“One time only, no kids,” Vinny answered on the spot.
Cindy liked Vinny immensely. Everything he said was direct and heartfelt. She could feel how much Shane had meant to him.
“Her ex have anything against Shane?” Abe chimed in.
“In the past , yeah,” said Vinny, “but it was over now. The idiot met someone and is happy. He can’t wait for the divorce to go through, too.”
“Does the ex also live back in the States?” Darrin asked.
“Yeah, so what?” asked Vinny. “He lives in Connecticut too, a few blocks away from my used car dealership. That’s how I met Shane, she came in to buy a used car.”
Cindy breathed deeply. It was interesting that both Kara and Shane came from Connecticut, but so far that fact didn’t add up to anything. No matter what came up, there was nothing sticking that the police could hold onto.
“What do you think happened to Shane, Vinny?” Darrin asked loudly then.
Vinny hands twisted into tight fists. “I don’t know, I don’t know.” His voice sounded strangled. “But just let me loose, give me a chance. I’ll track down whoever did it if it’s the last thing I do.”
*
After Vinny left, the police took a ten-minute coffee break. “Stay if you want,” they said to Cindy and Mattheus, “we got Rowley and Kara’s dad coming in next.”
Mattheus was startled. “Why Rowley and Rod?” he asked.
“Just trying to see if there’s any way these two cases are connected,” Darrin remarked.
“You’re not going to hold Vinny?” Mattheus asked then.
“Everything he says checks out,” Darrin replied. “We can’t hold him for anything, and there’s no reason to think he had anything to do with it, either.”
“Not yet,” grumbled Mattheus.
“All kinds of crazy stuff goes on at the casino,” Darrin continued, “lots of players from the drug ring hang out down there.”
“Could Vinny be a dealer?” Mattheus wouldn’t let go. “Could he be running drugs through his used car dealership?”
“Anything is possible,” Darrin replied, “but so far it looks like he’s on the up and up. There’s no sign of money or drugs passing through his hands. Seems like he and Shane come down here regularly and play the tables, and that’s about it.”
“No big debts piled up for either of them?” Mattheus dug in further.
Cindy was fascinated watching Mattheus, wondering exactly what he was expecting.
“No,” Darrin answered directly, “nothing like that’s come up. Shane had a good job back home doing medical massage at a local clinic and he runs his car dealership. Their finances are in good order.”
“You wouldn’t think so,” Mattheus commented.
“Why not?” asked Darrin.
“Two people who spend their time hanging at the casino all night?” Mattheus commented.
“You can’t arrest them for that.” Darrin became irritated. “Lots of people enjoy the casinos, they’re a big attraction down here and a big source of income, too.”
Cindy sighed and put her hand on Mattheus’s arm. “Looks like the police have got a terrific head start.”
“We had to.” Darrin looked at Cindy appreciatively. “With all the scrutiny turning our way, we’re not looking for any surprises.”
Cindy and Mattheus thanked Darrin, got some coffee, and then went back into his office to be present when Rowley and Rod arrived.
*
When Rowley walked in, he looked depressed and defeated and Rod seemed dazed.
“Thanks for coming,” Darrin greeted them personally and asked them to sit down near his desk.
“Terrible news about the dead woman,” Rowley offered the moment he took a seat.
“Awful,” Rod agreed, “but at least it wasn’t Kara. We all went through hell for a few hours when we thought it was her.”
“That had to be rough,” Darrin agreed.
“Just as rough as still not having any answers.” Rod’s eyes narrowed.
“I can’t tell you how sorry I am about that,” Darrin remarked.
“So, what do you want us here for now?” Rod was becoming pugnacious.
“Just a few more questions,” said Darrin. “Your friends are here too,” and he motioned to Cindy and Mattheus sitting on the side.
Rod was startled to see Mattheus there, and also looked relieved. “You didn’t tell me you were going to be here,” he called out to Mattheus.
“I didn’t know you were going to be here either,” Mattheus responded.
“Okay”—Rod turned back to Darrin—“ask me whatever you want.”
“Not just you,” Darrin said softly then. “We also want to hear from Rowley.”
“The kid’s been through enough,” exclaimed Rod.
“Just a few questions,” Darrin promised.
Rod nodded. “Go ahead.”
“Rowley,” Darrin started, “did you or Kara know Shane or her boyfriend, Vinny, at all?”
“I never saw them before,” said Rowley, looking blank.
“What about Kara?” Darrin persisted. ”Did she know either of them?”
“I’m sure she didn’t know them either,” said Rowley.