“How come?” Cindy wanted elaboration.
“I got all kinds of people in my funds and who knows what they want or do? That’s not really my business, honey. I invest, pay dividends and throw big parties to keep people happy.” Then he smiled at her broadly. “You know, a beautiful woman like you could have a good life down here.”
Cindy shuddered.
“How’d you meet her, Don?” Beggio went on. The two of them obviously knew each other well.
“Just by chance, a few minutes ago,” Don replied. “She obviously needs some help and she’s a good woman.”
“What kind of help?” Beggio asked. “What can I do?”
“I want to know if anyone here might know my brother in law,” Cindy replied.
“How do I know?” Beggio answered, slightly irritated. “I heard the cops held him
for questioning, right?”
“Yes,” Cindy responded.
“Are they trying to link this guy to me?” Beggio didn’t like it.
“Not necessarily,” Cindy tried to assuage him. “I just want to know if my brother in law Frank has any fingerprint down here at all? That would help lead me to the killer.”
“It’s a fair question,” Don backed her up.
“I have no idea,” Beggio repeated. “Go ask anyone you want if they know him. Show them his picture, do you happen to have one?”
“Yes, I did,” said Cindy, taking a photo of Frank out of her slim, sparkling, evening bag.
Just then Penny came over to join them, tugging on Don’s arm. He’d been gone long enough and it was clear that she wanted his attention now.
“I’ll be with you in a second, sweetheart,” Don said. “We’re just looking around, trying to find out if anyone happens to recognize Cindy’s brother in law,” and he pointed to the photo in Cindy’s hand.
Penny leaned over at looked at it lightly. “Oh yeah,” she suddenly said, “I’ve seen him - I think his name is Frank, right?”
A long chill ran over Cindy’s arms and shoulders. “Yes, that’s right,” Cindy replied. “Where have you seen him?”
Penny shrugged lightly. “Not really sure,” she looked more closely then. “I think he’s been to some of Tony’s parties, I’ve seen him around.”
“You’ve seen him here alone, or with someone?” Cindy shot back immediately, unnerved.
“I’ve just seen him drifting around,” Penny seemed vague about it. “Never really saw him with anyone in particular. Or, maybe I didn’t see him at Toni’s parties, maybe I saw him at the boat races,” she looked even closer still. “Somehow I thought he once said he liked the races.”
Cindy stood there in horror for a moment. How could this woman know that Frank liked boat races? Obviously, she’d actually seen him somewhere and what’s more, they’d talked.
Don quickly picked up on the change in Cindy’s energy and spoke carefully. “The fact that Penny has seen your brother in law, in and of itself doesn’t mean anything. Everyone gets invited to these parties. Lots of people just come for a drink and some company. Did your brother in law work down in Bermuda from time to time?”
Cindy appreciated Don’s calm, careful observance. He was grounded and fair, sounded as if he were even a lawyer.
“Yes, Frank did come down and work here, from time to time,” Cindy told him.
“So, it would be perfectly normal for people to see him,” Don commented. He seemed to enjoy being part of the investigation; would have made a fine detective, Cindy thought.
“Do you want me to ask my friends, Ronnelle or Linda if they know who he is?” Penny asked. “They’re right over there.”
“That would be good, thank you,” said Cindy.
Penny waved over the woman they’d seen before and another leggy, dark haired beauty. They both drifted over quickly, curious about what was going on.
“What’s up, sweetheart?” Linda, the dark haired beauty asked.
“Do you know this guy?” Penny pointed to the photo in Cindy’s hands.
Linda shook her head, “Never saw him before, why? Is he the latest and greatest catch on the island?”
Penny frowned. “Not at all,” she said. Then she looked over at Cindy as if it were up to her to explain further.
Cindy said nothing, however, just held the photo up higher so they could all have a good look.
“What did he do? Kill someone?” Ronnelle threw her head back and smiled, seeming to have no idea what she was saying.
“That’s not a joke, Ronny,” Penny jumped in.
“Why? Ronnelle looked confused. “I didn’t offend anyone, did I? I certainly didn’t mean to.”
“Do you know him at all?” Penny persisted.
“Never saw the guy in my life,” said Ronnelle.
“You can go around the room asking people, if you care to,” Don stepped in, speaking directly to Cindy again.
There had to be at least one hundred and fifty people at the party and Cindy didn’t feel it made sense to go around to each of them.