Death by Obsession (9 page)

“He thinks he’s Paulie’s father,”
said Cindy. “He’s raised the boy and no one’s taking him away.”

“It’s not that I want to take him
away,” Tara was trembling. “I want to share him -.”

“He’s not having it, Tara.” Cindy
hoped to wake Tara up.

Tara gritted her teeth. “When I
tell Lynch - ,” she started.

 “You think he’ll care, that it
will make a difference?” Cindy interrupted.

Tara grew silent then, as they
approached the car and got in it. “No, you’re right,” she said once back on the
road, “this won’t matter to Lynch one bit.”

Cindy took a long, painful
breath, letting her thoughts wander to Mattheus and his daughter, growing up
somewhere on the island, oblivious of her father as well.  What strange destiny
had brought

her and Tara together, Cindy
wondered, as the car wound its way back to the hotel.

“What can I do to help you, Tara?”
Cindy asked as they traveled homeward.

“Just be who you are,” said Tara.
“Hang in with me. Come to the rehearsal dinner tomorrow night. I can’t do it
alone.  I need you there.  “

Cindy shivered. So, Tara was
going through with the wedding after all? Cindy wondered when she’d made the
decision and why.

“Mattheus and I will be happy to
go,” said Cindy, “but we’ll have to get the okay from your father. Officially,
we’re off the case.”

“Just be there,” Tara’s voice
became imperious. “It doesn’t matter what my father says. It’s not up to him to
extend invitations. It’s my rehearsal dinner! I told him that already and I’m
telling you too! Please, Cindy, please, I need you.”

“Alright, of course,” Cindy
replied quickly. “Mattheus and I will be delighted to attend.

*

Once back in the room, Cindy
kicked her shoes off and threw herself down on the sofa exhausted. “I’m
completely wiped out,” Cindy muttered. “I don’t know why.”

Mattheus had been waiting for her
and was tremendously relieved to have her back. He came over to the sofa
slowly. “At least you’re home safe,” he said quietly. “I was worried.”

“I was never in danger,” Cindy
breathed.

“You never know what’s going to
happen when you go out into the outlying villages,” Mattheus replied. “Okay,
tell me more.”

“Tara’s obsessed with the boy,”
Cindy started.

“That’s what I was worried about,”
said Mattheus. “Does she want to adopt him for her own?”

“No,” Cindy replied. “She just
wants him to be part of her and Lynch’s life. She won’t marry him otherwise.”

“That’s nuts,” Mattheus sighed
loudly. “Sounds like the shocking news made her come unhinged.”

Cindy sat half up on the sofa. “There’s
something wrong with all of us, Mattheus,” she said.

“Some more, some less,” Mattheus
agreed.

“Well, I like her,” Cindy
insisted, “she’s brave, she’s interesting, has principles she fights for.”

Mattheus smiled, “But you, Cindy,
are perfect. At least I always thought so.”

Cindy smiled softly too. Mattheus
always knew just what to say to defuse her upset, had a way of charming her. “I’m
far from perfect,” Cindy said as she put her head back down on the couch to
unwind.  “And I actually never wanted to be perfect.”

“But you are,” Mattheus insisted,
smiling.

Cindy didn’t know if he’s was still
kidding, or telling her how he felt.

“I can’t lose you, Cindy,”
Mattheus went on. “I’ll never find anyone like you again.”

Cindy closed her eyes, feeling
frightened. “There are probably plenty of people much better for you than me,”
she said softly.

“We need each other,” Mattheus
went on.

Cindy wanted to roll over and
fall asleep, do anything to get away from the painful moment. She had no idea
right now if she and Mattheus could actually get married. Not knowing what to
say, she just continued focusing on the case.

             “Tara wants us to
come to the rehearsal dinner tomorrow night,” Cindy went on.

Mattheus laughed. “So, now she’s going
through with the wedding and wants us there, to boot?” His voice sounded both
relieved and incredulous.

“She said she can’t do it alone,”
said Cindy.

“This gal has emotional problems,”
Mattheus commented.

“Whatever she has or doesn’t
have, will you come with me to the rehearsal dinner?” Cindy wanted an answer
right now.

“Is it okay with Aldon?” Mattheus
asked.

