“Other than Nojo, I had a good time. It was useful, meeting Andrea.”
Let’s make a plan right now,” Mattheus said. “He wanted to set up a structure between them that would make them both comfortable, that would work. “For starters, I’ll handle the bars and night spots.”
Cindy put her coffee cup down. “If I need to go there, you can come with me, too,” she acquiesced. “More importantly though, you handle the cops. I’ll speak to the women, friends and family.”
“Good,” said Mattheus. “l will check out Roomey’s alibi today, contact the poker player, and also get in touch with the police about the cases Paul lost. I’m going to the police station first thing.”
“Great,” said Cindy, “I can’t shake the feeling that someone Paul defended could be involved in this. How about you?”
“Anything’s possible,” said Mattheus. “That’s what’s so fascinating about our work. What are your next steps?”
“Before I go to see the woman Heather May suggested, I want to meet the main players in the case, particularly Kendra’s daughter, Nell. Kendra mentioned that she’d be home from school this morning. How about running over there with me for an hour, then we’ll go our separate ways.”
“Sounds good to me,” said Mattheus. “After that, I also think we should take some time to visit Paul’s office, meet some colleagues, look around. That’ll give us both a fuller backdrop of his life.”
“Great,” said Cindy. “I want to be completely prepared before I go see that woman. “Heather May told me that when I met her, I’d find out all I needed to know.”
Mattheus pulled back at that one. It was a red light signal. “That’s quite a claim, “he said. “Don’t get your hopes up too high. When people promise me the moon, I usually take a few steps back.”
Cindy looked sad suddenly and Mattheus wondered why.
“Sounds like you’re afraid to trust,” she said.
“I trust when trust is earned,” he said. “It takes time. That’s smart.”
“I trusted Heather May,” said Cindy.
“I’m not sure why,” said Mattheus. “It sounds to me like Heather May has her own agenda, her own reality.”
“I liked her,” said Cindy.
“Liking her and believing her are two different things,” Mattheus said. “Could be she’s sending you on a wild, goose chase. Some people enjoy creating confusion. Others get a payoff by sending you in the wrong direction. The worst thing is to expect one lead to solve all your problems. That clouds your vision, creates disappointment. Takes you off your game.”
If Mattheus knew anything, it was how to stay on his game. Cindy enjoyed listening to his observations, absorbing what he’d learned.
“You’re right,” said Cindy. “Heather May seems to live on the edge. She could just be having an island fantasy. I’ve got to find out more about her, as well.”
“Okay,” said Mattheus. “First we’ll check in on Nell. Before we do, I want the address of the woman you’re going to interview later, in case you need cover.”
Cindy gave him the address reluctantly. “I won’t need cover,” she said.
Mattheus didn’t like that. “You never know,” he said. “I should know where you are at all times.”
“Should I know where you are as well?” Cindy asked, playfully.
Mattheus grimaced. “You plan to cover me in case of danger?” he asked off handedly.
“I’d contact the police immediately,” said Cindy.
The idea amused him. “Let’s play it one step at a time,” he answered simply, and pulled his chair out to go. Cindy didn’t seem eager to go anywhere though, just sat there looking at him and then out at the gardens spread out before her. The flowers were waving slightly in the wind that was beginning to blow up. Mattheus had a sudden urge to sit back down with her, take some time. But he could feel the winds changing and realized the storms weren’t far behind. There was a lot to do be done before then.
“Come on, let’s get going,” “ he said. “There’s a lot to be covered. We don’t have time for just looking at the sky.”
Cindy got up. “I’m going to the lady’s room for a second, and then we can be on our way,” she said.