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.”
CHAPTER 6
“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.”