Cindy wouldn’t give up. “Kara and Rowley knew each other for quite a while, didn’t they?”
But Alice had enough. This question was one too much! “They knew each other, they loved each other,” she exclaimed. “I don’t know what you’re implying! I really don’t know, but I know I had enough for this morning.” Then she jumped up off the bench, turned and, like quicksilver, fled away.
Cindy jumped up, eager to catch up with Alice and explain herself. But she stopped herself midstream. Alice obviously needed to get away from her, have time to digest all this alone. Cindy felt bad that she’d pressed so hard, but time was of the essence here. What other choice did she have?
Cindy gave Alice time to get further down the road alone before she herself walked back to the hotel slowly, wondering if Alice was right. Was Kara nearby, still alive, waiting and begging to be found? Was there someone who could hear her begging and track her down to where she was?
*
Once back in the hotel Cindy went straight up to Rowley’s room, hoping Alice would be there and that she’d be able to apologize.
As Cindy approached the door, the two policemen who’d been stationed in the room were walking out. “Anything new?” Cindy asked as they stood opposite one another.
One of the cops shook his head. “Nah, the body hasn’t turned up and the husband’s clean as a whistle.”
“You spoke to Rowley?” Cindy asked.
“We’ve been speaking to him all along,” the cop continued. “There’s nothing to suggest he’s involved in what happened.”
Cindy was relieved and also skeptical that they’d come to the conclusion so fast.
“You’ve done a complete background check on him as well?” Cindy needed more answers.
“I told you, he’s clean as a whistle,” the cop repeated.
Cindy nodded. “Okay, thanks,” she said, not wanting to take it further at the moment. When Cindy glanced into the room she saw it was filled with people. It was more important for her to go inside and talk to them now.
*
As Cindy walked in, not only was Alice standing in the corner, but Rowley’s family had arrived as well.
The minute he saw her Rowley came right over to Cindy. “My family’s here,” he started, “I’d like you to meet them.”
“I’d love to meet them,” Cindy replied, hoping to first catch Alice’s eye and give her a smile. Alice stood with her back toward Cindy, though, staring out the window.
Rowley’s parents, a beautifully groomed, elegant couple, walked straight toward Cindy.
“This is my mom and dad,” Rowley started, “Bea and Pete Flynn.”
They all shook hands quickly.
“Come sit on the sofa with us,” Bea started. “We’re so glad you’re here. And we hear your partner is working on the case, too.” Bea was shorter than her husband, with silky blonde hair tied back from her face.
“Yes, Mattheus is talking to Kara’s father now,” Cindy said as she sat down beside her.
“What have you found out so far?” Bea was eager to hear.
“There’s nothing to report yet,” said Cindy. ”Mattheus and I have just started investigating. The search teams are out there too, doing their job.”
“I know,” said Bea, “in a few minutes we’re going to join them. The flyers with Kara’s picture on it are ready and many people on the island are passing out flyers to anyone they see. They’ve also been put up all over on public places.”
“Good,” said Cindy, “very good.” It was always important for families to feel they could be of help, not just stand idly by. “Has anyone called in tips yet?” Cindy was curious. She knew Mattheus would want to track down the tips himself.
“I’m not sure.” Bea got shivery.
“Just give it a few hours and there’ll be plenty of tips called in,” Rowley’s father, Pete, joined in abruptly. “Someone out there has to have seen Kara, or seen something that led to this. And right now the police want Rowley close to the phone, in case a ransom call comes in.”
“A ransom call?” This was the first time Bea seemed to have heard it. “Do you think someone kidnapped Kara?” she asked breathlessly.
“No one kidnapped Kara.” Alice turned and took a definitive step toward them all. “Kara’s not the kind of young woman you can just kidnap. She would fight her kidnapper for all she’s worth. She’d leave him bloodied and bruised behind her.”
The fury in Alice’s voice silenced the entire room.
Bea went over to comfort her. “Of course Kara’s a mountain of strength,” Bea murmured, “we all know that. But the police have to look into everything.”
“I know they do.” Alice was pleasant enough toward Bea, if not a bit condescending. “But I think it’s a bad idea for Rowley to sit here on pins and needles, expecting a ransom call which will never come.”
“It could come, Alice,” Bea spoke haltingly.