Death by Devotion (Caribbean Murder #9)

“Jesus,” said Cindy, “for all you know you can become a suspect now, too.”


“I already am,” Mattheus answered, in a garbled tone.

“You are what? A suspect?” Cindy felt alarmed.

“Listen, I can’t keep talking now,” Mattheus’s voice grew shaky, “I beg you, just come down and help.”

*

“I don’t believe you’re actually going there again with all that’s happening here,” Ann was totally beside herself.

“I don’t have a choice,” Cindy insisted. “Mattheus is in grave trouble.”

“So what? He got himself into it. It’s his life, it’s his trouble, “Ann was fuming.

“It’s not only his trouble, it’s his daughter,” Cindy interrupted. “She’s been arrested for murder.”

Ann stopped and stood her ground. “And what has that got to do with you? Absolutely nothing. Someone’s being arrested for murder every day.”



“I was the one who urged Mattheus to go find his daughter,” Cindy finally said, quietly. “In fact, I insisted. He didn’t want to. If I hadn’t urged he never would have met her, wouldn’t be in this lousy mess.”

“Now you’re blaming yourself for this, too?” Ann looked devastated.

“Ann, this was the man I was about to get engaged to. He saved me from so many close calls.” Cindy couldn’t help coming to his defense.

“This was the man who tossed you aside, who chose to be with a daughter who couldn’t stand you. Remember that?”

But, at this moment of danger, all of those considerations disappeared.Lives were at stake.

“You’re in love with Mattheus? You’re still in love?” Ann’s face grew brittle.

“No,” Cindy responded quickly. “I’m not in love with Mattheus anymore, but I also can’t let him drown. He could be a suspect in the case himself. I have to go down as a professional, and help him sort this out.”

“Well, I’m sure Marge will be happy to hear that,” Ann quipped sarcastically. “Finally, you’re back out of town.”

“I don’t know if she’ll be so happy about it,” Cindy countered. “I may be leaving for now, but you can tell her, I’m definitely not selling the house.”





Chapter 6


Cindy couldn’t believe she was actually headed back down to the Caribbean. She was both relieved and nervous as she stood waiting to board the plane. Ann had refused to take her to the airport.She didn’t want to hear a thing about Mattheus’s predicament, couldn’t care less.

“If they throw him in jail it might well be the best thing for all concerned,” Ann had said flippantly.

That was too much for Cindy. “He’s in grave trouble now and he doesn’t deserve it,” she replied. “Our relationship is one thing and his trying to save his daughter something else.”

Ann had made a sour face. “There’s always a reason for everything, isn’t there? Since you were little you always managed to come up with a smart answer.”

There was no talking to Ann now and Cindy knew well enough to back away. “I’m not going forever,” she said over her shoulder, as she walked to the bedroom to pack.

“Go for as long as you like, but don’t tell me when you’re returning,” Ann called back.

“I’m done playing this game with you.”

Cindy had closed the door between them then. She knew she’d disappointed Ann, and was truly sorry about that, but Mattheus was in dire trouble. That was something entirely

different. Cindy also knew that Ann couldn’t possibly understand what dire trouble was like. Living safely and comfortably in a long term marriage, Ann never had to face real danger herself. She’d always had solid anchors around her, and tried to be an anchor to others as well. But the situations that Cindy and Mattheus had lived through, had nothing to do with occupying a safe or predictable world. Life could be snuffed out in a moment. Lies and backyard deals could throw an innocent person into jail, with no one caring what happened to them. The person could rot in jail forever, unheard from again. The laws and protections Ann lived by, were unknown in many places in the world.

The line to board the plane was starting to move. Cindy promised herself this trip would be a professional one, only. She was going as a detective, and nothing more.

*

Although Cindy hadn’t told Mattheus exactly what plane she’d be on, he was waiting at the airport when she arrived. The moment he saw her, he ran to her with open arms.

“Cindy, how fabulous to see you,” he said breathlessly.

Cindy took a step away. “I’m only here to help,” she said in a professional tone.

Mattheus stopped in his tracks. “You’re not happy to see me?”

“Mattheus, I came down as a detective, to help. I’m horrified by your situation. That’s it, nothing more.”

Mattheus took it in, dropped his head for a second. Then he looked back up at her. “Okay, I got it,” he responded. “I’m grateful for that, at least.”

“At least? It’s a lot,” Cindy quickly responded.