Death by Devotion (Caribbean Murder #9)

“You’re reading this wrong, though,” Mattheus insisted. “It’s purely professional between me and her. I was just trying to find out more about Andrea, and who she was with.”


“It didn’t look that way, Mattheus,” Cindy flushed, “though it’s no business of mine, we’re broken up.”

“You’re getting over sensitive,” Mattheus wouldn’t let it pass.

“You’re only half with me on this case,” Cindy replied. “I didn’t come down for a romance with you, I came to help find a killer and get your daughter out of a mess. That’s the reality. Let’s hold onto it.

Still, given our task, I need your help. I need you to be totally forthright with me.”

“I have been,” Mattheus insisted.

“You haven’t,” Cindy insisted.

“Tell me how?” Mattheus demanded.

“I’m too tired now, way too tired,” said Cindy. “Let’s leave this discussion for another day.”

“We can’t leave it for another day, Andrea is definitely in danger,” he breathed.

“Yes, I agree,” said Cindy, focusing in on him. “And what better way to protect her than to find the truth?”

“I agree,” said Mattheus, “I want the truth too. And there’s something I also have to ask you.”

“Go ahead,” said Cindy, “what is it?”

“Is there something going on between you and Sean? Do you like the guy?”

“Yes, I do,” Cindy answered, to her surprise.





Chapter 19


Cindy slept fitfully, with troubling dreams. She saw Mattheus in them, laughing with Petra on the beach and then in the middle of a beautiful day, there was Andrea on the gallows, being hung. Mattheus and Petra were watching on from the distance, seemingly unconcerned. Cindy kept desperately trying to stop the execution. Drenched with perspiration, Cindy suddenly woke up, to her great relief. These dreams don’t mean a thing, she told herself as she rushed to the bathroom. It’s only my fear surfacing, warning me of what could come.

Cindy splashed cold water on her face and showered quickly to wake up. When she was fully dressed in linen slacks and a lime green print shirt, she decided to call Sean to check on Andrea’s safety. But the phone rang first.

“Yes?” Cindy answered, still a bit rattled. She half expected it to be either Sean or Mattheus on the other end. To her surprise, a young woman answered.

“Cindy, this is Natalie, remember me? I’m Andrea’s friend, we talked a while ago.”

“Of course I remember,” Cindy replied.

“I know it’s early to call,” Natalie continued, “but I really need to talk to you about something important. Time is of the essence. Can you meet me at Thompsons Coffee Shop? It’s a few blocks away from your hotel.”

Cindy didn’t hesitate for a moment. “Definitely,” she said, on the alert. Cindy was surprised that Natalie knew where she was staying. “I’ll be there in fifteen minutes. Does that work?”

“Absolutely,” Natalie breathed. “Thank you so very much.”

*

Natalie was sitting at a little table near the door when Cindy entered the coffee shop.

The place was quite full as it was still the breakfast hour and it was lucky that they got a spot.

“Here, here,” said Natalie, getting up from her seat and waving at Cindy the minute she walked in.

Cindy went right over to Natalie who greeted her with a little hug.

“It’s so wonderful of you to meet me here like this,” Natalie said in a low voice. “Thank you again, thank you.”

“It’s fine,” said Cindy, sitting down, concerned. “What’s happening?”

“Let’s order breakfast,” said Natalie, “and then I’ll tell you everything.”

Finally, Cindy hoped she’d get filled in on details. They ordered breakfast and after the waiter took their orders, he brought them both café latte, which hit the spot.

“Okay go ahead, talk to me, Natalie,” Cindy said as she practically drank the whole cup in one gulp.

“It’s about Andrea,” Natalie whispered, looking nervous. “She in danger.”

“I know she is,” Cindy responded.

“You know?” Natalie looked alarmed. “How?”

“I’ve been working this case since I saw you,” Cindy replied.

“But who told you? She was in danger?” asked Natalie, wide eyed.

Cindy wondered why it mattered. “What difference does it make?” she asked.

“It makes a world of difference,” Natalie continued. “Nobody’s supposed to know a thing.”

“But we do know,” Cindy whispered, hoping to get more from Natalie. “The word is out.”

Natalie looked horrified. “The word is out? It’s worse than I thought.”

“What do you want to tell me?” Cindy persisted.

Natalie jumped in, “Pedro’s guys are really on edge now - hungry to find the real killer.”

“I need to know how you know that?” Cindy replied.

“I was afraid you would ask me that question,” said Natalie as their breakfast was served.

“Don’t be afraid of me, Natalie,” Cindy reassured her. “Whoever your friends are, whatever you know, whoever told you, it’s safe with me.”