Death by Marriage

by Jaden Skye

  Cindy took great exception to that. It made her feel like a child. “I’m not leaving the island until I’m sure,” she said.

  Mattheus stood up, annoyed. “Then it sounds like you’ll be here alone for a very long time. Down here these things can take forever.”

  “Mattheus,” Cindy reached up for him.

  He looked down at her, as if from far away. “There’s not one other viable suspect that’s turned up. All loopholes have been covered. And I got a good deal on the plane tickets. We’ll go back, take a break, and then pick up another case. There have been three articles about us already in the papers. I’ve had a couple of inquiries.”

  Cindy’s body froze at the thought of leaving. She couldn’t abandon Kendra like that.

  “I’m just not ready,” she said, “neither is the case. There’s more to come, I feel it.”

  Mattheus shook his head. “Feelings can be tricky.”

  “I have to explore my hunches,” Cindy insisted.

  Mattheus was firm. “Look, I’ve seen this syndrome before and I don’t want you getting caught in it. There are cops who are always looking for the next clue, chewing on a bare bone when all the meat’s gone. They can’t stand admitting failure and so they won’t let go. If I thought there was any value at all in staying, don’t you think I would?”

  Mattheus words hit Cindy hard. Was that what she was doing? Chewing on a bare bone? Living a life that had no juice in it? Mattheus was just trying to snap her out a trap he thought she was falling into. But she didn’t feel finished.

  “I’m staying,” she said.

  “Do what you want,” snapped Mattheus, annoyed. “I’m getting out of here. There are intense storm warnings. It’s scheduled to hit in a couple of days. The island people did their Hurricane Supplication Day festival early. You know what that is?”

  “What?” asked Cindy dumbfounded.

  “It’s a holiday when the locals ask to be spared from devastating storms. They’re expecting category 4 winds – 135 mile force. You have to be out of your mind to stay down here.”

  Mattheus could say what he liked. Cindy knew she couldn’t leave.

  They left the restaurant together without saying a word. Once out in the lobby, instead of going back up to her room, Cindy turned and walked out of the hotel. She refused to be pressured by Mattheus and couldn’t help thinking about Nell, left alone without her father and her mother now in jail. Cindy had been shocked to see Nell arrive at the lunch. Clearly, she’d wanted to meet Margot. Nell had mentioned at the time that she thought Margot did it. Cindy had let that comment just lay there, but she’d been wondering about it more these days. She wanted to talk with Nell about it. Cindy never felt that she’d spent enough time with her. At the very least she could visit, say hello, and give her some support and comfort.

  Cindy hailed a cab and decided to take it straight to Kendra’s home. It was windy and cooler than usual, and the rain kept falling harder, making the roads slippery and slick. Mattheus was probably at the bar, alone, talking to whomever was around. She couldn’t let herself think about him. He was wrong to pressure her in that way. If they were going to be a team, they’d have to make decisions together. Since when was he scared of a storm?

  The drive to Kendra’s house went quickly and when Cindy arrived, strangely enough, the front door was open. Cindy turned the knob, and walked. The place felt silent, empty and haunted, filled with desolation and gloom. For a second, Cindy felt scared, as if something worse were hovering.

  She walked around the downstairs slowly, looking in corners, wondering where Nell was. Maybe visiting her mother in jail. But, maybe not? Cindy thought of calling out for her, but decided instead to go upstairs and see if she might be in her room.

  She got to the second floor and behind one door heard a strange hum. Cindy knocked on the door. No one answered. Before she opened it, she decided to knock again.

  “What the hell do you want?” a raw voice called from inside.

  Cindy jumped back startled, “It’s Cindy Blaine, can I come in?”

  Even before she finished saying that, the door flung open and Nell stood there, staring.

  “What are you doing here?” the words poured out of her by themselves. “Who let you in?”

  “The door was open,” Cindy said. “I’m sorry.”

  “You can be as sorry as you want, but what did you really do for us? Nothing. My mom’s locked up and my father’s dead.”

