Death by Marriage by Jaden Skye Page B

relieve Margot even more. “Come on, let me show you around,” she said
then. “I don’t want your trip to be entirely worthless.”
    “It
wasn’t worthless,” said Cindy. “It was nice meeting you and Graham.”
    Margot
seemed touched by Cindy’s comment and smiled warmly.  “How lovely of you to say
that. Let me show you around. Perhaps something will strike you.”
    Cindy
got up and followed Margot through the majestic rooms.
    “This
painting is from the Gornigor collection,” Margot started, bringing Cindy to a
huge impressionistic oil painting that hung on the far wall. “This other one,
across from it, is from the Rudon gallery.”
    Cindy
looked at both of them. They had power, passion, majesty. Then something else
caught her eye. Over on a thick, mahogany table, under the window, were some
photographs framed in antique gold. Cindy went over to look at them more
closely.  As she got closer, she stopped and stared, unable to move from the
spot.
    “Who’s
that?” asked Cindy when she could finally speak.
    “Just
my husband, Gregg, myself and Graham,” said Margot. “Why?”
    “This
is your husband?” asked Margot, dumbfounded.
    “Yes,
of course. What are you getting at?”
    Cindy
stared at the photograph over and over, and then looked at Margot, her heart
pounding.
    “When
was that photograph taken?” asked Cindy, when she could finally get her voice
to speak.
    “What’s
wrong with you?” Margot asked, nervous. “It’s a routine photo. I have lots of
them. We took that one a couple of months ago.”
    “Does
your husband have a twin brother?” asked Cindy.
    “Of
course not,” said Margot irritated. “Tell me what is wrong!”
    Cindy
had no idea what to say. She stood there completely frozen. There was no
question about it - the man in the photograph was Paul. 

CHAPTER
13
     
     
    “Do
you mind if I step out a moment and make a call?” said Cindy, finally.
    “Do
whatever you want to,” said Margot, who looked distressed now as well. “But
tell me what’s going on. Please.”
    Cindy
didn’t know what to say. “I will,” she answered slowly, “but first let me make
this call.”
    Cindy
stepped out through the back door of the living room, into the blooming garden
and breathed deeply. She felt as though she were in a dream. How could this be
possible? Was the man who Margot thought was her husband, just someone who
looked like Paul? Cindy didn’t think so. It was definitely him. She’d inspected
his photo too many times.
    Cindy
took out her phone and quickly dialed Mattheus. Fortunately, he picked up
instantly.
    “Mattheus,”
Cindy gasped, having a hard time catching her breath.
    “What’s
wrong?” Mattheus sounded alarmed.
    “You’ve
got to come here immediately.”
    “Why?”
    “Paul
had a second wife and family.”
    “What
are you talking about?” Mattheus said. 
    “The
woman I’m with is married to Paul. He has another name here, Gregg Kowan.”
    “Holy
God,” said Mattheus.
    “And
his wife has no idea he’s missing. She thinks he’s on vacation.”
    “She’s
nuts?” Mattheus asked.
    “She’s
fragile,” said Cindy. “Get over here. I don’t want to tell her alone.”
    “Don’t
say anything,” said Mattheus. “The police have to be notified. There are all
kinds of steps we have to take.  I’ll contact them immediately, and then I’ll
get right there. In the meantime, don’t leave the premises. Stay there and wait
for me.”
     

CHAPTER
14
     
     
     
     
    Cindy
hung up the phone and stood outside, not knowing how to proceed. She couldn’t
leave until Mattheus arrived, and she knew that Margot didn’t want her to stay.
She waited outside, lingering, trying to buy as much time as possible. It was
actually beautiful and soothing to be out in the garden which was filled with
small cobblestone walks winding between beds of rich flowers.  Over on the far
side was a grape arbor with a small bench inside it. Cindy walked over to the
arbor, went