by Jaden Skye
CHAPTER 7
The next morning Cindy awoke very early, just as the sun was coming up. It had been a rough night for her and Mattheus, back to sleeping on their own sides of the bed again. Before they fell asleep, Cindy had reached out to him, but he’d just rolled over, nursing his wounds. Mattheus was hard to be with when he didn’t get his way about something that mattered to him. Cindy understood that, but this was important to her as well.
As soon as Cindy awoke she jumped out of bed, showered and dressed as he lay there sleeping. She didn’t want to wake him up, and instead of ordering in coffee, Cindy decided to go downstairs and eat breakfast alone. After that she’d find Kate’s mother and uncle and tell them she was on board. Too much time had passed already, and she was eager to get going.
When Cindy got down to the lobby it was practically empty, due to the early hour. Cindy went to the front desk to get the room number for Kate’s family.
“The mother and uncle just went out to the back restaurant for breakfast,” the clerk at the desk informed her. “They just asked me where it was.”
“Great,” said Cindy, “thanks.” Again, perfect timing. Cindy took this as an added support for what she had decided to do.
She went out through the back doors and walked on the fresh grass filled with the early morning dew. The morning light was soft and sparing, heralding a perfect day. Cindy picked up her pace as she walked, eager to see Carl and Tyra again, thrilled to let them know that she was coming on board. Everything about it felt right.
Cindy took a narrow stone path that went beneath an arbor of trees then back to a restaurant in a garden, nestled in the back. A perfect place for breakfast, thought Cindy, a wonderful way to start the day. Cindy walked into the wooden and bamboo restaurant, which was empty except for two people sitting at a table in the corner. They had to be Carl and Tyra.
Cindy walked straight over to them, slowing down as she got closer.
Carl, who sat facing in her direction, noticed Cindy approach. Surprised, he half got up, to greet her.
“No, it’s fine, sit down,” Cindy said brightly as she got to the table. “Mind if I join you?”
Tyra, startled, looked at her pleadingly. Cindy could see what a rough time she was having. Despite her perfect grooming, she looked pale and unruly, her eyes fluttering back and forth.
“Of course, sit down,” Tyra waved her hands up and down, not knowing what else to do with them.
Carl immediately rose and pulled over a seat from a nearby table, so Cindy could join them.
“To what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?” he asked, looking at Cindy admiringly.
Cindy didn’t want to waste a moment. “I’ve decided to take the case,” she announced.
Both Carl and Tyra became silent.
“Why?” asked Tyra. “What else happened?”
“Nothing else happened,” said Cindy calmly, “I’ve been carefully thinking about it.”
“And what about your fiancée?” Tyra asked, dazed.
Strange that Tyra called Mattheus her fiancée. “Mattheus and I work together,” Cindy corrected her, “he’s my business partner.”
“Well, he’s more than that, dear,” Tyra’s eyes continued to flutter. “The two of you are here on vacation. He said he needs his time alone with you. What has changed things?”
Cindy smiled. Odd, the details that people remembered at times like these.
“Where is Mattheus now?” asked Carl, focusing in on Cindy.
“Mattheus is upstairs, sleeping,” said Cindy, “it still quite early.”
“I recognize that,” said Carl, “just wondering why you’re down here alone? And what made you change your mind?”
The waiter came by, looking at the three of them curiously.
“Can I order you breakfast?” Carl asked.
“Scrambled eggs, muffins and coffee,” said Cindy.
“On me,” said Carl.
“Thanks,” Cindy said.
Carl turned full face towards her then. He had a wonderful face, strong, handsome and clearly weathered by many storms. This was hard for him though, understandably.
“I don’t even know how to begin to thank you,” he started. “We need your help.”
“I know you do,” Cindy said, “and that’s what’s changed things.”
“How do you know it?” Tyra murmured. “How does anyone know anything anymore?”
“It’s okay, Tyra,” Carl put his hand on her arm.
