Death by Betrayal (Book #10 in the Caribbean Murder series) (16 page)

“Come
on with me,” Don broke into quickly, “I’ll take you right to him.”

Cindy
was thrilled to be guided through the throngs of people right to Tony Beggio’s
side.

Don
stopped suddenly in front of a heavy guy in his fifties, with wavy black hair,
and slightly blood shot eyes. He was standing alone for the moment, looking
over his grand gathering.

“Tony,
this is Cindy Blaine,” Don introduced them.

“Good
to see you, honey,” Tony swerved in Don’s direction and took Cindy in. “Welcome
to the house of cards,” he laughed. “We have the deuces, the diamonds, the
kings and queens.”

“Cindy’s
here investigating her sister’s death,” Don quickly filled him in.

Tony’s
mouth opened and his eyes rolled back and forth. “I heard about this recent
killing and I heard someone was coming to talk to me about it,” he said to
Cindy.

“Thank
you for having me here,” she quickly replied.

“I
don’t know the first thing about what happened,” Tony leaned closer to Cindy
and she could smell the liquor on his heavy breath. “And I’m sorry your sister
got killed.”

“Thank
you,” Cindy flinched.

“Now,
you’re gonna ask me if I know her husband Frank, right?” Tony’s eyes rolled up
in his head. “The police already asked me, and I already told them I never met the
guy, never even heard of him.”

Cindy
was relieved. She was also pleased to hear that Tony had already been
questioned.

“The
police love to question me,” Tony went on, running his hand through his greasy
hair. “Doesn’t mean I do anything to deserve it – just that I’m a great target
for every nut.”

“How
come?” Cindy wanted elaboration.

“I
got all kinds of people in my funds and who knows what they want or do? That’s
not really my business, honey. I invest, pay dividends and throw big parties to
keep people happy.” Then he smiled at her broadly. “You know, a beautiful woman
like you could have a good life down here.”

Cindy
shuddered.

“How’d
you meet her, Don?” Beggio went on. The two of them obviously knew each other
well.

“Just
by chance, a few minutes ago,” Don replied. “She obviously needs some help and
she’s a good woman.”

“What
kind of help?” Beggio asked. “What can I do?”

“I
want to know if anyone here might know my brother in law,” Cindy replied.

“How
do I know?” Beggio answered, slightly irritated. “I heard the cops held him

 for
questioning, right?”

“Yes,”
Cindy responded.

“Are
they trying to link this guy to me?” Beggio didn’t like it.

“Not
necessarily,” Cindy tried to assuage him. “I just want to know if my brother in
law Frank has any fingerprint down here at all? That would help lead me to the
killer.”

“It’s
a fair question,” Don backed her up.

“I
have no idea,” Beggio repeated. “Go ask anyone you want if they know him. Show
them his picture, do you happen to have one?”

“Yes,
I did,” said Cindy, taking a photo of Frank out of her slim, sparkling, evening
bag.

Just
then Penny came over to join them, tugging on Don’s arm. He’d been gone long
enough and it was clear that she wanted his attention now.

“I’ll
be with you in a second, sweetheart,” Don said. “We’re just looking around,
trying to find out if anyone happens to recognize Cindy’s brother in law,” and he
pointed to the photo in Cindy’s hand.

Penny
leaned over at looked at it lightly. “Oh yeah,” she suddenly said, “I’ve seen
him - I think his name is Frank, right?”

A
long chill ran over Cindy’s arms and shoulders. “Yes, that’s right,” Cindy
replied. “Where have you seen him?”

Penny
shrugged lightly. “Not really sure,” she looked more closely then. “I think
he’s been to some of Tony’s parties, I’ve seen him around.”

“You’ve
seen him here alone, or with someone?” Cindy shot back immediately, unnerved.

“I’ve
just seen him drifting around,” Penny seemed vague about it. “Never really saw
him with anyone in particular. Or, maybe I didn’t see him at Toni’s parties,
maybe I saw him at the boat races,” she looked even closer still. “Somehow I
thought he once said he liked the races.”

Cindy
stood there in horror for a moment. How could this woman know that Frank liked
boat races? Obviously, she’d actually seen him somewhere and what’s more,
they’d talked.

Don
quickly picked up on the change in Cindy’s energy and spoke carefully. “The
fact that Penny has seen your brother in law, in and of itself doesn’t mean
anything. Everyone gets invited to these parties. Lots of people just come for
a drink and some company. Did your brother in law work down in Bermuda from
time to time?”

Cindy
appreciated Don’s calm, careful observance. He was grounded and fair, sounded
as if he were even a lawyer.

