Death by Jealousy (Caribbean Murder #6)

“Since I wasn’t here the hundred times, I have no idea,” said Cindy, coolly. “But I do think Peter’s a special young man and I’m going to do my best to find out what happened to his bride.”


“He’s more than a special young man,” Mac declared. “He’s a prince and always has been.”

Peter looked at Mac with appreciation.

“There’s no way Peter hurt his gal. I’d give my life for that,” Mac insisted.

Cindy was overwhelmed by the strength of Mac’s conviction, his feelings for Peter and devotion. It seemed as though he were the kind of guy would tear the world apart to protect someone he loved. Peter was fortunate to have a friend like that.

“Peter’s lucky to have you in his life,” Cindy remarked.

“I’m lucky to have him, too,” Mac replied, “and we’re both lucky to have you on the case. It changes the vibe completely. And, I’ve got a feeling that you’ll get to the bottom of things, fast.”

“With Mattheus’s help I will,” Cindy commented, wanting to include him, and make sure Mac knew she wasn’t here on her own.

Mac turned to Mattheus for a fleeting second, “Nice to meet you,” he said, in passing.

Mattheus shifted in his seat glumly, and did not reply.

*

In a few minutes, the door opened again and the police returned. Dana and Edward came in behind them.

Mattheus got up to join the cops immediately. “What’s next?” he asked.

“We’re going to make another visit to the Captain of the boat Allie dove from, a guy named Jared Flay,” one of the policemen said. “He’s runs one of the best Dive Shops around. We’ll talk to him again and look around again.

“Count me in,” said Mattheus, obviously eager to go.

“First you come back with us to the station,” the cop went on. “We’ll go over what we have so far, show you photos, documents. That will probably take the rest of the day. We can hit the Dive Shop tomorrow.”

Mattheus looked pleased, “Terrific,” he said, as he walked to the door with the police. Before he left, he turned back to Cindy, “We won’t go to the Dive Shop without you,” Mattheus promised. “While I’m going over the records at the station, you can use the rest of the day to interview the guests.”

“Perfect,” said Cindy, as Mattheus left. They always divided their time on different parts of the investigation, it made the most sense.

Dana and Edward then came closer to where Peter was sitting. “You’ve got quite a partner there,” said Dana.

Cindy wasn’t sure what she was getting at. “Mattheus is strong, thorough and does a great job,” Cindy declared.

“Lucky for you, I guess,” Dana declared, as Mac smiled with amusement. “I’m glad you’re here without Mattheus for a few hours though,” she went on. “It’s good to have a woman on the job, alone for a while. What do you want to do next?”

“I’d like to speak to Allie’s parents,” Cindy replied.

“So would everyone else,” said Dana. “The police have only had a little while with them. They won’t talk right now, they’re grieving.”

Cindy understood. “Give them some time. It’s too much right away.”

“But, they’ll have to agree to speak to someone at some point,” Dana went on, “it may as well be you. That would probably be easier for them anyway.”

“There are others I have to talk to others as well,” Cindy continued. “What about the wedding party?”

“Good idea. Let’s start with them first, “Dana agreed. “I’ll introduce you to all of them now. They’re usually downstairs at this hour in the cocktail lounge. Let’s go and take them out to the front lawn where it’s quieter.”

Cindy was grateful for Dana’s steady, clear guidance. The woman was determined to spearhead an effort to clear her son. There was no way she was going to let this case go unsolved.

Mac stepped closer to Cindy once again. “Love to join you two, if I can,” he said softly, to Dana.

Dana looked taken aback. “Peter needs you here, Mac,” she said, “this is where you belong.”

“Of course,” Mac replied not taking his eyes off Cindy. “There will be plenty of time for Cindy and I to talk later.”





CHAPTER 5


The cocktail lounge was filling up as Cindy and Dana walked in. Beautiful women in short, silk, summer dresses, men dressed casually, in open throated custom shirts, were laughing, talking, charming each other.

“The wedding party usually gathers at the center table,” Dana remarked quietly. “They’ve been coming down here at cocktail hour late every afternoon to chill out. It’s important to try to normalize things.”

Cindy followed Dana as she wound her way through the crowds to a low, round table, surrounded by a plush sofa in the center of the room. A group of beautiful, suntanned young women and good looking young men sat around the table, looking dazed and glum.

“Hi guys,” Dana started, as they got closer, “this is Cindy Blaine, an old friend of the family and one of the best private detectives on the Caribbean.”

The whole group looked up, startled.