“No, I don’t,” Cindy said, suddenly saddened.
“Of course not,” Meryl shook her head. “How could you do this work if you did? You couldn’t. You wouldn’t be able to put yourself in such danger. But someday you may have children. You’ll know better than how I feel. You’ll know better than about a lot of things. Having children teaches woman things about life that she never could learn otherwise. It opens her up, makes her aware.”
Cindy believed it must be so.
Meryl stood back and looked at Cindy with fresh eyes for a moment.
“You’re a young woman,” she said as if seeing her for the first time. “Not so many years older than my own daughters. Young and very beautiful.”
“Thank you,” said Cindy.
“I hope you won’t get trapped doing this for the rest of your life,” Meryl sudden turned motherly. “There are better things waiting for you, a home, a family, people you can love.”
“This is perfect for me right now,” Cindy said quietly. “I’m happy to be here to help you.”
Meryl came over and gave Cindy a hug. As she did, Cindy felt the full weight of this woman’s sorrow, falling upon her.
“God bless you dear for your wonderful heart,” said Meryl. “But, keep your eyes open for danger. Remember this killer is vicious. He slithers around, hides his intentions, despises women. And, nobody knows where he is right now. No one knows. Not even the angels.”
CHAPTER 4
While Cindy was upstairs talking to his wife, the Senator brought Mattheus to the bar in the room on the other side of the hallway. It was long, polished and fully stocked. Some kids were sitting at the bar, others were scattered on sofas. They got quieter as Mattheus and the Senator entered the room.
“There’s nothing left wanting on this ship,” the Senator said as he went behind the bar to make a drink for Mattheus. “You’ve had a long trip. What would you like?”
It was warm on the boat and Mattheus didn’t want anything at the moment, except to be filled in on details.
“Wine spritzer is fine,” said Mattheus, “light on the wine.”
Mattheus looked around. He felt as if he had landed at spring break in an exclusive club except for the strong feeling of upset in the air. The kids backed off as he came in, giving him and the Senator room to do business.
The yacht was fantastic. He wondered how the Senator managed to afford it. Mattheus watched him as he prepared the drink. The guy was elegant, smooth and in charge. When he turned around, Mattheus noticed the wrinkles on his furrowed brow.
The Senator handed the drink to Mattheus. Then he took his own drink in his hand and said, “let’s go out on the deck to talk.”
They walked slowly out there. It was a relief to be outside. Mattheus needed time alone with this guy.
“Particularly muggy day today,” the Senator said. “Usually we get better breezes.”
Mattheus nodded.
“We don’t have much time,” the Senator went on. “Once a case goes cold, it disappears. I understand why they’re keeping it under the radar. But I don’t like it.”
“Of course not,” said Mattheus.
“They’re scared to create turmoil on the island," the Senator kept filling him in,” too much is at stake. But what about us? Our whole life is at stake. You wouldn’t believe the pressure I’ve been under to keep this quiet. But between you and me, I don’t give a damn who finds out. So what if terror floods the island and ruins the party season. I want to know who did it. I want him caught and stopped!”
Mattheus felt comfortable with him. He related to the guy’s angst. He knew what it felt like to have something he loved ripped away from him and not be able to do anything about it. He related to how driven the guy was to find the killer. He’d felt the same way when his wife had been killed, was consumed with the need to solve the case – which he never did. To this day no one knew who killed her. It tormented Mattheus.
“I’m actually glad you’re here,” the Senator said then, “never would have thought so, either. It was my wife’s idea, but now I see she was right, about something, finally.”
The Senator’s bitterness about his wife stung Mattheus. He wanted to know what was behind it.
“We need to infiltrate every corner of this island,” the Senator went on, wiping the sweat from his face. Mattheus also noticed that the expensive shirt he was wearing was damp.
“Do you have any ideas about who may have done it?” Mattheus asked, point blank.
The Senator’s jaw clenched. “I’ve been thinking about it night and day. I do have an idea. It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to figure something like this out.”
Mattheus was surprised.
“I’m a public figure,” the Senator continued, “and I fight for what I believe.”
“I saw that when I researched your background,” said Mattheus.