After breakfast Cindy took off to the police station without calling upstairs to tell Mattheus where she was going. There was no need to, she thought. He had done what he wanted these past few days and she had every right to do the same. More than that, she had no desire to tell him, or to have him join her, anyway.
Once she arrived at the police station Cindy immediately asked for Abe. He was a fine officer, a good person, and Cindy felt a personal connection with him. She knew Abe would be as helpful as he could and hoped he’d be around. Usually when she went to see the police, either she or Mattheus would call and let them know they were on their way.
Cindy waited at the front desk as they called for him. In just a few seconds, Abe came out of his office and walked briskly down the hall.
“What are you doing here?” he asked, surprised to see Cindy, but also pleased.
“Do you have a few minutes, Abe?” Cindy asked.
“I have as much time as you need,” he answered forthrightly, ushering her into a small side room where they could talk. “Can I get you some coffee first?” he continued as Cindy sat down on a small sofa in the corner.
“No, thanks, I just had breakfast,” said Cindy.
“Alone?” Abe looked surprised. “What happened to Mattheus?”
“He had a late night last night,” said Cindy, “and I wanted to let him rest this morning.”
“Late night by himself out on the town?” Abe’s eyes opened.
“Mattheus is spending a lot of time with his friend Rod,” said Cindy lightly, “trying to calm him down.”
“Mattheus is a good man,” said Abe, “a very good person. All the cops on the island respect him a lot.”
“Yes, I know that,” said Cindy.
“I’m glad you do,” Abe replied, looking at her closely. “Okay, shoot, what’s up?”
“I heard there’s a big drug ring down here, that has tentacles up into the States,” Cindy started.
“There’s drugs everywhere in the world, Cindy,” Abe replied, resigned. “They pass through the Caribbean and go all over.”
“Yes, of course, I know that,” Cindy replied, “but I can’t help wondering if the ring might be involved in what happened to Kara and Shane?”
Abe let out a long, rough breath. “We’ve found nothing to point to it,” he said definitively
“Forget Kara for a minute then.” Cindy pursued it. “What about Shane?”
“We’re not sure about that,” Abe replied.
“Come on, Abe.” Cindy didn’t want to be played with. “Is anyone from Shane’s family down here yet?”
“No one.” Abe looked troubled. “But her boyfriend, Vinny, comes down to the station every day. He says he’s not going back home until he gets answers.”
“I’d like to talk to him,” said Cindy promptly.
“You’re not on the case,” Abe interrupted.
“Who is?” Cindy was surprised by the response.
“You can’t work on both cases, Cindy.” Abe was insistent. “There could be a conflict of interest.”
“Not if the cases are intertwined,” Cindy flung back.
“There’s no proof of that.” Abe remained unwavering.
“Does Vinny have anyone here working with him?” Cindy wouldn’t let it pass by.
“I’m not sure if he has professional help.” Abe looked at Cindy sadly, wanting to offer something. “But listen, there’s a friend of Kara’s down here who’s in touch with Vinny all the time.”
“A friend? Who? Alfred?” asked Cindy, startled.
“That’s it!” Abe smiled. “It’s a guy named Alfred. He refuses to believe that Kara drowned and is tearing the island apart looking for her.”
Cindy’s knees buckled. Alfred was doing more than she was. “I have to speak to someone in the drug ring,” she repeated. “Please give me a name? Tell me where to find them?”
Abe shook his head definitively. “Absolutely not,” he declared. “You’re no match for those guys down there. They’ll eat you up in second. Besides, it won’t lead anywhere.”
“But I have to, Abe,” Cindy insisted.
“Why?” He stood his ground.
“There are just two kids out there, alone, searching.” Cindy felt the passion rise in her. “That’s not right, Abe and you know it. It’s not fair. I have to know why Shane died,” Cindy continued, unnerved.
“We’re releasing the medical examiner’s report in an hour.” Abe backed down a little, touched by Cindy’s plea. “I’ll tell you what we have now.”
“Thank you,” Cindy breathed.
Abe pulled open a drawer, took out some papers, and started to read.
“Shane suffered a bullet wound in her ribs,” he began. “Her lungs were filled with water. Right now it’s not absolutely clear if she bled out from her wound or died from downing.”
“You mean you don’t know if she died when she was shot, or if the person who shot her took her and threw her in the water?” Cindy repeated, wondering whether they really cared. Was anyone investigating the case thoroughly?
“Something like that,” Abe agreed as he read on. “Cause of death was definitely homicide though. One way or another it was foul play.”
That was a huge declaration. Cindy was all over it. “What are you doing to find the killer?”