“My granddaughter?” Isabelle answered in a haze.
“Yes, it must be quite a shock to see her again,” Cindy repeated, realizing how jarring Loretta’s sudden re-appearance must have been.
“Everything is a shock for us these days,” Isabelle replied slowly. “Loretta hasn’t been part of our life for years and it’s hard to believe that Tara is gone.”
How well Cindy understood what Isabelle was feeling. She softened her tone. “Mattheus and I were surprised not to have met Loretta at the Villa along with the rest of the family,” she commented.
“I never thought of it,” Isabelle sounded slightly nervous now. “Why would you want to meet her? Are you and Mattheus coming to the cremation?”
“Yes, certainly,” Cindy replied.
“Good,” Isabelle replied, as if Cindy and Mattheus were responding to an invitation to a formal dinner party. “At the very least, you’ll see Loretta then.”
Cindy wasn’t sure what to make of it. Did Isabelle really wanted her to meet Loretta, did she expect Cindy to reach her by phone? Cindy wanted to call Loretta immediately and find out.
“I’m really sorry for your loss,” Cindy said once again, wanting to hang up the phone. “Please accept my condolences.”
But Isabelle was not ready to end the conversation. “How are you doing with the case? “Anything new?” she went on.
“It’s too soon to say specifically,” Cindy remained vague.
“We’ve heard the police have developed new evidence against Owen,” Isabelle continued fitfully. “No one knows exactly what it is.”
Cindy hadn’t heard that, was startled. “I don’t know anything about it,” she replied, wondering if Owen knew.
“Will you keep us informed, please?” Isabelle asked, a desperate edge creeping into her tone. “No one that’s taking the time to keep the family informed.”
“Of course I will,” Cindy replied. “As soon as I have something definite and am able to share it with you, I will certainly call.”
“Thank you so much,” once again Isabelle sounded both weary and heartbroken.
Cindy hung up and immediately dialed the number she was given for Loretta. As with Alana, the phone rang and rang with no answer. There was no way to leave a message either. For a moment Cindy wondered if Isabelle had given her the right number. Was the family covering for her? And what possible new evidence could the police have against Owen? Why hadn’t they informed Cindy and Mattheus immediately?
Cindy hung up again and quickly called Mattheus, who was just leaving Dr. Padden’s office.
“Great to hear from you,” he replied, “how’s it going?”
“Too much to say over the phone,” breathed Cindy.
“Listen,” said Mattheus, “I need to check into the police station for an hour or so to do some more research. After that, how about meeting up for some rest and recreation? We’re about due.”
Cindy liked the idea, could use some time to unwind. “Perfect,” she agreed.
“If you like, we could meet at the dock, take a dinner cruise, go over things,” Mattheus suggested.
The idea suited Cindy perfectly. “Yes, let’s do it.”
“The next boat out is in two hours,” said Mattheus. “Meet me down at dock four then.”
*
Cindy was delighted to have a couple of hours before meeting Mattheus. It would give her just the right amount of time to sit down on the balcony and go through Tara’s diary. The idea of what she would find both fascinated and frightened Cindy as she felt as though she were invading Tara’s intimate privacy. But whatever she was feeling, this was a murder case and she had no choice but to plunge in.
Cindy went outside, stretched out on a lounge chair and opened the book gingerly. The first page was dated about six months ago. Cindy wondered if Tara had kept on-going diaries, was this just the latest of them? Cindy also wondered who might have access to earlier ones.
I am so grateful for everything, the first page started, in a light, lilting handwriting. Thank goodness we settled the arrangements with the orphanage and can proceed as we’d planned. As usual, Owen has been wonderful. I have no idea in the world what I would do without him. I tell him that over and over and he says he has no idea what he would do without me, as well. How blessed we are, truly.
Cindy was startled to read that. It was almost as if she were listening to a voice from beyond the grave. The diary had certainly arrived at the perfect moment to help dispel doubts about Owen anyone could have. Cindy felt strange about reading further, but had to. This diary could make the difference between Owen’s being found guilty or innocent.
The next few pages went over simple details of Tara’s life, her meetings, friends, daily routine. Obviously, she was busy from early morning to evening, taking care of thousands of details that applied to the orphanage and also making time for family, friends, yoga, swimming, and catering to Owen’s considerable needs and requests. Cindy’s eye stopped at a paragraph a few pages later that interested her.
Veronica mentions time and again that I fuss over Owen way too much. He’s not your child, Veronica keeps saying. That comment really hurts, and yesterday I told her so. She just answered that men like it better when their wives have some mystery about them. Even after years of marriage men still need to conquer and chase. Really? I said. I told Veronica that’s how she runs her marriage, but it’s not how I run mine. Veronica enjoys keeps Bill on edge, constantly wondering if she loves him. I would never, ever treat Owen like that.
Cindy gulped and read the paragraph again, thinking of her own relationship with Mattheus. She and Mattheus had created a pretty good balance, Cindy decided. She never thought of herself as catering to all his desires, or making him chase and conquer her, either. Tara’s life was different. Her world obviously revolved around Owen. Was there something intrinsically wrong with that? As she read Cindy wondered why Tara and Owen didn’t have any children of their own? She also wondered about what had happened between Tara and her daughter? Cindy kept reading.
I have to get those gifts for mom, Jenna and Hank, was sprawled on top of another page. I don’t want to go to dinner there again, empty handed. Let Owen fuss about it all he wants or say I’m too attached to my family. My family is his family too now. They’re his only family. He’s probably as attached to them as I am, just hides it, like any man.
Cindy didn’t want to read too much into that. It didn’t sound like a major source of contention between Owen and Tara, just something she mentioned in passing. Most couples had to work out how much time they spent with their extended families. Cindy personally never had to go through that struggle with Clint. He’d loved Ann, and Cindy’s mother had never been available. There had been some friction between Ann and Mattheus though, but now Cindy realized to her horror that the friction was over. Ann was gone. Cindy felt a deep pit in her stomach, thinking of who remained in her family and how distant she was from them all. Mattheus had become Cindy’s real family now.
There was no way Cindy could read the entire diary right now, nor did she have to. A great deal of it simply recorded simple events of the day. It was not relevant to what had happened to Tara, showed no sign of danger up ahead. Cindy browsed through the pages looking for some indication of conflict or concern, either with Owen or anyone else. Very little appeared. The only conflict Cindy found was in the exchanges between Tara and Veronica. Their relationship upset Tara and she talked about it quite a lot. When Cindy found mention of it, she stopped and read the entry carefully.
Veronica keeps saying that Owen is taking advantage of me, one page boldly stated. Nonsense, ridiculous!I’m beginning to think Veronica’s jealous of my relationship with Owen, that she can’t stand to see two people so happy together after all these years. I told her she can enjoy playing head games with Bill all she wants. Owen and I aren’t into that. That didn’t go over so well, either. Veronica said all guys need head games to keep things spiced up, that I’m a fool to think otherwise. I’m not sure how long I can keep this friendship going. It’s upsetting to hear Veronica’s stupid remarks. Does she enjoy playing head games with me, too? Why else would she say that if I don’t stop catering to Owen, he’ll find his excitement somewhere else? That’s a terrible thing to say and I told her so.