Cindy had a few free hours left in the day before getting ready for the party. Before getting dressed she decided to go down to the pool in the hotel for a quick swim. The pool occupied a large, sprawling area with trees surrounding it, lounge chairs, and areas with private nooks. Right now the entire area was mostly empty, including the lounge chairs surrounding the pool. This was the place Frank had claimed to be swimming in when Ann had been killed. Cindy could easily see how he could have gone for a swim and be unobserved by anyone.
She jumped into the pool, splashed, swam a few laps, returned to a lounge chair and wrapped a large towel around her. She was relieved that the place was so empty and she could enjoy the privacy. This past day the hotel had been really filling up, probably in preparation for the races coming up shortly. Frank had always enjoyed boat racing, though he and Ann never owned a boat of their own. Cindy wondered if he was aware of the upcoming races, if anything like that mattered to him at all now. The warm air on Cindy’s body was soothing and reassuring, normalizing the day. Life went on, she sadly realized. Even after a horrible disaster, the sun rose and shone and the water was still there to heal and soothe the heart and body.
*
Cindy returned to her room, had lunch and took a brief nap. Usually, by now Mattheus checked in with her about what he’d found that day. So far she hadn’t heard from him. He must be busy and productive, Cindy though, possibly caught up with new information, it boded well. Cindy looked forward to their checking back in with each other after Beggio’s party, tomorrow morning.
Soon it was time to get ready. Cindy got up, bathed and carefully dressed for the luxurious party in Beggio’s Villa, not far from the hotel.
*
Tony Beggio’s Villa stood on the edge of a cliff, overlooking the sea. Cindy’s taxi wound up to the top of the rim, and the driver got out to open her door. Cindy felt dazzling with her suntan, hair loose and incredible ruby necklace. She wished Mattheus could have been there to join her for the evening. Their work often took them to separate events, though. Often it was best they were not seen together. Their work also presented endless opportunities for them to meet other people. Cindy was struck with that now. If she were single this would be a perfect venue for her to meet a new partner. Of course she wasn’t single, but she also wasn’t committed either. Or, was she?
She stepped into the grand entrance of the villa, which was filled with beautiful people, dressed to the hilt, laughing, drinking, drifting around, looking each other over. She’d wanted to meet Beggio when he’d be off guard in a social situation. Cindy wondered for a second if Evan Price would be here, if he ever attended parties run by other hedge fund operators.
A few moments after Cindy entered, a tall, handsome man of about thirty five, dressed a summer linen suit, immediately approached her.
“Lou Bradway,” he said, introducing himself without compunction. “I haven’t seen you before, who are you?” his eyes were wide and admiring.
“Private detective Cindy Blaine,” Cindy appreciated his welcome and was also determined to be clear with everyone who she was and why she was attending.
Lou Bradway wrinkled his brow slightly. “Detective?”
Cindy laughed at his reaction. It felt good to laugh and let go of the heavy weight she’d been bearing.
“I’m here to meet Tony Beggio,” she said lightly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
“Sure, that’s easy. Why do you want to meet him?” Lou became more forthright. “Interested in investing?”
“I’m down here on a case,” Cindy replied quickly. “I understand that Tony knows lots of people, is involved in many things.”
“You got that right at least,” Lou answered.
“At least?” Cindy was ruffled. “What did I get wrong?”
“You’re right on point about Beggio, but I’m not sure if your choice of a career is right on,” he smiled. “Why be a detective? A woman like you could have anything she wants in the world.”
Cindy thought about that a second. What was it she wanted most in the world? Right now it was to have her sister back, alive. After that, it was to find out who killed her, and bring them to justice, to never let it happen again.
“I’m doing what I want to do most in the world,” Cindy replied, lightly. “What do you do, Lou?” She wanted to take the conversation down a different road.
“I do what everyone does down here,” his eyes smiled at her, “make money – plenty of money,” and he looked at the jewels around her neck.
“How do you do that?” Cindy bantered back, gazing over his shoulder at the room at large. It certainly did seem as if everyone here lived the good life, skimmed the cream from on top of the coffee.
Rather than answer directly, Lou took her hand lightly, guiding Cindy through the crowds. “Come on, let me introduce you to some other people,” he said as Cindy walked with him among many dazzling men and women. The women were all decked out in cocktail dresses, showing off beautiful jewelry, legs, arms and smiles. Men of all ages were flocking around them, as a small band played live music.
“Here,” Lou stopped at a couple in the middle of the room. “This is my friend Penny, and her new beau, Don.”
“Hi,” Penny said brightly.