Katrina didn’t take Cindy’s hand, seemed offended.
“You brushing me off just like that?” Katrina blurted out. “You think you decide when our talk’s over, when you had enough of me? How do you know I don’t have more to say?”
“Do you?” asked Cindy.
“Yeah,” Katrina snarled. “You’re even more of an idiot than Shelly. And it looks like you’re gonna get whatever you deserve, too. I’m sorry I let you into my house!”
CHAPTER 20
After leaving Katrina, Cindy called for a cab and went straight to the Hemingway House to meet Mattheus. Nestled in the heart of Old Town Key West, the house itself had the flavor of a Southern mansion, painted dark gold, sprawling and gracious, with outdoor porches and large shutters painted white.
The fantastic estate was surrounded by lush gardens, incredible trees and home to more than forty cats. It was now a museum for tourists, a main attraction in Key West, and a venue that people came to from all over the world for their weddings.
As she walked on the grounds, Cindy could hear a band playing in the background, and chair set up for a wedding that very afternoon. Soon the bride and groom would be arriving, photographers would flash photos, friends and family would gather to watch the couple start a new, beautiful life.
Cindy walked around back past Banana Trees and Coconut Palms, was brushed by Bougainvillea. The breathtaking landscape spread out around her. All kinds of flowers, hibiscus, bleeding hearts, angels trumpets, made a path for the wedding guests who were beginning to arrive. Cindy watched them wandering hand in hand, ready to celebrate love. What a contrast, she thought, from the world she’d just come from, the disarray Katrina was living in.
Mattheus said he’d meet her near the famous pool in the back. Cindy went there and looked around. The huge pool was filled with fresh running salty water and had a mystical quality to it, surrounded by gardenias. Cindy sat down at bench, enchanted, breathing the sweetness deeply.
In just a few minutes Mattheus arrived and came right to the bench Cindy was sitting at. He looked handsome, strong and happy to see her.
“What an incredible spot,” said Mattheus, sitting close, and taking her hand.
It was truly intoxicating being here and Cindy wanted to let herself drift in the beauty of it and forget the horrors she’d just been bathed in. Cindy left her hand in Mattheus’s though, not wanting to spoil the mood of the moment. She couldn’t leave it there for long, though. She had to remember what they were doing there and decided to go right into the details of her meeting with Katrina.
“Katrina believes her husband killed Shelly,” Cindy announced immediately.
“Whoah,” said Mattheus, “how’s that a way to start a conversation in paradise?”
Cindy smiled. It was as if her old Mattheus was back.
“Backtrack, please,” Mattheus continued. “Let’s take it point by point.”
“Fair enough,” said Cindy moving a bit closer to him on the bench.
“Shelly was Katrina’s counselor at the Shelter. Katrina’s married to a violent, abusive guy, Flan -.”
Mattheus stopped her swiftly. “Who?”
“What’s the matter?” Cindy was surprised.
“Say the name again,” Mattheus spoke intensely.
“Flan,” Cindy repeated. “He’s Katrina’s husband.”
“Oh God, it’s true,” said Mattheus.
“What’s true?” Despite the warm sun that was pouring down on them, Cindy began to feel a chill.
Mattheus was quiet a long time.
“Do you know Flan?” Cindy pressed him.
“I heard about him from Tommy,” said Mattheus. “Up until now, I wasn’t sure what Tommy said was true, though.”
Cindy began to feel alarm. “What did he tell you?”
Mattheus clenched his jaw hard and looked straight at Cindy. Whatever he’d heard, it was hard for him to say.
“You have to tell me, Mattheus,” Cindy demanded.
“I know I do,” he capitulated. “Tommy told me that Shelly and Flan were a regular item at the bar, dancing, drinking, making a scene.”
“Oh God, Katrina was right,” Cindy echoed.
“Right about what?” Mattheus snapped.
“Katrina said Shelly went after her husband, big time. And that he liked her, too.”
Cindy’s eyes locked with Mattheus’s and did not part. She saw the depth of horror in them.
“This isn’t the woman you knew, Mattheus,” said Cindy. “Some things are so hidden, you never suspect. You avoid all signs, brush warnings under the rug. You desperately want your life to be normal.”
“My life was normal,” Mattheus whispered.
“Not really,” said Cindy.
“Flan killed Shelly?” Mattheus suddenly echoed, unbelieving.
“Katrina said Flan’s a violent guy, who tortures women in all kinds of ways. She’s seen it firsthand.”
“Jesus Christ,” Mattheus whistled under his breath. “An eye witness?”
“I don’t know,” said Cindy, “could be.”