  Cindy bit her lip. “I’m not done yet,” she said strongly. “Help me to help you, please.”

  Nell laughed a loud coarse laugh, and tossed her wild hair off her face.

  “Can I come into your room?” Cindy asked. She wanted to look around, sit down and have some time for the two of them together.

  Nell flung the door to the room open wider. “What the hell do I care? Come in.”

  Cindy walked in after her. The room was a total wreck. Clothes were strewn on the floor, paintings on the wall were taken down, or hanging at weird angles. Her laptop was opened on the floor in the middle of all of it.

  “What happened here?” Cindy asked alarmed.

  “Nothing,” said Nell, grinning now, showing a row of small, perfect teeth. “This is how I live. You got a problem with it?”

  “No,” Cindy said. “I’m just frightened for you.”

  “Don’t be,” said Nell. “The time for worrying about me is long gone.”

  Cindy walked in further and sat on a small chair.

  Nell pulled up a broken chair and sat down opposite her. For a moment she seemed glad to have Cindy around.

  “This has to be hell for you,” Cindy started. “First your father and now your mom.”

  “Hell’s putting it mildly,” Nell said

  “I know you and your father were close.” Cindy wanted more from her, craved it, sensed the heart of what happened was right here.

  “My father was a dick,” said Nell quietly.

  Cindy was shocked. But it was natural that Nell should feel that way after she’d found out that her father had been married to someone else.

  “Because of the other wife?” asked Cindy.

  Nell’s face puckered. “No. Who cared if he had another wife? I couldn’t blame him for that, one bit. My mother’s a bitch. She was always a bitch - to both of us. I’m not saying she killed him, I don’t think she did. Just that she was a bitch. If my father had half a brain he would have stayed there with his other wife. But he couldn’t. He kept running home.”

  Cindy looked around the turbulent room. Parts of it looked like any high school kid’s rooms, posters of rock stars and papers strewn around. She wanted to see what was on Nell’s computer and leaned down towards it.

  “Just talking to my friends on Facebook,” said Nell.

  “I’m sure you have a lot of them,” said Cindy. “Mind if I take a look?”

  “Look all you want,” said Nell as Cindy picked the laptop up.

  It was open to Nell’s homepage. Cindy started looking at the people and then stopped cold. Her heart started beating wildly. Right on the top was a photo of Nell and Graham.

  “Who’s this?” she asked Nell, totally shocked.

  “Graham Kowan,” said Nell matter of factly. “Why?”

  Cindy turned towards Nell, amazed. “You knew Graham Kowan? Your father’s son?”

  Nell just stared at the photos and said nothing.

  Cindy reached out to her. “You’ve got to tell me about this, Nell.”

  “There’s nothing to tell,” Nell murmured.

  “You and Graham were friends?” Cindy pursued it.

  Nell remained silent.

  “How did you know him?”“ Cindy was speechless.

  Nell became sullen. “He goes to my school,” she said, “no big deal

  “You knew about your father’s second family for a long time?”

  Nell shook her head. “No.” Flames darted from her eyes.

  “Nell, you’ve got to talk to me a
bout this,” Cindy could barely catch her breath. Her mind was racing. She needed to know about this relationship, how it started and why.

  But Nell had enough. She pulled her scraggly sweater close around her, went to her door and opened it up. “Go home now. I’m tired.” she said to Cindy. “It’s enough.”

  A wave of sorrow flooded Cindy, leaving Nell alone there.

  “You can trust me, Nell,” Cindy said softly.

  A distorted look crept over Nell’s face. “Oh yeah, I can trust you. Fat chance. Go home now,” she demanded.

  *

  All the way home in the cab Cindy watched the heavy rain fall, blurring her vision so that, looking through the side windows, the road disappeared from view. Cindy could not erase the image of Nell and Graham though from her mind. The two of them looked oddly at one, unlikely partners who had no right to meet, much less to connect. Cindy wondered whether she should tell Mattheus about this development, but decided not to. It was too premature. She had no real idea what all of this meant, or where it might possibly lead. Cindy decided to go to see Kendra in jail first thing the next morning and talk to her about it.

