Death by Devotion (Caribbean Murder #9)

“Okay,” he replied.

“In fact, I’m going over to the East side of the island to see him this minute,” Cindy decided on the spot.

“Yes, you are,” said Mattheus heatedly, “and I’m going over there with you.”

Cindy paused for a moment.

“Just business,” said Mattheus to allay her fears. “But serious business and I need to be there.”

“Yes, you do,” agreed Cindy. “Let’s go.”

*

It was actually a balmy, beautiful day and the ride over to the East side of the island was pleasant. Fortunately, Mattheus seemed calm and rested and resumed a low key, professional manner as they drove along. Cindy appreciated that. She needed to maintain focus and so did he. Mattheus probably sensed how dire the situation was and didn’t want to allow anything to get in the way.

“Just fill me in a little more about who this guy is supposed to be?” Mattheus said as they drove over the bridge onto the better paved roads, and beautiful homes that lined them.

“Andrea told Natalie that there was someone who loved her,” Cindy repeated quietly. “This has been top secret and Natalie insists we keep it that way.”

“Why?” Mattheus asked surprised. “Usually girls tell everyone when they have a boyfriend.”

“Your daughter doesn’t live that kind of life, Mattheus,” Cindy said quietly. “This relationship is top secret for her.”

“Then how could she let herself be seen with him at Magenta’s Tavern?” Mattheus asked.

“It’s on another part of the island,” Cindy retorted, “people don’t know her here.”

“You mean they don’t know that she’s a prostitute?” Mattheus answered, suddenly edgy again.

Cindy could only imagine how hard it must be for Mattheus to say this about his daughter.

“Maybe?” Cindy mused.

“What else could it be?” Mattheus’s voice got steely.

Cindy wanted to comfort him as she usually did, but, this time, didn’t. “I don’t know exactly why else it’s top secret,” she replied. “Natalie mentioned that the guy’s from a rich, prominent family, who wouldn’t take well to Andrea.”

“So, you’d think he’d take her out somewhere else then, not right under his family’s nose,” Mattheus was brooding.

“You’d think a lot of things,” Cindy agreed, “but we’re almost here and soon we’re going to find out for ourselves.”

Cindy opened the paper in her pocket again and read out the address where he lived. It was a few blocks away, located on a long road overlooking the ocean. As they turned onto the road they saw two luxurious villasapart set far apart from each other, on top of a hill. A lush valley spread out beneath them.

“Wow,” said Mattheus as they turned down the street. “Far cry from Petra’s house.”

“Speak about trading up,” Cindy smiled.

They drove slowly along as the road curved. As they turned the bend they saw the address they were looking for. It was a gorgeous villa, surrounded by trees and beds of orange and red tropical flowers that occupied the entire block. The place had an isolated, distant feeling, though.

“Wait a second,” Cindy said as Mattheus was about to park. “I don’t think we should drive into the driveway. They’re not expecting us and we could scare someone off.”

Mattheus agreed. “I’ll park down at the bottom of the hill, in the valley, and we’ll go on foot to their door. You’re right, it’s more casual.”

Cindy nodded. It was good to be back working in synch with Mattheus again.

*

They drove down a steep road and found a spot for the car under a group of trees. A silence descended upon them as they got out of the car and climbed back up on foot. Soft, fresh breezes from the ocean wafted over Cindy as she swept her hair back off her face, and straightened her clothes. As they came closer to the top of hill, they walked to the villa’s door. Cindy was glad Mattheus was with her, too. The place was set away from everything, and it probably wouldn’t have been a good idea to come here alone.

As Cindy and Mattheus stood before the beautiful, ivory, trellised door, Mattheus reached out and rang the huge, brass bell. A lovely sound of chimes drifted out. They waited a moment and impatient, Mattheus rang the bell again.

All at once the door opened slowly, just a crack at first. No one could be seen though.

“Is someone there?” asked Mattheus, taking a step in.

“Who’s there?” a young male voice responded.

Cindy put her hand on Mattheus’s arm to stop him. It would be better for her to answer, definitely less threatening to whoever was behind the door.

“It’s Cindy,” she said in a light, easy tone.

Silence at first and then the door opened just a little bit more.

“Andrea sent us,” Cindy continued, taking a chance.

The door flung open then and a young man of about seventeen, tall, lanky and nervous stood in front of them, perfectly dressed, in expensive jeans and a t shirt, his dirty blonde hair, ruffled.