Owen came up and put his arm around Mattheus. “You two did a great job,” he repeated, “I’ll be eternally grateful to both of you. You kept the pressure up, smoked out the culprits.”
Mattheus nodded at him. “Thank you.”
“What’s next for the two of you?” Owen asked pleasantly then.
“Cindy and I will be leaving for the airport first thing tomorrow,” said Mattheus. “I’m glad this worked out well for you, Owen.”
“It has, thanks again,” Owen replied.
It worked out well? Owen’s comment bothered Cindy. How could it have worked out well when his wife had died? Didn’t he realize that he was returning home without her?
After a few more pleasantries, Cindy and Mattheus walked to the door and Loretta immediately dashed up behind them.
“Give me your number, please,” Loretta said to Cindy. “This minute.”
“Of course,” said Cindy, nervously. “Would you like to talk now, before we go to the hotel?”
“No, later’s better,” said Loretta. “I want to talk when we can be alone.”
*
A heavy silence fell between Cindy and Mattheus as they got into a taxi to go back to the hotel and make arrangements to leave Jamaica.
“If you want to know the truth,” Mattheus finally admitted as the taxi pulled away, “I can’t wait to get out of here and for us to finally be alone.”
Cindy nodded, distracted.
“I’ll make reservations on the first plane out of here. We can head wherever you like,” Mattheus went on.
That sounded tempting, “a little vacation?” Cindy asked, halfheartedly.
“Precisely,” Mattheus replied, delighted.
Cindy wished she could have felt delighted as well, but something was nagging at her, wouldn’t let go.
“Okay, what’s wrong? Let’s have it,” said Mattheus, picking up her mood. There was nothing Cindy could hide from him, ever.
“Let’s stay here a few days more,” Cindy suggested.
“Why?” Mattheus bristled, “the case is over. It’s wrapped up.”
“And what if it isn’t?” asked Cindy.
“What are you talking about?” Mattheus was uneasy. “Case closed. Wrapped up.”
“I’m not ready to leave,” Cindy insisted. “Something’s unfinished, it’s bothering me.”
“Cindy,” Mattheus took her shoulders and pulled her to him. “That’s just your nature. You always feel there’s one last thing you’ve left undone. But this is it. We’re finished. They’ve released our client. I’m calling for airline tickets the second we return.”
“No, not yet, I can’t do it,” cried Cindy.
“If you want we can even go back to the States for a while,” Mattheus pleaded. “We can visit the cottage you have in Oyster Bay. I’ve always wanted to see it.”
The idea was certainly tempting to Cindy, but she couldn’t leave now even if she wanted to.
“We’ll definitely go there, but not now,” she said.
“What’s left to do here? There’s nothing to investigate,” Mattheus sounded exasperated.
Just then, thankfully, Cindy’s phone rang. She picked it up and it was Loretta.
“You guys planning to leave?” Loretta asked, frantically.
“In a little while, Loretta,” Cindy breathed.
“Don’t go yet, please. Wait for me, I have to talk to you,” Loretta pleaded.
“I’ll definitely wait,” Cindy answered promptly. “When can we meet?”
“How about in an hour at the park down the road from your hotel?” Loretta said before she hung up the phone.
“It was Loretta, she wants to talk to me,” Cindy was excited.
“Okay,” said Mattheus gathering his patience. “You go talk to Loretta in the park, when you come back I’ll order the airplane tickets. Does that make you feel better?”
“Yes, it does,” breathed Cindy.
“You’re teaching me how to be a patient man, Cindy,” Mattheus exclaimed. “If I didn’t love you so much, it would drive me crazy.”
“Don’t let it drive you crazy,” smiled Cindy. “Just become more and more patient and keep loving me.”
“That’s a deal,” said Mattheus, “I definitely will.”
Then he pulled Cindy close to him and they kissed deeply.
“You’re a wonderful detective, Cindy,” Mattheus murmured when they pulled apart, “and a better woman than you’ll ever know. You’re worth waiting for, really worth it. I’ll stay here as long as you want.”
*
Cindy arrived at the little park down the block from the hotel, where huge hibiscus flowers bloomed and birds sung their hearts out. She got there before Loretta and waited on a wooden slatted bench. Cindy was relieved to have one more person to talk to about the case. No matter what anyone said, Cindy knew she wasn’t finished investigating, but had no idea why.
As soon as Loretta arrived she pranced over to Cindy brightly, excited to see her there.
“You’re a good person, Cindy,” Loretta said as she sat down close to her. “There aren’t too many good persons left in this world anymore, but you’re definitely one of them. We need you here. I need you.”
“Why, thank you very much,” said Cindy, deeply touched. “Why do you say that?”
“You care about my mother,” Loretta replied.
“Yes, I do,” said Cindy sadly, feeling Loretta’s huge loss, “and you care about her, too.”
Loretta winced. “I always did but no one realized it. They were all awful to me, got in the way. I’ll never get over it.”
“Yes, you will,” said Cindy, turning her full gaze upon the frail young woman. “Time will show you how to get over it, Loretta. One day you’ll learn how to forgive them all.”
“Forgive them?” Loretta gritted her teeth. “How could you even suggest something like that?”
“Because you’ll do it not only for them, but for your own sake too,” said Cindy. “I know you can, you’re a good person, too.”
Tears filled Loretta’s eyes and her face suddenly softened. For the first time Cindy saw under her stony exterior how pretty she really could be.
“No one ever said to me that I was a good person,” Loretta suddenly whimpered.
“Well, I’m saying it now,” Cindy insisted. “You’re a good person Loretta, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
“I won’t,” Loretta’s voice was barely audible.
Cindy wanted to hear what else Loretta had to tell her. “Tell me what you have on your mind,” Cindy asked.
Loretta was happy to plunge in. “I don’t believe Alana did it for a minute,” she started, eager to finally be speaking her mind. “There’s stuff you don’t know about everyone,” Loretta spoke fitfully.
Loretta’s moods shifted so quickly, Cindy wondered if she could trust anything Loretta said. She wanted to give it a try, anyway. “What don’t I know?” Cindy asked.
“I want you to call my mother’s friend Veronica and find out,” Loretta’s eyes darted back and forth. “Let Veronica tell you about my mother’s so called wonderful marriage to Owen.”
Cindy immediately remembered that Veronica was the woman Tara mentioned in her diary who kept warning her about her relationship with Owen.
“Are you in touch with your mother’s friend Veronica?” Cindy was surprised.
“Not really,” said Loretta, “but I saw some of the things she posted on my mom’s Facebook page and decided to contact her and get her phone number. First thing I told her my mom had been murdered. I thought she’d faint on the spot. Then we had a good talk. Veronica’s a straight shooter, like you. I know you’ll like her.”
“I’m sure I will,” said Cindy fascinated, as Loretta handed her a crumpled piece of paper with Veronica’s number sprawled on it.
“Call her now,” urged Loretta, “don’t waste a minute.”
Cindy uncrumpled the paper, took out her phone and dialed. In less than a moment a harsh voice on the other end answered, “Who’s this?”
“Veronica, this is Cindy Blaine of C and M Investigations,” Cindy replied.
“A detective?” Veronica sounded ruffled.