  Usually, when Cindy returned to the hotel and walked into the lobby, Mattheus was there waiting for her. This time he wasn’t. Maybe he was up in his room? She went to the desk to call him. As she dialed she heard the television in the hotel lobby speaking about the on-coming storm. Flights off the island were packed full, ports would soon be closed. The phone to Mattheus’ room just rang and rang. Cindy’s heart dropped.

  “Did you see happen to see Mattheus King?” she asked the man at the desk.

  “Checked out this morning,” he said.

  Cindy felt her body turn cold. It wasn’t possible.

  “Lots of visitors leaving. You heard the warnings about Lola? Going to hit St. Thomas in real soon.”

  Mattheus meant what he said, thought Cindy. He was letting a little storm run him out of town. Cindy took a deep breath. This was totally shocking. He had told her he was leaving, but she hadn’t believed him for a second. Couldn’t imagine he’d leave her alone here with the case. Clint would never have done this. He’d stay at her side through thick and thin. Well, now I know what this person is made of, Cindy said to herself. Better find out sooner than later. But deep within she felt lonely and scared.

  “Hey,” the guy behind the desk said, “you staying around during the storm?”

  “Yes,” said Cindy.

  “There’s gonna be a shelter about a mile from here to go when the electricity shuts down. They’re collecting jugs of water, batteries, bread, canned in the back. juice and canned food. This isn’t the best place to be. It’s low ground. When those winds hit, the roofs go flying.”

  “I’ll be fine,” said Cindy.

  “Don’t be so sure,” the guy said, “I’ve seen the storm wipe away stronger folks than you. If you want to stay alive, you better watch out.”

  CHAPTER 22

  When Cindy awoke the next morning the clouds had grown thicker and the winds picked up. She immediately turned on the TV in her room.

  “Tropical Storm Lola is bringing gusty winds, rain and generally foul weather to St. Thomas,” the reporter said. “As the storm intensifies throughout the day, both of the territory’s airports will be closed, seaports shut. Expect power outages to hit and shelters to be opened on St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. Jon. The Governor declared a state of emergency, imposing a curfew from 6 p.m to 6 a.m. today. The U.S. Coast Guard closed the ports until further notice. Emergency shelters will be open at St. Croix Educational Complex, the Sugar Estate Head Start Center on St. Thomas.”

  Cindy was riveted to the TV.

  “The biggest concern,” the commentator continued, “is the wind and rain. We’ve already had a significant amount of rainfall and the ground is just about saturated. More rainfall could cause downed trees, mudslides and rockslides. Waste Management is also concerned about overflows in sewer collection. Avoid known areas where manhole overflows occur and proceed through standing water with extreme caution!”

  As the commentator went on and on, Cindy called down to order breakfast in her room.

  She didn’t need to have breakfast with Mattheus downstairs, as they usually did. A new kind of power filled Cindy. It felt good, being independent, coming and going as she pleased. She could handle the storm and also the case, with or without Mattheus. She’d prefer to do it with him, but only if things were mutual. An odd kind of strength filled her at that realization, and a freedom she relished as well.

  The storm hadn’t hit yet and the curfew wasn’t until 6 p.m. She’d ride it out at the hotel or at the shelter a few miles away.

  The bell boy brought breakfast and Cindy finished it, turned off the TV, went downstairs. She knew she had to see Kendra again before the storm hit. Had to ask her about Nell and Graham. Even though she’d been fired, the case had taken on a life of its own, much like the storm that was coming.

  CHAPTER 23

  The local airport was filled to capacity. Mattheus was crunched with others, waiting to get off the island. He’d checked his luggage and headed here, eager to get back to Grenada. Outside, the winds blew fiercely. He hoped they could take off before it got worse.