“Yes,
Frank did come down and work here, from time to time,” Cindy told him.

“So,
it would be perfectly normal for people to see him,” Don commented. He seemed
to enjoy being part of the investigation; would have made a fine detective, Cindy
thought.

“Do
you want me to ask my friends, Ronnelle or Linda if they know who he is?” Penny
asked. “They’re right over there.”

“That
would be good, thank you,” said Cindy.

Penny
waved over the woman they’d seen before and another leggy, dark haired beauty. They
both drifted over quickly, curious about what was going on.

“What’s
up, sweetheart?” Linda, the dark haired beauty asked.

“Do
you know this guy?” Penny pointed to the photo in Cindy’s hands.

Linda
shook her head, “Never saw him before, why? Is he the latest and greatest catch
on the island?”

Penny
frowned. “Not at all,” she said. Then she looked over at Cindy as if it were up
to her to explain further.

Cindy
said nothing, however, just held the photo up higher so they could all have a
good look.

“What
did he do? Kill someone?” Ronnelle threw her head back and smiled, seeming to
have no idea what she was saying.

“That’s
not a joke, Ronny,” Penny jumped in.

“Why?
Ronnelle looked confused. “I didn’t offend anyone, did I? I certainly didn’t
mean to.”

“Do
you know him at all?” Penny persisted.

“Never
saw the guy in my life,” said Ronnelle.

“You
can go around the room asking people, if you care to,” Don stepped in, speaking
directly to Cindy again.

There
had to be at least one hundred and fifty people at the party and Cindy didn’t
feel it made sense to go around to each of them.

“It’s
enough that Penny recognized him, for now,” Cindy responded. “That’s definitely
something, anyway.”

“It
tells you he’s been here, that’s all,” Don commented slowly.

“You
recognize this guy, Penny?” Ronnelle asked surprised.

“I’ve
seen him around,” Penny answered.

 “There
are all kinds of guys who come to the island and drift around,” Ronnelle spoke
more sharply, turning to Cindy. “Why are you asking about him, anyway? What
happened?”

Cindy
was about to answer and then stopped herself. She wasn’t sure it was a good
idea to go into details at this moment. Cindy didn’t want to cast a blanket of
suspicion on Frank or create unnecessary rumors.

“It’s
complicated,” Cindy answered quietly.

“Always
is,” said Ronnelle, throwing her a curious glance.

Cindy
got back to her hotel room after the party both relieved and distressed. At
least Tony had no idea who Frank was, or so he said. He had no reason to lie
about it, though. Something like that could be easily traced. Cindy couldn’t
shake her upset though that Penny had seen Frank around and had actually spoken
to him. She knew that it didn’t mean anything necessarily, but Cindy didn’t
like the thought of Frank wandering around Beggio’s parties without Ann at his
side. Did Ann know about this, Cindy wondered. If she did, why didn’t she
mention it? Could it have been she was ashamed, keeping the whole thing secret?

It
was late and Cindy plopped down on her sofa before taking off her clothes and
getting ready for bed. The evening had been strainful and emotional. She could
understand why the police regularly checked Beggio and his strange crowd of
friends. Why would Frank even go to a party like that? Or maybe he hadn’t gone
to the parties at all, maybe Penny had actually seen him at the boat races.
That made Cindy feel slightly better.

She
was about to let it all go for the evening and get ready for bed when her phone
suddenly rang. It was late for a call, and Cindy’s heart started racing. What
happened now? Who was calling so late?

“I’m
so sorry to call this late, Cindy,” Mattheus’s voice sounded pressured and
harried.

“What
happened, what’s wrong?” Cindy got nervous.

“I
just needed to talk to you before going to bed,” Mattheus replied. “I just got
back from speaking to the hotel owner, Grenfield.”

Cindy
had forgotten for a moment where Mattheus had been this evening, who he’d been
looking into.

“He’s
the owner of the Mermaid Hotel, down from the Greenstone. Grenfield knows
Beggio well.” Mattheus seemed to be relieved to be talking. “The cops told me
that the two of the pal around together.”

“And?”
Cindy’s mouth felt dry. She expected to hear something terrible next.

“I’d
rather tell you in person,” said Mattheus. “Can I come to your room?”

“Of
course,” said Cindy, “come right now.”

Cindy
hung up the phone, straightened her hair, and got up to go to the door.
Mattheus’s room was only a few steps away and he’d be here any second. As she
went to the door, Cindy caught a quick glance at herself in the long mirror
that hung on a nearby wall. She looked tired, but still lovely, almost radiant
actually. Dressed for the evening, her beautiful ruby necklace still glowed around
her face.

The
moment Cindy got to the door and opened it, Mattheus approached and entered.