“I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Kate,” Cindy started slowly.
Tyra put her head down and began to cry.
“Did you know her at all? Did you speak to her before she died?” Carl was on the alert.
“No, I didn’t know her or speak to her,” said Cindy, “but Kate and her fiancée sat next to our table in the dining room the night she died. I noticed her. We exchanged glances and smiles.”
“Oh God, oh God,” Tyra was wringing her hands now.
“Kate was incredible,” Carl interjected.
Cindy leaned closer to him. “You’ll tell me all about her. There’s a lot I have to learn.”
Carl stood up suddenly and reached out his arms. “God bless you, young lady,” he said, “Come here, let me give you a thank you hug.”
Cindy stood up a Carl reached his strong arms around her, filled with gratitude, in a bear hug.
“Oh my, oh my,” Tyra said then.
Cindy turned around in Carl’s arms to see Mattheus quickly approaching.
“What’s going on here?” Mattheus asked, as Carl opened his arms to let Cindy free.
“It’s a thank you hug,” said Tyra, nervously.
“Thank you? For what?” Mattheus seemed to be growing increasingly agitated.
“Cindy just informed us that she’s on the case,” Carl said unflinchingly. “We’re incredibly grateful. I’m thanking her.”
“With a hug?” asked Mattheus.
“And plenty of cash,” Carl added vehemently.
“Stop it, Mattheus,” Cindy was annoyed. This was no time for him to indulge his old suspiciousness again. “I got up early, came downstairs and found Carl and Tyra back here in the restaurant.”
“That’s obvious,” said Mattheus. “When I woke up and you were gone, I came down to find you and the clerk at the desk told me where all of you were.”
“I came here to give Kate’s family solace,” said Cindy, feeling as though she were defending herself.
“She’s taking the case,” Carl added swiftly.
Mattheus paused, startled. “You came down here to tell them that on your own, without consulting me about it? You’re taking the case? Am I in on it, too?”
“Do you want to be?” Carl zeroed in.
“This is between me and Cindy,” Mattheus bristled, turning his back to Carl.
“Of course you’re in on it,” Cindy stepped closer to Mattheus. “And I did tell you about it, last night.”
“You told me how you were feeling, not that you were going downstairs in the morning and make it official.”
Cindy took a step back. “Mattheus, time is passing. We’ve let too much time go as it is. For all we know the police are about to finish up interviewing the guests. Then people can leave. Valuable evidence goes with them. This isn’t a game.”
“The police do plan to finish up interviewing guests this afternoon,” Carl added swiftly.
Cindy looked at Mattheus with alarm. “There’s no way the police can do this thoroughly and finish up today,” she insisted. “We should have been on it from the start.”
Tyra stood up, swaying a bit, holding her face in her hands, “Oh I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” she began murmuring. “I never wanted to cause any harm, never, ever.”
Carl walked over to her swiftly. “You didn’t cause any harm, Tyra. This is not your fault.”
“But he’s so angry with us,” Tyra pointed to Mattheus.
Mattheus shook his head and took a step closer. “I�
��m not at all angry with you,” he said in a softer tone, “I’m just upset with the way all this has gone down.”
“He’s upset with me,” Cindy said to Tyra.
“That’s not good either, is it?” Tyra turned to Carl.
“That’s what happens in cases,” Mattheus spoke slowly, trying to calm the waters. “Pain erupts, suspicion, horror, one misunderstanding after another. Everyone involved becomes upset.”
“Then misunderstandings turn into understanding. Flashes of insight come. Truth prevails,” Cindy spoke strongly.
“But he’s mad at you,” Tyra kept looking back and forth from Cindy to Mattheus.
“I don’t take it personally,” said Cindy, as Carl stared protectively at her.
“Neither did Kate,” Tyra went on, “she never, ever took anything personally. When someone was mad at her, she made excuses. Carl always begged her to do something, but she never would. She also used to say she didn’t take it personally. But, look where it got her. Look.”
