“How are you doing, Frank?” Cindy asked kindly.
“I’m getting along, but nothing’s the same anymore,” he said. “It will never be.”
“No, it won’t,” Cindy echoed.
“That’s why I wanted to call you,” Frank went on. “I know Ann would have wanted me to stay in touch. She thought about you all the time.”
“Thanks for that,” said Cindy, truly appreciating it.
“Are you down there on another case alone?” Frank asked then.
“No, not at all,” Cindy replied quickly. “Mattheus is down here with me now.”
“Mattheus?” Frank sounded shocked.
“Yes, of course,” said Cindy.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Frank exclaimed. “Truly I am.”
Cindy sighed. Frank had no right to be sorry, she thought. Now they were back to square one, the same old thing.
“Ann never trusted Mattheus, she never liked him,” Frank couldn’t help add.
“I know she didn’t, Frank,” Cindy replied, “but Ann’s not here now, is she? She’s not down on the islands solving cases. And when you’re on a case, it’s crucial to have someone at your side.”
Frank became quiet then. “I understand, you’re right,” he said finally. “I shouldn’t have said that, I was just surprised.”
“It’s okay, Frank,” said Cindy, relenting. “You meant the best for me, I know.”
“I certainly do,” Frank responded. “And I’m asking you, please, please, don’t forget that. Stay in touch. You deserve the best, Cindy, only the best.”
*
The call from Frank unsettled Cindy even more than she’d been before. And his words rang in her ears: she deserved the best. But what was truly the best for her? That wasn’t a question that could be so easily answered. Whether or not she’d expected it, after Clint was killed and she’d become a detective, her life had taken a completely different turn.
Cindy stood up and began pacing restlessly in the room. Where was Mattheus? Why was he taking so long? Cindy needed to see him and talk things over. She picked up her phone and called him right away.
“What’s going on? Where are you?” Cindy exclaimed when he answered.
“I’m still here with Rod,” Mattheus answered softly. “He needs me badly. Nothing about this looks good, Cindy.”
I need you, too, Mattheus, Cindy wanted to say, but held back just in time. Rod was Mattheus’s old friend whose daughter had just gone missing. Of course Mattheus was doing the right thing staying at his side.
”What doesn’t look good?” Cindy asked, eager for more information.
“Nothing?” Mattheus answered. “There’s absolutely no sign of Kara, no tips coming in, and the police are getting ready to call the search off.”
“Already?” Cindy was upset.
“They’re tapering it down anyway,” said Mattheus. “Rod’s furious, he’s beside himself.”
“I see,” said Cindy, feeling distraught.
“We’ll talk more when I get back,” Mattheus added, seemingly eager to get off the phone now.
“When will that be?” asked Cindy, feeling at loose ends suddenly.
“I can’t say when,” Mattheus answered quickly. “Whenever I’m through here. Do what you have to tonight. Don’t wait up for me, I’ll see you in the morning.”
Cindy felt punched in the stomach as she hung up the phone. She felt dismissed, unnecessary. That was not Mattheus’s intent though, she quickly reminded herself. They weren’t down here on a vacation any longer, they were on a case, and solving it had to be the first priority. Cindy couldn’t allow personal feelings to confuse the situation. Normally Cindy
enjoyed time alone, but right now she was on edge and restless, unsure about what steps to take next. She had no intention of spending the evening alone in the room, either. Instead, Cindy decided to get out and take a long walk in town, alone.
CHAPTER 9
Cindy felt she could walk off the anxiety that had suddenly taken grip of her. She put on a pair of jeans, loose shirt, and sneakers and left the hotel. There were many directions she could go in. Evening was falling though and soon it would be dark. Cindy decided to stay along the edge of town, but also give herself time in nature. There was a well-known trail called Angola that she’d always been curious about. Although you could see the lights of the town from the trail, it also wound through deep trees and underbrush, around waterfalls and natural alcoves created by tree branches.
Cindy arrived at the edge of the trail, took a deep breath which was filled with the moisture of earth and leaves. It felt wonderful and refreshing already to be here. She would walk and walk, think of nothing, just let the natural rhythms of life guide her along her way.
As Cindy began to walk she couldn’t help wonder about Kara. Were they searching for a ghost? Had she long left this world? Who among the people Cindy’d met so far could really help her? Suddenly Cindy heard a long, low whistle behind her and moved quickly to the side, into the shadow of a tree.