Free Death by Divorce by Jaden Skye

someone?”
    “Unlikely,” said Mattheus, and grinned. “No woman meant that much to him. And, no matter what you say, It’s pretty rare for a guy to give up everything for love. ”
    Cindy felt troubled. “Clint would have,” she said quietly, half to him, half to herself.
    “Your husband?”
    “Yes,” said Cindy.
    “Well, he was a lucky guy. And so were you. It doesn’t happen most of the time. ”
    “I guess not,” said Cindy, reaching for her coffee and croissant.
    “So, tell me more,” Mattheus said after they’d both finished their food and drained their coffee cups, “anything else you found?”
    “I found out that Elizabeth and Dalia dislike each other.”
    “They do. That’s not news. ”
    “And I had a long talk with Nina,” said Cindy.
    Mattheus lifted his eyebrows, impressed. “You did a lot in a short while,” he said. “Nina was a suspect in the beginning.”
    That shocked Cindy “She was?”
    “Just because she was his latest gal.”
    “That was common knowledge?” Cindy was truly taken aback.
    “If you probed just a little,” said Mattheus. “By the way, she came up clean. She’s a sweet person. Very devoted to Dalia. ”
    Cindy raised her eyebrows.
    “Don’t judge her,” Mattheus said. “Don’t judge anyone. If you do, it knocks you off your game. ”
    “I’m not judging her,” Cindy protested.
    “You are,” he said. “It’s natural. But it doesn’t work when you want to solve a case. You’ve got to just look the facts in the eye clearly. Judging gets in the way. Anything else? ”
    “I’m not sure I agree with all your conclusions,” Cindy wasn’t swallowing everything so fast.
    “Nobody said you have to,” he smiled.
    “I use my instincts to sort things out,” said Cindy. “And if I judge someone, I judge. It can help me know a little more. ”
    “Have it your way,” Mattheus said, his smile turning into a grin. “I like you. You look so gentle, but actually, you’re feisty. And gutsy, too. A perfect combination for a detective. ”
    That made Cindy feel good. She felt comfortable around Mattheus, too.
    “Anything else?” he continued.
    “I’ve run into Rosa quite a few times.”
    Mattheus looked puzzled. “Yes?”
    “Nothing special, I just find her odd.”
    “She was born that way,” said Mattheus. “She was like a daughter to Ames all these years.”
    “That’s also peculiar,” said Cindy. “Was he sleeping with her as well?”
    Mattheus crinkled his face at that comment. “Never thought of that,” he replied. “Doesn’t seem likely. And if he was? ”
    “Just wondering about everything now,” Cindy said.
    “It’s good to wonder,” Mattheus replied, stretching out in his seat.
    Cindy felt great talking this over. She stretched back in her seat as well. “Now you tell me more,” she said to him. “Before I go to see the Captain of the fleet, what do I need to know?”
    “That’s a big one,” Mattheus said. “He could be quite a catch.”
    “Why?” asked Cindy.
    “He and Ames were really tight. The guy knows everything about his business, his life, you name it. ”
    Cindy had heard all that already. Mattheus wasn’t offering anything new.
    “I’m sure you guys interviewed him.”
    “Of course. Let’s put it this way-- we didn’t get anything from him that’s helped us as yet. ” He looked at her with searing eyes. “Maybe you can.”
    “You think he’s involved?”
    “I think he knows a lot more than he’s letting on.”
    “How about you, Mattheus?” Cindy felt like confronting him. “Do you know a lot more than you’re letting on, too?”
    Mattheus threw his head back and laughed. “You know, you’re fantastic,” he said. “While the investigation is on-going, we’re legally bound to keep certain information under wraps.”
    “Even to those working on the case?”
    “You’re Dalia’s friend,” Mattheus leaned forward, towards her. “You’re not on the case officially. You’re not a