trip,” said Margot, “about three weeks ago.”

  “You haven’t spoken since? He didn’t call you?” Brayton looked surprised.

  “We weren’t necessarily accustomed to speaking when he was out of town,” said Margot. “It wasn’t his way.”

  Brayton took a long breath and swallowed. “What kind of work was your husband in?”

  “He imported and exported antiques and art objects,” she said matter of factly, as if the world as she’d known it still existed. “He
had a large business in many places – franchises.”

  “Were you close to your husband?” Brayton asked suddenly.

  “I beg your pardon?” Margot bristled. “That’s absolutely no business of yours.”

  “Just wondering how a husband can leave town for such a long time and not check in even one time?”

  Cindy saw Mattheus look away.

  “We did fine,” said Margot. “We had our patterns and were happy with them.” Then she stood up abruptly. “This is enough. You have to leave now. I’m exhausted. I want to call Gregg.”

  “I’m so sorry,” said Brayton, “but we’ve got a long way to go.”

  “The man who was killed is not my husband,” Margot said staunchly. “There’s been a stupid mix up of some kind.”

  “I wish that were true,” said Brayton.

  “It’s this woman’s fault,” Margot turned shrill and furious to Cindy, then. “You did this. You created this nightmare. Who asked you to come here and visit? I should have never let you in.”

  Cindy shriveled inside.

  “My husband’s alive,” Margot demanded violently. “I’m calling him this instant and putting him on the phone. Then all of you will get out of here and never return.”

  She tore over to her phone, which was sitting on a carved, end table and dialed frantically. Obviously, a message machine picked up.

  “Gregg, call me immediately. There’s been an insane misunderstanding and I need you to call to straighten it up.” Then she hung up. “He’s not there now.”

  Cindy walked over to her. “Is there someone else you can call?” she asked kindly.

  “I don’t usually call anyone. I don’t intrude in his life this way. How does it look to have your wife chasing him down?”

  “It’s an unusual circumstance,” said Cindy gently.

  “I can call his personal assistant,” Margot was trembling.

  “Good,” said Cindy, “why not give a call?” She realized that it would be better for Margot to talk to others, slowly absorb the fact that her husband was no longer around.

  Margot grabbed her phone again and started dialing. “You see what a humiliating position you’re all putting me in.”