Death by Devotion (Caribbean Murder #9)

Mattheus was sullen as he and Cindy left the police station. Cindy knew her interaction with Sean had upset him, and to top it off, Sean had kept him out of it. It was probably due to the Police of Chief’s instructions. Cindy realized that she had a lot more to learn about what Mattheus had done to cause the distrust the police felt towards him.

“Where to now?” Cindy asked as they walked down the street, looking for a cab. “It wouldn’t hurt to get into my room and throw my bag down.” Mattheus had not yet mentioned which hotel she was staying at. “Is the place I’m staying at nearby?”

Mattheus looked glum. “I booked a cheap hotel near my daughter’s home,” he replied. “I got a room for you down the hall from me. It’s safe and clean. Hope that will be okay.”

“It’s fine,” said Cindy quickly. It made no difference at all to her right now whether the hotel was fancy or cheap. All she needed was a room to, rest, re-group in, and be able to get to work.

“The place is the best I could find in the neighborhood,” Mattheus quickly added.

“After all, everyone in the Caribbean doesn’t consort with the rich and the famous, or even want to, believe it or not.”

Cindy wasn’t sure what had prompted that, but Mattheus was definitely back on his old resentment of the rich. It didn’t take much to turn him back to his favorite themes. Cindy didn’t want to get caught up in it now, just decided to change the topic.

“I’m sorry about your daughter,” Cindy said gently then, wanting to get back on track.

The sincerity of her tone changed the mood abruptly.

“Thank you,” said Mattheus, looking down. “I appreciate that, I really do.”

Cindy took a deep breath. “I need to get all the details.”

“You will,” said Mattheus, “I’ll fill you in on everything when we get back to the hotel.”

Mattheus’s tone turned so flat and lifeless then that Cindy stopped a moment and looked at him. He certainly wasn’t himself at all. This entire situation had shaken him badly. Cindy could feel the great weight of it upon his shoulders, bearing down on him.

Feeling Cindy’s concern Mattheus looked back up at her and then grew agitated. It was as if there were something he wanted to say, but couldn’t.

Cindy knew him well enough to know what he was thinking without his saying a word, though.

“Is there something you think we should do before we go back to the hotel?” Cindy filled in for him.

“We’re a few blocks away from Petra’s house,” Mattheus seemed nervous about it.

Cindy perked up. “Andrea’s mother? Your girlfriend?”

“Andrea’s mother,” Mattheus exclaimed. “Petra hasn’t been my girlfriend for fifteen years! And in fact, she doesn’t really want anything to do with me now.”

“I didn’t mean it that way,” Cindy backtracked. “Don’t bite off my head. I’m not implying anything, just trying to get it all straight.”

“Petra’s going through hell. It wouldn’t hurt to stop in and speak to her,” Mattheus repeated. “We’re right here.”

Cindy could feel Mattheus’s genuine concern for Petra. It touched and unnerved her at the same time. It was unsettling that Mattheus still had feelings for Petra, but also good that he could feel compassion for the terrible situation she was in.

“I’d love to go meet Petra,” Cindy said, meaning it fully. “Do you have to call her first and tell her we’re coming?”

Mattheus shook his head. “No, she won’t pick up her phone, hasn’t gone out of the house since her husband was killed. She’s totally shocked and also terrified for Andrea. Keeps saying that her daughter’s a goner now, too. Friends and neighbors have been coming over, bringing her food, talking to her.”

“Have you gone, too?” asked Cindy.

“Of course, I have,” Mattheus replied. “None of this would have happened if I hadn’t come down here to Anguilla.” He threw Cindy an odd side glance.

“You don’t know that for sure,” Cindy remarked quickly. “Andrea and her stepfather had a long history before you ever came on the scene.”

“Well, I do know that Petra definitely needs me now. I belong there,” he said.

“It’s a lot losing a daughter and husband at the same time,” Cindy sympathized.

At that Mattheus looked over at her with a flash of his old, fighting spirit back.

“Who says Petra’s lost Andrea? Sure, there’s evidence against Andrea, but far from enough to close the case. There’s plenty of other possibilities for who could have killed Cain. He had a past, and I heard plenty of people wanted him dead. This has got to be investigated thoroughly.”

“I know, I know,” Cindy tried to calm him. “That’s why I’m here.”