“Before you start drinking, we need you to talk to us,” Cindy said.
“What more can I say? Seems as if every detail has been leaked to the papers.”
“You’re the main suspect because of the insurance policy?” Mattheus started the questioning.
“So they say,” said Kendra. “Paul took the policy out about three months ago. Bad timing, to say the least. We had another policy before that for years, but suddenly Paul wanted to upgrade it. So, now I have a huge insurance policy on his life and it’s creating complete turmoil. Why would I kill him for money? I have plenty of money, I have this house, and I have my own tour business.”
“Is that the only reason you’re the suspect?” Mattheus continued.
Once again, Kendra turned to Cindy, looked at her plaintively.
“Is that the only reason? It’s enough, isn’t it? But, of course, there are always other matters as well. It’s easier to talk about those with a woman, though,” Kendra said.
“I understand,” said Cindy. “Do you want Mattheus to leave the room?”
“No, he can stay here if he wants. But I’d rather talk to you. I’ve been dealing with men for too long now – mostly, they don’t have a heart. Some even enjoy seeing us women suffer. More than you would imagine.”
Mattheus flinched. “I’ll take a walk on the grounds for a little while so the two of you can talk to each other.”
“Thanks,” said Kendra, dismissively.
Mattheus left and Cindy moved closer to Kendra.
“What do you want to tell me?” Cindy asked gently.
“I didn’t do it. Why would I? Besides the damn insurance policy there’s no motive anyone can find. Paul and I were happy. We did well together. We came down to the island separately, years ago. We met and fell in love right away. God knows why. Things look different when you’re young. Anyway, we decided to make the island our home. Paul was a brand new lawyer, I was an art major, and decided to give tours of the island and paint. It was a lovely life. I enjoyed it. I loved living here. We built a family, had two daughters. All was going well.”
“Someone had some reason to kill him, though,” Cindy said softly.
Kendra’s eyes filled with tears. “Who?”
“I have no idea,” said Cindy. “You’ll have to fill me in more on his life.”
“Nobody’s asked who I thought might have killed him,” Kendra said in a hushed tone. “All they’ve kept asking me is about our marriage, and where it went wrong. It didn’t go wrong. I keep telling them that.”
“Never?” asked Cindy.
“A marriage is a marriage. It had ups and downs. We grew to understand each other.”
Kendra’s eye started twitching. “He was human like anyone. He had his flaws. They weren’t a crime. He didn’t deserve to die for them.”
“What kind of flaws?” Cindy pursued it.
“Paul enjoyed hanging at the bars for drinks after work. It relaxed him. At first I didn’t think it was a big deal. I still don’t. But over the years, he did it more and more. He needed time away.”
“You’ll tell me which bars?” said Cindy.
“Of course, I’ll tell you. But so what? He had a stressful job, defending criminals and handling a damn lot of them, too. So, he’d have a drink to unwind. Is that so terrible?”
“Of course not. But I need to know more about his habits.”
Margaret came in with the tray carrying coffee and Marguerites. Kendra quickly reached for her drink, but Cindy stopped her.
“Later,” Cindy said.
At that moment, Mattheus strolled by on the lawn, in front of the large, glass windows.
Kendra put her drink down and looked at him.
“He’s very gallant,” Kendra said suddenly. Very handsome and very smart.”
“Your husband?” asked Cindy.
“No, your friend out there. I suppose both of you have to know everything?”
“Of course we do,” Cindy said.
Kendra raised her eyebrows for a moment. “Quite a team,” she said. Then she reached out for her drink again, only to think better of it and put it down. “You’re right; it doesn’t make sense to drink so early. Besides in a few minutes, my daughter will be coming home from school.
“The papers haven’t said much about your daughter,” asked Cindy, curious.
“Why should they?” Kendra was quick on the uptake. “She’s in her late teens, grieving.
Why drag her into this mess?”
“No reason,” Cindy responded.
“Besides, she’s a handful,” said Kendra. “Always has been. She was close to her father, but she and I were mostly at odds. Not so unusual for mothers and teenage daughters.”
“So I’ve heard,” said Cindy. “I look forward to meeting her.”
Kendra shrugged, “Whatever.” she said. “
“Anything else you want to tell me now?” asked Cindy.