“What’s on the agenda for today?” Dalia asked.
“How about you and I go for a walk on the beach?” said Cindy. “Before I go to see the Captain, I’d like you to fill me in.”
Cindy felt that Dalia unconsciously knew more about what happened than she was aware of. An in-depth conversation with her could bring many things to light. Cindy needed intensive time alone with her to see what she could bring out.
“I’d love to take a walk on the beach,” Dalia said excited. “Haven’t done that since Ames went missing and I got that ridiculous note.”
“What note?” asked Cindy.
“The one that told me I was going to be next. I mentioned it to you. ”
Cindy was frightened. “No, you didn’t, not at all.”
“Oh, I thought I did,” Dalia said nonchalantly. “There are so many nuts who write all kinds of things, I didn’t pay much attention.”
“What did it say?” Cindy stared at her.
“Just that I’d better watch out because I was next. It bothered me for about an hour, then I let it go. You can’t go on and live if you don’t let things go,” and she looked down at her nails that had been freshly manicured. “Like the color of my nails?”
Cindy got up and walked back and forth. “Did you tell the police?”
“Yes.” Dalia smiled. It’s not such a big deal,” she said. “I’m sorry I mentioned it. There are crazies down here who get off on playing with people’s heads. They read stories in the paper about stuff like Ames, and jump right in. I’ve heard of it happening to people before. If you let them get to you, they win. ”
“Show me the letter,” said Cindy, aghast. It sounded like a big deal to her.
“No, it’s not. I remember now, I showed it to Sand, and he said it meant nothing -- just some crank who had nothing better to do. ”
“Are you sure?”
“Very. He looked at it closely. Come on, let’s go and take that walk. ”
They put their bathing suits on, covered by sundresses, jumped into the car and took off for a beautiful beach, with tall dunes of black sand.
Cindy had never seen a beach like this before. It was totally mesmerizing. She took her shoes off and walked barefoot on the sand, letting the heavy breezes that arose from the ocean blow her hair. Dalia walked beside her.
“I come here for special occasions,” said Dalia. “When I need to be alone and meditate. This sand has answers, if you stare at it. ”
Cindy looked down at the sand and could believe it. Whirls arose on the sand’s surface, demanding your attention and pulling your mind deep within.
They came to a section of the beach, along a dune surrounded by huge, angular trees that looked as if they’d been there for centuries.
“Let’s sit down here for a few minutes,” Cindy said.
“Tired already?” Dalia looked at her, smiling.
“Not even close,” Cindy said. “In fact, I’m just getting started. But, let’s sit down and talk. ”
The two of them sat right down under the palm trees, on the sand, like old, school buddies, ready for a chat.
“I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to have you down here,” Dalia started, her voice catching a second. “It almost makes things feel normal. I can relax and let you do the job. ”
Cindy was grateful for her confidence, but Dalia had to wake up and begin realizing that Ames might not return – and that her life with him was not what she’d imagined. If she expected him to walk in any minute, and everything to go back to normal, she would fall apart when reality came hitting her in the face. And reality had a way of hitting, Cindy, realized, whether you liked it or not.
“Tell me more about your marriage to Ames,” Cindy said, “I want to hear everything I can about it.”
“Well, not everything,” Dalia murmured, playfully.
“Whatever you think,” Cindy responded.
“We’re really happy,” Dalia repeated, “I don’t have much to add. He’s the man I’ve always wanted. I knew it the minute I saw him, and I was right. Sometimes you see a person and know who he is the minute you lay eyes on him. ”
Cindy remembered that Dalia always felt she immediately knew the guys she’d become involved with. And she’d been wrong. Very wrong.
“Sometimes you know, and sometimes you don’t,” Cindy tried to break into the dream she was living in. “Sometimes you just think you know the person.”
“What are you implying?” Dalia looked put out. “You’re spoiling my mood.”
“It can take a long time to really find out who a person is,” said Cindy. “In the beginning, fantasy rules the day.”
“You sound like a bitter woman,” said Dalia, edging away.
Cindy was shocked. “Not at all,” she said, “just realistic.”
Dalia shrugged. “You must have had a terrible time with your husband and I’m sorry about that. But don’t compare it to me and Ames. ”
Cindy wondered what led her to that conclusion.