“Good timing,” said Mattheus curtly. “I’ve just tying up the last chunk of research on Sean.”
Mattheus was like a dog with a bone, thought Cindy. She didn’t know why he refused to open his mind to other possibilities. There was obviously something about Sean that stirred him up, as if there were a battle of male energy between them. It upset Cindy, wondered if Mattheus had the objectivity needed to handle all kinds of cases. Of course then she also had to also wonder if she had that objectivity herself? Did anyone? Probably not. That’s why it was so good to tackle cases with a partner, someone who balanced you and brought another perspective.
Cindy went right to the bar and ordered a glass of wine. She was definitely confused about what had happened. It was late in the case to feel the way she did, she thought, and feared it might never be settled.
Mattheus walked into the bar, looking fresh, confident and handsome as ever, with an air of defiance about him. He pulled out the seat next to Cindy, and motioned for the bartender. Clearly, he was still upset about having found Cindy and Carl having a bite together.
“Scotch and soda,” said Mattheus, gruffly.
Cindy suddenly realized that Mattheus would never be trusting of her. It wasn’t personal, either. That’s just who he was, the way it would be. Either she could accept it or she couldn’t.
“There’s a very important development,” Cindy started, professionally, overriding the personal emotions that stirred below the surface.
Cindy’s strength and no nonsense demeanor caught Mattheus’s attention immediately. “What?”
“The bracelet that Sean gave Riva didn’t belong to Kate. It was a cheap imitation of it. Not only that, Sean gave it to Riva a few days before Kate died.”
Mattheus’s jaw dropped for a second. “You’re sure?”
“Positive,” Cindy said promptly. “I saw Kate’s original bracelet in her room when I was speaking to Clay.”
“Both bracelets have to be carefully examined,” said Mattheus.
“No problem,” said Cindy, “but Kate’s bracelet was there. After I found it, we went to Riva’s room and talked to her about her bracelet.”
“We?” asked Mattheus.
“Kate’s uncle Carl and I,” Cindy continued, totally by passing Mattheus’s insinuations, which had no place in the investigation and would only distract matters. “You don’t have any solid evidence against Sean anymore,” Cindy concluded.
“Wrong,” Mattheus bit his bottom lip. “There’s plenty of circumstantial evidence here, enough to sink a boat.”
“You want to sink Sean?” asked Cindy, irritated.
“I want the truth to prevail,” Mattheus said. “How about you?”
Cindy was quieter. “Yes, of course, I do.”
“I’d say you’ve taken a liking to Sean and can’t really be objective,” said Mattheus. “It’s a danger in cases.”
“Just what I was thinking,” said Cindy. “A big danger, a big distraction.”
“Right,” said Mattheus. “So, now please listen to what I’ve come up with. “Not only does Sean have a history of impulsive action, I found a friend of theirs back home who said she heard Sean threatening Kate from time to time. And, she knows a few people who can confirm it. Sean would yell at Kate, tell her she was a misfit and to get the hell away from him.”
“A misfit?” Cindy was horrified. “Kate was a beautiful, elegant, lovely young woman.”
“On the surface of it,” said Mattheus. “But there had to be lots more going on. Why did she hang onto a guy like Sean all these years? He was someone always in trouble, up to no good.”
“Maybe because she loved him?” said Cindy.
“That’s an easy answer that means nothing,” Mattheus said.
“It means something to me,” said Cindy.
“What was there in Kate that made her love someone like that?” Mattheus clarified.
“Exactly how was Kate a misfit?” Cindy was stuck on that point.
“The person didn’t say,” said Mattheus, “but she said that Sean got off on embarrassing Kate publicly, putting her down, being rotten and nasty. People heard it. Kate would run away crying.”
Cindy’s heart ached for Kate. What had gone so terribly wrong in her life that allowed her to accept this kind of treatment?
“I’m sorry to hear this,” said Cindy slowly.
“You’re sorry to hear it, but those are the facts,” said Mattheus. “This guy you want to protect so much, Sean, he’s not worth it.”
“What about the bracelets?” asked Cindy, suddenly shaky?
“It would have been good to have that physical evidence,” said Mattheus, “but it’s not the end of the world. It’s not taking this case down by any means. And, Riva’s not exactly the most reliable witness either. Who knows when Sean actually gave Riva the bracelet? And, why in hell is she emailing Clay so much now?”
“How much?” asked Cindy, “and how do you know?”
“We’ve tapped into Clay’s computer and are following what he says and does,” said Mattheus.