Death by Temptation (5 page)

“Come
in,” a dim voice called from inside.

Cindy
and Mattheus walked into a room that was dark and dismal with the blinds drawn
and shut tight. The fear and tension inside was so thick it was hard to
breathe. Two policemen sat on chairs in the far end and Rowley stood there with
an older couple.

“Mattheus,
my God.” The tall, older man who had been standing with Rowley rushed over to
Mattheus He had tousled hair, bleary eyes, and looked as if he hadn’t slept a
bit all night.

“Rod,”
Mattheus breathed, taking him in and giving him a huge hug.

“Where
is she? Where is she?” Rod trembled with pain. “How the hell did this happen?”

“We’re
gonna find her, Rod.” Mattheus’s voice grew low and collegial. “If it’s the
last thing I do, I’ll bring Kara home.”

“I
heard Kara met you and your partner,” Rod mumbled. “I heard you all had
breakfast together. She was so happy to meet you, liked you both a lot.”

“That’s
right,” said Mattheus, “we liked her, too.”

“How
strange is that?” Rod’s eyes kept shifting back and forth. “Nothing about this
makes sense. I feel like my daughter’s two steps away and will walk back in any
minute.”

The
tall, rather elegant woman who was standing with Rod and looked somewhat like
Kara came up close to them then.

“Rod
hasn’t slept a bit since we got the call,” she said in a totally controlled
voice. This had to be Kara’s mother, thought Cindy, doing everything in her
power not to fall apart.

“I’m
Cindy, of CM Investigations.” Cindy stepped forward then and extended her hand.

“I’m
pleased you’re here,” the woman replied. “I’m Kara’s mother, Alice. Is there a
chance she’s alive?” Her sharp eyes focused directly on Cindy.

“Of
course there’s a chance,” Cindy replied, disconcerted by her directness.

“But
time’s running out, time’s running out,” Rod started mumbling.

“What
do you think?” Alice pressed Cindy further. “How much time do we have?”

“Of
course time is of the essence,” Cindy replied. “And Mattheus and I need to talk
to you and your husband in depth about your daughter. You can help us know more
about her and where to look next.”

“Absolutely.”
Alice seemed fearless, ready to do whatever was needed.

“You
talk to her, I’m talking to my buddy,” Rod burst in. “That’s the only thing I
feel like doing right now.”

“Sure
thing, sure thing.” Mattheus stepped right in. “We can take a walk and you’ll
talk to me, Rod.”

“Good
idea,” said Rod, his body heaving. ”And thanks for being here for me, Matt. I
could always count on you, and look at this, here you are after all these
years.”

“Come
on, let’s go,” Mattheus offered. “It’ll be good for you to get some fresh air.”

“What
will be good about it?” Rod looked stricken. “Where are you taking me, anyway?”

“We
can walk on the hiking trail behind the hotel,” Mattheus suggested. “It’s quiet
there, a great place to clear your head.”

 “Would
you like to go outside as well?” Cindy asked Alice then. Cindy wanted to speak
to her in a private place, so Alice could speak freely.

“Where?”
Alice seemed almost matter-of-fact about it.

“How
about the beach where Kara went for a swim?” Cindy thought Alice might want to
visit the last place her daughter was seen at.

“Not
yet, not now.” Alice shook her head swiftly. “I’m not ready for anything like
that. But there are things on my mind that I want to tell you.”

“How
about going to the benches near the walking bridge?” Cindy suggested. “They’re
close by and it’s quiet there.”

“That’s
fine,” Alice agreed. “But I don’t want to leave Rowley alone.”

“Don’t
worry about me.” Rowley looked grim and exhausted. “Go talk to Cindy. I won’t
be alone long. My mom and dad’s plane has landed and they’re in a taxi on the
way over right now.”

“Please
don’t be offended by Rod,” was the first thing Alice said as she and Cindy left
the hotel and walked along the cobblestone path to the walking bridge a few
blocks away. The soft warm air washed over them as they walked and felt good on
Cindy’s face.

“No,
of course I’m not offended,” said Cindy, touched by Alice’s sensitivity. “All
bets are off when something like this happens.”

Alice
stopped walking a moment and looked at Cindy forcefully. “I don’t know what’s
happened,” she said, “but I’ll tell you one thing, Kara did not drown. That
idea is ridiculous.”

Cindy
realized that the police must have spoken to Alice about it. “The tides are
strong on this side of the island this time of year,” Cindy said, not wanting
to close any possibility down.

“But
Kara’s a marathon swimmer,” Alice continued. “She’s been in the water her whole
life long.”

“Really?”
Cindy hadn’t heard that before.

“Kara’s
gutsy and determined. The tides could never pull her out,” insisted Alice.
“When the police mentioned that to Rod, it drove him ballistic.”

“I
can imagine,” said Cindy as they got closer to the bridge. Cindy knew it was
important to get Alice into a different environment, and she was glad to speak
to her alone apart from him. It seemed that Rod was an imposing figure and
could easily influence what his wife felt free to say.

“Let’s
sit here,” Cindy suggested as they approached the benches on the walking
bridges.

