“Ah, I see you’ve already noticed her. Like you, she’s extremely beautiful. A snare for the unguarded, I’d say.”
For the first time tonight, Cindy realized how much Mattheus must have been missing the attention of a woman. But she would not give Petrovich the benefit of seeing her suffer. She looked at him as clear eyed as a tiger.
“I would love to question you directly,” Cindy said to Petrovich. “What a gracious offer. For starters, tell me what you know about the murder.”
“Actually, nothing,” he said.
“A man with your clout and connections?” asked Cindy. “You have to know something.”
“But I don’t,” said Petrovich in a low, grumbly tone, “that’s why it’s so irritating. And, this so called investigation is interfering with important business dealings, which is precisely why it has to be over with and done. My only wish is to see the case closed. That’s why I’ve invited the Guadeloupe Police to be my guests here tonight, as well as your charming Mattheus, who thinks somehow I am involved. I am not. And it doesn’t look good for me, does it, to have him or others thinking I could be. Deals I make naturally. Murder is something I never stoop to.”
Andy cleared his throat. Clearly, this conversation was more than he bargained for.
“Should I be hearing all this?” Andy asked, finally.
“If you want to pursue a relationship with this exquisite woman, then you’d better get used to conversations like this,” Petrovich replied instantly. “And, also, you will have to put up with her formidable partner, who I can easily handle, but you cannot.”
Cindy cleared her throat. Petrovich was trying to put an end to her relationship with Andy.
“Petrovich thinks he runs the world,” Cindy said with bravado, “his world maybe, but not mine!”
Petrovich laughed. “She’s spirited, but foolish,” he continued. “And jealous of the attention her partner is giving other women, as well.”
Cindy’s face grew red.
“Women are my finest wine,” Petrovich continued, “I’ve had a taste of every brand, know them all intimately. It may take time for Cindy to understand, that what’s good for the goose is not good for the gander. Mattheus can do what he likes with women. She cannot. It won’t make Mattheus happy to know that Cindy has even been talking to you so intimately. In fact it could cause a dangerous strain in their relationship, if I told him so.”
Cindy stood up tall. “What has any of this to do with you?” she asked, furious.
Petrovich laughed out loud. “Nothing, but you are a guest at my party. And I’ve actually taken a liking to you. You’re the first woman, my dear, who has interested me in a long, long while.”
“Well, there’s nothing about you interests me in the least,” Cindy snapped.
Petrovich moved closer to her, seductively.
She moved away and turned towards the door.
“What do you plan to do?” asked Petrovich, “Leave without your partner? That would be foolish, dangerous, even.”
“Now you’re concerned about my safety?” Cindy could not bear to look at him.
“Yes, in fact, I am,” he said.
When on a case, Cindy knew it was a cardinal rule to stay in touch, never go without letting your partner know when you left or where you were. She decided to go tell Mattheus that she was leaving now and would meet him back at the hotel. She had to get away from Petrovich, found him entirely repulsive.
First she wanted to say good bye to Andy.
“I am staying at the Ile de Joie Hotel,” Cindy said to him. “Please call me there if you care to.”
Then she turned and left, to find Mattheus, edging her way slowly through the crowded room. It was hot and late and difficult to wedge her way between the clusters of people. When Cindy got to the far corner she caught another glimpse of Mattheus at the bar. Her heart stopped cold. There was no space at all between him and the red head now, she was pressed full up against him. They were talking intimately, drinks in their hands.
Cindy stopped in her tracks. This was more than she could handle. What did this have to do with investigating a crime? Nothing. He was obviously drawn to this woman and she to him. They were comfortable together, whispering. Her mouth was practically on his face.
Cindy spun around, tears in her eyes, and dashed back to the front door. There was no way she would get in between them and tell him about her plans. Instead, she flew to the front gate and ordered the security guard to call her a taxi immediately.
The guard looked her over and smiled. “Going home alone? So early?”
Cindy did not respond. She just wanted to get out of there, think things over, and decide what to do next.
“The cab will be here in a few minutes,” the guard said, trying to get her attention.