Cindy wiggled her toes in the warm water as it splashed around her playfully. Of course this wasn’t time to dwell upon the past, but she could not help but do so. She also could not help but think of Clint again now, wonder what he would do in a situation like this. The answer was immediate. Of course he would jump in and help on the case. There wouldn’t even be a moment’s hesitation. That’s what Cindy had loved so much about him. Clint would have never put himself ahead of someone in need.
Cindy got up from the sand energized and started walking along the beach again. It seemed as if without her realizing it, the Caribbean had become her home. It had happened only recently though, since Clint’s death in Barbados. Her work as a detective after that had drawn her down here again and again. But it was more than that. It was also her promise to herself and Clint not to let the horror of his murder go to waste. From the very beginning, Cindy had been determined to use the pain she’d gone through to help others in the same situation.
Cindy kicked at the sand as she walked. What did her promise really entail? Had she fulfilled it by now? True, she’d helped solve many cases. But here, from out of nowhere, another case was being thrown in her lap. Did she have the right to say no to it? Hadn’t she promised she would help? Wasn’t that promise what got her through her dark and terrible time? Just because she and Mattheus had found happiness together, was that an excuse for letting the promise go?
Cindy turned full out to the ocean and watched the waves rippling in. Clint, she called out in her mind. Can you see what’s happening on this strange earth? Can you help me do what’s right?
Cindy felt odd as she called to Clint in her mind. She had done that a lot right after he’d died. As time had gone on, she’d done it less, was better able to make choices on her own. Then came the relationship with Mattheus. Many times Mattheus’s choices were different from hers. Cindy knew she had to stand strong in what she believed. She couldn’t give up her principles in order to hold onto her new relationship. That would never work.
As she mused about it, a large seagull seemed to fly out of the sky directly at her. It had a huge wing spread and came so close that Cindy jumped back on the shore. She stared as the gull flew in a circle and then took off again.
After it left, Cindy took a deep breath and couldn’t help feeling that Clint had swept in to be with her. Be true to yourself, Cindy, he had always said. Follow your heart, follow your path. Life is not worth living without courage. That was the way he’d lived and she wanted to as well.
A spray of water splashed up right in Cindy’s face then. She smiled as tears filled her eyes. She had no right to say no to Kate’s family. It was clear that she had to take the case.
*
After they’d both returned to the hotel Cindy and Mattheus showered, changed into evening clothes and took off for a wonderful dinner in town.
Seated close together at the trendy bar, they waited for their table at the restaurant that was packed and filled with smoke, noise, and song. Mattheus, looking suntanned and relaxed ordered apple martinis, as he pulled Cindy even closer to him.
“This place is crazy, but it’s fun. Like it, too?”
Cindy did. She enjoyed the lively energy and was glad they were surrounded by people. It would be easier to tell Mattheus what she had to say in the middle of a crowded restaurant and lively night. With music playing and people laughing, she could toss it off as if her decision were the most natural thing in the world.
The drinks came and Mattheus lifted his glass and toasted, “To the most beautiful woman I could ever imagine being with and calling my own.”
Cindy smiled, lifted her glass, touched hers to his and took a sip.
“Like the toast?” Mattheus was in a light hearted mood. “I meant every word I said. A woman I can call my own.”
“Beautiful,” said Cindy, not wanting to make more of it at the moment. Mattheus had a way of speaking grandly when he was in a good mood. Would he still want to call her his when she told him what she’d decided to do?
“You seem a little quiet this evening?” Mattheus said as he drained his glass. “Enjoy your time on the beach?”
“It was great,” said Cindy, quietly, “beautiful beaches.”
“Fantastic golf courses - everything we need is only a few steps away,” Mattheus agreed.
The bar they were in was obviously a hot spot. In the few minutes since they’d arrived, more people crowded into the entrance and were pressing up against the bar. Mattheus was shoved even closer to Cindy, and put his arms around her tight.
“Too crowded?” he asked, “we can go down the street to Nevilles. They’ve got dancing in the back.”
“Mattheus,” Cindy couldn’t banter with him this way when something so important had to be discussed. She put her glass down on the bar.
Mattheus drew to attention, feeling something was coming. “Yes, Cindy?” he tried to smile, but couldn’t.
Cindy spoke softly and quickly, “I’ve been thinking and thinking about what happened at the hotel. A young woman is dead. The families are suffering terribly. The case been thrown right into our lap. I couldn’t live with myself if we didn’t take it.”