Death by Betrayal (Book #10 in the Caribbean Murder series) (15 page)

After
speaking to her mother Cindy felt agitated. The last thing she felt like doing
was dressing up and going to a party in a villa, smiling at everyone,
pretending to be having a wonderful time. Tony Beggio’s party was the following
evening, though. That would give her time to rest up during the day and slowly
get ready. Cindy needed rest badly, she felt it in every bone of her body. The
enormity of what she was up against suddenly struck her from head to toe. The
entire equilibrium of her family had been shaken to the core. What would happen
if they actually found out something disturbing about Frank, something no one
could live with?  Would her mother go off the deep end then? In a flash Cindy
could lose everybody. The hope of ever living a normal life would be completely
taken from her. It would just be her and Mattheus then, drifting from case to
case in the Caribbean.

Cindy
couldn’t even begin to let herself think about it. In his own way Frank had
been a pillar of strength and stability not only to Ann, but to the entire
family. Their long standing relationship had provided a measure of calm and
continuity that no one else in the family had on their own. After Cindy’s
father died years ago, her mother never settled down, but dated one man after
another. Perhaps that was why she was so cynical about men now, Cindy suddenly
realized. Perhaps she’d had married boyfriends of her own. The thought of it
disturbed Cindy tremendously, but right now it would be better to put all of
this out of her mind. Cindy needed to get a good sleep and start the day fresh
tomorrow.

*

First
thing the next morning, after breakfast in her room, Cindy went to her closet
and looked through the clothing she’d brought with her, wondering what to wear
to Tony Beggio’s party that night. Fortunately, when she’d packed, she’d thrown
in her staple, black, silk, sleeveless evening dress. It could be dressed up
beautifully with the right jewelry and go anywhere. Cindy stared at the dress,
wondering what she would wear with it? She could go to the world class jewelry
store in the mezzanine of the hotel and buy a new sparkling necklace, or just
throw on her old strand of long pearls. Cindy was tired of the pearls, it would
pick up her spirits to wear something new. She decided to go down to the store,
see what they had, and try to approach the upcoming evening in the best frame
of mind possible.

*

The
jewelry store was richly carpeted with soft music playing in the background. 
Sales people, elegantly dressed, stood behind ivory tables with cases
displaying magnificent jewelry. Cindy walked over to the case with necklaces.  A
lovely saleswoman behind it smiled at her. There was a dazzling ruby necklace,
a fine amber one, a thin diamond choker. Cindy stared at them all, her eyes
drifting to the diamond choker which suddenly reminded her of the small
rhinestone she’d found in Ann’s room. Ann had never much liked jewelry, and
rhinestones certainly weren’t something she would choose. Cindy had picked up
that rhinestone when she’d gone to Ann’s room and kept it carefully. Once again
Cindy wondered where that rhinestone had come from, upset that she’d forgotten
about it all this while.

“Would
you like me to take out these necklaces, so you can look at them more closely?”
the lovely saleswoman asked in a melodic tone.

“How
much is the ruby necklace?” Cindy suddenly responded, fixing on that one. The
warmth of the rubies made her feel warm and alive.

The
saleswoman gave Cindy a price which was startling. But Cindy seldom purchased
jewelry for herself, wasn’t familiar with what a necklace like this would cost.

“It’s
beautiful,” Cindy murmured, drawn to it.

“I’ll
take it out, so you can hold it,” the woman said, pleased.

Cindy
wanted to stop her, but also suddenly wanted to hold the necklace in her hands.

“Thank
you,” she said softly.

Cindy
cradled the necklace in her hands. Holding it gave her a sense of aliveness and
power and it would go beautifully with her black dress tomorrow. But the price
was certainly high.

“This
necklace has been one of our favorites,” the saleswoman spoke softly. “We
actually have a few more on order. I believe this is the last one we have in
stock.”

Cindy
wanted to say, “I’ll take it,” but held back.

Suddenly
she felt someone come up behind her and looked at the necklace over her
shoulder.

Before
Cindy could turn around, a male voice said, “Take it.”

Cindy
spun around, Mattheus was standing there.

“Take
it,” Mattheus repeated softly. “It’s a gift from me - almost as beautiful as
you are.”

“What
are you doing here?” Cindy was jolted, the last thing she’d expected was to see
Mattheus here.

“I
was looking for you,” he replied softly, “and actually, the head of room
service was in the elevator with you when you came down. I happened to run into
him and asked if he might have known where you were; he  mentioned you got off
on the  mezzanine.”

The
saleswoman smiled. “How charming.”

Cindy
was touched, not only that Mattheus had been looking for her, but by his
generous offer.

“You
chose the perfect necklace,” Mattheus continued. “I want you to have it,
truly.”

“So,
shall I wrap it up then?” the saleswoman asked.

“Definitely,”
Mattheus nodded, “wrap it up.”

