Death by Temptation by Jaden Skye Read Free Book Online

your partner,” Rod mumbled. “I heard you all had
breakfast together. She was so happy to meet you, liked you both a lot.”
    “That’s
right,” said Mattheus, “we liked her, too.”
    “How
strange is that?” Rod’s eyes kept shifting back and forth. “Nothing about this
makes sense. I feel like my daughter’s two steps away and will walk back in any
minute.”
    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