“Tara said it doesn’t matter
about Aldon. She wants us there. I’m going, and I need you there with me, too.”

“Glad to hear that,” Mattheus
relented. Then he leaned over and stroked Cindy’s arm. “Of course I’ll go with
you to the rehearsal dinner. There’s nowhere else in the world I want to be but
at your side.”

Cindy and Mattheus decided to rest the next day and
visit Philipsburg, the capital city. Cindy and Mattheus were attracted by the
lively atmosphere. It would be a good place to put concerns aside for a day. Phillipsburg
was located on a narrow strip of land that wrapped around Great Bay and was one
of the Caribbean’s busiest cruise ports, known for its duty free shopping. There
were casinos, marinas and a mile long beach with a beachfront boardwalk, lined
with bars and restaurants.  

          They arrived and strolled along together,
looking at the ships and shops and enjoying the bustling boardwalk. Both needed
the break and, without saying a word about it, discussion about Mattheus’s
daughter was put on the back burner.

They made small talk, laughed, had a delicious lunch
and Cindy bought some souvenir gifts for her sister. As the day ended and they
were finally heading back to the hotel, Mattheus put his arm around Cindy.  “After
the rehearsal dinner tonight, where to next?”

Cindy smiled. “Let’s talk about it tomorrow,” she
said. She knew that Mattheus needed an answer, but she needed quiet time to let
the questions she had go deep within and root in the silence. That usually
helped things sort themselves out and answers come naturally.

Cindy and Mattheus returned to the hotel somewhat
refreshed, in plenty of time to bathe and get ready for the rehearsal dinner that
night. Cindy gave herself the luxury of a long, warm bath and then dressed
slowly in a beautiful, amber, cocktail dress with a matching silk jacket and
long earrings. After doing her makeup, and putting on a dab of her favorite
perfume, she went into the main room.

When Mattheus saw her, he stood there transfixed. “You’ve
never looked this beautiful before,” he murmured.

His comment made Cindy feel sad. Most likely the
threat of losing her made her seem so much more precious.  And, if truth be
told, Mattheus looked incredible as well.  Suntanned and dressed in a dark blue
silk, evening suit, his thick hair brushed back off his handsome face, he, too,
took Cindy’s breath away.

Mattheus walked over to her slowly. “I am proud to be
at your side,” he said.

“Thank you,” Cindy murmured softly, letting him take
her arm.

“And I want to stay at your side forever,” he went
on, unflinchingly.

Cindy looked up at him as her eyes filled with tears.
At the moment, she had no idea what forever would look like for them, but she
wanted it as well.

*

As their cab drove up to the Aupres Hotel for the
rehearsal dinner, the place was surrounded by limousines, reporters and valets,
welcoming guests. One of the valets rushed up to Cindy and Mattheus’s cab and
opened the door for them. The moment they got out, photographers began flashing
pictures. Cindy felt as though they were stepping on a red carpet with the
whole world watching.

“Raina had to have arranged all this,” Cindy said to
Mattheus as they walked through a line of reporters and admirers into the main
doors of the hotel. “This is definitely not Aldon’s style.”

“It’s Raina’s son’s wedding. She has a right to,”
Mattheus remarked. “

The irony of it struck Cindy powerfully as she
thought of how alone Tara was feeling.  Cindy wondered how Tara was doing now.
She wondered if the excitement of preparing for the celebration, dressing for
it, greeting family and friends distracted Tara from the fact that she was
getting married to Lynch the very next day.

Cindy and Mattheus walked into the incredible,
elegant lobby, with high ceilings, mirrors and grand furnishings, and were led
to a long, private, formal dining room through an alcove. The dining room was
full of guests, decked out to the hilt, meeting one another, circulating
easily, excited to see who arrived next. Whatever difficulties had taken place behind
the scene, obviously no one here had any inkling of them. The atmosphere was
filled with laughter and joyous anticipation.

A group of young women and men, presumably part of
the wedding party, dressed in cocktail

dresses, tuxedos and suits, were laughing and chatting
comfortably with one another. Cindy and Mattheus circulated among them,
introducing themselves as friends of the bride and groom. A particularly
striking brunette, in a dashing lime green dress, unusually poised and
gracious, seemed to be the center of the group. When Cindy and Mattheus came
over to say hello, she introduced herself as Lea, Tara’s maid of honor.

