Death by Devotion (Caribbean Murder #9)

“You’d have to be a fool not to see that.”


They continued walking in silence. Cindy wasn’t sure why Mattheus’s comment disturbed her so deeply.

“You asked me to come down here to prove Andrea’s innocence,” Cindy finally said.

“I asked you to come down here to find the truth,” Mattheus responded.

Cindy nodded. “Once the truth is found, will that help you go on? No matter what it is?” she asked him.

“I don’t know,” said Mattheus somberly. “At the moment, I have no idea what going on even looks like. Do you?”

Cindy wondered if that wasn’t an allusion to their relationship. If it was, it didn’t matter. She was not down here for that, had no intention of taking the bait. She’d come down here for one reason only, to help Mattheus in a crisis.

“I’m staying totally focused in the present,” she said quietly. “I only came down here for one reason, to help you. Let’s just find the truth and then see where it leads.”

*

The hotel they were booked in was low and flat, perched on the edge of a residential street that seemed perfectly ordinary, in every way. Walking up to the front door was like visiting someone’s oversized home.

Cindy walked into the lobby and looked around. As Mattheus had said, the place was simple, but clean. The lobby, which was empty, had old rattan furniture and a bare threaded rug in the center. A few, old lamps were on end tables and old magazines were strewn on a side chair.

Mattheus went to the desk, where a heavy man was slumped over, half asleep.

“Hey, Ed, wake up,” Mattheus jostled him. “We need another key – for room 22.”

The guy woke up quickly, rustled to the back where the keys were hanging took one and handed it to Mattheus. Then he looked at Cindy and grinned.

“Nice to see you, nice to see you,” he mumbled quickly to her.

“Thanks, Ed,” Cindy replied as she followed Mattheus to the tiny elevator in the rear.

*

Cindy’s room was small, but clean. The windows had been left open and thankfully and refreshing breeze blew in.

Mattheus put her one piece of luggage on the floor and nodding, quickly left. Cindy was grateful for that. Her mind was spinning in a thousand directions and she wanted to wash up and go to sleep, not deal with anything else at the moment.

After she was finished in the bathroom and ready to get into bed, Cindy decided to take a quick look at her phone. Since she’d landed she’d forgotten it even existed, or that there might be messages waiting for her. As she opened it up, reality returned. There were a few texts, one from her sister, Ann.

Cindy, please let us know that you’ve arrived safely. We’re waiting to hear. That’s the least you can do.

Cindy gulped. She’d wished she’d checked this sooner.

Cindy, where are you? Of course Cindy hadn’t yet replied to that. A few hours later Ann had sent another text. Everyone in town is so upset that you’re gone. They can’t wait for you to return.

On the one hand Cindy was glad that Ann cared so much, on the other it was exhausting to have to always check in.

I’m fine, Cindy texted back right now. Just got the texts. Have been going right from the second the plane landed. Please, please, don’t worry about me.

Cindy then got into bed, pulled a light cover over her and almost immediately fell into a deep sleep.

*

When Cindy awoke in the morning, the bright Caribbean sun was shining into her room, warming and soothing her as it always did. She tossed for a moment and then sat up and looked at the clock. My God, it was ten already. It wasn’t like her to sleep that late. She’d probably been more exhausted that she even realized.

After washing and dressing, she decided to look at her phone for messages before she went down for breakfast. As she’d expected two were waiting for her. The first was from Mattheus.

So glad you’re here. Thanks again. I’m going to the jail now to speak to Andrea. Fill you in later.

Cindy was glad to have heard where he was. She knew that her being down here was giving Mattheus the strength he needed to go forward and investigate.

The other text message waiting was from Sean. That also pleased and surprised Cindy.

Hi, Cindy, love to have a few minutes with you to fill you in. Contact me when you have a chance. Sean.

Perfect timing, thought Cindy. Mattheus would be at the jail talking to Andrea. Sean could join her for breakfast and fill her in on the details of the case, thus far. She needed to know more in order to go forward. The meeting with Sean would help her plan who to speak to next.

Cindy texted back, asking him to join her, telling him where she was going to be. Sean responded quickly, saying he’d be right there.