 Alice
quickly agreed, sat down, and put her hands in her lap.

“This
has got to be like a dream for you,” Cindy started slowly.

“No,
I feel Kara’s alive,” Alice responded quickly. “If she weren’t, I would be the
first to know; after all, I am her mother.”

Cindy
understood what she was saying, gave it full credence. “I’m glad to hear that,”
she replied. “Where do you think Kara is?”

“That
I don’t know, but I know she’s not gone.” Alice spoke matter-of-factly, as if
she were addressing a committee. “It’s entirely possible she’ll show up by
herself in a little while.”

“Really?”
Cindy was stunned. “Is this something’s she’s done before?”

“No,”
said Alice, “but Kara knows how to handle herself in the world. Did you know
that she works at a shelter for abused women? It’s a tough job, but she’s great
at it. In fact, right before her wedding, she just got a promotion.”

Cindy
was amazed. It was hard to imagine that the beautiful, fashionable young woman
she’d had breakfast with a short time ago worked at a shelter for abused women.
The picture didn’t fit.

Alice
smiled. “Everybody reacts that way when they hear about it,” she said. “Rowley
never really liked the job, and his mother thinks it’s nuts. But I’ve always
been proud of Kara’s choices and I’m very glad she’s doing it.”

Cindy
looked at Alice with a newfound respect. “It’s wonderful that you support your
daughter unconditionally,” she said.

“Unconditionally
is right.” Alice liked that.

“Could
her job have something to do with her disappearance?” Cindy pressed forward.

Alice
turned swiftly toward Cindy, looking shocked. “How?”

“The
women in the shelters are hiding from dangerous husbands or partners,” Cindy
spoke slowly, “they’ve been harmed, they’re afraid.”

“So?”
Alice seemed indignant. “Kara’s job is absolutely safe. These women are
completely hidden. The men have no idea where they are, that’s the whole point
of it.”

“Someone
could have found out,” Cindy insisted. “Some woman’s husband or boyfriend could
be upset with Kara for helping his woman get away?”

“That’s
crazy speculation.” Alice seemed to get nervous. “The shelter is supported by
the state. Its location is absolutely hidden. No one finds out where it is,
ever!”

You
know, though, Cindy mused, so does your husband and Rowley. Cindy couldn’t
bring herself to tell Alice that nothing was absolutely hidden. Everyone had
ways of tracking someone down if they were truly intent on it.

“Has
Kara ever been threatened, ever?” asked Cindy.

“Not
that I know.” Alice trembled slightly.

“And
her relationship with Rowley? Was everything good?” Cindy tried another tack.

“It
was wonderful, fine, they seemed happy,” Alice spoke quickly.

“Rowley
didn’t approve of Kara’s work, though.” Cindy wanted to find some kind of
wedge.

“So
what?” Alice remarked. “How many men truly understand what their wives do all
day long?”

“Not
too many,” Cindy commented.

“Maybe
one in a thousand.” Alice looked fitful. “Does yours? Does mine?”

“Does
Rod?” asked Cindy, fascinated.

“Rod
and I do beautifully together,” Alice continued, “although in many ways we are
miles apart. Rod owns ships that are involved in import and export trading. He
certainly doesn’t help humanity, the way Kara does.” Alice seemed to have deep
feelings about this.

“Do
you work, Alice?” Cindy wanted more.

“I
do volunteer work,” Alice snapped, “fund raising for third world children.”

“Like
mother, like daughter,” Cindy murmured.

“Thank
you,” said Alice. “I’m proud of it.”

“And
how does your husband feel about his daughter’s work?” Cindy wondered if this
could lead somewhere.

“He
doesn’t get it,” said Alice. “He doesn’t get lots of things. Rod’s a guy’s guy,
always wanted a son and we never had one, just Kara. Rod’s crazy about Rowley,
though, was thrilled about the marriage. But this morning Rod was so upset he
told Rowley that he always thought Rowley would do anything in the world to
protect Kara. Rowley start shaking and said he would—anything.”

 Both
Alice and Cindy fell silent then at the same moment. Cindy looked at the water
rolling under the bridge and felt the morning turn into early afternoon. The
day was moving on, time was passing, and with each hour it was less likely that
Kara would return.

“What
do you really think happened to Kara?” Cindy pressed.

“It’s
a mystery to me.” Alice’s voice turned brittle.

“Think
hard,” Cindy demanded.

“I
don’t know.” Alice became agitated. “I told you, I don’t believe she’s gone, I
believe she’s alive and close by.”

“Is
it possible somebody took her?” Cindy asked bluntly.

“I
can’t imagine why.” Alice now seemed near tears.

“What
else could have happened?” Cindy became relentless. “Could it have been
something gone wrong between her and Rowley?”

“What
are you inferring?” Alice became panicky. “Are you saying Rowley harmed Kara?”

“Not
necessarily,” said Cindy. “But they could have had a fight, ran into a problem.
Kara could have been fed up.”

“Kara
didn’t run away on her own, if that’s what you mean. That isn’t Kara. She’s the
kind of woman who stares a problem in the eye and handles it as soon as it
surfaces.”

