“It was a big deal to Tara,” Cindy stepped in definitively. “She was about to marry a man who had a child that she knew nothing about.”
Ned turned on his heel and stared at Cindy. “Some people get off on ruining the happiness of others,” he practically spit out. “From what we knew the two of them were in love. I bet you told her that this kid was a big, lousy, deal.”
“I didn’t have to tell her anything,” Cindy responded acidly. “She could see it for herself, unlike some other people.”
“Hold on,” said Phil, trying to calm the waters. “There’s no point in blaming Cindy for this. I could see how women would get shaky when they hear that kind of news.”
“Not only women,” said Cindy. “Tara’s father, Aldon, was horrified.”
“Sure, why not? He was paranoid, wasn’t he?” Ned couldn’t take any of this, the more he heard the more disgusted he became.
“So, when Tara found out about the child, Lynch and his mother were there,” Mattheus filled in the details. “Tara said she wasn’t going through with the wedding and Raina wasn’t about to be publicly
humiliated. She told Lynch to handle Tara, make sure the wedding took place.”
“Raina probably told him privately he could get divorced afterwards,” mused Nick. “She gave him good advice.”
“Good or bad is not the issue,” said Mattheus. “Lynch obviously tried to keep it together, work things out with Tara. And Tara was also trying to fix it, from what I hear. She developed a weird obsession though, with Lynch’s kid.”
“Like father, like daughter,” Ned growled.
“What kind of obsession did she develop?” Phil was curious.
“Tara wanted the boy to become part of their family. She wanted Lynch to be a father to him,” Cindy declared.
“Jesus Christ,” said Ned. “Now you’re telling me she was some kind of nut?”
Cindy was filled with horror by Ned’s response, but did her best to stay calm and quiet. He obviously knew the family and the company and was truly rankled by the news.
“Tara and I went to visit both the child’s mother Bala and the child before the rehearsal dinner,” Cindy interjected.
That seemed to shock both Ned and Phil even more. “Who’s this Bala? Where does she live? Here on the island?”
“Yeah,” said Mattheus. “Apparently Lynch sends money regularly to help with the kid. She’s a good woman, raising the kid with her brother Dawl.”
Both cops mouths fell open at the same moment. “Dawl Lemmings?”
“You know the guy?” asked Mattheus, surprised.
“Dawl Lemmings is an ex con, well known on the island. He’s been involved in all kinds of robbery and in jail for assault with a deadly weapon.”
“Whew,” Mattheus took a deep breath.
“He’s trouble any way you look at it,” Ned exclaimed. “Jesus Christ, Dawl Lemmings, it’s been awhile since his name has come to my attention.”
“Dawl’s calmed down. He’s been out of the picture for a few years,” Phil commented to Ned. “There was a recent case where we thought he was implicated and he wasn’t. Remember, he was at home taking care of some kid. People saw him and the kid together. Could be it was Lynch’s kid! My God, Lynch’s kid is Dawl Lemming’s nephew! Now, that’s news.”
“Raina asked that this information stay absolutely confidential,” Cindy suddenly chimed in. That’s critical to her.”
“Tell me about it,” Ned snarled. “Of course it’s critical. Once this stuff gets out, it’s the pits.”
“Could Lynch have killed Tara to keep this all hidden?” Cindy asked brazenly.
“That’s a big leap to make, honey,” Phil jumped in.
“Tara told me she wouldn’t marry Lynch unless he accepted the child into their lives,” Cindy emphasized. “But when Tara and I went to visit Bala and the child, Dawl was there, and wouldn’t even let Tara see him. He said the boy was his, he’d raised him like a father and no one was taking him away. Not over his dead body.”
Everyone drew in a stiff breath together, as a sense of darkness filled the room.
“Looks like we got our man,” Nick grumbled hoarsely under his breath. “Dawl was scared to death of losing the boy and killed Tara before it could happen.”
Cindy and Mattheus stared at each other alarmed. It could certainly look that way and the case could be closed before it was ever opened.
“We’re on the way to visit Bala and Dawl, to check out further,” Mattheus announced then plainly.
“They’re expecting you?” Ned shot back.
“Not yet,” said Mattheus, “but I’ll call first.”
“It’s a good idea,” Phil spoke up. “You guys go see them first before we do. It’ll take them off guard, because you don’t look like cops.” Then he turned to Cindy and Mattheus. “Why not just tell them you’re part of the family?” he suggested.
“That’ll make them feel more scared,” Mattheus said, “they think the family wants their child.