Cindy shook her head, bewildered. “I thought you came down here to help me, Mattheus.”
“Of course I did,” he held shoulders tighter then, as if to wake her up. “When we find the killer I’m helping you, aren’t I? Do you want to protect Frank or do you want justice?”
Cindy was stunned by the question, how could he even ask?
“Of course I want justice,” she breathed, “justice for Ann, justice everyone.”
“Good,” said Mattheus.
“Including Frank,” Cindy added.
“I know, I know,” Mattheus spoke softly. “Let’s go to bed now. Things will look different in the morning. First thing I want to talk to Frank, get his password. Then the boat races start in the afternoon. We can even take some time later on and go to them.”
“Alright,” Cindy acquiesced. “You can talk to Frank first thing in the morning, but remember, there’s no real evidence yet. And remember, he’s just lost his wife. Take it easy on him, please.”
“I’ll take it easy, I’ll be good to him,” said Mattheus reassuringly.
Cindy saw Mattheus’s looking down at her sadly.
“I know you will, Mattheus” Cindy said, suddenly sorry for doubting him. “You’re good and fair to everyone.”
*
Mattheus went back to his room to sleep and planned to join Cindy first thing the next morning for breakfast and then to speak to Frank.
Cindy slept fitfully all night long with ragged dreams she could not make sense of. In one of them she was looking for Ann on a beach filled with pebbles. In the middle of the pebbles were shards of broken glass. In the middle of the glass a small diamond was shining, it was so small Cindy almost passed it by.
When Mattheus rang the doorbell first thing the next morning, Cindy had barely woken up. She answered the door dressed, but groggy.
“I already ordered breakfast up to the room,” Mattheus said as he entered, all washed, fresh and ready to go. “We’ll have our eggs and coffee and be ready to tackle the world.”
Cindy always loved that about Mattheus, he didn’t let anything stop him or keep him down. He just kept going, step by step until he found what he wanted. What we need is right here, he would always tell her, buried in plain sight. Cindy usually found that inspiring, but it was harder to go along with his energy now with own family involved.
They ate breakfast quickly and Cindy called Frank’s room to speak to him. She decided she would arrange the interview between him and Mattheus.
The phone rang and rang, but no one answered. Cindy looked at Mattheus blankly then.
“He’s not answering,” she said in a small voice.
“Call his other number then,” Mattheus said in a clipped tone.
“I can’t do that,” said Cindy. “He’ll know right away we’ve found it.”
“You’re right about that,” said Mattheus. “We can’t let him know that until we’ve find out more.”
“I’ll call my mother,” Cindy offered then. “She has to know where Frank is. She can get hold of him for us.”
Mattheus looked pleased. “Great that you’re willing to do that,” he responded. “Makes perfect sense.”
Cindy put in a call to her mother immediately. Fortunately, she picked right up.
“I need to talk to Frank, mom,” Cindy started. “Do you happen to know where he is?”
Her mother paused for a moment, “Actually I don’t,” she replied, edgy. “In fact, I was planning to call you in a little while and ask you the same thing.”
Cindy took a swift breath in. “What do you mean you don’t know where he is?”
“Your uncles and I were calling him all day yesterday and he didn’t pick up. Ben said that Frank probably needs a little time alone, went somewhere to be away. He’s still on the island, obviously, but we don’t know where right now.”
Cindy got cold all over. “That’s not acceptable,” she murmured.
“Well, acceptable or not, that’s how it is,” her mother responded snippy and hung up the phone.
Mattheus was listening and watching closely.
“They don’t know where he is at the moment,” Cindy murmured.
“So I gathered,” Mattheus was on the alert.
“He could just need some time alone to grieve for Ann,” Cindy searched for excuses.
“Yes,” Mattheus answered, “or he could be with someone right now.”
“Who?” Cindy answered outraged.
“Don’t worry, we’ll find out,” said Mattheus heavily. “The police have been checking those hidden cell phone calls. Once we know who they are from, we’ll have a better idea where Frank’s holed up right now.”
Cindy broke out into a little sweat. He’s not hiding, she had to remind herself. He obviously has a life down here, and could just be spending time with some friends.
“Let’s get to the boat races early,” Cindy said to Mattheus. “The woman I met at Beggio’s party thought she’d seen Frank there. Maybe there’s nothing suspicious, maybe Frank’s taking a breather at the water? He loves boats and races.”
“Good idea,” Mattheus agreed.
Chapter 16