“Obvious,” Mattheus went on. “Ames made a lot, but he also needed a lot. A rich wife is an asset that no one wants to pass by. ”
“Is that why he married her?” Cindy asked quickly, hoping it was not.
“Damned l if I know why people marry,” said Mattheus. “Could be a case of momentary madness, mixed with fleeting loneliness - and a dash of hope thrown in.”
“You sound bitter,” said Cindy.
“Not bitter, just clear. Try to call it as I see it. People marry for all kinds of crazy reasons. Sometimes they’re sorry a minute later. Sometimes they’re sorry a whole life long. ”
“And sometimes they’re not,” said Cindy. “Sometimes it just gets better and better. Sometimes people actually love. ”
Mattheus grinned, “I never deny any human possibility,” he murmured, picking up his coffee and taking a gulp.
“Do you think the reason Ames married Dalia could have something to do with why he’s missing now?” Cindy said.
Mattheus put his coffee down. “You think he ran away with somebody else?”
“It’s possible,” said Cindy, without blinking an eye. “His closets were half empty and the drawers in his desks were empty too.”
“We noticed that too,” said Mattheus. “But there was a lot of important stuff still there, though. And we confirmed that it wasn’t unusual for Ames to pack and unpack his things and take them here and there. He had boats, yachts, and ladies’ homes, to drop his things at regularly. ”
Cindy shuddered. “Doesn’t that make it even more possible then that he ran away with someone?”
“Unlikely,” said Mattheus, and grinned. “No woman meant that much to him. And, no matter what you say, It’s pretty rare for a guy to give up everything for love. ”
Cindy felt troubled. “Clint would have,” she said quietly, half to him, half to herself.
“Your husband?”
“Yes,” said Cindy.
“Well, he was a lucky guy. And so were you. It doesn’t happen most of the time. ”
“I guess not,” said Cindy, reaching for her coffee and croissant.
“So, tell me more,” Mattheus said after they’d both finished their food and drained their coffee cups, “anything else you found?”
“I found out that Elizabeth and Dalia dislike each other.”
“They do. That’s not news. ”
“And I had a long talk with Nina,” said Cindy.
Mattheus lifted his eyebrows, impressed. “You did a lot in a short while,” he said. “Nina was a suspect in the beginning.”
That shocked Cindy “She was?”
“Just because she was his latest gal.”
“That was common knowledge?” Cindy was truly taken aback.
“If you probed just a little,” said Mattheus. “By the way, she came up clean. She’s a sweet person. Very devoted to Dalia. ”
Cindy raised her eyebrows.
“Don’t judge her,” Mattheus said. “Don’t judge anyone. If you do, it knocks you off your game. ”
“I’m not judging her,” Cindy protested.
“You are,” he said. “It’s natural. But it doesn’t work when you want to solve a case. You’ve got to just look the facts in the eye clearly. Judging gets in the way. Anything else? ”
“I’m not sure I agree with all your conclusions,” Cindy wasn’t swallowing everything so fast.
“Nobody said you have to,” he smiled.
“I use my instincts to sort things out,” said Cindy. “And if I judge someone, I judge. It can help me know a little more. ”
“Have it your way,” Mattheus said, his smile turning into a grin. “I like you. You look so gentle, but actually, you’re feisty. And gutsy, too. A perfect combination for a detective. ”
That made Cindy feel good. She felt comfortable around Mattheus, too.
“Anything else?” he continued.
“I’ve run into Rosa quite a few times.”
Mattheus looked puzzled. “Yes?”
“Nothing special, I just find her odd.”
“She was born that way,” said Mattheus. “She was like a daughter to Ames all these years.”
“That’s also peculiar,” said Cindy. “Was he sleeping with her as well?”
Mattheus crinkled his face at that comment. “Never thought of that,” he replied. “Doesn’t seem likely. And if he was? ”
“Just wondering about everything now,” Cindy said.
“It’s good to wonder,” Mattheus replied, stretching out in his seat.
Cindy felt great talking this over. She stretched back in her seat as well. “Now you tell me more,” she said to him. “Before I go to see the Captain of the fleet, what do I need to know?”
“That’s a big one,” Mattheus said. “He could be quite a catch.”
“Why?” asked Cindy.
“He and Ames were really tight. The guy knows everything about his business, his life, you name it. ”
Cindy had heard all that already. Mattheus wasn’t offering anything new.
“I’m sure you guys interviewed him.”
“Of course. Let’s put it this way-- we didn’t get anything from him that’s helped us as yet. ” He looked at her with searing eyes. “Maybe you can.”
“You think he’s involved?”