Free Death by Temptation by Jaden Skye Page B

my mother all right?”
    “Your mother’s fine,” Frank answered soothingly.
“I’m so glad you picked up.”“Why did you call?” Cindy repeated.
    “Why wouldn’t I call?” Frank went on. “I heard you
were down in St. Lucia’s and I wanted to check in on you. Your sister’s not
here anymore to look after you, and I feel as though it’s my place now.”
    Although Cindy was surprised to hear from her
brother-in-law, she was also strangely comforted. She’d been thinking about Ann
and missing her a great deal these days.
    “That’s kind of you, Frank,” Cindy responded.
“Actually, Ann has been on my mind.”
    “She’s been on my mind as well.” Frank seemed eager
to talk. “It’s gets harder and harder without her around.”
    “Yes, it does,” agreed Cindy. Right after a loss, it
was often easier, Cindy realized. One always expected the loved one to return,
or to wake up suddenly from what seemed like a dream. When the days passed and
none of that happened, when life had to go on without them, it was definitely a
difficult time.
    “How are you doing, Frank?” Cindy asked kindly.
    “I’m getting along, but nothing’s the same anymore,”
he said. “It will never be.”
    “No, it won’t,” Cindy echoed.
    “That’s why I wanted to call you,” Frank went on. “I
know Ann would have wanted me to stay in touch. She thought about you all the
time.”
    “Thanks for that,” said Cindy, truly appreciating
it.
    “Are you down there on another case alone?” Frank
asked then.
    “No, not at all,” Cindy replied quickly. “Mattheus
is down here with me now.”
    “Mattheus?” Frank sounded shocked.
    “Yes, of course,” said Cindy.
    “I’m sorry to hear that,” Frank exclaimed. “Truly I
am.”
    Cindy sighed. Frank had no right to be sorry, she
thought. Now they were back to square one, the same old thing.
    “Ann never trusted Mattheus, she never liked him,”
Frank couldn’t help add.
    “I know she didn’t, Frank,” Cindy replied, “but
Ann’s not here now, is she? She’s not down on the islands solving cases. And
when you’re on a case, it’s crucial to have someone at your side.”
    Frank became quiet then. “I understand, you’re
right,” he said finally. “I shouldn’t have said that, I was just surprised.”
    “It’s okay, Frank,” said Cindy, relenting. “You
meant the best for me, I know.”
    “I certainly do,” Frank responded. “And I’m asking
you, please, please, don’t forget that. Stay in touch. You deserve the best,
Cindy, only the best.”
     
    *
     
    The call from Frank unsettled Cindy even more than
she’d been before. And his words rang in her ears: she deserved the best. But
what was truly the best for her? That wasn’t a question that could be so easily
answered. Whether or not she’d expected it, after Clint was killed and she’d
become a detective, her life had taken a completely different turn.
    Cindy stood up and began pacing restlessly in the
room. Where was Mattheus? Why was he taking so long? Cindy needed to see him
and talk things over. She picked up her phone and called him right away.
    “What’s
going on? Where are you?” Cindy exclaimed when he answered.
    “I’m still here with Rod,” Mattheus answered softly.
“He needs me badly. Nothing about this looks good, Cindy.”
    I need you, too, Mattheus, Cindy wanted to say, but
held back just in time. Rod was Mattheus’s old friend whose daughter had just
gone missing. Of course Mattheus was doing the right thing staying at his side.
    ”What doesn’t look good?” Cindy asked, eager for
more information.
    “Nothing?” Mattheus answered. “There’s absolutely no
sign of Kara, no tips coming in, and the police are getting ready to call the
search off.”
    “Already?” Cindy was upset.
    “They’re tapering it down anyway,” said Mattheus.
“Rod’s furious, he’s beside himself.”
    “I see,” said Cindy, feeling distraught.
    “We’ll talk more when I get back,”