“Was there blood?” asked Cindy.
“I don’t think so,” said Frank. “I have no idea why they think I did it? We were here for a vacation, I loved Ann.”
“I know you did, Frank,” Cindy whispered.
“All my life I loved her, I was good to her.”
“Yes, you were,” said Cindy, “I told that to the police. Tell me, was there anyone who had anything against Ann, Frank?”
“What are you talking about?” his voice got garbled again.
“Somebody killed her. Who would want to do that? What’s the reason?” Cindy felt the blood rush to her face.
“I have no idea, none at all,” Frank’s tortured voice rose louder. “Everyone loved her, she had a thousand friends. As soon as she met someone, Ann made friends with them. She didn’t hold a grudge, she wasn’t a fighter, she took things as they came.” The vein in Frank’s neck stuck out strongly.
“It’s okay, calm down,” Cindy tried to quiet him.
“I can’t calm down,” Frank shouted loudly, “I never will.” I can’t bear this, not any of it. I’ve got to get out of here.”
“Don’t worry, don’t worry,” Cindy put her hand over his, “I’ll bail you out as soon as I can.”
*
When Cindy stepped out of the room with Frank, Trage was outside waiting.
“My brother in law doesn’t belong in custody,” Cindy said quickly. “I’m bailing him out.”
Trage looked surprised. “It’s a fairly large bail,” he said quietly.
“Large or small, I’ll do it,” said Cindy,” It’s wrong, it’s not fair and I’m bailing him out.”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea,” said Trage slowly.
Cindy was incensed. “Frank’s not a flight risk. I’ll hold all his possessions and personally guarantee that we’ll stay in Bermuda until he’s cleared.”
“I get it, I get it,” said Trage, somewhat tentatively. “I’ll see what I can do.
Cindy felt a huge sense of relief at the idea of getting Frank out of custody. That was a good sign, she thought, that things would move in their direction. She’d get Frank out of jail and cleared and find out what happened to Ann. Then what would happen? Cindy couldn’t bear to think of how life would be without her sister. A deep pit filled her stomach at the thought of not having Ann around. It made her feel completely unanchored. But she couldn’t allow herself to dwell upon that now. This was the time to stay focused and clear. She owed that to Ann, at the very least.
“What’s next on the agenda?” Trage asked, as the two of them walked down the hall, away from the room they were holding Frank in.
“Next, I’m going to see my sister,” said Cindy, her voice suddenly dropping.
Trage was momentarily taken aback. “See your sister?”
“I want to go to the morgue,” said Cindy, growing more resolute.
Trage grimaced noticeably. “There’s no need for it. Ann’s body has been identified.”
“But I need to see her,” Cindy demanded.
“Why?” asked Trage.
“Because I love her,” the words spilled out of Cindy. “I want to see her, to say good-bye.”
Trage put his hand on her shoulder. “There’s lots of ways to say good-bye. I don’t think it’s not a good idea for you to see her in the morgue.”
“I’m going anyway,” Cindy insisted.
“I’ll take you there if you insist,” said Trage, “but, first let me ask you one thing.”
“What?” asked Cindy, impatient.
“Don’t you think it’s a good idea for you to call your partner down to help you with a case like this?” Trage asked tentatively.
Cindy stopped cold. “Mattheus is busy with another case,” she repeated, not meeting Trage’s eyes.
“But this isn’t just another case. I’d say this was an emergency,” Trage broke in. “The victim’s your sister. I’m sure he would want to be down here to help you with it.”
Cindy suddenly paused. Yes, of course, Mattheus would want to help her with this, but Cindy didn’t know if she could ask him. She wasn’t even sure if they were still a team. Right now he was with Andrea and Petra. Cindy had no idea if Mattheus was getting back with Petra; if he wanted them to become a real family. If that was happening, Cindy couldn’t bear having him around, ever.
“Thanks for the suggestion,” said Cindy, “I’ll think it over.”
Trage looked surprised. “Think it over? This is an emergency in your life, Cindy.”
Cindy suddenly realized how difficult it must be for Trage and the other cops to deal with a detective who was investigating her own sister’s death. They’d probably feel much better if Mattheus was around, with a cooler had.
“I’ve been through other emergencies before,” Cindy stood taller. “When my husband was killed on our honeymoon in Barbados, I handled the investigation myself. No one even thought it was a murder. They all thought it was an accident, and I didn’t even know Mattheus then. I just pushed forward on my own and found his killer.”