Death by Devotion (Caribbean Murder #9)

*

Cindy was actually delighted to have Sean with her during the ride back. She was over tired as it was, and she’d had enough shocks for one night. It was good not to be going back alone.

“Thanks for the lift, Sean,” she said, as they got into the car.

“I told you I was here to help you, and I meant it,” Sean replied . “You don’t trust me, you don’t trust any guy by now, but I’m trustworthy.”

Cindy looked at him with gratitude. “It’s not that I don’t trust you, it’s just that I don’t know what to think at this point.”

Sean turned, smiled at her and nodded. “Totally understandable,” he responded. “It will take time for you to get to know me, but when you do, you’ll see who I am. I’m completely trustworthy, Cindy.”

Cindy wasn’t at all sure what he was talking about. Did he think she was staying down here for a long while?

“I have no plans to spend much time down here,” she responded, not wanting to lead him on. “Once this case is over, I’m gone.”

Sean was quiet for a few moments. “Gone?” he finally said.

“Back to the States,” said Cindy. “In fact, I have a court case to deal with once I return.”

“Your ex in laws and the house?” he remarked.

Cindy was surprised that he’d remembered. “Yes.”

“See, I don’t forget anything you tell me,” Sean reached out and stroked her hand. “So, tell me one more thing, please. What brought you down here to the holding cell so late?”

They were almost at the hotel by now and Cindy wanted to ask him to join her at the restaurant for a cup of coffee. It would be good to process the events of the day.

“Want to come in and have some coffee in the coffee shop?” Cindy asked as the car pulled up the main driveway.

“I do,” said Sean, “but I can’t. I have to be up first thing in the morning. I’ll take a rain check. I’d love a rain check.”

“Okay,” said Cindy.

“But before you get out of the car, answer my question, I need to know,” Sean replied. “What brought you down to the holding cell so late at night? The guard said it was urgent.”

“I thought it was,” said Cindy. “I checked out Andrea’s alibi at Magenta Tavern this afternoon,” Cindy continued.

“That wasn’t a smart thing to have done,” Sean interrupted.

Cindy had no idea why not. “The bartender said he saw Andrea there during the day Cain was killed. She was with some guy.”

“Did the bartender give you the name of the guy or the time she was seen with him?” Sean turned completely professional.

“No,” said Cindy. “He didn’t know. He just said he saw them.”

Sean sighed. “Remember I told you not to poke around in certain places,” he started.

“This is Andrea’s alibi, Sean,” Cindy exclaimed. “Someone had to go down there and check it.”

“What makes you think we didn’t?” asked Sean, a muscle in his cheek working.

“Because if you did no one told me a thing about it,” Cindy was adamant.

Sean nodded crisply. “You’re a fabulous detective, Cindy,” he exclaimed. “You do your job down to the last detail. “

“You’re all hiding something from me, though,” Cindy exclaimed. “You are, Andrea is, even Mattheus.”

“You might be right about that,” Sean said quietly, “but someone got into the holding cell and beat Andrea once. It was a warning. We don’t want it happening again.”

“You’re telling me Andrea’s in danger?” Cindy asked breathlessly.

“More than you realize,” Sean responded.

“You’re telling me you’re protecting her?” Cindy kept going.

“Exactly right,” Sean responded. “And I can’t say more. I want to, but I can’t. Let’s leave it at that. Please respect my professional position. I’m not authorized to say another word.”

*

When Cindy got out of the car and went into the hotel, Mattheus was waiting in the lobby, distraught.

“Did you see Andrea? What happened?” he asked the minute Cindy walked in.

“Yes, I saw her and she wouldn’t give me any more information,” Cindy said in a clipped tone. “She’s convinced if she does someone will her.”

“Maybe she’s right?” Mattheus breathed.

“And maybe she isn’t,” Cindy was at her rope’s end. “She’s actually safer if we know who the guy is that she was seen with.”

“And maybe she isn’t?” Mattheus mused. His face was flushed and he looked wrung out.

“Well, it’s enough for one day now,” Cindy said, exhausted.

“I need to talk to you, Cindy,” Mattheus reached for her hands.

She pulled them away. “I’m exhausted, Mattheus.”

“You’re furious that I was at Petra’s,” he responded.

“That too,” she replied. “Though I wouldn’t say furious, I would say confused, betrayed, fed up.”