“Penny, this is Detective Cindy Blaine,” Lou remarked, enjoying the reaction the announcement seemed to get from both Penny and Don.
“Detective? Why are you here?” asked Penny, looking at Cindy directly.
“My sister was killed a few days ago at the Greenstone, Cindy decided to put it out there straight.” Despite the gaiety of the party she wanted information, wasn’t here just to drift around.
Penny put her hands up over her mouth in her horror. “My dear, I’m so sorry,” she exclaimed.
Lou took a step back as well, startled. “You didn’t tell me your sister was killed,” he echoed.
“I didn’t want to be grim,” Cindy caught her breath lightly.
“It’s not grim, it’s serious,” Don, Penny’s boyfriend, jumped in. You’re here for information.”“Yes, exactly,” said Cindy, as the music the band played grew louder.
“Have you heard about the hotel murders?” Penny asked then, in a tiny voice.
“Yes, I have,” Cindy answered plainly. “We don’t think my sister’s death was connected to them.”
“Very coincidental that another murder took place in the same hotel,” Don shook his head.
Cindy liked Don tremendously. She appreciated his forthright manner.
“Hi, Don,” a beautiful redhead who was circling the room, stopped at their group for a moment.
“This is Ronnelle,” Don introduced her to Cindy and they smiled at each other.
“Isn’t this an amazing, beautiful party, the best yet!” Ronnelle proclaimed. “I’ll be back in a few minutes and talk to you all later. There’s Marcus over there, I’ve been waiting to see him all night long,” and she flitted away.
“She’s a good friend of mine,” Penny told Cindy. “Works down here and also in the States.”
“Are there lots of people who do that?” asked Cindy.
“Yes there are,” said Penny, “and some just live here full time.”
“It’s more unusual to live here full time,” Don filled in. He wanted to help Cindy and she felt it. “The financial opportunities down here are amazing; once people find out, usually they go back and forth.”
Cindy wondered if that was what Frank had been doing. “All kinds of people come down to work, not just big hedge fund types, right?” asked Cindy.
They all smiled at that question. “There’s really only some big hedge fund guys,” Lou replied, “the ones connected to Evan Price. Price thinks he runs the island, but he doesn’t. There’s a mix of investors and funds around.”
“Will Price be here at the party tonight?” Cindy had a sudden desire to see him again and talk to him. She was glad to have the chance to hear about him.
“Probably not,” said Lou. “Why? Do you know who he is?”
“I’ve heard of him,” said Cindy.
“Don’t bother investigating him though,” Don broke in. “The guy has every alibi he’ll ever need all locked up, and law enforcement supports him.”
Cindy was surprised to hear that. “What about Beggio?” she asked.
Don smiled. “Tony’s not as rich as Price and not as smart. Gets into trouble once in awhile, too, though nothing to write home about.”
Cindy smiled back at him. She wanted to meet Beggio more than ever now. “Where is he?” she asked lightly.
“Come on with me,” Don broke into quickly, “I’ll take you right to him.”
Cindy was thrilled to be guided through the throngs of people right to Tony Beggio’s side.
Don stopped suddenly in front of a heavy guy in his fifties, with wavy black hair, and slightly blood shot eyes. He was standing alone for the moment, looking over his grand gathering.
“Tony, this is Cindy Blaine,” Don introduced them.
“Good to see you, honey,” Tony swerved in Don’s direction and took Cindy in. “Welcome to the house of cards,” he laughed. “We have the deuces, the diamonds, the kings and queens.”
“Cindy’s here investigating her sister’s death,” Don quickly filled him in.
Tony’s mouth opened and his eyes rolled back and forth. “I heard about this recent killing and I heard someone was coming to talk to me about it,” he said to Cindy.
“Thank you for having me here,” she quickly replied.
“I don’t know the first thing about what happened,” Tony leaned closer to Cindy and she could smell the liquor on his heavy breath. “And I’m sorry your sister got killed.”
“Thank you,” Cindy flinched.
“Now, you’re gonna ask me if I know her husband Frank, right?” Tony’s eyes rolled up in his head. “The police already asked me, and I already told them I never met the guy, never even heard of him.”
Cindy was relieved. She was also pleased to hear that Tony had already been questioned.
“The police love to question me,” Tony went on, running his hand through his greasy hair. “Doesn’t mean I do anything to deserve it – just that I’m a great target for every nut.”