Cindy didn’t know what to say. “I will,” she answered slowly, “but first let me make this call.”
Cindy stepped out through the back door of the living room, into the blooming garden and breathed deeply. She felt as though she were in a dream. How could this be possible? Was the man who Margot thought was her husband, just someone who looked like Paul? Cindy didn’t think so. It was definitely him. She’d inspected his photo too many times.
Cindy took out her phone and quickly dialed Mattheus. Fortunately, he picked up instantly.
“Mattheus,” Cindy gasped, having a hard time catching her breath.
“What’s wrong?” Mattheus sounded alarmed.
“You’ve got to come here immediately.”
“Why?”
“Paul had a second wife and family.”
“What are you talking about?” Mattheus said.
“The woman I’m with is married to Paul. He has another name here, Gregg Kowan.”
“Holy God,” said Mattheus.
“And his wife has no idea he’s missing. She thinks he’s on vacation.”
“She’s nuts?” Mattheus asked.
“She’s fragile,” said Cindy. “Get over here. I don’t want to tell her alone.”
“Don’t say anything,” said Mattheus. “The police have to be notified. There are all kinds of steps we have to take. I’ll contact them immediately, and then I’ll get right there. In the meantime, don’t leave the premises. Stay there and wait for me.”
CHAPTER 14
Cindy hung up the phone and stood outside, not knowing how to proceed. She couldn’t leave until Mattheus arrived, and she knew that Margot didn’t want her to stay. She waited outside, lingering, trying to buy as much time as possible. It was actually beautiful and soothing to be out in the garden which was filled with small cobblestone walks winding between beds of rich flowers. Over on the far side was a grape arbor with a small bench inside it. Cindy walked over to the arbor, went in, and sat down. Delightful breezes wafted through the enclosure, refreshing Cindy and soothing her mind. She wondered how long she could stay hidden here, before Margot came looking for her.
To Cindy’s surprise as she sat, waiting, no one appeared. Cindy was left alone in the tranquil beauty of this home, which would soon be coming to an end. The man she thought she was married to was also married to someone else - and had a child with her as well! Cindy could barely absorb it. This turned the case on its heel. She had no idea how Margot would be able to handle the shocking news that lay in front of her. She seemed herself like one of the hothouse flowers, so carefully planted here. Although she’d seemed cold and distant in the beginning, as Margot relaxed and opened, Cindy developed a liking for her. She appeared to be a fine, delicate woman, who had just lived her life in a world of her own.
Margot’s home would be about half an hour’s drive for Mattheus. Cindy wondered how long she could really stay, before Margot came to the arbor to find her. To Cindy’s surprise, time passed uneventfully for what seemed like a long while. Then Cindy saw a shadow approaching on the ground, coming towards her. She stood up and walked to the edge of the arbor, as Graham approached. He stopped when he saw Cindy standing there in the shade.
“We wondered what became of you?” said Graham, edgy.
Cindy looked at him closely now. Now she knew who he’d reminded her of! His father, Paul. It was shocking to realize that Paul not only had a second wife, but a son he’d been raising. There was also an intensity about Graham that Cindy found him interesting.
“I was just taken a moment’s rest in the shade,” she said. “I hope it’s okay.”
“It fine,” Graham answered, surprised. “My mother was looking for you, down at the other end of the garden. She said that you disappeared into thin air.”
For no reason a pang of deep sorrow for Graham came over Cindy. As he looked at her, he suddenly seemed excruciatingly forlorn.
“I’m so sorry,” said Cindy.
“About what?” Graham asked, his dark eyebrows curling. “And why did you really come to see us?”
Cindy saw that he couldn’t really make out why she wanted to talk to his mother. It bothered him.
“Sometimes events have a life of their own,” Cindy started to say, desperately wanting to prepare him also for what lay ahead. “Things happen that we can barely imagine. Our lives get turned upside down.”
He listened more closely, his eyes slowly glistening. Cindy could see that he understood every word that she said. She wondered if he’d had some sense of trouble.
“The more we struggle to get out of a bad situation,” Cindy continued, “the more we can get trapped in it.” She didn’t know exactly why she was saying that to him, but he absorbed every word she said.
Just as he was about to respond, there was a crunch of noise behind him.