Mattheus and Cindy sighed deeply together at the same moment.
“Cindy’s right,” Mattheus said softly. “I am not angry with her, it’s not personal. I’m just upset at the turn of events. I was hoping for something else. I was looking forward to it.”
“Us, too,” said Carl, between gritted teeth. “We were hoping to see Kate come home, happy and refreshed. We were hoping to see her live a life, get married, have kids.”
Cindy’s head spun as Carl spoke. She knew she’d done the right thing. Was it suicide? That had to be proven as well. It would be too easy to tie the case up quickly and throw away the value of this young woman’s life. Cindy knew how important it was to find out what truly happened and give Kate’s family some measure of peace.
“I’m also sorry for your loss,” Mattheus added. “Don’t think the case doesn’t matter to me.”
“You’re on board then?” Carl asked Mattheus quickly, as his hands clenched at his sides.
“Yes, I’m on board,” Mattheus agreed quietly.
“Thank you,” Carl nodded formally then. “I’m sure that will make a huge difference to Cindy.”
“Yes, it will,” Cindy added promptly, “I need Mattheus. He’s a wonderful detective. I’m not the same person without him.”
A smile played around the corner of Mattheus’s mouth, as Cindy spoke.
*
The four of them had a quick, tense breakfast and then Cindy and Mattheus went straight to the police to let them know they were on board. Before they left, Cindy told Carl and Tyra that she and Mattheus would be talking to them in depth later on, and would keep them informed of their progress.
Carl grabbed Cindy’s hands to thank her once again.
“I don’t know you very well,” he said emotionally, “but my gut tells me, you’re the best.”
“We’re the best,” Cindy smiled, “Mattheus and I, together.”
*
The police station was in a low, clean, building on a wide road. As soon as Cindy and Mattheus entered and said who they were, the front cop at the desk called to the back room. In a few seconds both Rod and Spike ambled down the corridor together.
Rod had a grin on his face and grabbed Mattheus’s hand in a strong shake. “Can’t tell you how good it is to see you again.”
Spike looked both of them over carefully, especially Cindy.
“We’re on board,” said Mattheus directly, taking the lead.
“Great,” Rod said gruffly. “We both knew you guys would jump in. Just a matter of time. Couldn’t be better timing. There’s more to do here than we can manage.”
“What changed your mind?” Spike was curious, more laid back.
“Ask Cindy that,” said Mattheus.
Spike turned to her slowly, a funny smile in his eyes. He probably wasn’t used to working with women detectives, Cindy thought.
“It’s the right thing to do,” said Cindy simply.
Spike cocked his head to the side. It wasn’t the answer he’d expected.
“Pay’s pretty good, too, I imagine,” he added, breaking into a small smile.
Mattheus didn’t like that. “They couldn’t pay us enough to do this,” he said. “Cindy feels it’s right, she feels it’s fair.”
Both Rod and Spike stared at both of them.
“Okay,” Mattheus had enough. “Let’s go into your office. Fill us in on what’s to be done next.”
The four of them went into the back office and sat down, while Rod fumbled with papers.
“This is what we got so far,” Rod launched into the case. “We’re interviewing guests at hotel. Most who saw Kate and Clay said the two of them looked happy. No signs of any problems. Most important thing now is to find out who was yelling and knocking on their door. “
“No one on their floor still admits to opening their door and taking a look?” asked Mattheus.
“They all said they were scared,” said Rod. “Most thought it was personal, a fight going on between a couple. People like to stay out of that.”
“Doesn’t surprise me,” said Spike. “People come for a vacation, don’t want to get pulled into someone else’s mess.”
“I sure get that,” Mattheus answered. “What else you got?”
“The girl’s parents and uncle are here,” the police continued.
“Her father too?” Cindy was curious.
“Yeah, the father’s in their room, having a breakdown. We can’t get to see him yet. Seems like the uncle’s the front man.”
