“Yes, of course,” said Mattheus. “Why not?” He seemed confused by Cindy’s reluctance.
“I told you I needed down time,” said Cindy. “We’ve been on one case after the next.”
“And we do fabulously on them. We’re an incredible team.”
“Yes, we are. But I need more than being a detective, Mattheus.”
“What?” None of it seemed to be computing for him.
“I need a life, I need to unwind, I need a man to be close to,” said Cindy.
“You’re close to me. We have a life. A fantastic life, with adventure and also helping others. What could be better?”
“Really knowing each other could be better - bonding, starting a life.”
Mattheus’s jaw clenched and his lips pursed tightly. “You plan to stay here in some romantic fantasy and never leave the place?”
Cindy was stung. “I never said that. I never implied it.”
“This isn’t the Cindy I knew,” he went on. “You were always thrilled to take on new cases. It excited you. You jumped to the bit. What happened? What changed?”
“Nothing changed. I just need a break now. I told you that.”
“Life doesn’t give us breaks just when we want it.”
“My life does,” said Cindy. “I need to sort out who I am and where I’m headed.”
Sheets of rain began falling then, coming in through the open windows.
“Jesus, this storm is going to flood the house,” said Mattheus as he ran to the windows. “I feel like you just pulled the rug right out from under me,” he went on, shutting one window after the next.
“What?” Cindy was confused.
“Like you pulled a switch – a one two punch,” said Mattheus.
Cindy felt hot anger rise within her. Mattheus hadn’t heard a thing she said. He was back to where they’d started, aching to stare down the next killer.
“Do you actually expect me to call back this woman and say we’re not coming?” Mattheus asked.
“Tell her what you want. I just can’t do it now! I’m worn thin.”
Mattheus spun towards her then.
“I don’t know what in hell you’re thinking, Cindy. You want to give up work, become a housewife, spend your days dusting, shopping for food and taking pictures down?”
Cindy felt punched in the gut. Where was this hatred coming from? He was the one who’d begged her to move in, said he didn’t want to be here without her. Had he behaved this way with Shelly as well?
“The last thing in the world I want to do is dust and shop for food for you,” Cindy shot back. “And keep all your pictures up on the wall.”
Then she turned and flew out of the room.
“Where are you going?” Mattheus called loudly.
“I have no idea,” Cindy flung back. “But one thing’s for sure. I’m not staying here with you.
“You’re turning the tables on me,” said Mattheus.
Cindy felt afraid. Her gut told her to get on the next plane back to the States.
Mattheus came rushing after her. “You’re running out on me? Are you crazy?”
Cindy spun around, “No, Mattheus. It’s not me running out on you. Take a good look. You’re running out on yourself.”
CHAPTER 3
Cindy saw still shaking inside as she walked off the plane back in New York, and she was reassured to look up and see her sister, Ann. It had been a long while since they’d been together and the minute they saw one another, they ran to each other and embraced. Just as soon as she booked her flight home, Cindy’d called Ann and told her she was returning. Overjoyed, Ann immediately booked her own flight from Wisconsin to New York to meet her sister at the gate.
“God, Ann, it’s so wonderful to see you,” Cindy breathed, unable to believe that her sister had actually come all the way here to greet her. It had been over a year since they’d seen each other.
“I’ve been waiting for this day,” said Ann, hugging her. “So has Frank. It’s about time you came home.” Then she stepped back and looked Cindy over. “My God, you’ve lost weight. You look pretty though, different too.”
Cindy was dressed casually, in jeans and a navy shirt. Her long auburn hair had been tied back through the flight, but she let it loose as soon as she got off the plane. Cindy’d lost about ten pounds over the past year of running around with Mattheus, working on cases, not taking much time to eat regularly.
“What a year it’s been for you Cindy!” Ann grabbed both of her arms and held them. “But it’s over now. You’re home.“
Cindy looked more closely at her sister. Ann hadn’t changed one bit, she never did. Ann was a bulwark of stability and that was comforting, Ann was dressed in her familiar linen slacks, with a matching blazer and bag. Her dark brown eyes were steady and strong. Cindy hadn’t realized how much she’d missed he sister and how wonderful it would be to see her again.