Death by Request (Caribbean Murder #11)

Death by Request (Caribbean Murder #11)

Jaden Skye




Chapter 1



As the plane zigzagged across the sky, Cindy gripped Mattheus’s hand and closed her eyes. It was incredible being back with him again on their trip down to Jamaica. It was also shocking to be on a new case so quickly after her own sister Ann’s murder. Cindy’s head spun as the plane rocked back and forth. It was amazing to Cindy that she’d been able to jump in, mobilize, take Ann’s case and actually find the killer. Cindy wondered what Ann would think about her going forward so quickly now with another case. But, what else could she do? Cindy had thought of returning to her cottage in Oyster Bay with Mattheus, but the place was drenched in memories. She and Ann had spent so much meaningful time there together that Cindy couldn’t bear being there without her now. She wasn’t ready to face either the memories or the visitors that would crowd in. She couldn’t stand the thought of receiving endless condolences, looking at sad faces or trying to make sense of something that was senseless at its core. Oddly enough, Cindy felt stronger and safer here on the plane with Mattheus, focusing on how she could help the next victim of crime who was suffering as much as she had.

“We’ll be landing in about half an hour,” Mattheus leaned over and whispered in her ear. “Are you awake? Are you ready?”

Cindy smiled. Mattheus was being extra solicitous. She liked it. He couldn’t get over the fact that the second Cindy heard that Ann had been killed she’d jumped on the case. Most women couldn’t have done something like that.

“You’re different, you’re special, you have a gift for this work”, Mattheus had said to her over and over.

Cindy had enjoyed hearing that. It was wonderful having Mattheus at her side again, validating who she was and what mattered to her. Cindy also had to admit that she did have a gift for the work; she loved investigating crimes, digging the truth out, putting an end to dangerous deceptions. The work was healing for her. When Cindy was on a case it soothed the endless ache inside her heart that had ever gone away after Clint was killed. Now, Ann. How else could she live through this?

“Cindy, do you hear me?” Mattheus whispered a bit louder now. “I asked if you were ready?”

Cindy stirred in her seat. It felt lovely hearing Mattheus whisper to her.

“I’m ready,” she replied, opening her eyes and looking at him. He was leaning over her, his handsome rugged face close to hers. His beautiful eyes looked at her lovingly.

“Were you sleeping?” Mattheus gently brushed her moist hair back from her forehead.

“I’m awake,” Cindy replied. “Just mulling over the details of the new case.”

“You never stop, do you?” asked Mattheus.

“No, I don’t, I can’t,” Cindy replied.

“There’ll be plenty of time for going over the case,” he stroked her forehead slowly.

“There’s never plenty of time, and you know it,” Cindy answered playfully, sitting up.

“Sometimes there is,” Mattheus replied. “This new case is different. The suspect’s already been arrested.”

“So what?” That didn’t mean much to Cindy. So many times the main suspect was just a convenient cover for the real culprit. “Besides, “she went on, “the main suspect’s the one who called us down to help. We’re working for him, remember?”

“Of course I remember,” said Mattheus. “But I’m not so sure what we can do. The Chief of Police told me it’s a clear case cut of euthanasia. Owen helped his wife die. For all we know he could have thought it was an act of mercy.”

“Let him speak for himself,” warned Cindy. “He may have a completely different take on it. Besides, when have we ever believed any Chief of Police?”

“This time is different,” Mattheus continued. “There’s clear cut evidence. And, it’s not like we have to hunt down a killer on the loose.”

“You never know,” Cindy murmured. Usually Mattheus didn’t have as much contact with the police up front as he’d had this time. As soon as the Jamaican police discovered that Owen Danden, the main suspect, had hired C and M Investigations, they’d called Mattheus to fill him in. This was a high profile case and the last thing the police wanted was more lurid publicity. Owen was a rich, powerful, well connected real estate developer and mogul. The police clearly wanted Cindy and Mattheus on their side.

“The police are trying to disarm you,” Cindy told Mattheus as he took a few calls from them before they left for Jamaica.