Death by Engagement (Caribbean Murder Series, Book 12)

Cindy resented Mattheus calling her need to help an addiction. Let him call it what he liked, she finally figured, he would come around, he always did. Cindy planned to be true to her word as well. She would keep it simple, talk to the police, the fiancé and family and take a good look at the suicide note. Then she’d visit the crime scene and look around carefully. If something was out of order she’d sniff it

immediately. After that she’d feel better and she and Mattheus could continue on enjoying Aruba and finding the right venue for their wedding. The pain of Shari’s father wouldn’t be able to grip Cindy so hard anymore.

Before showing up at the police station, Cindy decided to call them to let the police know she was on the case, would be investigating. As soon as she told that to the officer who picked up, he asked her to hold on while he went to get Ben Silte, the chief.

“What’s this?” Ben asked in a gruff tone, as soon as he picked up.

“Shari’s father hired us to look further into her death,” Cindy informed him plainly. “I’m hoping we can join forces and share information.”

A strange silence greeted her on the other end of the phone. “There’s no reason for this,” Ben finally commented, “it’s not a good idea.”

“Why not?” Cindy felt peeved.

“There’s nothing to share, no suspects, no reason to think anything’s amiss,” Ben went on. “If you get involved you’re just going to blow it up into bad publicity for all of us. The papers are always hungry for a story like this.”

“Shari’s father is extremely distraught,” Cindy replied, hoping Ben would understand.

“Of course he is.” Ben grew gruffer. “His daughter just took her life. Everyone in the family is always distraught. They go crazy, why shouldn’t they? They all look to blame someone for what happened, too. It doesn’t mean we have to go along with them.”





“Edward’s not looking to blame anyone,” said Cindy. “He just wants us to check and make absolutely sure there was no foul play. That seems reasonable to me.”

“Honey, there’s nothing reasonable about someone dying just before she’s about to get married,” Ben grumbled.

Cindy realized, of course, that it was so. There had been nothing reasonable about losing her husband, Clint, either, right on their honeymoon.

“You got a great partner, you two just got engaged, you’re on a vacation,” Ben continued forcefully. “Why mix your trip up with something like this?”

Cindy was startled by his comment and wondered if Mattheus had spoken to him.

“If I were you, I’d just let it go,” Ben continued.

“I can’t do that,” said Cindy firmly. “I promised the father we’d help.”

“Okay, so help then.” Ben’s voice then became overly ingratiating. “Talk to the family a little, check the daughter’s social media, and call it a day. There’s ways of getting through these things quickly.”

Cindy shuddered. He was suggesting that she just skim the surface and pretend all was in good order without being sure.

“That’s not the way I work.” Cindy bristled.

“Detectives can make a big deal about anything.” Ben’s voice grew harsh. “There’s a thousand innuendos you can check into about anyone. But what good does it do? Ask yourself that? Aren’t you just prolonging the family’s misery?”

“The last thing I want to do is prolong anyone’s misery,” Cindy snapped back. “I do want to take a good look at the big picture, though.”

“Do what you want.” Ben backed down. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“Warn me about what?” Cindy was irritated.

“About wasting your time, and the family’s too,” he mumbled. “And the police’s.”

“Warned or not, I’ll need to get hold of the suicide note,” Cindy retorted.

“For what reason?” Ben was suddenly defensive about it.

“I just want to go over the note with my own eyes,” Cindy replied.

“I’d like to talk to your partner,” Ben said then, trying to act as though Cindy was irrelevant.

Cindy didn’t buy into it. “Mattheus and I work as a unit.” Her voice grew clipped and professional. “I’ll come by to pick up the note in a little while.”

“Forget about it,” Ben retorted. “We don’t need to see you. I’ll have someone deliver it to your hotel.”

“That’s even better,” Cindy replied, as Ben hung up in the middle of her sentence.

Cindy hung up the phone feeling edgy and raw. This blowback was the last thing she’d expected, but she’d been up against it before. The police didn’t like their routines questioned or shaken up. But, like it or not, Cindy’s mind was made up. Shari’s father deserved knowing the truth, and so did Shari.

The next step was simple. Cindy quickly called Doug’s room and asked if they could meet. To her surprise, not only was he receptive, he asked her to come over as soon as she could.

“How about ten minutes?” asked Cindy.

“Perfect,” Doug replied.

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