“We met him already,” said Mattheus.
“Good,” said Rod. “Talk to him yet?”
“Not yet” Mattheus was taking over. “We just officially got on the case. I don’t know about Cindy, maybe she has?” He threw a quick, side look at her.
“The uncle said he was close to his niece growing up,” Cindy filled in. “Said she was wonderful, happy, a great gal. There was absolutely nothing to indicate suicide.”
“They all say that,” Spike muttered. “Doesn’t mean a damn. People don’t see each other suffering, drugging, drinking, even if they live under the same roof. Just the way no one bothered to open the door when they heard someone yelling and banging.”
“You guys still thinking it’s suicide?” Mattheus asked.
“We’re waiting for the medical examiner’s report. Unless we have something else definite, suicide is where we’re headed,” said Rod. “So far the injuries are consistent with falling out the window, but you never know what the examiner will find. In the meantime, it would help us a lot if you would do a thorough investigation of Clay online and Cindy can investigate Kate. We need possible ghosts in their past, dark spots that haven’t come to light. Look for a reason why someone would want to kill her. So far, there’s none. Clay’s parents should be arriving in a little while. We need you guys to talk to them and also spend more time with Kate’s family.”
Both Cindy and Mattheus got it. Cindy was eager to start.
“What about Clay?” Cindy asked quickly. “It’s important to talk to him right away, too.”
“We’ve got that covered. Talked to him plenty, but nothing so far. We’re holding him in his room for another day.”
“We need to talk to him, too,” Cindy continued. “We always start with the main person of interest.”
Spike shrugged, “Good idea. You never know what he’ll spill to a pretty lady.”
“I’ll go with Cindy for the interview,” Mattheus clarified. “We usually talk to main suspects together. If one of us misses something, the other picks it up.”
“Fine with us,” said Rod. “We’ll call the hotel police and let them know you’ll be going up to Clay’s room right away.”
CHAPTER 8
When Cindy and Mattheus entered Clay’s room, his back was to them. The morning had suddenly turned cloudy and he stood, looking out the window at the sky. Other than that the room was empty, except for a cop who sat who sat in the corner, guarding him.
“Hell
o, Clay,” Cindy started.
Clay spun around and stared at both of them without blinking. He looked just as he had that night in the dining room, tall, statuesque, regal, handsome. Cindy wondered if he remembered seeing her there?
“More interviews?” he asked, his face taut with pain.
Cindy and Mattheus walked closer slowly.
“We’re here to help you out,” said Cindy. “We’re private detectives, here to help find out what truly happened.”
It seemed as though Clay sighed briefly, although his face remained immoveable. As Cindy took another step closer she could see how swollen his eyes were, that he’d been crying and distraught.
“I’m very sorry for your loss,” she offered.
Clay closed his eyes slightly, looking away.
“It’s a terrible thing,” Cindy’s voice grew softer.
Suddenly, Clay seemed to yield. Something about Cindy calmed him.
“It is terrible,” he echoed, opening his eyes.
“Do you happen to remember me?” Cindy asked lightly. “Mattheus and I sat right next to your table in the dining room the other night?”
Clay registered nothing about it. He just looked over at a cop who’d been stationed in the corner of his room and seemed annoyed.
Cindy immediately understood what he was feeling.
“Would you like to talk to us privately?” Cindy continued, as if she were talking to a little child.
“Yes,” said Clay, suddenly eager to be free of the oppressive presence of the police officer.
Mattheus nodded over at the policeman, motioning for him to leave. “We’ll let you know when we’re finished here,” he said to him.
The cop got up grudgingly, and walked out of the room.
Clay seemed to get his strength back as soon as the policeman left.
“I can’t bear having him sit here with me,” Clay said. “He’s grim, he’s nasty, he barely looks at me. When I get upset, he taps his feet on the floor like he’s telling me to shut up.”
“I’m so sorry,” said Cindy.
