CHAPTER 4
"So, what's the plan for today?" Joe Hardy asked, after he finished dressing the next morning. It was nine o'clock, and the day looked perfect for a swim.
Ever since they found out someone had already known their identities, Frank had decided to move fast on the case.
"First, we check if our suspects have police records. And since Dad isn't anywhere to be found, I'm going to search through the police database myself. I just hope Dad hasn't change his password," Frank told his brother. "Then we'll see this Mr. Fisher, the estate agent," he added.
"Why?" Joe asked in puzzlement.
"I'm just curious why Ms. Matteo wanted this island so much. It might be nothing, but you'll never know," Frank shrugged.
"Boy, you made it sound as if there's a secret treasure on this island," Joe grinned. "I might be tempted to find it myself, if it is true."
"I wish it was that easy," Frank agreed. "But who do you think could have known our identity?" he asked. They had discussed this the night before, but since they were very tired last night, they couldn't think clearly.
"It could be Jane," Joe replied simply.
"Why?"
"She could have eavesdropped Shane's office. Maybe Shane contacted Dad from his office, and Jane 'happened' to be there," Joe explained. "Remember yesterday?"
Frank nodded thoughtfully. "You could be right," he agreed. "But that doesn't mean we have to forget about the other suspects."
"Who do you have in mind?" Joe asked.
"Jim or Neil, I hope to find something useful today," Frank replied. "Come on, let's get some breakfast," he suddenly said.
"That's the best idea I've heard this morning," Joe joked. Frank just shook his head before they headed out of the door.
After having breakfast in one of the cafés in Inzell, Frank bought a small map of the island from a bookstore. He was about to walk out of the store when Joe suddenly tapped his arm.
"What's wrong?" Frank asked when he noticed Joe's curious look. His brother was looking out of the store window.
"Look! Isn't that, Jim?" Joe asked as he pointed to a figure in sunglasses and a cap walking along the sidewalk across the street.
Curious, Frank glanced out of the window. The figure was dressed as if to avoid recognition, but Frank didn't need to check closer to see it was Jim. The man was wearing yesterday's clothes.
"Come on, let's see what he's up to," Frank urged his brother as they walked out of the store.
The brothers tailed within a reasonable distance between their suspect. Jim didn't seem to notice that he was being followed. Even though the town was small, the unusually large number of tourists walking up and down the sidewalk helped to conceal their movement.
Joe almost collided into Frank when his brother suddenly stopped moving.
"Whoa! Why are you stopping? Did you lose him?" Joe exclaimed.
"No, he went into that café," Frank pointed to a café at the corner of the block. "I think it's better if we wait here. He might get suspicious if we go inside there," he said, pulling out the map that he had bought.
"Hey, we can pretend that we're searching for a place on the map while we wait for Jim," Joe told him, suddenly feeling brilliant. "That way no one would get suspicious if we wait for him."
"That's why I'm taking out the map," Frank retorted. "But we have to be careful not to spend too much time reading a map."
Joe gave a scowl. "Hey, you can't blame me if we have the same brilliant idea," he countered. "You're not the only one with the brains, big brother."
"I'm sure you do, Joe," Frank said. "Now, let's start reading the map," he ordered.
Fortunately, they didn't have to wait long when they noticed a familiar character coming out of the café ten minutes later.
"That's Tara Matteo! What's she doing here?" Joe exclaimed quietly.
The woman stood in front of the café, with a large man in dark suit standing beside her. Joe could easily tell the man was her bodyguard. A large black limo suddenly stopped in front of the café. The man stepped up and opened the door for Ms. Matteo. After shutting the door, the man climbed the front passenger seat.
Frank was about to say something when Jim came out of the café. The slim man glanced nonchalantly at the limo, but Frank could have sworn he saw Jim nodded slightly toward the black tinted glass of the limo as if he could see the interior. Then the limo pulled away into the street and left the place. Jim finally glanced around. Frank quickly pulled up the map to cover their faces.
"You know, Jim would get suspicious if we keep doing like this too long," Joe remarked. "And not to mention we're looking on the blank side of the map!"
"I know that," Frank replied huffily, even though he didn't. He quickly turned the map on the right side.
"Need some help, guys?" Jim's voice suddenly came over.
Frank pulled down the map slightly. Jim was walking toward them, looking curious.
"Uh – no, thanks," Frank replied carefully, hoping that Jim didn't suspect what they were up to.
"We were just familiarizing ourselves with the streets," Joe spoke up.
"It doesn't take more than three days to familiarize this place. I've already known this place like the back of my hand in one week when I first came here," Jim told them.
"You're off duty today?" Joe asked the man casually.
"Nah, just getting something to eat," Jim told them. "I'm not a good cook," he admitted.
Frank remembered the employees' quarters had their own kitchen. But he couldn't help wondering if Jim was here to meet Ms. Matteo, or really to eat. When he recalled the scene earlier, he was sure Jim had a meeting with Ms. Matteo.
"I thought I saw Ms. Matteo came out from that café," Frank said casually. "She came to Shane's office yesterday, and almost bit his head off."
"She's been doing that for months. Who knows what she's up to next?" Jim shrugged. His manner seemed normal, but for a brief moment his eyes showed uneasiness, and perhaps, fear? Frank wasn't sure; the uncomfortable look was gone as quickly as it came.
"And Shane controlled the situation easily. I think he must have gotten used by her visits," Joe added.
Jim frowned. "Shane is good when it comes to tactical matters. I wouldn't get too trusting with him if I were you," he told them.
"What do you mean by that?" Joe asked curiously.
Jim waved it off. "Forget what I said. I've got to go back to work now," he said hastily. Before the boys could say anything, Jim was already crossing the street.
"So, what do you make of that?" Joe spoke up after watching Jim heading toward the direction of the dock.
"Either he's having a grudge or he's warning us against Shane," Frank replied thoughtfully. "Come on, let's head back to Verin," he said.
They arrived back at Verin Island half an hour later. The construction area was busy with activities, but the brothers headed straight into the main building. The phone was ringing when the boys reached their room.
"That must be, Mom," Frank exclaimed as he dashed to the nightstand. He grabbed the receiver. "Hello?"
"Frank," his mother's voice went through the line, "your father called just now," she announced.
"He's all right, isn't he?" Frank asked, trying not to sound anxious.
"Yes, he's fine," his mother assured him. "He's just explained why he didn't call, but I think you'd better talk to him yourself," she told him, and quickly gave Frank the contact number of his father.
"This looks like a number in the Brooklyn area," Frank commented quizzically.
"A precinct, actually, where Sidney used to work," she told him. "But I think your father will explain what's going on. He's already told me, but it's better for you to hear it from him."
"All right," Frank replied. After saying goodbye, he immediately dialed the number his mother had given him.
A few minutes later, he managed to get his father on the line.
"Dad! What's going on?" Frank asked instantly as soon as he heard his father's voice. Joe quickly came over and listened next to his brother.
"I've been busy checking out Sidney's murder." His father's voice was grim.
"Murder?" Frank echoed in shock.
"Yes, he was poisoned."