Death by Jealousy Read Online Free

They met at a group dive three years ago.”
    “Have
the police spoken to the Captain of the boat?” Mattheus turned his attention to
Edward.
    “Yes,
his name is Jared Flay,” said Edward. “He owns one of the one of the best Diver
Shops on the Island. He’s taken hundreds of people out. He and Peter have known
each other for a long while. They’ve been out together many times before.”
    “It
was a routine dive, routine, that’s all,” Dana said emphatically.
    “I
get it,” said Mattheus.
    “Get
what?” Edward bristled for a moment. “What is there to get?”
    “I
get that this is complicated,” said Mattheus. “There are lots of factors to
consider when someone disappears.”
    Cindy
suddenly realized that this scenario had to be re-kindling Mattheus’s fresh
memory of his wife going missing and the years of torture that went with it.
    “These
things are never what they seem to be,” said Mattheus bluntly. “These cases can
twist and wind you in a thousand directions before you find out what really
went on.”
    Dana
sat up straighter at that. “Find out now!  We don’t have time to twist and wind
in a thousand directions. Our family and closest friends are here at the hotel
for the wedding. Speak to them all, and to those on the bride’s side as well.”
    It
struck Cindy that this was the first time they’d mentioned anything about the
bride. Their entire concern so far had been for their son’s safety. That was
normal enough, she guessed. Everything had happened so quickly, they all still
had to be in shock.
    “How
are the bride’s parents doing?” Cindy asked quietly then.
    Both
Edward and Dana looked away. “They’re extremely private people,” said Edward
finally. “If truth be known, we haven’t seen them at all since this all
happened. We tried to offer condolences but they wouldn’t have any part of it.
They’re just holed up in their room.”
    “They’ve
got to be devastated,” said Dana. “Can you only imagine how you would feel if
this happened to Peter?”
    “I
cannot,” said Edward, “and I don’t want to. I also don’t want Peter to take the
punishment for a crazy accident right before his wedding.”
    Mattheus
and Cindy shared a sudden glance. Peter’s parents were convinced of his innocence,
but who knew what had actually gone on - not only under the water, but also
between Peter and Allie.
    “Have
the bride’s family and wedding party been interviewed?” Cindy asked.
    “Yes,
they have,” said Edward, “the police here pride themselves on being thorough.
Naturally, they haven’t told us what her family said.”
    “Tell
us a little about the relationship between Peter and Allie,” said Cindy.
      
Allie was an only child,” Dana looked at Cindy knowingly. “She was extremely
attached to Peter almost from the start.  Peter always felt that it was up to
him to take care of her. That’s why this has to be particularly devastating for
him as well.”
    “What
do you mean very attached?” asked Mattheus.
    Edward
stood up at that moment and then sat down again. He didn’t like what he’d heard
being said.
    “Peter
and Allie were very compatible,” Edward insisted. “I don’t know why Dana says
they were overly attached! Peter always seemed happy when I saw him with Allie. 
I said that to Dana, again and again.”
    “Did
Dana feel otherwise?” Mattheus asked.
    “It’s
not that,” Dana burst in, “mothers see things one way, fathers another. Edward
is simply saying that he admired Allie, was looking forward to having her as a
daughter in law. Allie was quite different from me. It might have been a relief
for him. I can be a very strong woman at times, perhaps a bit overwhelming.”
     “Did
I ever say you were overwhelming?” said Edward, irritated.
    “Not
in so many words, of course,” Dana replied.
    “How
else were you and Allie so different?” Cindy asked Dana, alerted.
    “Allie
went along with whatever Peter wanted,” Dana replied.