Cindy
wouldn’t give up. “Kara and Rowley knew each other for quite a while, didn’t
they?”

But
Alice had enough. This question was one too much! “They knew each other, they
loved each other,” she exclaimed. “I don’t know what you’re implying! I really
don’t know, but I know I had enough for this morning.” Then she jumped up off
the bench, turned and, like quicksilver, fled away.

Cindy
jumped up, eager to catch up with Alice and explain herself. But she stopped
herself midstream. Alice obviously needed to get away from her, have time to
digest all this alone. Cindy felt bad that she’d pressed so hard, but time was
of the essence here. What other choice did she have?

Cindy
gave Alice time to get further down the road alone before she herself walked
back to the hotel slowly, wondering if Alice was right. Was Kara nearby, still
alive, waiting and begging to be found? Was there someone who could hear her
begging and track her down to where she was?

*

Once
back in the hotel Cindy went straight up to Rowley’s room, hoping Alice would
be there and that she’d be able to apologize.

As
Cindy approached the door, the two policemen who’d been stationed in the room
were walking out. “Anything new?” Cindy asked as they stood opposite one
another.

One
of the cops shook his head. “Nah, the body hasn’t turned up and the husband’s
clean as a whistle.”

“You
spoke to Rowley?” Cindy asked.

“We’ve
been speaking to him all along,” the cop continued. “There’s nothing to suggest
he’s involved in what happened.”

Cindy
was relieved and also skeptical that they’d come to the conclusion so fast.

“You’ve
done a complete background check on him as well?” Cindy needed more answers.

“I
told you, he’s clean as a whistle,” the cop repeated.

Cindy
nodded. “Okay, thanks,” she said, not wanting to take it further at the moment.
When Cindy glanced into the room she saw it was filled with people. It was more
important for her to go inside and talk to them now.

*

As
Cindy walked in, not only was Alice standing in the corner, but Rowley’s family
had arrived as well.

The
minute he saw her Rowley came right over to Cindy. “My family’s here,” he
started, “I’d like you to meet them.”

“I’d
love to meet them,” Cindy replied, hoping to first catch Alice’s eye and give
her a smile. Alice stood with her back toward Cindy, though, staring out the
window.

Rowley’s
parents, a beautifully groomed, elegant couple, walked straight toward Cindy.

“This
is my mom and dad,” Rowley started, “Bea and Pete Flynn.”

They
all shook hands quickly.

“Come
sit on the sofa with us,” Bea started. “We’re so glad you’re here. And we hear
your partner is working on the case, too.” Bea was shorter than her husband,
with silky blonde hair tied back from her face.

“Yes,
Mattheus is talking to Kara’s father now,” Cindy said as she sat down beside
her.

“What
have you found out so far?” Bea was eager to hear.

“There’s
nothing to report yet,” said Cindy. ”Mattheus and I have just started
investigating. The search teams are out there too, doing their job.”

“I
know,” said Bea, “in a few minutes we’re going to join them. The flyers with
Kara’s picture on it are ready and many people on the island are passing out
flyers to anyone they see. They’ve also been put up all over on public places.”

“Good,”
said Cindy, “very good.” It was always important for families to feel they
could be of help, not just stand idly by. “Has anyone called in tips yet?”
Cindy was curious. She knew Mattheus would want to track down the tips himself.

“I’m
not sure.” Bea got shivery.

“Just
give it a few hours and there’ll be plenty of tips called in,” Rowley’s father,
Pete, joined in abruptly. “Someone out there has to have seen Kara, or seen
something that led to this. And right now the police want Rowley close to the
phone, in case a ransom call comes in.”

 “A
ransom call?” This was the first time Bea seemed to have heard it. “Do you
think someone kidnapped Kara?” she asked breathlessly.

“No
one kidnapped Kara.” Alice turned and took a definitive step toward them all.
“Kara’s not the kind of young woman you can just kidnap. She would fight her
kidnapper for all she’s worth. She’d leave him bloodied and bruised behind
her.”

The
fury in Alice’s voice silenced the entire room.

Bea
went over to comfort her. “Of course Kara’s a mountain of strength,” Bea
murmured, “we all know that. But the police have to look into everything.”

“I
know they do.” Alice was pleasant enough toward Bea, if not a bit
condescending. “But I think it’s a bad idea for Rowley to sit here on pins and
needles, expecting a ransom call which will never come.”

“It
could come, Alice,” Bea spoke haltingly.

Cindy
tried to catch Alice’s eye and make contact, but Alice looked away.

“I’m
sure the police are taping all kinds of calls that are coming into the station.
Investigators will be talking to everyone they can.” Cindy wanted to put
everything in perspective. “And it’s certainly possible a ransom call will
come. That would be good, give us something specific to go on. It would also
let us know that Kara is definitely alive. “

“Of
course she’s alive.” Alice’s voice grew shrill. “I told you that and I meant
it.”

Cindy
spoke more softly. “Don’t worry, one way or another we’ll track her down, find
out if someone might have wanted to harm either Kara or Rowley.”

“There’s
no reason anyone would want to harm them, none at all,” Alice insisted.