“Which means what?” asked Cindy.
“Look, you’re Dalia’s friend, but I’m gonna give it to you straight. Ames was a guy who needed adventure. He couldn’t live without it. Coop this guy up and he’s not gonna make it. ”
“Dalia cooped him up?”
“Marriage cooped him up. It was a trap he couldn’t get out of. It drove him nuts. ”
“So, he just took off and ran away?”
“That’s my guess,” said Dale. “I tried calling him a few times before he went missing and he just didn’t pick up the phone. Probably on the prowl, I thought. ”
“And what about the business?” asked Cindy.
“I took care of it.”
“You gave Ames a lot of money,” Cindy said pointedly.
Dale ran his suntanned hand through his hair. “I gave it to the business. Not a penny went directly to Ames. Dalia was the one who fed him money, who bought his love, for a long, long time. ”
Then he picked up the cocktail glass Cindy had put on the table and brought it to her mouth. “Have a drink,” he whispered. “I’m so happy to meet you.”
Cindy took the glass in her hands and put it back down.
“You’re a beautiful woman,” Dale said.
“Thank you,” said Cindy obliquely.
“There’s a lot here for you on the island,” Dale continued. “You could have a wonderful life.”
Cindy wondered exactly what he was getting at.
“There’s no reason to investigate this further,” Dale said then suddenly. “There’s a lot of dirty underwear floating around, and none of it has to do with Ames’s disappearance. If you ask me, he’ll stay away as long as he wants to, then he’ll come creeping back after everything dies down. He’ll act surprised at all the commotion. When he does return, for example, I wouldn’t want him hearing things about me. ”
Cindy smiled, as if she were going along. “Of course not,” she agreed.
Dale liked that, he moved closer. “Ames and I are best friends.”
“That’s what I heard,” said Cindy. “What is it you don’t want him hearing about you?” and she smiled, coyly.
Dale looked surprised by the question. He focused his glance on her deeply, to see how much she really knew.
“Not about you and Elizabeth?” she said then playfully. “That everyone already knows.”
“What difference would that possibly make to Ames?” said Dale, taken aback.
“Nothing at all, of course,” said Cindy.
Then suddenly she remembered something Dalia had said.
“About you and Dalia?” Cindy asked light heartedly, as if that were common knowledge as well.
Dale’s face tensed up. “There’s nothing to that,” he said in a gruff tone. “Just once or twice. It meant nothing. I don’t know exactly what Dalia told you, but I don’t want anyone making a big deal about it. ”
Cindy tried not to show the shock she felt. “Just part of life down on the island,” she whispered.
“Right,” said Dale, “nothing more, nothing less.”
Just then Cindy looked up and saw Mattheus and Sand on the edge of the lounge, watching the two of them. Cindy was glad to see Mattheus, but apparently he didn’t feel the same. He turned quickly, the moment she looked at him, and got out. Sand stood there alone, watching. Cindy nodded to Sand, acknowledging his presence.
“I guess you know the cops in town,” Dale said, as Sand walked towards them.
Right behind Sand, Cindy saw Elizabeth following, in her tight aqua gown.
Dale stood immediately when Elizabeth came over.
“Hey, come and join us,” he said, looking ill at ease.
“I have something important to talk to you about, Dale,” she said, staring at both him and Cindy with narrow eyes. “Hope you got your questions answered,” she said to Cindy, flippantly.
“All right, let’s go,” he said. Then he turned to Cindy for a moment. “Sorry about that. Hope I was helpful. ”
“Before she could respond, Elizabeth dragged him away.
Cindy got up to leave then, but Sand stood in front of her, blocking her way.
“Those two are an item,” he said. “Stay where you are. I have something important to tell you, too. ” His face had a scowling expression.
Cindy sat back down on the sofa and Sand sat beside her. He started to talk without missing a beat.
“Listen, I want you to leave Mattheus alone.”
Cindy couldn’t have been more taken aback.
“He’s a terrific guy and he doesn’t need some lady coming down here playing with his head.”
“What are you talking about?” Cindy was humiliated.
“Since you got here, the guy’s not himself. And it’s no good. He’s in a rough business and has to do his job. He’s come a long way since I know him, too, since his wife was killed. ”
He’s a great cop. He’s doing it for her. He still hasn’t gotten over her. ”