“How’s Tara doing?” Cindy asked offhandedly, trying
to hide her concern.  If Tara was having difficulty, her maid of honor would
certainly know about it.

“She’s perfectly fine,” Lea answered brightly.

“Really?” asked Cindy, registering surprise.

“Why wouldn’t she be?” Lea seemed taken aback by
Cindy’s response. “Tara’s marrying the number one bachelor around, an
absolutely fantastic guy. The hotel is glorious, the weather will be perfect.”

“No last minute jitters?” Mattheus joined in with a
charming smile.

Mattheus’s light tone seemed to relieve Lea. “Of
course, jitters are natural, aren’t they?” she  conceded.  “I told Tara that,
myself. But, she’s definitely had a beautiful day. She and Lynch took time
together and went down to Ryder’s Cove for a late afternoon swim. I’m sure that
relaxed both of them.  The water in that cove is amazing, always warm and
soothing.”

“The perfect thing,” Cindy chimed in, light
heartedly.

Lea smiled and turned away then to talk to other
friends close by.

“Everyone’s determined to keep up this cheerful
front,” Cindy half whispered to Mattheus.

“It’s not a front,” Mattheus corrected Cindy. “No one
knows anything.  Just take a look, all these friends and guests are genuinely
happy.  And Lea’s right - jitters are completely natural and they come in all
kinds of ways.”

A cocktail waitress stopped in front of them then,
carrying a tray of hor doerves. Cindy and Mattheus took two vegetable fritters
and placed them on a small crystal dish. Just as she was about to eat hers,
Cindy suddenly saw Raina out of the corner of her eye, coming towards them.
Dressed in a cream colored, bouffant, silk dress, she could almost have been
mistaken for the bride.

“What a delightful surprise to see the two of you
here,” Raina swept by, addressing her comments directly to Mattheus. “I had no
idea the two of you were on the guest list.”

“I didn’t either,” Mattheus laughed.

“Tara insisted that we come,” Cindy interrupted their
banter.

“Really?” said Raina, turning towards Cindy and
raising her eyebrows slightly. “I wonder why. She never said a word about it to
me. It’s wonderful, of course, to have you here,” and she turned back to
Mattheus, smiling flirtatiously.  “Just a bit of a surprise.”

“Tara’s full of surprises, I suppose,” Mattheus
answered, keeping the conversation going.

“Yes, indeed,” Raina picked right up on it. “But who
isn’t? Tara’s a good girl though, a wonderful girl. We’re thrilled to have her
become part of our family.”

“Is her father here?” Cindy asked then.

“Yes, of course,” said Raina, “Aldon’s over on the
other side of the room, with his friends and family.”

“And where’s Tara?” asked Mattheus then, looking
around.

“Should be here any minute,” said Raina, looking
around as well. “I’m not positive where she is at the moment. She has her own
room.  It’s an old custom, the bride and groom spending the last night before
the wedding in separate rooms. Lynch arrived alone a few minutes ago. He’s over
there.”

Cindy turned towards the side of the room where Raina
motioned and saw Lynch, dressed in an indigo blue, summer suit, his blonde hair
brushed perfectly, looking dashing.

“Looks magnificent, doesn’t he?” Raina said taking
him in and swept up in the grandeur of the evening. “I’m totally thrilled and
proud of him. Looks just like his father did as a young man. If his father were
here, he’d be delighted as well.”

Lynch did look magnificent, thought Cindy, and as
though he was having a wonderful time. There was nothing at all to betray any
unease. Cindy wondered if he even noticed that Tara hadn’t arrived yet.

Raina tapped Mattheus’s shoulder lightly then. “Well,
it’s delightful to have both of you joining us. I must dash and talk to others
now. We’ll all be seated in a little while and it will be harder to chat with
everybody then.”

“Of course,” said Mattheus as Raina flurried away.

Cindy and Mattheus looked at each other for a long
moment. There was no apparent reason for the apprehension Cindy began to feel.

“It’s a beautiful party, but where’s Tara?” Cindy
said under her breath.

“She’ll be here any minute,” said Mattheus.

