First thing the next morning before Cindy and Mattheus had even gotten out of bed, the phone rang. Mattheus rolled over and picked up.
“It’s Ned” Mattheus called out. “Autopsy report in. He wants us to come down to the station as soon as possible to fill us in.”
Cindy jumped up and got out of bed. “That’s quick,” she said. “Let’s get going.”
“We’re on it,” Mattheus was still talking to Ned. “See you in a few minutes.” Then he jumped out of bed as well and turned to Cindy. “They’ve got Lynch down at the station now for special questioning.”
“Oh God,” said Cindy. “Doesn’t sound good.”
“You never know,” Mattheus retorted, pulling on khaki pants and a fresh T shirt. “Cops could be making a big display, getting Lynch down there first thing in the morning. Makes them look as though they’re on top of everything. I’ve seen them do this before when they’re eager to get a case closed.”
Cindy rushed to the bathroom, splashed water over her face, brushed her teeth, pulled on a lemon linen dress, did her hair and quickly put on makeup.
“Okay, I’m ready,” she said, “we’ll get coffee at the station.”
Mattheus stopped a second, looked at her and grinned. “That’s what I love so much about you,” he said. “I never in my life knew a woman who could change so fast and get it together like you, in a flash.”
Cindy laughed. She prided herself on dressing quickly.
Mattheus came close, put his arms around her and pulled her to him. “That’s because you’re naturally beautiful and wonderful and all you have to do is be yourself.”
*
There was a buzz of excitement at the police station. When Cindy and Mattheus entered the room, not only was Lynch there being questioned, but a couple of new officers were joining in.
Ned came over to them immediately and pulled them to the side. “Autopsy report is definitive,” he said in a hushed tone. “Tara was strangled and then dumped into the Cove. They recovered heavy fingerprints on her neck, and some of Lynch’s DNA.”
“That’s why you brought Lynch in?” Mattheus asked.
“Precisely,” said Ned.
“Do the fingerprints match Lynch?” Mattheus went on, heatedly.
“No, thank heavens,” Ned shook his head. “And it makes sense that Tara would have his DNA on her. Hell, they were together all the time. We’re not giving out any details of the report yet, just that she was murdered. So keep the information under your belts.”
Once again Cindy realized how invested the police were in protecting Lynch. “What was the exact time of death?” Cindy asked, trying to see how much they would tell her.
“Victim died around five in the afternoon,” Ned replied officially, still looking at Mattheus. “That would have been an hour or so after she came back from swimming with Lynch. A lot could have happened during that hour. There were all kinds of people drifting around.”
“Did someone see her return with Lynch?” Cindy persisted. “Who was the last one to see her alive?”
“Raina said she saw the two of them,” Mattheus reminded Cindy.
“Yes, but Raina’s Lynch’s mom,” Cindy quickly replied.
“Exactly,” said Ned, giving Cindy a strange glance. “So it’s entirely plausible that Raina would cover for son. That’s why we brought Lynch in – alibi’s weak. We got orders to do it from above. You can listen into the questioning if you want to. Get it?” said Ned.
“Got it,” replied Mattheus quickly.
Cindy also got it full force. She got it that the cops were taking orders, wanted to cover all bases, make a fool proof case without leaving holes open for questioning later. They also didn’t want Cindy or Mattheus poking around or focusing too closely on Lynch. They were interviewing him now and that would be that.
“Got it,” Cindy echoed as she and Mattheus walked over to the table where Lynch was being questioned.
When they arrived, Lynch looked up, glad to see them. “They want to know if anyone else saw me come back with Tara from our swim,” he said, beseechingly to Mattheus.
“Did they?” Mattheus asked gently.
“My mom saw us. We stopped in and chatted with her for a few minutes,” Lynch quickly replied.
“Anyone else?” asked Cindy. “There were lots and lots of people around.”
“I don’t know, I don’t remember, “Lynch seemed discombobulated. “Why have they called me in now to question me again?”
“The autopsy report has come in,” said Mattheus.
“They told me that,” said Lynch. “What has it got to do with me?”
Ned stepped forward strongly. “I told you this is routine questioning, Lynch. And I told your mother. We have to get the details straight. The report said that Tara was strangled and then dumped into the Cove.”