Death by Jealousy (Caribbean Murder #6)

Cindy looked out of the airplane window. This was the part she loved, flying through a cloudless sky, arriving at a new island, being ushered in. She loved being filled in on the details of a case, meeting the people involved, getting an overall feel of the crime scene. The trip had been easy so far, and things between her and Mattheus felt natural and good, as if they’d never gone through the difficulties they had on their last case.

Mattheus reached out and squeezed Cindy’s hand with warmth and anticipation, just as he used to. It gave her a sense of closeness and support, as if the two of them were in this completely together. This was the part she loved most of all, being a team with someone she cared for - and who cared for her, no questions about it. That connection between them had almost been gone during the weeks that just went by. Granted, it was a time of shock for him. After years of searching, Mattheus had finally located his missing wife’s body in Key West. To his horror, he also discovered she’d just been killed, had been alive in hiding, all along.

Naturally, it threw him for a loop and old waves of rage and confusion arose. The more he investigated and discovered about his wife’s secret life, the worse he’d felt about himself - and everyone else.

Cindy told herself over and over she had to understand that. How could Mattheus not be suspicious then, turn into a stranger and withdraw? How could she have expected him to be the same person she’d known? Cindy desperately wanted to trust him again, have things go back to the way they’d been. But could they ever? Did time go one way only? That was her question now – she wasn’t sure.

Cindy put her head back on the plane seat and smiled. No matter what had or hadn’t happened, at least they were still together, shoulder to shoulder, taking on a new case. That was something anyway. Despite herself she felt comforted.

“I reserved one room for us at the hotel this time,” Mattheus leaned closer and said softly.

Cindy smiled. She’d been wondering about that. They’d both been so cautious in the beginning of their relationship. They’d only progressed to sharing a bed after many months of working together, knowing each other, building a bond. When they’d finally became lovers, it had been wonderful for both of them, deeply healing and nourishing, as if their lives could truly start again. But old wounds weren’t healed so easily. Hard times and misunderstanding came and by the time they were down in Key West on the last case, she and Mattheus had returned to being working partners again, in separate rooms.

“Hope you’re okay with one room again?” Mattheus murmured. “I asked for two single beds, just in case.”

Cindy turned and looked at the delicious, boyish smile on his face, the one she’d always found so engaging and hard to resist.

“We can take one room,” said Cindy, “but two single beds are good. Let’s not jump into anything right away, we’ll see how it goes.”

“Ever the cautious one,” Mattheus grinned. “I’d better be glad with what I can get. One room is definitely better than two.”

Cindy looked into his beautiful eyes and smiled. He still loved her, that was clear. She loved him too, but was that enough to create a foundation they could build a life on? She truly didn’t know.

“Fasten your seat belts for landing,” the voice over the plane’s loudspeaker announced.

“Already?” Cindy was shocked.

Mattheus laughed as he reached over and pulled her seat belt over her gently. “We’re on the way,” he said.

“Prepare for landing,” the voice continued.

“I’m prepared,” Mattheus whispered to Cindy, “how about you?”





CHAPTER 2


The ride to the hotel in the Cayman Islands was breathtaking. The taxi wound its way along perfect roads, bordered by palm trees, groves, sweet-smelling flowers. As they drove Cindy looked out the window at some of the most diverse flora and fauna of the world.

“That’s the national tree, the Silver Thatch Palm,” the driver, an old Jamaican guy, announced proudly, “ever see anything like it?”

“It’s gorgeous,” Cindy murmured approvingly.

“Not only that,” he quickly added, “We’ve got mangrove forests, banana orchids, and our fantastic Cayman Parrots to please you.” Then he turned around, looked at them and grinned, displaying a few missing front teeth.

“We’ve got a regular tour guide here,” Mattheus said in a low tone.

“You’re gonna love the sugar and sand beaches,” the driver continued. “And, your hotel is right on Seven Mile Beach – some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in the world.”

“Thanks for the run down,” said Mattheus.

“My pleasure,” he went on. “You guys are sweet. I saw that the minute you got into my cab. Nothing like those slick business guys I usually get. I said to myself these two got to be honeymooners, for sure.”

Cindy’s heart stopped a second when he said that. She’d been down to Barbados with Clint for her honeymoon. This was far from that.

“We’re down here for work,” Cindy quickly made the correction.

The old driver turned back to look at them again. He raised his eyebrows, surprised.