Cindy loved the way Mattheus put things, she loved sitting here with him, the cool breezes from the ocean, wafting across them as they spoke. But it was painful going through this situation. Even though things looked awful for Kendra, deep within Cindy didn’t believe she’d killed Paul. There was something else, floating around in Cindy’s mind, though she couldn’t yet say just what.
“I feel terrible adding to this suspicion about Kendra,” Cindy said to Mattheus.
“We’re here to find the truth,” he said.
“But I don’t think she did it,” Cindy said. “She lied for another reason. Maybe, even though she suspected it, she was ashamed that Paul actually had an affair, and was covering it up.”
Mattheus reached over and put his hand over hers briefly. “You’re doing a wonderful job. You can’t feel bad about what you find. I’m going to check in with the police and let them know what we’ve found.”
Cindy felt agitated. “Don’t tell them that she lied, yet. Give it some time. After all Kendra hired us.”
“We can’t conceal evidence,” said Mattheus. “You have to trust that what is right will happen.”
Cindy knew that he was right, but she couldn’t trust anything with the police. They were dying to grab Kendra and string her up. Cindy felt herself sinking at the thought of it. Then she looked up into Mattheus’ beautiful eyes. He had a way of lifting her spirits that she hadn’t experienced for a long while.
Cindy tried one more time, though. “Listen, Mattheus,” she said, “before you tell the police that Kendra lied to me, finish checking on Paul’s clients. The answer to his murder could be there. It’s not fair to keep piling on suspicion about Kendra until you’ve cleared that up.”
Mattheus smiled at her broadly. “I love how loyal you are,” he said. “I love that you don’t give up.”
Cindy’s heart lifted again. “If you find just one guy who had a strong motive to kill him, that could turn things around. Otherwise we’re only tightening the noose around Kendra’s neck.
“We’re not tightening the noose, she is!” said Mattheus. “At a time like this, what the hell right does she have to lie?”
CHAPTER 18
The minute Mattheus walked into the police station, a low cheer went up.
“Great work, Mattheus,” Brayton called out. He was sitting at the desk with Nojo, going over stacks of papers. “Come on over, sit down. This is a damn treasure chest.”
Mattheus went over and joined them.
“Who could ever have imagined the guy had a second family? You would think one would be enough for any man,” Brayton said as Mattheus sat down.
Brayton and Nojo laughed.
“The other wife, Margot, is a good woman, too,” Brayton continued. “She opened her home to us, let us go through all the papers we needed. Looks like she’s a great mom to the son, too.”
“Can’t be sure about that,” Mattheus interjected. These guys made up their minds much too fast.
Nojo shook his head. “No, this woman is different from the others. You can see it right away. Not about to twist you and turn you.”
Brayton laughed again. “Looks like Nojo’s got a shiner for this dame.”
Nojo grunted uncomfortably.
“Well,” said Mattheus “glad you like her, but whatever you see at first, it’s usually upside down. Here we thought this guy Paul was a regular chap and it turns out he’s crazier than the rest.”
“You can say that again,” said Brayton. “Who the hell needs two wives when women around here are a dime a dozen?”
“Must have enjoyed the con,” asked Mattheus.
“Big time,” said Brayton. “Can’t say the guy wasn’t smart though. Did a great job with the hoods he defended. Got most of them off, too. I always thought he enjoyed it too much, though.”
Nojo snorted. “Don’t know how he got himself a wife like Margot, either. Boy, she’s gonna help us nail the other one – and good.”
That jogged Mattheus’ memory. He’d made a promise to Cindy he wanted to keep.
“Don’t be so sure about Kendra,” said Mattheus. “I need more time to find out about Paul’s clients. I’m not done with my search.”
“Search all you want,” Brayton said, “from the looks of things now, Kendra’s the one. And, what did your other search come up with? Roomey Burke, who everyone knows and Silbert Hours, of all people!”
All the guys started laughing.
“The best known pimp in these parts. And, where was he when Paul was killed? In bed with his ladies, all afternoon. We got one after another to vouch for him.”
The guys laughed harder.
“Alright, you guys, “Mattheus grinned, moving away. “I’m going to see what I can dig up now about Paul’s clients.”
“Won’t be much better than that,” Brayton said.
“Man, this is a huge waste of time,” Nojo grumbled.
“Time’s one thing I can’t waste,” Mattheus grinned.
“You want to make the boys look bad?” Nojo looked at him under a crinkled forehead.
“Hey, it’s my job, to look in the corners you guys don’t have time for,” Mattheus said. If something comes up, it’ll make you look good.”
Nojo laughed. “Want to make me look good? Find me a broad I can take home to mamma.”