*
Mattheus left for a few minutes to go to his room, wash up and bring dinner back for them. As soon as he left Cindy decided to immediately put in a call to Evan Price. She knew she needed to speak to him, face to face.
To Cindy’s delight, when she told Price’s secretary who she was, the secretary immediately put her through.
“Yup?” Price answered without taking a breath.
“Cindy Blaine, private detective. I need to talk to you as soon as possible,” Cindy blurted out, not mincing words.
“What about?” Price sounded taken aback.
“I’m down here from the States,” Cindy went on without pausing. “My sister was just killed at the Greenstone Hotel. I need your help.”
“Help?” Price listened more closely.
“Yes,” said Cindy. “I don’t know who else to turn to.”
“I like your frankness,” he responded swiftly.
“I’ve read all about you online,” Cindy jumped back in. “And a friend of my sister’s uncle works for you.”
“Who?” Price wanted to know.
“I don’t know his name,” Cindy answered, “I just saw your name mentioned on my sister’s Facebook page.”
“Find out who this guy who works for me is,” Price demanded.
“I will,” Cindy replied. “And I want to talk to you in person, as soon as possible.”
“Okay, okay,” Price seemed disconcerted. “I’ll do what I can, but, don’t get too excited. No one’s figured out anything yet about the hotel murders. My guess is they never will. And, even though some people think I know everything about what’s going on in Bermuda, I don’t know about those killings either.”
“I’m not saying I believe you know everything,” Cindy continued, “I’m not even sure those murders are connected to my sister’s death. But I need names, I need possibilities, I have to find out.”
“Yes, you do,” said Evan, “and so do I. Okay,” he went on, without hesitation. “Come meet me tomorrow at noon on my yacht. We’ll talk then. My secretary will give you directions.”
Cindy was delighted. “Thank you,” she breathed.
“My pleasure,” said Evan as he transferred the call to his secretary who told Cindy exactly how
to get to the yacht and to be sure not to be late.
*
Evan’s yacht was magnificent, gleaming white and rising high over the waves majestically as
though it routinely housed royalty and dignitaries of all kinds. Cindy walked up the way to the entrance,
slowly, letting the warm, salt air from the water caress her skin. She had taken extra pains to dress for
the meeting, wearing her finest, silk, lime hand printed dress. It flowed over her body gracefully,
whirring slightly above her knees. She’d also brushed her hair a long while and let it hang loosely over her shoulders. This was the first time since Ann’s death that Cindy had taken pains with how she looked. But Evan Price was a wealthy, magnet here and Cindy wanted to meet him on his own terms.
When she entered the gallant boat, Cindy was met with a valet who had been stationed there to greet her and welcome her on board.
“Mr. Price is awaiting you, in the dining room on the second floor,” he said to Cindy the moment
she arrived. “Let me show you there.”
*
The moment Cindy walked into the dining room, Evan Price stood up to greet her.
Cindy was stunned to see how young he was, mid-forties at the most. He was a bit taller than Cindy, with dark hair, wide hazel eyes and well defined features that made him seem in command. Dressed elegantly in a custom shirt and blue silk mascot, he looked as though he’d walked off the cover of a men’s fashion magazine.
Price was also clearly surprised at the sight of Cindy, stood back a moment to take her in.
“A detective?” he said, as she drew closer, seemingly amused. “I thought you’d be an old, dowdy lady.”
“Detectives come in all shapes and sizes,” Cindy felt pleased by his visceral response.
“Come in, sit down,” he seemed pleased to be with her. “Here’s a wine list, please choose.”
Cindy didn’t want anything to drink, but chose a glass of Merlot anyway, just to keep the mood between them and high.
“Talk to me,” Evan said then, leaning back in his chair, his elbows practically reaching to the railing of his yacht.
Cindy listened to the waves lapping against the boat and thought what a beautiful afternoon this would have been if Ann were here to share it with her. Cindy felt oddly comfortable now with Evan, was very glad to be here with him. At the same time it was hard to meet his constant gaze.
“Tell me whatever you can,” said Cindy, trying hard to remain professional. “I have to find my sister’s killer,” her eyes unexpectedly filled with tears. “She didn’t deserve to die so horribly here in Bermuda.”
Evan’s face grew momentarily grim. “I’m truly sorry,” he said to Cindy.
“Thank you,” Cindy felt it was so.