Death by Engagement (Caribbean Murder Series, Book 12)

“I want to hear it from you, too,” Cindy demanded.

“If I knew I would tell you, wouldn’t I?” Glenna became agitated. “But Deidre knows things I don’t. Once Deidre even told me she planned to do all she could to get Shari to break off the engagement.”

Cindy felt as though she’d been punched in the gut. She wondered why Deidre hadn’t told her about this herself. Could be Glenna was just trying to pass the buck, though? Cindy decided not to let her off the hook so easily.

“But you must have known something when you wrote that message on Shari’s Facebook page, and told her she couldn’t handle Doug.” Cindy wouldn’t let go.

Glenna backed down a bit. “I wrote that before Shari called and told me she was planning to break up the engagement.”

“What couldn’t Shari handle about Doug?” Cindy asked, trying to ease the tension which was growing between her and Glenna now.

“Doug was tough and very opinionated. Shari gave in to everything he wanted all the time,” Glenna went on. “I didn’t think the relationship would be good for her for the long run, and I told her that plenty of times. I don’t know if she ever really listened, though. She and Doug broke up and got back together over and over again. Every time they broke up I told her it was the right thing to do, and when they got back again, I told her not to.”

“Why did Shari keep getting back with him?” Cindy had to ask again.

“Her mother and father pushed her to do it, if you asked me,” Glenna replied. “They think the world of Doug and were convinced that Shari needed him. They kept saying he’d take good care of her.”

“And how did Doug’s family feel about the wedding?” asked Cindy.

“Doug’s family wasn’t so excited about it, though, especially his sister, Kate,” Glenna said. “But it didn’t matter. Doug’s family couldn’t influence him. No one could.”

“Did anyone tell Doug to break up with Shari?” Cindy asked.

“I don’t know, I’m not sure,” Glenna backed down. “I think maybe Deidre tried, but I’m not positive. I know that Deidre spoke to Doug’s sister, Kate, about it several times.”

“Seems like Deidre played a big role behind the scenes.” Cindy flushed with sudden anger.

“Not really.” Glenna’s voice got softer. “Deidre tried, but no one much listened to her. Most people think she’s pathetic.”

That disturbed Cindy even more. “Why?”

“Deidre’s off in some ways,” Glenna went on, her voice getting even lower now. “Don’t you dare ever tell her I said that!”

“Of course I won’t,” Cindy assured her. “Our discussion is totally confidential.”

“Okay, well, I’m glad I talked to you, then,” Glenna said quickly, wanting to finish up. “Be safe in the storm and get home easily.”

“Thanks,” Cindy said, as Glenna quickly hung up.

*

Cindy looked at the phone in her hand as Glenna hung up. There was obviously a lot more going on in Shari and Doug’s relationship than Cindy had imagined. She definitely needed to speak to Deidre again. And she had to do it quickly. Deidre could be the key to what truly happened. Cindy decided to contact her immediately and started to call, when suddenly a text flashed onto her phone.

I’m close by, I’m well. It was Mattheus. I needed some time alone to think things over and I fell asleep.

Cindy looked at the text and shuddered. Fell asleep where? She texted back, upset to be even having this conversation.

I’ll be back soon, and we’ll talk, he quickly responded.

It doesn’t happen quite like that, thought Cindy, but texted nothing back in reply. She felt caught in the middle of a physical and emotional storm right now, and didn’t want to react impulsively. Cindy needed time to think things over as well.

Instead of texting back, Cindy lifted her phone and quickly called Deidre.

“I’m on the way over to your hotel right now,” Deidre replied the moment she picked up. “I just heard from Glenna that you two spoke. Our family’s leaving Aruba soon and I have to talk you, too, before we go.”

“Come right over,” said Cindy, “I’m here.” Then she hung up.

Another text flashed on the screen from Mattheus then. Did you get my last text? Do you still have phone service?

Got it, Cindy replied simply.

Right now she had no idea where Mattheus was or how long it would take him to get back to the hotel. She realized, of course, what he’d been thinking over. Undoubtedly, he was not sure of the engagement any longer, and if truth be told, neither was Cindy.

At that moment someone started knocking hard on Cindy’s door. Cindy ran to the door to open it up.

Deidre stood there, wet and flustered. “There’s just a few planes leaving the island in about an hour,” she said as she burst into Cindy’s room. “My family’s packing up, but Shari’s not coming back with us.”