“Why call it betrayal?” her mother was put off. “Maybe Frank wasn’t betraying her, but just getting what he needed for himself. He could do that and still love her, couldn’t he?”
That was a huge question and Cindy couldn’t get into it now. It bothered her that her mother thought that way, but there was no basis to assume that Frank had someone else. Cindy knew her mother loved to cook up stories, enjoyed a good fantasy.
“I always believed Frank loved Ann,” Cindy answered quietly. “I always believed they had a solid relationship.”
Her mother nodded. “They did. And now she was lonely. Ann definitely told Frank how she’d been feeling. She told me he arranged this trip to make up for his time away. He wanted to give her the attention she needed.”
Cindy’s mother seemed to be glad to be talking about this, getting it all off her chest. Cindy was relieved as well. Now it seemed like the perfect moment for Cindy to take the next step and ask for the password to Frank’s computer.
“You’re close to Frank, too, aren’t you?” Cindy said then, surprising her mother.
“Of course I am, for years and years. Why?”
“Listen, mom,” Cindy repeated, “I need the password to Frank’s computer.”
Her mother grew pale and her body became rigid. “You need what?”
“It’ll give me more details about Ann’s death,” Cindy replied quickly.
“Back with the investigation again?” her mother couldn’t stand it.
“Let’s stop playing this game,” Cindy suddenly zeroed in. “This is not a joke.”
“Do I look like I’m laughing?” her mother lashed out.
“I need to have that password before the police get it or anyone else,” Cindy proclaimed.
“Why do the police want it?” her mother’s eyes flared with anger.
“It’s routine - you check the computer of the person closest to a victim,” said Cindy professionally.
“Then check my computer,” her mother’s voice was flailing.
“You’re not a suspect,” Cindy shot back.
“And Frank is?” her mother looked horrified.
“He was held by the police for questioning,” Cindy’s voice grew louder. “He’s only free because I bailed him out. I need his password and he refused to give it to me.”
“Held by the police?” her mother looked as if she would faint.
“I need to learn more,” Cindy moved in.
“Frank’s life is private. He doesn’t want you snooping in it,” her mother practically shouted.
“I’m not snooping,” Cindy stamped her foot on the floor. “I’m searching for a killer.”
“Shut up,” her mother began to tremble. “Your uncles are in the next room. I don’t want them hearing this.”
“I want you to get Frank to give me his password, or at least to give it to you.” Cindy continued, her voice even louder.
“I’ll do no such thing,” her mother yelled over her. “Frank is not a killer. And there’s nothing on his computer that could possibly help you, ever.”
Cindy was startled at how adamant her mother was. Why was she defending Frank so fiercely?
“Trust me on this one,” Cindy demanded.
“I can’t trust you on anything, ever,” her mother began wringing her hands. “You can leave now. Get out of here.”
“I’m not going without the password,” said Cindy.
“Get out, get out!” her mother started yelling. “How dare you come in here and accuse your own family?”
The doors to the suite opened and both Ben and Charlie came out.
“What’s wrong? What’s going on?” asked Ben, agitated, as Charlie stood in the background watching.
“Cindy came in here and is insisting that I get the password to Frank’s computer,” her mother was practically shrieking by now. “She’s accusing Frank or harming Ann.”
“I’m not accusing anybody,” Cindy yelled out above the fray. “We have to check everything, there could be leads waiting on it. Leads Frank doesn’t even know about.”
“Could be, would be!” her mother was trembling. “All she cares about is finding the killer, she doesn’t care a thing about me! She comes in here and upsets me!”
Ben came over and put his arms around her mother. “It’s better for you to come back later,” he said to Cindy, pointing to the door. “Your mother’s not in any condition for something like this now.”
“Time is of the essence, Ben,” Cindy said to him as she got closer to the door.
“Go ask Frank for the password yourself then,” Ben responded.
“I did and he wouldn’t give it to me,” Cindy exclaimed.
“Damn it, damn it,” Ben mumbled, distraught.
“It’s a reasonable request,” said Cindy. “Will you help me, Ben? Will you get the password?” Cindy asked as she was practically at the door.
“I would if I could, but I can’t do it,” Ben replied. “Your mother would never talk to me again.”
*
“Slow down, slow down,” Mattheus kept repeating over the phone as the words bubbled out of Cindy fiercely.
“I talked to my mother, she won’t help us,” said Cindy.
“Calm down, Cindy,” was all Mattheus could say.
“I can’t,” Cindy uttered. “I’m shocked, I’m hurt.”