“Well, I’m glad Rodney called,” said Mattheus. “And we’d certainly appreciate that name.”
Edwin gave them the name of Nick Cantro, a dealer who worked at a casino two miles away.
“Lynch goes to that casino from time to time,” said Edwin. “And Nick knows everyone and everything going on in St. Martin. He also knows Lynch personally quite well.
Mattheus took the name, thanked Edwin, and said they would be back with something for him.
“Jesus,” Edwin mumbled, as they got up to leave, “Lynch in trouble? It’s the last thing I’d expect.”
*
“Bingo,” said Mattheus as he and Cindy were on their way to the Beach Casino, two miles down the road. “We got the name of our informant. Now, let’s see what we get out of him.”
Cindy was disturbed at how excited Mattheus was. She felt as though she were on a fool’s mission, trying to spoil the happiness of a lovely, young, happy couple to satisfy the needs of a bitter father.
Cindy looked out the taxi window at the shops all around, the restaurants, clubs, and outdoor cafes. The place was bursting with life and energy. Part of her wanted to forget all about the assignment and join the fun.
The taxi turned around a bend and up towards the Beach Casino. Cindy thought about their talk with Edwin Case. “That guy seemed to really like and admire Lynch,” Cindy said.
“Maybe he does and maybe he doesn’t,” said Mattheus. “We don’t really know anything about it, yet. If everything here is on the up and up, that will be a good thing to know. Then we’ll look closer at Aldon, and prevent trouble with him up ahead.”
That made Cindy feel better. At least something good could come of all this. She and Mattheus got out of the taxi and walked into the entrance of another humongous casino sprawling with gaming tables, machines, poker games and packed with people searching for lady luck.
Before they could even begin to get their bearings, a short guy in a purple shirt, with a few top buttons opened, came right over.
“I’m Nick,” he said, “come with me.”
Obviously Edwin had called Nick immediately. Cindy was amazed at how tight people were here, how on top of everything.
Nick brought them over to a half empty lounge and sat them down on the back sofas, out of view of the half nude waitress, marching around.
“Need a drink?” Nick asked.
“No, we’re good,” said Mattheus.
“So, what’s the problem?” Nick leaned forward, cupping his ear.
“I need whatever you have on Lynch Sprain,” Mattheus spoke loudly, over the racket.
“So I heard,” said Nick.
“There’s big money in this for you,” Mattheus added. Aldon had told Mattheus not to spare a dime.
“How much?” asked Nick.
“Plenty.”
Nick grinned. “Who wants to know about Lynch? The girlfriend?”
Cindy was startled. “What do you mean girlfriend? You mean Tara, the fiancée?”
“I thought it could be the girlfriend making last minute trouble, but what difference does it make?” said Nick.
“Plenty of difference,” Mattheus said. “Is there a girlfriend in the picture?”
“There was a girlfriend, big time. Not now,” said Nick.
“So, why did you mention her?” asked Cindy, ruffled.
Nick shifted a little. “I don’t know, thought she might be getting nervous now with the wedding so close. And taking place right in her face, down here in her backyard.”
“Lynch has a girlfriend living down here?” Cindy asked again swiftly.
“Had, not has,” Nick repeated.
“How long have they been broken up?” Mattheus asked.
“Once Lynch met Tara, that was it. The girlfriend, Bala, was history,” said Nick.
“Tara broken Lynch and Bala up?” Cindy was startled.
“Nah, not really,” Nick shook his head. “Lynch’s relationship with Bala was really over about three months before he and Tara met. He only checks in with the girlfriend once in a while because of the kid.”
Cindy shivered. “The what?”
“Lynch and Bala have a child together?” Mattheus echoed, stunned.
“Yeah, a little boy, Paulie,” said Nick, unimpressed. “Cute as hell, too. He’s about four years old now.”
Cindy felt as if the walls were crumbling around her. How could this be possible? She looked at Mattheus quickly. Neither had heard a word about this before.
“Is Lynch’s son going to be at the wedding?” asked Cindy, carefully.
Nick looked at her as if she were crazy. “What kind of stupid question is that to ask?” he said. “Of course he isn’t. No one knows the kid even exists at all.”
Cindy was horrified. “What do you mean no one knows?”
“That was part of the deal,” Nick filled them in. “Lynch agreed to pay for the kid, but didn’t want anyone to know about him. A kid like that wouldn’t sit well with his fancy family now, would it?”