“The Senator said those guys are in the pocket of the government. If they want us out, they’ll find a way. It’s been done before.”
Cindy had a quick moment of fear. It flashed upon her like a sudden, summer thunderstorm. There was no way she was going to let it grip her, though.
Mattheus continued, “We have limited time to get this tied up and get out of here.”
“They say it’s dangerous for us to stay?” said Cindy.
“Something like that. The Senator said people disappear on this island when they fight against the ruling families. It’s happened before, it will happen again. Case files are filled with missing persons. Not one of them has ever been found.”
“What has that got to do with us? Are we fighting against the ruling families?” Cindy was momentarily distressed.
“Could be, and we don’t even know it,” Mattheus said. “Could be the Senator’s daughter’s death really was a warning to him.”
“I thought you rejected that idea,” Cindy objected.
“I’ve been wrong before,” Mattheus said. “The Senator told me what we were up against and said it was up to us to decide what to do. He’s trying to be fair.”
Cindy shook her head, she didn’t buy it.
Mattheus looked at her carefully. “The last thing I want is to place you in danger,” he said.
Cindy stopped and stared at him as they shared a moment of silence.
“I’ve never been someone to run away from danger,” Cindy said quietly, then. “In fact, when I’m threatened, I do just the opposite - run directly into the situation.”
Mattheus smiled. She knew he liked her bravado.
“It’s not so simple this time,” said Mattheus. “Right now there’s a bunch of rough guys up from Guadeloupe who don’t want anyone on the prowl.”
“What exactly are they protecting?” asked Cindy.
“That’s what I need to find out,” Mattheus said.
“What about me?” Cindy was offended. “I need to find it out too.”
“Cindy,” Mattheus started softly.
“If you’re about to tell me I should go home,” Cindy burst in, “forget about it.”
“These guys mean business,” Mattheus said. “It’s not a joke.”
Cindy couldn’t believe that Mattheus actually thought she would back out.
“Forget it,” Tiffany exclaimed. “I’m not a quitter. I owe it to Tiffany, her mother and the entire family to stay here and finish what I’ve started.”
“I couldn’t stand it if anything happened to you,” Mattheus said suddenly, then.
Cindy was touched by the warmth in his tone.
“It happened to once,” he went on. “I can’t have it happening again.”
Cindy knew he was talking about his wife’s murder. Cindy wanted to reach over to him and comfort him for all he’d been through. At moments like this, the walls between them fell away and the deeper connection between them appeared. At these moments their being together seemed so right, as if they’d been brought together to help each other grow and heal from what they’d both been through.
“Don’t worry,” said Cindy, “nothing bad is going to happen to me. And this is different anyway, we’re detectives. I’m your partner, not your wife.”
Mattheus looked sad for a moment.
“Besides, how in the world can I go home now?” Cindy joked. “Christmas Eve is two nights away. There won’t be any plane tickets anywhere to be had.”
“There’s going to be a huge Christmas Eve party at Petrovich’s villa,” Mattheus continued. The Senator said there will be someone important at the party who knows exactly who has a vendetta against him. He’s convinced this will be a direct lead to his daughter’s murder. He wants me to be there and get her to talk.”
“And how about me?” asked Cindy, her eyes flashing. “Aren’t I going along?”
Mattheus grinned, “You want to this time?”
“Don’t you dare leave me out,” said Cindy. “Especially on Christmas Eve.”
“Fine,” said Mattheus, “It’s a date.”
Cindy felt better. The thought of him alone at a Christmas Eve party without her made her feel profoundly alone. Had he even considered it?
“And, as for now, I called and invited Tad to the hotel,” Mattheus continued, “so we could find out more from him about Frances. He should be downstairs in about fifteen minutes.”
“Good idea,” said Cindy, standing up and brushing herself off. “Give me a few moments, and I’ll meet you both down there.”
She wanted to wash up, change, be refreshed. Despite her calm demeanor, the conversation with Mattheus had unnerved her. There were too many loose ends floating around. She had felt trouble coming, but wasn’t sure where it would come from. She certainly hadn’t expected it to be the police. These cops from Guadeloupe weren’t here to solve Tiffany’s murder, Cindy was certain of that. They couldn’t care less about Tiffany. There was something else going on. Something possibly deadly, a tidal wave brewing, getting ready to pull all of them in.
CHAPTER 14