“I certainly hope so,” Cindy replied.

*

Guests were seated, happily
chatting with those at their sides. It took a little while before people
realized that Tara had not arrived. Where was she? People began asking, looking
around as a pall began to fall over the room.

As more and more people started
looking for Tara, Lynch finally got up from his seat, went over to his mother
and whispered something to her.

Raina, disconcerted, went with
him to the back of the room, took out a phone and began calling.

As soon as Cindy saw this, she
and Mattheus also got up from their seats and joined Lynch and

his mother in the rear.

“This is just like her,” Raina
quipped to Lynch, as Cindy and Mattheus arrived.

“It’s nothing like her at all,”
Lynch replied staunchly. Tara is always on time.

Whoever Raina was calling wasn’t
picking up.

“Do you want me to go to Tara’s
room and see what’s happening?” Cindy asked bluntly.

Raina didn’t especially like
having Cindy at her side. “That’s the last thing I want,” she grumbled. “I
simply want Tara down here immediately.”

“I’ll go and get her,” said Cindy
quietly.

Lynch put his hand on Cindy’s arm
to stop her. “Tara won’t take well to that,” he said. “She doesn’t like being
checked up on.”

“Tara doesn’t like this, she doesn’t
like that,” Raina grew more irate. “This is your rehearsal dinner, however. Friends
have come from far to attend it -. Right now it doesn’t matter what she likes.”

“It’s okay, mom,” Lynch tried to
calm Raina, though she would have none of it.

“There’s nothing okay about it, Lynch,”
Raina grew more edgy.

“I’m going this minute to check
on Tara,” said Cindy definitively. “Tara asked me to be here, to stand by her
side.”

“Why would she ask you that?”
asked Lynch astonished.

Cindy was amazed at the way Lynch
seemed to block out the upset that had gone on between them the past few days. “Tara
was feeling wobbly after she heard about your son,” Cindy put it plainly.

“That again? Raina’s face flushed
bright red. “You bring that up now? In the midst of our happiness?”

Mattheus interrupted strongly. “Cindy’s
just answering Lynch’s question.”

“There’s no good answer to Lynch’s
question,” Raina flung her head back. “And we are going on with the rehearsal
dinner as if everything is just fine. If people ask where Tara is, I’ll simply
tell them, she’s not feeling well. A stomach virus.”

“But is that true?” Cindy confronted
Raina directly.

“Who the hell cares?” said Raina.

“I care,” said Cindy, “and I’m
sure Lynch cares as well.”

“Of course, I care,” said Lynch,
growing nervous. “Go, please go and check her room.”

*

Mattheus stayed with Lynch and
Raina and Cindy got the number and key to Tara’s room. She went to the
elevators and waited for one, at first feeling calm. But on the way up to Tara’s
room, Cindy’s stomach fell. What if Tara wasn’t there?

Cindy got off on the fourteenth
floor, rushed down the hall, put the lock in the key, opened the door. The room
was totally empty. As she looked around quickly, the pit in Cindy’s stomach
grew.  Everything was in perfect order. The bed was made, the clothing was in
the closets, even Tara’s hand bag was laying right there. But there was no
evidence in the room that a young woman had spent time in it getting ready for
her rehearsal dinner. There was also no evidence of a struggle or that anything
untoward had taken place. In fact, there was no evidence of anything at all.

Cindy took a deep breath and went
out on the balcony and looked out at the huge vista from it.  Again, everything
was in perfect order. The gardens below were trimmed and manicured, the moon
was rising in the sky. Some guests were walking in the courtyard below. A
perfect silence before the storm, thought Cindy. Perhaps Tara had just quietly
decided to walk away on her own? Somehow it didn’t seem likely to Cindy,
though. If she did, why would she leave her bag behind?

A sense of doom encircling her, Cindy
called Mattheus immediately.

“What’s going on up there?” he
asked. “Everyone down here is waiting.”

“Gone,” said Cindy in a hoarse
tone.

“Repeat that,” Mattheus sounded
stunned.

 “Tara’s room is empty. She’s
nowhere to be found.”

“Oh God,” said Mattheus, “I don’t
believe it.”

“Put a call into the police this
second,” Cindy said.

“I’m on it,” Mattheus replied.