“This is a detour and waste of time,” said Brayton. “There’s plenty you can help us do to finish nailing Kendra.”
Mattheus loved man hunts, circling a trapped criminal, weaving a web, drawing him in. He especially loved the moment they got him close, so he could look into the guy’s eyes as he knew his time was up. The blood in Mattheus’ veins began to boil. He thought of the hunts he’d been on for his wife’s killer, and how they’d come to nothing. Mattheus had gone round and round again in circles trying to track the killer down. The guy was sure footed and tricky though, knew each step of his way, disappeared into thin air. Some said he was hiding in plain sight. Mattheus didn’t accept any of it. It took Mattheus a year to stop tracking him. The guy was still out there, though. Mattheus knew he’d never rest easy until he was found.
Brayton scraped his throat and looked at Mattheus, long and hard. “Connecting this convict to our case is a long shot,” he said. “If you ask me, it’s a waste of time.”
“Don’t agree,” Mattheus shook his head hard. “It’s something you got to clear up before you nail Kendra. Otherwise there’s reasonable doubt.”
“What kind of doubt?” Brayton snarled, and started tapping the floor with his foot. “It’s as clear as day. Kendra had to have found out about the other wife. How could she not have? She’s one shrewd broad. And there’s got to be evidence out there proving it. In fact, I’m sure there is.” He looked long and hard at Mattheus.
“Maybe there is and maybe there isn’t,” said Mattheus, non-committal. If he told them that Kendra had lied to Cindy, it would be all over in a second. Mattheus wasn’t ready for the case to close though, and neither was Cindy. There was more to dig up. They both felt certain of it. And, this escaped convict could be the missing link.
“I’m going to talk to Salmon Noles,” Mattheus said.
“You’re one stubborn dude,” said Nojo.
“Better off staying here, “said Brayton. “We could use anything else you could find on Kendra. We’re setting up a meeting between her and Margot and having it recorded. They’re going to lunch.”
Mattheus wrinkled his nose. “I’m more interested in Salmon then listening in on two ladies at lunch.”
Nojo laughed out loud, but Brayton wasn’t having any part of that.
“We’ve already talked to Margot. She’s willing to do it, even though it’s not going to be easy for her.”
Mattheus was surprised. Margot hadn’t seemed like a woman who’d be willing to go out of her way.
“She’s working with us - wants to find her husband’s killer as bad as we do. She’s agreed to wear a tape during her lunch with Kendra.”
“Well, Cindy can step in and handle the ladies,” said Mattheus. “Me,– I want to look this killer straight in the eye.”
“You and Cindy each know your place?” said Brayton, edgy.
“That’s right,” said Mattheus.
“Quite a team, aren’t you?” said Brayton.
“The best on the islands,” Mattheus grinned.
*
Mattheus’ heart was beating as he went to the hotel to meet Cindy. He wanted to tell her about Salmon Noles in person. She was the one who’d pushed him to do it, and once again, she’d been right.
He got to the hotel and went out to the veranda, where she was waiting. It was cooler than usual, closer to the time the storms were coming. There were moments when Mattheus saw Cindy with fresh eyes. Right now she looked especially lovely, her hair blowing in the wind. He rushed over and sat down at her side.
“Get ready,” he said.
Cindy’s eyes opened wide.
“I found a client of Paul’s who’d been sent to jail for murder who was let out on probation two weeks before Paul was killed.”
Cindy gasped.
“Not only that he talked a lot in jail, said he blamed Paul for what happened.”
“My God,” breathed Cindy, “this could be it.”
Mattheus watched her tremble as he spoke. It was touching to see how important it was to her to help Kendra.
“I’ve told the guys about it,” said Mattheus and I’m going myself to check him out.
“Thank God,” said Cindy again.
But Mattheus stopped her. “Not yet,” he said, “don’t get your hopes up. It’s only a possibility.” He knew from long experience, it was dangerous to pin your hopes on anything too soon. And it was easy to do. Too easy to focus in on someone you thought should be guilty and block everything else out.
“It’s a strong possibility,” said Cindy, “given his background.”
“We don’t know that,” said Mattheus. “It sounds good on paper but you never know what you have until you meet them in person. He might have an air tight alibi for all we know.”
Cindy took a deep breath. “He might. Because the police are going on full force with their investigation of Kendra. Brayton contacted her about having lunch with Margot. Cindy said. “Kendra said she’d only do it if I went along.”