“You can say that again. Everyone wonders who they’ll meet.”
Andy didn’t take his eyes off Cindy for a second as they began filling up their plates. He was a lovely guy and Cindy didn’t want to waste his time or lead him on.
“I didn’t even know I was going to be here until a few days ago,” Cindy said.
He looked surprised. “Really?”
I’m a detective, “Cindy quietly. “Here on a case.”
Andy stopped cold. “No kidding, what kind of case?” He stared at her.
Cindy said nothing.
“I can understand not talking about it,” he went on quickly. “In fact, I didn’t think detectives let it be known who they were at all.”
“I’m not undercover,” Cindy said simply.
“I appreciate your honesty,” Andy said, looking at her softly. “It’s rather unusual here.”
“So, I gather,” said Cindy.
“Well, do you want to sit down and talk anyway?” He was a little confused about what to do next.
“Sure,” said Cindy, “for a little while. I’m also here with my partner. “
He looked at her quizzically.
“My partner in crime, another detective,” Cindy smiled.
“Well, even detectives get hungry,” Andy said. “Let’s eat our dinner, and then you can go.”
They sat down in the corner.
“I noticed you the minute you walked in,” Andy said quickly, “saw you and another guy talking with Petrovich. I didn’t know who the other guy was, but when he walked off, I wouldn’t let the chance go by.”
“That was my partner,” said Cindy.
“What’s the crime you’re investigating?” Andy asked again.
“Murder,” said Cindy.
He grew quiet.
“It’s a U.S. Senator’s daughter.”
Andy’s eyes opened, shocked. It seemed as if he knew nothing about it, but Cindy couldn’t be sure. He could have been directed to come over and speak to her.
“That’s horrifying,” he said, “when did it happen? I haven’t heard a thing about it.”
“It’s being kept quiet,” Cindy said.
“You’re playing with fire,” Andy said after a few moments. “A Senator’s daughter – that’s complicated. If you asked me, I would advise you to stay clear of things like that.”
Cindy looked at him closely. He seemed concerned.
“It’s my job,” she said.
He picked up his plate and started eating.
“There’s all kinds of cases out there to investigate,” he said, “marital infidelity, corporate theft, find something else. Politics can be nasty business, especially down here.”
The holiday music got louder, Christmas Carols rang out, surrounding them. People were drinking and laughing a lot. Cindy thought how Tiffany would never again here these Carols, or celebrate anything at any party anymore. Cindy was glad to be here, standing in for her.
“What do you do?” asked Cindy, to lighten the conversation.
“Corporate law,” said Andy. “Mergers and acquisitions. Simple and direct.”
Cindy thought of how Clint had been taken down by a corporation.
“It’s odd that a beautiful woman like you would become a detective,” Andy looked at Cindy with fascination.
“I like it,” she said directly. “There’s lots of people out there in big trouble. It feels good to step in and help. Do you know anything about Senator O’Connell?”
Andy looked grim. “Oh my God, it was his daughter that was murdered?”
“You know them?”
“Of course. He’s been coming down here for years with his family,” said Andy. “I’ve been coming down regularly, too. Which daughter?” His face grew ashen.
“Tiffany,” said Cindy.
“Oh no,” Andy murmured.
“What do you know about the family?” asked Cindy.
“Not much,” he said. “Everyone knows he’s a Senator. Once in a while he shows up at these parties.”
“Alone?” asked Cindy.
“Yes, alone.”
“Ever notice any other woman he spent time with?”
Andy looked uncomfortable. “Not really,” he said. “He talks to people, we all do.”
“I don’t mean to grill you,” said Cindy.
“It’s okay,” Andy said quickly, “grill me all you like.”
“Does Petrovich have something on the Senator? Cindy asked bluntly then. “Is he in Petrovich’s pocket?”
“I have no idea,” Andy said. “Really, I just come down and have a good time, then go back up to New York and work. I’m a pretty boring guy, basically. Not as exciting as the people you must meet.”
“You’re just fine the way you are,” Cindy said, appreciatively.
“Well, you made my night,” Andy grinned boyishly.
Cindy suddenly felt what a relief it could be to have a life like Andy’s, where things went routinely and people could be counted on. After work you went out for dinner, met with friends, took in a movie. You weren’t always on the search for secret clues to the mind of killers.
“Now it makes sense,” Andy muttered half to himself. “I noticed some police from Guadeloupe down on the island these past few days, was wondering what they were doing here. In fact I saw some at this party tonight.”