Preparations for the Millionaire Yacht Festival were taking place all over town, and Cindy walked through town slowly, taking in the vibe. Hotels were filling up, villas being readied, restaurants preparing for the parties, feasts and celebrations that would go on for three solid days. Local merchants were gearing up and bands playing. Wherever she went, she couldn’t escape the celebratory feeling.
A sense of sadness overcame Cindy, as the gaiety in town intensified. It made her feel lonely, as there was no one for her to enjoy it with. She felt like a stranger passing through town, who wasn’t really a part of the celebrations. At moments like this, the reality of being alone became more vivid. She could busy herself with work as much as she liked, as soon; as she stopped, she realized that she’d become an outsider.
Cindy thought about the rock through the window and the note she’d received. She knew Mattheus had her best interest at heart when he told her to back down. She also thought about Dalia’s rage. It wasn’t with her personally, Cindy decided, but with the frustration of waiting for a husband, who might never come home. Cindy couldn’t allow that to force her to retreat and hide. Her whole trip down here would be meaningless if she fled at the first sign of danger. Maybe Mattheus was right-- maybe she had become a little crazy now. But helping to solve Ames’s disappearance gave her a purpose for living. And doing her job gave her more strength and energy than worrying about what could possibly happen to her.
Dalia was wrong to yell at her like that, but she could understand. Dalia was temporarily out of her t mind. It could happen to anyone. She owed her another chance. Cindy had hit upon something that upset Dalia deeply, but she wasn’t exactly sure what. More and more these days Cindy noticed Dalia’s moods changing, like a flash flood that suddenly came to shore, and then subsided. It must be the strain of time passing and nothing breaking in the case, Cindy thought.
Cindy thought about her own sister, Ann. She’d emailed her a few times, letting her know that all was well. Ann answered tersely, upset that Cindy was back in the Caribbean, putting herself in danger again, and putting Ann through this worry. Ann was sick of it. She asked when Cindy was coming home and when Cindy couldn’t answer, didn’t email back for a while. When she did, it was only one line. It’s your life to live, I can’t do anything. And I can’t stand hearing about it.
Cindy took that to mean that Ann didn’t particularly want to hear from her right now. She could understand how Ann felt and also realized that she needed a break from her family as well. It was time to get in touch with new parts of herself, with who she’d become and what life could mean to her now.
Cindy decided to give it all a break, and take a walk down to the docks, and watch the Yachts pulling into shore.
*
Incredible Yachts were moored in the dock, and moved in from all directions on the horizon. This renowned festival drew the best and most beautiful. Handsome sailors, dressed in white slacks, lined the decks, along with smiling women, song and wine. The weather participated fully, with soft breezes, blue skies, and wonderful, warm seas. A list of the races was posted all over and old friends greeted one another, while new friendships were being made.
Cindy wondered which Yacht belonged to Dale and when she would actually meet him. She enjoyed watching the boats sail in and sensed the growing excitement in the air as the wind blew her hair and skirt gently.
As she stood there watching, she heard a voice behind her, “I thought you were going home?”
She turned and there was Mattheus, looking disturbed to see her there. .
“What a beautiful day,” Cindy said softly.
Mattheus shook his head. “Not smart,” he said gruffly.
It’s a great time during the festival,” Mattheus said, “but you can’t roam around alone. There are too many people in town now, the crowds are too thick. It’s a perfect setup for something to happen. I can’t risk anyone hurting you. ”
Something in his tone touched Cindy deeply. She looked into his eyes.
“I’ll be all right, I promise,” she said softly.
“You can’t promise something like that.” Mattheus looked troubled. He looked off into the horizon, silent for several minutes. Finally, he sighed deeply. “My wife was killed back home, right under my nose. I was two doors away when it happened. I’ll never, ever forgive myself. And I couldn’t stand it if something like that happened again. In fact, I made a vow that it would never happen again to anyone I knew, as long as I was around. ”
Cindy gasped. “I’m so sorry,” she uttered. “I had no idea.”
“It was a long time ago,” he said quietly, “but it feels like yesterday.”
Cindy wanted to reach out and hug him, to comfort him, but she held back.
“I can only imagine the pain you must have gone through,” she said.
“I know you realize,” he responded. “Not many people have been through something like that.”
Now Cindy understood why he was so protective of her.
“I wish I could make it better,” she said.
Mattheus grinned in an odd way, then. “In your own way, you already have,” he said.
CHAPTER 17