Cindy
looked over at him, her eyes suddenly filling with tears. “Are you sure,
Mattheus?”

“I’ve
never been more sure of anything in my life,” Mattheus murmured. “How about
you? Are you sure?”

Cindy
suddenly felt nervous. “Sure of what?”

“Sure
that you love that necklace,” Mattheus quickly replied, “that it’s the one you
really want?”

“Yes,
it’s beautiful, thank you,” Cindy said softly. “I’ll always love it, and I’ll
wear it at Beggio’s party tonight.”

       
       “You’ll be the brightest spot there,” said Mattheus. “I’m grateful
you’ve allowed me to get it for you. It means as much to me as it does to you.”

*

Cindy
returned to her room with the necklace, and Mattheus took off to speak to some
people who knew the hotel owner he was meeting with that night. Mattheus wanted
to know everything he could about Beggio’s hedge fund and network. And, he had
to find out whether Frank was involved somehow.

Cindy
sat down and opened the box the necklace was in and stared at it for a long
time. This was the first gift Mattheus have given her, and it was all she could
have possibly hoped for. It had happened so naturally and casually that Cindy
felt flustered. She knew that when Mattheus had said he was sure, he was talking
about more than the necklace. He’d also asked her if she were sure. Cindy felt
upset that she couldn’t have answered more directly, given him the assurance he
wanted. Was he asking if she sure that he was the one she wanted to live her
life with? It was a haunting question to consider right after her sister had
been killed.

Cindy
took the necklace out, put in on now, and felt its intense energy and beauty
flow through her body. As it did, she couldn’t help feel that Ann had been
somehow involved with this, too. Was it possible that Ann’s spirit was here
with all of them now guiding the events that were happening? Ann had always
wanted Cindy to take care of herself, buy beautiful clothing and jewelry. Cindy
usually resisted, only did it when Ann was around. Cindy smiled a little as she
raised her hand to the rubies at her neck. Ann would certainly have loved this necklace,
she would be thrilled that it belonged to Cindy now.

*

Cindy
had a few free hours left in the day before getting ready for the party. Before
getting dressed she decided to go down to the pool in the hotel for a quick
swim. The pool occupied a large, sprawling area with trees surrounding it, lounge
chairs, and areas with private nooks.  Right now the entire area was mostly
empty, including the lounge chairs surrounding the pool. This was the place
Frank had claimed to be swimming in when Ann had been killed. Cindy could
easily see how he could have gone for a swim and be unobserved by anyone.

She
jumped into the pool, splashed, swam a few laps, returned to a lounge chair and
wrapped a large towel around her. She was relieved that the place was so empty
and she could enjoy the privacy. This past day the hotel had been really
filling up, probably in preparation for the races coming up shortly. Frank had
always enjoyed boat racing, though he and Ann never owned a boat of their own.
Cindy wondered if he was aware of the upcoming races, if anything like that
mattered to him at all now. The warm air on Cindy’s body was soothing and
reassuring, normalizing the day. Life went on, she sadly realized. Even after a
horrible disaster, the sun rose and shone and the water was still there to heal
and soothe the heart and body.

*

Cindy
returned to her room, had lunch and took a brief nap. Usually, by now Mattheus
checked in with her about what he’d found that day. So far she hadn’t heard
from him. He must be busy and productive, Cindy though, possibly caught up with
new information, it boded well. Cindy looked forward to their checking back in
with each other after Beggio’s party, tomorrow morning.

Soon
it was time to get ready. Cindy got up, bathed and carefully dressed for the
luxurious party in Beggio’s Villa, not far from the hotel.

*

             
Tony Beggio’s Villa stood on the edge of a cliff, overlooking the sea. Cindy’s
taxi wound up to the top of the rim, and the driver got out to open her door.
Cindy felt dazzling with her suntan, hair loose and incredible ruby necklace.
She wished Mattheus could have been there to join her for the evening. Their work
often took them to separate events, though. Often it was best they were not
seen together. Their work also presented endless opportunities for them to meet
other people. Cindy was struck with that now. If she were single this would be
a perfect venue for her to meet a new partner. Of course she wasn’t single, but
she also wasn’t committed either. Or, was she?

She
stepped into the grand entrance of the villa, which was filled with beautiful
people, dressed to the hilt, laughing, drinking, drifting around, looking each
other over. She’d wanted to meet Beggio when he’d be off guard in a social
situation. Cindy wondered for a second if Evan Price would be here, if he ever
attended parties run by other hedge fund operators.

A
few moments after Cindy entered, a tall, handsome man of about thirty five,
dressed a summer linen suit, immediately approached her.

“Lou
Bradway,” he said, introducing himself without compunction. “I haven’t seen you
before, who are you?” his eyes were wide and admiring.

“Private
detective Cindy Blaine,” Cindy appreciated his welcome and was also determined
to be clear with everyone who she was and why she was attending.

Lou
Bradway wrinkled his brow slightly. “Detective?”

