Cindy shivered.
“After all, it was Kara who took the drugs from Shane, not Rowley,” Darrin reminded Cindy. “Be glad that Santos agreed to free her, at least.”
Finished with the conversation. Darrin turned on his heel then, waved to the other cops, and started back.
Santos walked over to Cindy and Mattheus then and the three of them stood under a sliver of moonlight that shone down.
“You got a fantastic woman there, Mattheus,” Santos said without a moment’s hesitation. “Don’t ever let me hear you left her alone again. That wouldn’t sit well with Santos.”
Mattheus looked at Santos, incredulous.
“Now that I’m Cindy’s friend,” Santos went on, “no one’s ever gonna leave her alone again.”
CHAPTER 24
Missing Woman Found Alive the papers grandly announced, celebrating the unexpected return of Kara. Due to the incredible, persistent work of Cindy Blaine, of C and M Investigations, this young woman has been returned to her family safe and sound. Thankfully, the family is on their way home now as this is being written. We are all proud of the victory that has taken place down here in St. Lucia.
Conveniently, no mention was made of Shane, or how that investigation was proceeding. Alfred and Jenna returned with the family, and Cindy received a quick, last email from him.
We will all be totally indebted to you forever. It was your connection with Santos that made this possible. For some reason Santos loved you and couldn’t say no to whatever you asked. These things happen when the angels are with us, don’t they? Jenna and I will have a memorial for Shane when we get back home. We’re both certain that the man who harmed her is dead, by now. So far, Kara and Rowley are not speaking. They are moving into two separate apartments for now.
Tracy told me she thought you were wonderful and so did Alan. Keep up the good work, Cindy. There are so many more out there who need your help.
*
Cindy and Mattheus sat reading the papers and emails together. Mattheus was restless and out of sorts, however. When he last saw Rod, Rod had not even given him the time of day.
“Rod used you as a cover,” Cindy said to Mattheus after the family left. “All the time he said he was falling apart, Rod was busy getting rid of Shane.”
“Not all the time, but part of the time, definitely,” Mattheus said.
“That’s incredible,” breathed Cindy.
“You’re right,” said Mattheus, “I was taken in, big time. I’m ashamed.”
“Go deeper, Mattheus,” Cindy said. “How did that even happen?”
“Beats me,” said Mattheus.
“What was it you needed so much from Rod?”
“He was my old friend, my good friend,” said Mattheus softly. “It’s been a long time—”
“Do you miss being home in the States?” Cindy asked then. “Do you miss having good friends?”
“Could be,” agreed Mattheus.
“Is it possible this is not the life for you anymore?” asked Cindy.
“That’s going too far,” said Mattheus.
“Think about it, Mattheus, it’s an important question.”
Mattheus remained sad and silent though, unable to say anything. All of this had ended up being a shock to him and Cindy knew he would need time to figure it out.
The phone, which had been ringing all morning, rang abruptly once again then. This time the call was from Bonaire.
“Cindy and Mattheus, Cindy and Mattheus, we need you,” a frantic woman’s voice called out on the other end.
Cindy held the phone away from her. “A call from Bonaire,” she said to Mattheus.
Mattheus looked at Cindy and perked up. “Let’s start again. Let’s go there together,” he remarked, the light returning to his eyes.
“Just like that?” Cindy asked, startled.
“We’ll go back to the beginning. We’ll start slow again. Ask the woman what the problem is,” Mattheus answered, quickly returning to his old self.
Cindy smiled, relieved to see him this way again. Indeed, the power of the work they did was a true medicine, not only for Cindy, but for Mattheus as well.
“We do well as working partners,” Cindy said slowly then.
“You’re right, it’s true,” Mattheus conceded, “but like it or not there’s much more between us. And I have every confidence that one of these days, we’re going to work all of it out.”
Cindy pulled the phone closer to her. “What’s the problem?” she asked. “What’s going on in Bonaire?”