“Absolutely,” said Mattheus. “Cindy and I have been up against worse than this before. There’s no case that doesn’t have an answer. Nobody goes missing for no reason at all.”
Abe wasn’t jumping on the bandwagon, though. “Well,” he spoke slowly, “I like to look at what is obvious first. To me simple answers make the most sense. The ocean can be rough down here on this part of the island, especially at this time of year. The simplest explanation is that she went swimming and got caught in an undertow. From what we see so far, it seems unlikely that someone wanted to do her or her husband harm.”
“Murders always seem unlikely,” Mattheus gruffly replied. “The most surprising people get killed, but there’s always a way to trace it. If she drowned, hopefully her body will surface. Dead bodies give up a lot of information.”
“It’s the best-case scenario, that the body will surface,” Abe answered methodically. “Most of the time it doesn’t. The body gets pulled out into the ocean and that’s that.”
“That happens a lot in St. Lucia?” Mattheus asked in a heavy tone. “People just get sucked into the water and never surface?”
Abe took exception. “It doesn’t happen here more than anywhere else in the Caribbean, but it does happen. And in a situation like this, we can’t rule it out. She went swimming alone as the tides were changing.”
“We can’t rule anything in or out yet,” Cindy agreed, trying to soothe the jangled nerves that were developing. It was late, and they were all tired and on edge. “It’s good that the family’s coming down tomorrow. You guys go out and search for all you’re worth and first thing in the morning Mattheus and I will start investigating. Once we know more about Kara and Rowley’s lives and what went on behind the scenes we’ll have a better idea of where to look.”
“Great,” Abe murmured. “I already called Darrin and told him about you guys. He’s happy to have you on board. We can use all the hands we can get. Crime has risen on the island these past few years.” Abe’s voice lowered. “It’s like a cancer that spreads from island to island.”
“Sure is,” replied Mattheus. “I’m glad we’re down here to help now.”
*
Cindy and Mattheus went up in the elevator to their room silently.
“I can’t believe this is happening,” Mattheus said as they got out and walked down the hallway to their room. “The timing is nuts.”
“Thank God we’re here,” said Cindy.
Mattheus opened the door to the room and they walked inside. Cindy, exhausted, practically fell down on sofa, limp. So much had happened in such a short time, she hardly knew where she was. The day went from being incredibly beautiful and filled with joy to the shock of what greeted them when they came back to the hotel.
Mattheus came over, sat down beside Cindy, and put his arm around her.
“Listen, Cindy, I don’t know what to say about this.” He sounded fretful. “I know this is our time, but—”
Cindy shook her head. “Time doesn’t belong to anyone, Mattheus. I wish it did. I wish we could grip it and plan it, but we can’t.”
Mattheus relaxed a bit then. “This is my friend’s daughter,” he went on.
Cindy lifted her hands to his face. “Mattheus,” she whispered, “there are no explanations needed. This is a beautiful young woman who’s suddenly gone. This is a young man who’s facing a night of agony that could go on his whole life long.”
“We are gonna have our honeymoon after this is all over.” Mattheus’s jaw set again.
“Do you see me complaining for one minute?” asked Cindy.
“No, but I wish you would,” he said. “I wish you were more upset that our time together has been cut short like this.”
Cindy understood what Mattheus was saying, but didn’t feel as though anything had been cut short, except possibly Kara’s life. That was more important than anything else right now.
“It’s all working out the way it has to, Mattheus,” Cindy whispered. “I love working on cases with you.”
I love it, too,” he answered.
“And there’s nothing more important than finding Kara right now,” Cindy continued. “It’s possible she’s still alive.”
“You’re right, nothing’s more important,” agreed Mattheus, “but this one’s gonna be rough. I feel it in my bones.”
*
Cindy and Mattheus got into bed then and said nothing further, just slipped comfortably into each other’s arms.
“I’m exhausted,” Mattheus whispered finally.
“Me, too,” agreed Cindy.
They lay there silently, breathing together as Cindy closed her eyes.
“Do you think there’s something working against us, Cindy?” Mattheus finally asked.
Cindy opened her eyes slowly. She’d almost been asleep and didn’t quite get what he meant. “What did you say?” she asked, her voice hushed.
“Do you believe there are forces out there that are determined to keep us apart?” Mattheus asked more forcefully.