Free Death by Marriage by Jaden Skye Page A

“Don’t get your hopes up too high. When people promise me the moon, I
usually take a few steps back.”
    Cindy
looked sad suddenly and Mattheus wondered why.
    “Sounds
like you’re afraid to trust,” she said.
     “I
trust when trust is earned,” he said. “It takes time. That’s smart.”
    “I
trusted Heather May,” said Cindy.
    “I’m
not sure why,” said Mattheus. “It sounds to me like Heather May has her own
agenda, her own reality.”
    “I
liked her,” said Cindy.
    “Liking
her and believing her are two different things,” Mattheus said. “Could be she’s
sending you on a wild, goose chase. Some people enjoy creating confusion.
Others get a payoff by sending you in the wrong direction. The worst thing is
to expect one lead to solve all your problems. That clouds your vision, creates
disappointment. Takes you off your game.”
    If
Mattheus knew anything, it was how to stay on his game. Cindy enjoyed listening
to his observations, absorbing what he’d learned.
    “You’re
right,” said Cindy. “Heather May seems to live on the edge. She could just be
having an island fantasy.  I’ve got to find out more about her, as well.”
    “Okay,”
said Mattheus. “First we’ll check in on Nell. Before we do, I want the address
of the woman you’re going to interview later, in case you need cover.”
    Cindy
gave him the address reluctantly.  “I won’t need cover,” she said.
    Mattheus
didn’t like that. “You never know,” he said. “I should know where you are at
all times.”
    “Should
I know where you are as well?”  Cindy asked, playfully.
    Mattheus
grimaced. “You plan to cover me in case of danger?” he asked off handedly.
    “I’d
contact the police immediately,” said Cindy.
    The
idea amused him. “Let’s play it one step at a time,” he answered simply, and
pulled his chair out to go. Cindy didn’t seem eager to go anywhere though, just
sat there looking at him and then out at the gardens spread out before her. The
flowers were waving slightly in the wind that was beginning to blow up.
Mattheus had a sudden urge to sit back down with her, take some time. But he
could feel the winds changing and realized the storms weren’t far behind. There
was a lot to do be done before then.
    “Come
on, let’s get going,” “ he said. “There’s a lot to be covered.  We don’t have
time for just looking at the sky.”
    Cindy
got up. “I’m going to the lady’s room for a second, and then we can be on our
way,” she said.
    *
    Mattheus
sat back down and watched her walk to the lady’s room. She had an easy grace as
she moved, like a tree swaying in the breeze.  He was amazed at how good it had
been to sit there with her after returning from St. Croix.  He’d expected all
kinds of repercussions about his not being in touch. They didn’t come.  He was
also surprised how relieved he felt to be doing his part of the investigation
alone. He had no intention of letting her know where he’d be every minute. It
wasn’t that she didn’t have a right to know, it was that it made him feel too
closed in.  He needed space and privacy, always had, even during his marriage.
He flinched now as he thought of those years married to Shelly. She’d
complained all the time about not knowing where he was, or when exactly he was
returning. He’d always returned though, been happy to see her, and taken good
care of her. Except on that fatal afternoon. Mattheus tried to wipe it out of
his mind again. Now. That was one time he should have been closer. One time
that changed everyone’s life.
     

CHAPTER
9
     
     
    Before
they jumped into the cab Cindy called  Kendra and said they’d be coming for an
hour or so. They wanted to talk to Nell. Kendra said she didn’t much see the
point in that, but it was as good a time as any to do so. Nell was home for the
day, up in her room.
    They
got the cab in front of the hotel, and as they drove to Kendra’s, Cindy looked
out of the window. She’d