Free Death by Temptation by Jaden Skye

say?”
    Cindy didn’t know exactly how much to tell him yet.
She couldn’t let him know about the email Alfred received. That would be far
too jarring for him and besides, Alfred wanted to keep it confidential.
    “Alfred said that you’re quite the guy,” Cindy
started, “so many people admire you.”
    Rowley looked amused. “Yes, I know Alfred’s always
looked up me,” he replied. “Of course he exaggerates. Everyone knows that.”
    “It’s great that you’re fine with the relationship
between Alfred and Kara,” Cindy quickly added, wanted to hear that straight
from Rowley.
    “Perfectly fine,” Rowley assured her. “Alfred’s
harmless, like a kid in some ways, an eccentric kind of guy.”
    “How is he eccentric?” Cindy was fascinated.
    “He’s always dreaming things up, games, outings,
horror novels. Kara thinks he’s fun and creative. Call it what you want. She
likes him and I trust her judgment. That’s enough for me,” Rowley said.
    “There’s nothing about Alfred you distrust?” Cindy
pushed just a little further.
    Rowley looked confused. “Like what?” It obviously
had never even occurred to him that there was anything wrong going on.
    “Alfred mentioned that lots of women pop up on your
Facebook page and message you all the time,” added Cindy, digging deeper.
    A proud smile flickered across Rowley’s face.
“Sure,” he said, “they’re mostly patients. I do a great job for these women and
they appreciate my work. I put their photos up to show the fantastic results I
get. After all, I’m a plastic surgeon, that’s part of the game, isn’t it?”
    “Of course,” said Cindy. “You like your work,
Rowley?”
    “Love it,” he said. “Do you like yours?”
    Cindy was taken aback, didn’t expect to have the
questioning turned toward her.
    “I love it,” she added, “why?”
    “Just curious.” Rowley shrugged a moment. “It’s
strange work for a woman.”
    “No, it’s perfect,” Cindy said. “There are things
people tell me they’d never be able to tell a man.”
    “Like what?” asked Rowley, interested.
    “Like what’s going on under the surface in their
relationship,” Cindy went on. “That can be very helpful to know. Lots of
wonderful leads have come from that.” She paused then, hoping Rowley might want
to fill her in on something.
    He didn’t, just nodded somberly.
    “Men don’t often focus on the subtlety of
relationships,” Cindy continued. “But once they do, a lot comes bubbling up
that can be of help.”
    Rowley was just about to say something when they
heard voices approaching. The door was quickly pushed open then and Mattheus
and Rod walked in.
    Rowley clammed up and Rod stopped cold on the spot
when he saw Cindy sitting with Rowley.
     “Well, this is cozy, isn’t it?” said Rod. He didn’t
like it.
    “I didn’t expect to find you here now,” Mattheus
added, surprised to see Cindy as well.
    “I just finished speaking with Alfred,” Cindy
reported, “and dropped in to check up on Rowley before going to our room.”
    “That’s okay with you, Rowley?” Rod interrupted
brusquely, bypassing Cindy completely.
    “Sure, it’s fine.”
    Cindy didn’t know what to make of Rod’s concern.
    “Well, I don’t like that Cindy sneaked in here,
bombarding you with questions when you’re alone,” said Rod.
    Cindy felt stunned and offended. “I beg your
pardon?” she said sharply.
    Rod continued talking to Rowley, however, as if Cindy
wasn’t in the room. “Right now you’re in a vulnerable state and it’s best not
to answer any questions unless someone in the family’s around.”
    “I beg your pardon?” Cindy repeated more loudly. She
was here to help and Rod was making her out to be the enemy. Perhaps he was the
one with something to hide?
    Once again Rod did not answer Cindy, but continued
talking directly to Rowley.
    “This is a complicated situation we’re in and we
have to be careful of what we say and to who.”
    Cindy