Cindy and Mattheus stepped out of the plane, into a different world than she’d ever been in before. Exquisite beauty surrounded her on every side. The azure waters, stretched out endlessly, rippling softly in the sun. Palm trees boarded the airport and the intense scent of flowers rose up to greet her, welcoming her to a place in which it seemed she would never have a care.
A man dressed in khaki pants and a light, striped shirt walked over to the plane and held out his sun tanned hand.
“Cindy and Mattheus?” he asked. “Welcome.”
Mattheus stepped forward, and extended his hand in return.
“The boat to take you to the Senator’s yacht is straight ahead.”
The man was official, but also calm. He picked up their luggage and carried it to the boat. The rest of their luggage had been sent ahead to the hotel they were staying at, where the Senator had reserved rooms for them.
Mattheus and Cindy followed the man to the edge of the landing strip, where a small motorboat was waiting for them. They climbed in and sat down as the soft, salt air surrounded them. Cindy breathed deeply as the boat took off, heading to their destination. It was wonderful to be down in the Caribbean again. For a moment, Cindy relaxed completely, forgetting why she was here and where they were headed. As she looked around, there was nothing to see but water on every side. She let herself drift into the sense of utter well-being and oneness with life that always engulfed her on the water.
“Incredible day,” she whispered to Mattheus.
He moved closer to her and she felt the strength and warmth of his body besides her, for a moment reminding her how she had felt with Clint when they came down for their Caribbean honeymoon.
“We’ll be approaching in about ten minutes,” the man who was driving broke into her thoughts.
As the motorboat got closer to the yacht, the waves became higher, the waters rougher, and a breeze stirred. Then, suddenly, as if from out of nowhere, Cindy spotted the yacht. It was huge, white, magnificent, towering in the ocean, water gently lapping against the sides. The yacht rose up as a testimony to man’s grandeur, his domination of nature and attempt to override the simple beauty of the sea. Cindy looked up at it, knowing that it contained a world of its own that they would have to infiltrate and dive down to the bottom of.
“Here we are,” said Mattheus, excited.
Cindy snapped out of her reverie, as she climbed up out of the motorboat and walked along the plank that led to the Senator’s yacht, where she knew their arrival was eagerly awaited.
She and Mattheus entered the yacht from the front deck. They walked straight into the main hallway, which was lined with Christmas wreaths and decorations. Cindy was right. The yacht contained a world of its own. The place was crowded, and the sound of voices greeted her as she walked in. Over to the right was a large, wooden room, open to the sea. The room was mostly filled with young people, between eighteen and twenty five, dressed in expensive shorts, shirts and mini dresses, wandering back and forth, talking. A sense of disbelief and anxiety filled the air. Some had glasses in their hands, others were looking out into the sea. A few sat on the couches that lined the edge of the deck, their long, suntanned legs spread out in front of them. A winding, wooden staircase in the center of the room lead to the second floor.
“They’re here,” someone called out loudly, as Cindy and Mattheus walked in, causing a flurry of excitement.
Then, at that very moment, the Senator walked down the wooden, winding staircase to greet them. He was a handsome man in his late fifties, with thick, pepper and salt hair, strong blue eyes and a lean body that he seemed to have taken very good care of. Dressed in white linen slacks, an expensive shirt, there was nothing to show how distraught he had to feel.
“Thank you for coming so quickly,” the Senator extended his hand as he approached Cindy and Mattheus.
Mattheus gave him his hand and the two of them looked into each other’s eyes. The Senator focused his attention entirely upon Mattheus. Cindy felt unnecessary, almost as if she wasn’t there.
“We need all the help we can get,” the Senator continued quickly to Mattheus, in a commanding tone.”
“I realize that,” said Mattheus.
“And we need it fast. I don’t want anything covered up – not one clue lost.”
“Nothing will be lost, I assure you,” said Mattheus.
The Senator looked at him approvingly.
“And this is my partner, Cindy Blaine,” Mattheus motioned towards Cindy, trying to include her.
The Senator threw Cindy a quick glance.
“Thanks for coming,” he said perfunctorily, “my wife is looking forward to seeing you.”
“And I her,” Cindy responded.
The Senator looked at Cindy directly then. He seemed a bit taken aback by her heartfelt reply.
“My wife is not in a good state of mind,” the Senator said then, looking down.