Cindy
laughed at his reaction. It felt good to laugh and let go of the heavy weight
she’d been bearing.

“I’m
here to meet Tony Beggio,” she said lightly, as if it were the most natural
thing in the world.

“Sure,
that’s easy. Why do you want to meet him?” Lou became more forthright.
“Interested in investing?”

“I’m
down here on a case,” Cindy replied quickly. “I understand that Tony knows lots
of people, is involved in many things.”

“You
got that right at least,” Lou answered.

“At
least?” Cindy was ruffled. “What did I get wrong?”

“You’re
right on point about Beggio, but I’m not sure if your choice of a career is right
on,” he smiled. “Why be a detective? A woman like you could have anything she
wants in the world.”

Cindy
thought about that a second. What was it she wanted most in the world? Right
now it was to have her sister back, alive. After that, it was to find out who
killed her, and bring them to justice, to never let it happen again.

“I’m
doing what I want to do most in the world,” Cindy replied, lightly. “What do
you do, Lou?” She wanted to take the conversation down a different road.

“I
do what everyone does down here,” his eyes smiled at her, “make money – plenty
of money,” and he looked at the jewels around her neck.

“How
do you do that?” Cindy bantered back, gazing over his shoulder at the room at
large. It certainly did seem as if everyone here lived the good life, skimmed
the cream from on top of the coffee.

Rather
than answer directly, Lou took her hand lightly, guiding Cindy through the
crowds. “Come on, let me introduce you to some other people,” he said as Cindy walked
with him among many dazzling men and women. The women were all decked out in
cocktail dresses, showing off beautiful jewelry, legs, arms and smiles. Men of
all ages were flocking around them, as a small band played live music.

“Here,”
Lou stopped at a couple in the middle of the room. “This is my friend Penny,
and her new beau, Don.”

“Hi,”
Penny said brightly.

“Penny,
this is Detective Cindy Blaine,” Lou remarked, enjoying the reaction the
announcement seemed to get from both Penny and Don.

“Detective?
Why are you here?” asked Penny, looking at Cindy directly.

“My
sister was killed a few days ago at the Greenstone, Cindy decided to put it out
there straight.” Despite the gaiety of the party she wanted information, wasn’t
here just to drift around.

Penny
put her hands up over her mouth in her horror. “My dear, I’m so sorry,” she exclaimed.

Lou
took a step back as well, startled. “You didn’t tell me your sister was killed,”
he echoed.

“I
didn’t want to be grim,” Cindy caught her breath lightly.

“It’s
not grim, it’s serious,” Don, Penny’s boyfriend, jumped in. You’re here for
information.”“Yes, exactly,” said Cindy, as the music the band played grew
louder.

“Have
you heard about the hotel murders?” Penny asked then, in a tiny voice.

“Yes,
I have,” Cindy answered plainly. “We don’t think my sister’s death was
connected to them.”

“Very
coincidental that another murder took place in the same hotel,” Don shook his
head.

Cindy
liked Don tremendously. She appreciated his forthright manner.

“Hi,
Don,” a beautiful redhead who was circling the room, stopped at their group for
a moment.

“This
is Ronnelle,” Don introduced her to Cindy and they smiled at each other.

“Isn’t
this an amazing, beautiful party, the best yet!” Ronnelle proclaimed. “I’ll be
back in a few minutes and talk to you all later. There’s Marcus over there,
I’ve been waiting to see him all night long,” and she flitted away.

“She’s
a good friend of mine,” Penny told Cindy. “Works down here and also in the
States.”

“Are
there lots of people who do that?” asked Cindy.

“Yes
there are,” said Penny, “and some just live here full time.”

“It’s
more unusual to live here full time,” Don filled in. He wanted to help Cindy
and she felt it. “The financial opportunities down here are amazing; once
people find out, usually they go back and forth.”

Cindy
wondered if that was what Frank had been doing. “All kinds of people come down
to work, not just big hedge fund types, right?” asked Cindy.

They
all smiled at that question. “There’s really only some big hedge fund guys,”
Lou replied, “the ones connected to Evan Price. Price thinks he runs the
island, but he doesn’t. There’s a mix of investors and funds around.”

“Will
Price be here at the party tonight?” Cindy had a sudden desire to see him again
and talk to him. She was glad to have the chance to hear about him.

“Probably
not,” said Lou. “Why? Do you know who he is?”

“I’ve
heard of him,” said Cindy.

“Don’t
bother investigating him though,” Don broke in. “The guy has every alibi he’ll
ever need all locked up, and law enforcement supports him.”

Cindy
was surprised to hear that. “What about Beggio?” she asked.

Don
smiled. “Tony’s not as rich as Price and not as smart. Gets into trouble once
in awhile, too, though nothing to write home about.”

Cindy
smiled back at him. She wanted to meet Beggio more than ever now. “Where is
he?” she asked lightly.