“My
God, you look beautiful,” he said, taking a step back. “I’ve never seen you
dressed like this before.”

Cindy
raised her hand to the necklace that had to be what he was referring to. “You
mean wearing incredible jewelry like this. Thank you for it,” Mattheus,” she
repeated.

Mattheus
drew closer and put his arms around her and Cindy placed her head on his strong
shoulder.

“It’s
so good to be here with you now,” Mattheus murmured. “I needed to see you
tonight.”

Cindy
felt the same way. Whatever he had to tell her, she could take so much better
having him at her side.

“Mattheus,”
Cindy went on, “the necklace you got me,” she didn’t know what to say next.

“You’re
wondering what it means between us?” Mattheus asked.

“Yes,
I am,” Cindy whispered. “And I’m wondering what happened between you and Petra
too?”

“What
happened with me and Petra? Absolutely nothing,” Mattheus was aghast. “You’re
the one I love Cindy, and always will. I don’t know how to make you believe
that.”

Cindy
raised her hand and stroked his face. “I believe it, I feel it, I know it,
Mattheus,” she responded as they drew together in a deep kiss. “And I love you,
too,” she said as she came up for air.

They
kissed deeply again then, and Cindy felt as if her life were returning. The joy
of being with Mattheus again assuaged the pain Cindy had been feeling. It also
caused her to forget what he’d come to the room for a few minutes ago.

Cindy
pulled away gently. “You had something to tell me, Mattheus?” she whispered softly.

Mattheus
too smiled as if he’d forgotten everything being back in her arms.

“What
happened?” Cindy murmured, “what do you have to tell me?”

“Come
let’s sit down,” Mattheus said.

They
sat close together on the couch. “I hate to talk about this right now,” he
whispered. “I’d rather talk about us, our future.”

“We’ll
have plenty of time for doing that later,” Cindy curled up next to him. “We’ve
got to stay focused on Ann.”

“Okay,”
Mattheus pulled himself together. “I have intense news for you.”

“What
is it?” Cindy began to feel slightly alarmed.

“Grenfield
recognized the photo I showed him of Frank. After we talked awhile, he finally
admitted to knowing Frank well. Apparently he and Frank speak on the phone
regularly.”

Cindy
grew uneasy. “And?” she asked trying to find out what Grenfield actually said.

“I
had to definitely establish that Grenfield knew Frank,” Mattheus continued, “so
after I showed him the photo, I asked him for Frank’s cell phone number, to corroborate
it.”

“Yes?”
Cindy was waiting for the bomb to fall.

“Grenfield
didn’t have the right number,” Mattheus said softly.

Cindy
wasn’t sure what he was getting at.

“He
had another number for Frank that they communicated on.” Mattheus stopped and
stared at Cindy.

“What
is it?” Cindy still didn’t know what Mattheus was getting at.

“None
of us have any record of this other number at all. Frank’s got a hidden cell
phone. And possibly a hidden life!”

“I
wouldn’t go that far,” said Cindy. “Others may have this number!”

Mattheus
shook his head. “This number is unofficial and hidden. I’ve already checked
with the police.”

“You’ve
done what?” Cindy shot up, like a flare. “You called the police first, without
telling me?”

“Of
course I called the police,” Mattheus looked confused. “I had to check
immediately, see if they had this number, or knew where it lead.”

“No
you didn’t have to do that without asking me,” Cindy was frightened. “Whose
side are you on, anyway?”

Mattheus
looked horrified. “What are you talking about? You want me to hide evidence in
a murder investigation?”

“Not
hide it, just postpone handing it over, until we know more,” Cindy voice got
high and thin.

“Cindy,
your brother in law has been operating with an unknown cell phone number,
that’s a big deal,” Mattheus uttered. “The police have to check the calls on
it, see where they come from.”

Cindy
closed her eyes quickly. Her head started pounding. “You’ve already given his
private phone number to the police?” she barely took it in.

“Of
course I have, it’s procedure,” Mattheus answered. “They’re checking it as we
speak.”

“Oh
God, oh God,” Cindy started trembling.

Mattheus
stood up and took her in his arms. “Don’t imagine the worst,” he whispered
quickly. “It could be a great find. The numbers on it could lead us to the
killer.”

“Nothing
will lead us to the killer,” Cindy suddenly started wailing, startling both
Mattheus and herself as well.

“Something
will,” said Mattheus softly. “And we have to be ready for the truth.”

“The
truth, the truth,” Cindy pulled away from him swiftly, “the truth has many
faces and colors. It doesn’t always look like what it seems.”

