Cindy was startled. “Where?”
“In the back,” said Andy. “I didn’t know why they were here. Heard said they were waiting for someone to show up.”
Cindy had chills. “Doesn’t Petrovich have his own security guard?”
“These cops are not down here to guard Petrovich,” Andy answered. “They’re looking for someone else. Now I know who.”
“The killer?” asked Cindy.
“Who else would it be?” said Andy as he leaned towards her. “Maybe they think he’s going to show up here.”
That thought had never even occurred to Cindy.
“Look, this is tricky business,” Andy went on. “There are lots of people here you can talk to and find out more than you can from me. I don’t want to waste your time.”
“You’re not wasting my time. It’s lovely talking to you,” said Cindy.
Andy smiled again.
“I hope I can see you again when the case is solved,” he said tentatively.
Cindy was touched by his sweetness.
“When the case is solved I leave the island,” she said, wondering when and if it would ever be closed.
“So, maybe we can see each other back in New York?” Andy suggested, “that is, if your partner lets you.”
Cindy smiled. “I have my own life. It’s not up to my partner.”
Cindy wondered then how Mattheus was doing, where he actually was, if he might need her for something. She stopped and took a moment to scan the room. At first he was nowhere to be seen. Then, finally she spotted him, or at least someone who looked like him, nestled in a corner. Cindy stood up and walked a few steps closer, to make sure she was seeing correctly. Mattheus was against the wall, with a beautiful, tall red headed woman close up to him, hanging all over him. He had an odd smile on his face, as if was thoroughly enjoying it.
Stunned, Cindy shuddered and turned back to Andy.
“I’d love to have more time to talk to you,” she said, trying to block out what she’d seen.
“I can only imagine how busy you are,” said Andy.
Cindy paused, he was right. She was totally busy. Every moment of her life was consumed with finding another piece of evidence. And when one case was over, the next one came along. How much time did she have for a life for her own? Her time with Mattheus wasn’t real either. It revolved around tracking killers, digging up suspects, figuring the next moves. Cindy took a deep breath. It was a strange relief to be simply sitting here, talking to a regular guy who wanted to be with her just because of who she was. Cindy suddenly felt homesick, not only for Christmas with her family, but for friends she could relax with and a man she could build a real life with again. The life that she was living now, made it impossible. And seeing Mattheus like that, made everything worse.
Andy reached out his hand and stroked her hand gently, “You’re a beautiful woman,” he said.
“Thank you,” said Cindy, not noticing Petrovich approaching them as they spoke.
“Well, I see you forget your partner the moment you find another man,” Petrovich came up and laughed gleefully. “And you, my dear Andrew, have had tremendous good fortune tonight. You’ve found the most beautiful woman in the entire room.”
Andy stood up, uncomfortable.
“No need to be nervous,” Petrovich grinned “But perhaps you don’t know, dear Andrew, that this intoxicating woman, you are talking to, has other things in mind besides you.”
Cindy was horrified and appalled by Petrovich.
“She is actually a detective, plumbing the depths of your brain.” Petrovich glanced slyly at Cindy enjoying exposing her cover.
“Yes, she told me that,” said Andy, simply.
Petrovich became sullen. It was not what he expected.
“And I appreciated her honesty,” Andy went on.
“But why in the world are you two talking then? What could you possibly have to tell her about what she wants to know?” Petrovich probed.
“Not much,” Andy said. “I had no idea the Senator’s daughter had been killed.”
Petrovich remained poker faced.
“For all we know it was a mistake,” Petrovich finally said. “The girl could have been mistaken for someone else.”
“It was a vicious killing,” said Cindy, “nothing accidental about it at all.”
Petrovich shook his head. He didn’t like the whole thing.
“It was an idiotic thing to have happened,” he grumbled. “Kicking up dust where no dust is needed, getting in the way of plans.” Then he turned to Cindy. “Why don’t you ask me your questions, directly, my dear? Your dashing partner is quite busy with a beautiful woman he’s met, who simply adores him, and never lets go. And, if you asked me, he returns her feelings completely. Even though the woman claims to be here from the C.I. A., I am positive Mattheus is not thinking about work at this moment. Take a look and see.”
Cindy refused to look their way again.