  It was definitely crazy that Cindy wasn’t with him, but she wouldn’t listen to sense. And he wasn’t into forcing anyone. It made him feel stupid and small. The case was over, Kendra was in jail, and beyond that, they’d both been fired. Mattheus hadn’t been able to see one sane reason for staying on the island and putting himself in danger. At first he’d been sure that Cindy would come to her senses. But he hadn’t heard a word from her as storm warnings increased.

  Right now he’d been waiting online for over an hour. It would be a few minutes before the flight boarded. Mattheus wondered what Cindy was doing back there, where she’d ride the storm out. She had no idea how hard it would be, either. Mattheus realized that. She was idealistic, but also pig headed. If this is what she wanted, let her have it.

  Mattheus’ flight was now being called to board. He grabbed his overnight bag and quickly went to the gate. He couldn’t wait to get off the island, back to the calm, beautiful world he’d grown to love.

  He showed his ticket, walked onto the plane and packed his bag safely overhead. This was one of the last planes out before the storm and he was damned lucky to have a seat on it. He took his aisle set and waited while others were boarding. There was a sense of urgency as the plane filled up, and Mattheus was hit with a wave of anxiety. How the hell was Cindy going to manage alone? The thought of her there in the huge winds and rain, suddenly made him feel like throwing up.

  He put his head back on the seat and tried to block her out of his mind. He couldn’t. She’d chosen this, he thought. He’d gotten plane tickets for both of them, tried his best to reason with her. No matter what he told himself, the anxiety gnawed. Damned, he thought, he couldn’t do it. He had to get back to the hotel as fast as he could to be there with her when the storm hit.

  Mattheus jumped out of the seat, grabbed his bag, and pushed through the crowded aisle, back to the plane’s entrance. Then he flew down the plank, out into the airport, and rushed for all he was worth to grab a taxi before it was too late.

  CHAPTER 24

  Cindy hailed a cab and took it to the jailhouse. As it drove along the streets, the streets were much emptier, but there were also people left, rushing back and forth with packages, boarding up their houses. There was a strange excitement being a part of the fierce energy the storm was bringing.

  The jailhouse, located further out on the island, was small and low, and half empty, as this was the woman’s division. The winds hadn’t hit this part of the island yet, and there was an odd calm hovering about it.

  Cindy had to wait for the officials to bring Kendra to her. They put her in the waiting room which had wood plank floors, two wooden benches, and a photo of a bird on the wall. On the far corner was a table with paper coffee cups and a pot of coff
ee. A large female guard with big hips walked in and out of the waiting room from time to time.

  Cindy got up, poured herself some coffee, and added a nice, heaping serving of sugar.

  The woman watched her as she stirred it all together. “What’s someone like you doing at a place like this?” the woman finally asked, curiosity getting the better of her.

  Cindy turned and looked at her. “I’m a private detective,” she said.

  The woman threw her head back and guffawed. “You? You’re making me split my sides laughing.”

  Her laugh was contagious. Cindy couldn’t help but smile. “What’s so funny about that?” she asked.

  “Nothing, honey, but it’s the last thing in the world you look like,” the woman said. “I thought you were one of her daughters. You look so young. And innocent.”

  Cindy never thought of herself as innocent. “Just new to the game.”

  The woman laughed again. “Well, you never know – it does take brains.”

  Takes more than that, thought Cindy. “Takes heart,” she said.

  “And a tough skin,” the woman added. “Better not forget that. These inmates know what they’re doing. They’re one slippery bunch. Can get over on anyone. Used to fool me plenty in the beginning. Now I can see through them the second they come in.”

  Cindy could believe that. This woman seemed as planted as a huge tree, with roots that sunk down deep into the middle of the earth.

  “You know what you’re doing staying for the storm?” the woman looked at Cindy closely.

  “Sure,” said Cindy. “I’ve got important work to do.”

  Kendra, dressed in orange overalls, was brought into the waiting room, accompanied by a female officer.

  “You have a maximum of twenty minutes together,” the officer announced. Clearly it was official policy and she was informing Cindy of it. That will be more than enough, Cindy thought, as the officer departed.

  “What are you doing here?” Kendra looked startled, seeing Cindy. “You’ve been fired.”