“I
know,” said Mattheus, agitated, “that’s why we don’t leave any stone unturned, even
if they’re part of the family.”

“Frank
didn’t kill my sister,” Cindy called out then, emphatically. “Just because he
has a hidden cell phone number doesn’t mean a thing.”

“You’re
protecting him, hiding from the facts,” Mattheus responded firmly. “We need to
get into his computer right away and I need to speak to him immediately.”

“Right
now? Tonight?” Cindy answered breathless.

“Not
tonight,” Mattheus put his hands on her shoulders to steady her. “First thing
tomorrow morning will be fine.”

Despite
herself Cindy started crying.

Mattheus
stood quietly by as she cried, and then slowly asked her. “What about your
night, Cindy? What did you find?”

Cindy
forcefully pulled herself together. “Beggio said he didn’t know Frank. There
were lots of people at the party. One woman there, Penny, claimed to have
recognized Frank - though she wasn’t sure where she saw him.”

Mattheus’s
eyebrows raised. “Sounds like Frank’s part of the scene down here,” he
murmured.

“Not
necessarily,” Cindy fought back. “He comes down for business, we know that
already. So, when he’s down here he takes in the sights. That’s not proof of
anything.”

“No,
it’s not,” Mattheus agreed.

“But
you’re on board with the police, aren’t you?” Cindy asked. “You all feel that
Frank’s the killer!”

Mattheus
looked down for a moment. “The police feel Frank’s deeply involved. I don’t
know for sure, but it isn’t looking good right now.”

Cindy
shook her head, bewildered. “I thought you came down here to help me,
Mattheus.”

“Of
course I did,” he held shoulders tighter then, as if to wake her up. “When we
find the killer I’m helping you, aren’t I? Do you want to protect Frank or do
you want justice?”

Cindy
was stunned by the question, how could he even ask?

 “Of
course I want justice,” she breathed, “justice for Ann, justice everyone.”

“Good,”
said Mattheus.

“Including
Frank,” Cindy added.

“I
know, I know,” Mattheus spoke softly. “Let’s go to bed now. Things will look
different in the morning. First thing I want to talk to Frank, get his
password. Then the boat races start in the afternoon. We can even take some
time later on and go to them.”

“Alright,”
Cindy acquiesced. “You can talk to Frank first thing in the morning, but remember,
there’s no real evidence yet. And remember, he’s just lost his wife. Take it
easy on him, please.”

“I’ll
take it easy, I’ll be good to him,” said Mattheus reassuringly.

Cindy
saw Mattheus’s looking down at her sadly.

“I
know you will, Mattheus” Cindy said, suddenly sorry for doubting him. “You’re
good and fair to everyone.”

*

Mattheus
went back to his room to sleep and planned to join Cindy first thing the next
morning for breakfast and then to speak to Frank.

Cindy
slept fitfully all night long with ragged dreams she could not make sense of.
In one of them she was looking for Ann on a beach filled with pebbles. In the
middle of the pebbles were shards of broken glass. In the middle of the glass a
small diamond was shining, it was so small Cindy almost passed it by.

When
Mattheus rang the doorbell first thing the next morning, Cindy had barely woken
up. She answered the door dressed, but groggy.

“I
already ordered breakfast up to the room,” Mattheus said as he entered, all
washed, fresh and ready to go. “We’ll have our eggs and coffee and be ready to
tackle the world.”

Cindy
always loved that about Mattheus, he didn’t let anything stop him or keep him
down. He just kept going, step by step until he found what he wanted. What we
need is right here, he would always tell her, buried in plain sight. Cindy usually
found that inspiring, but it was harder to go along with his energy now with
own family involved.

They
ate breakfast quickly and Cindy called Frank’s room to speak to him. She
decided she would arrange the interview between him and Mattheus.

The
phone rang and rang, but no one answered. Cindy looked at Mattheus blankly
then.

“He’s
not answering,” she said in a small voice.

“Call
his other number then,” Mattheus said in a clipped tone.

“I
can’t do that,” said Cindy. “He’ll know right away we’ve found it.”

“You’re
right about that,” said Mattheus. “We can’t let him know that until we’ve find
out more.”

“I’ll
call my mother,” Cindy offered then. “She has to know where Frank is. She can
get hold of him for us.”

Mattheus
looked pleased. “Great that you’re willing to do that,” he responded. “Makes
perfect sense.”

Cindy
put in a call to her mother immediately. Fortunately, she picked right up.

“I
need to talk to Frank, mom,” Cindy started. “Do you happen to know where he
is?”

Her
mother paused for a moment, “Actually I don’t,” she replied, edgy. “In fact, I
was planning to call you in a little while and ask you the same thing.”