“That’s ridiculous,” Margaret emphasized, “though I definitely do wish it were true.”
“You realize that hiding her when the police are searching would be considered obstructing an investigation?” Cindy said.
Margaret’s stony silence deepened. “Of course I realize that,” she said. Despite her coldness Cindy felt Margaret’s worry.
“Did Kara ever say anything that made you suspicious about her life or relationships? Did she ever give you any hint that she might be in danger?” Cindy wanted as much information as this woman was able to give her.
“Nothing at all, not ever,” breathed Margaret. “Kara seemed completely happy and well adjusted. And I never heard one negative thing about her fiancé.”
“Have you met Rowley?” Cindy wanted to push it.
“No, I have not. Our place is kept under cover. We don’t welcome family or friends of our employees. There’s top security everywhere.”
“Kara did a good job? You were pleased with her?” Cindy continued.
“Kara’s a model counselor here. Everyone loves her, she goes to any length she can to help. Kara’s always very careful about everything she does, never wants to make a mistake.”
“Did she make some mistakes that bothered her?” Cindy picked up on it immediately.
“We all make mistakes.” Margaret seemed nervous. “But nothing out of the ordinary. She did fine.”
“These are just routine questions, but they must be asked,” Cindy continued.
“Certainly, I understand,” said Margaret, settling down a bit.
“What kind of mistakes did Kara make?” Cindy felt interested.
“Nothing much,” Margaret repeated. “Once in a while she got too close to a resident, spent too much time with her. That is not advisable and we warned her about it.”
“What’s wrong with it?” Cindy was surprised.
“It is of the utmost importance to keep clear boundaries,” Margaret continued. “These women who live here have suffered horribly. Some of them grab onto anyone who helps them and then have trouble letting go. This is not a permanent residence. Women are hidden here, protected, trained, and hopefully helped to build a new, safe life after a while back in the world.”
“That’s a noble calling,” said Cindy.
“We do our best.” Margaret sounded pleased. “Some make it, some don’t. Some rebuild their lives and go forward, some go back to their abusers and to their old ways.”
Cindy found that fascinating.“Do the women who go back to their old ways sometimes smuggle drugs into the shelter even though it’s forbidden?” she asked.
Margaret seemed to stiffen. “Not that I know of specifically, though I imagine it’s possible. Why?”
“Was there a woman living there recently who had ties to the drug ring down in St. Lucia? Or perhaps her husband did?” Cindy was determined to see if she could find some kind of connection between the shelter and the drug ring operating down here.
“There are women here whose partners have ties to all kinds of crime everywhere,” said Margaret. “That’s why they’re here. There was a woman I recall who was here recently whose husband had been put in jail for drugs. That’s all I know, believe me.”
“I need her name,” Cindy insisted.
“I can’t give you that. I just can’t. We’re legally bound to protect those who’ve been here.”
Margaret’s first commitment seemed to be toward protecting the shelter, not necessarily the people who worked in it, not even if their lives could be at stake.
“Kara’s gone missing.” Cindy’s voice rose. “She might still be alive. Her life might be in danger. Aren’t you legally bound to protect her as well?”
“I would do anything on earth I could to protect Kara,” Margaret exclaimed, “but there’s nothing further I can say. Why not go check out the drug ring yourself?”
“Believe me, I will,” Cindy replied.
“Good, and let me know what you find.” Margaret’s voice clenched and became brittle.
“I will. And please see if there’s anything else you can give me that might help bring Kara home alive!” Cindy pleaded.
“I gave you all I have, I gave you all I have,” Margaret finally mumbled before she hung up the phone.
Agitated, Cindy immediately put in a call to Mattheus. “There’s a lot going on here,” she said, the minute he picked up.
“I thought you were relaxing and taking care of yourself,” he responded.
“I told you I had a meeting with Alfred first,” Cindy practically snapped.
“Yes, and I told you that guy could make anyone crazy,” Mattheus answered, irritated as well.
“There are things I want to go over with you.” Cindy held her ground.
“Absolutely,” agreed Mattheus. “First thing in the morning we’ll have breakfast and go over everything.”