Death by Jealousy (Caribbean Murder #6)

“There’s no reason to suspect that,” said Cindy firmly. The wonderful thing about investigations was that you depended upon facts, didn’t allow wild imagination to create terrifying scenarios that chewed up your energies and threw you off base.


“Can you give me a guarantee that we’re safe?” Nora’s eyes flared.

“There’s no point in letting fear run wild,” Cindy replied. “It confuses the issues, undermines clarity.”

“I’ve heard that crime on these islands is increasing every day, and no one’s talking about it,” Nora replied. There’s all kinds of drugs, gangs and smuggling seeping in from other places.”

“It’s normal to think the worst at a time like this,” Cindy tried to calm her. “It’s normal to have catastrophic expectations when you’ve had a terrific shock.”

“Why would someone want to kill us all?” Nora couldn’t stop, and Laura started to cry again. again. “Things look so beautiful here on the outside, but underneath they aren’t,” Nora continued. “I asked Allie a few times if she was sure she wanted her wedding away from home?”

“What did she say?” asked Cindy.

“She said Peter wanted it here badly. He grew up in the Cayman Islands, works here now and loves it here. Allie said she was okay with it. But she never thought this place would kill her, that she was going to die.”

“Oh brother,” said Tad. “Some great cocktail hour. Listen you guys, we’ve got to cheer up. At least for Peter’s sake. We’ve got to keep his spirits up!”

“Tad’s always been a wonderful friend to Peter,” Dana suddenly interjected, “he’s been a shoulder to lean on all through the years.”

“Thanks,” said Tad staunchly. “And I’m not gonna stop being here for him now. The guy needs support! Chins up! We’re his wedding party. We’re his team!”

“I’d like to speak more to each of you about this personally,” Cindy repeated. “It will help me a lot. Who would like to come to the table over there with me and start?”

There were no volunteers. That surprised Cindy.

“Maybe it would work better to first talk to the bridesmaids alone together and then to the groomsmen,” Dana suggested quietly.

“Okay,” Cindy said, “let’s start with the bridesmaids. We’ll all go down to the beach that’s in front of the hotel and talk there. After I’ve talked to the gals, I’ll talk to the guys.”

“Sounds good to me,” said Dana, throwing Cindy a grateful glance.

The girls got up then, and all together, wound their way out of the cocktail lounge. Cindy and Dana followed behind them through the lobby, down to the pink, sandy beach, a few hundred feet away.

“I have no idea why they didn’t want to talk to me personally,” Cindy said to Dana as they walked.

“I imagine they might feel as though they’re revealing personal information, betraying their friend,” Dana conjectured.

“Their friend has disappeared – her life could be at stake! How could revealing personal information be a betrayal at a time like this?” asked Cindy.

Dana drew a deep breath. “I don’t know,” she said, “but I don’t think the reality has sunk in yet.”

*

They gathered together on the sandy pink beach that was stretched out luxuriously in front of the hotel, surrounded by palm trees. Dana collected a group of empty beach chairs, placed them in a circle and they all sat down. The sounds of soft waves lapping up on the shore and the early evening breeze circled around them as they sat there.

“We’re gathered here to find Allie, to bring her home,” Cindy started. “Tell me whatever you can think of that could be of help.”

“Allie was a terrific diver,” Laura started, “she loved the water. She loved diving with Peter.”

“Peter loved diving with her as well,” Dana jumped right in

A few of the other girls glanced over at Dana. Cindy suddenly realized that the presence of the groom’s mother was an inhibiting factor. How could they speak frankly with her around? Cindy needed raw information, and she wasn’t going to get that with Dana around.

“Dana, I’m really sorry,” Cindy said abruptly, “but I’m going to have to ask you to go back up to the hotel until I’m finished down here.”

Dana drew a sharp breath in and the girls seemed suddenly flustered as well.

“Why?” asked Dana.

Cindy wanted to be as kind as she could, but the truth worked best. This was no time for playing games.

“I’m sure the girls will feel freer to talk if the groom’s mom isn’t here,” Cindy said directly. “I know you want to join in, but I need to hear every little thing.”

Dana stood up swiftly. “Of course, you’re right,” her voice was husky, “I didn’t think of it. It never occurred to me.”

“That’s why I’m here,” said Cindy, “to cover details that would go unnoticed. Time is of the essence. I hope you understand.”

“I understand.” Dana gathered herself together, “I’ll take a back seat, lay low. The investigation is in your hands now.” Then she waved to everyone as she walked back along the sand to the hotel, alone.