Death by Devotion (Caribbean Murder #9)

“There are other places nearby the family could purchase,” Cindy replied, “plenty of them.”


“Why should this cottage make such a big difference to you?” Marge became more boisterous. “You have a new boyfriend. Everyone knows it. You can’t bring him here where Clint grew up. Absolutely, no way. If you dare tried, there’s be trouble.”

Cindy was amazed. From the day they’d met her Clint’s entire family had been set on getting rid of her, and it was still going on now. They still blamed her for their son’s death.

Marge stood up and confronted Cindy. “I’m not married to Ralph anymore,” she announced, “but the family has a bunch of good lawyers. “

“Including Al?” Cindy asked.

“What about Al?” Marge got nervous.

Al had to know the family wanted the house, thought Cindy. Is that why he tried to set Cindy up with a job in Manhattan? Was he hoping she’d get an apartment there also, meet new people, get out of Cove Bay and out of their lives?

“If you don’t let us purchase this place from you at a price we decide on, we’ll go to court and take it away,” Marge said roughly.

“Thanks for the head’s up, Marge,” Cindy said slowly. “But I’m not ready to let it go.”

“Who cares whether or not you’re ready?” Marge’s lips pursed tight. “Clint had a family who wasn’t ready to lose him, either. How about thinking of us once in a while?”It seemed that none of them would rest until they’d gotten rid of Cindy, never had to see her again.

Cindy turned her back as Marge jumped up, raced to the foyer, grabbed her coat and let herself promptly out of the door.

*

The waves kept lapping up onto the shore as Cindy and Ann resumed walking. Cindy had been so lost in the memory of what had happened between her and Marge that she hadn’t been listening to Ann’s chatter.

“Cindy, are you listening to me?” Ann was talking loudly now over the waves, trying to get Cindy’s attention.

“Actually, I was just thinking of what had happened between me and Marge,” Cindy responded.

“Well, forget it, already. Clint’s family are nuts,” Ann proclaimed. They always have been, and they can’t affect you anymore.”

Cindy wasn’t so sure about that.

“You’re here to start a new life,” Ann insisted. “Did you see how many people came to the party to welcome you home?”

There was a group who welcomed her home and a group who wanted her out of here as well, thought Cindy as her cell phone started chiming, announcing a call.

Cindy picked it up, curious to see who was calling and wanting to take a break from her conversation with Ann.

“Hello,” Cindy answered.

A man’s, low, garbled voice responded on the other end, “Cindy?”

Cindy had no idea who it was. “Yes, who is this?”

“Cindy, Cindy, oh my God,” the voice became louder.

Cindy’s blood ran cold. “Mattheus?”

“I’m in bad trouble,” he was having difficulty speaking now.

“What is it? What happened?” Cindy’s heart started pounding.

“Andrea’s stepfather has just been found murdered, laying in a pool of blood.”

Cindy felt nauseous.

Mattheus said something else but Cindy couldn’t make it out. His voice was going in and out, filled with horror.

“What did you say? I can’t hear you,” Cindy exclaimed.

“Andrea was found right next to his body,” Mattheus managed, “covered with her stepfather’s blood.”

“Wait a minute, she killed her father?” Cindy froze.

“It looks like it from the sight of things. The police immediately arrested her. She denies having anything to do with it, though. Said she came there and found him dead.”

“My God,” Cindy uttered.

“No one believes her,” Mattheus continued frantically. “Everyone knows that the two of them fought all the time. He beat the life out of her, Cindy.”

Cindy had trouble breathing. “I’m so sorry, Mattheus.”

“I need your help badly,” Mattheus pleaded. “Everything needs to be investigated. This guy was an ex con. He was a brute. He also beat Andrea’s mother.”

“Sounds like someone felt he deserved to die,” Cindy responded.

“He did deserve to die,” Mattheus insisted.

“Don’t say that to anyone, Mattheus,” Cindy breathed.

“The guy was a low life, the scum of the world,” Mattheus continued heatedly.

“Mattheus, be quiet,” Cindy demanded. “The police won’t let you help with the case if you mouth off like this.”

“They won’t let me anyway,” Mattheus said plaintively. “They said I’m too close to the suspect, to Andrea. I’ve got too much at stake.”

“You have a right to investigate, Mattheus,” Cindy insisted. “It’s your job.”

“They also heard that I was threatening the jerk, the day before he died.” Mattheus continued.

“You were threatening him?” Cindy felt frightened.

“Damn it, Cindy,” Mattheus countered, “I just told him to back off the women, or I’d take care of him.”