Death by Devotion (Caribbean Murder #9)

*

Sean was there waiting in the lobby by the time Cindy came down. He looked fit, handsome, and eager for her to arrive. It was surprisingly good to see him, as well.

“Wow, you look beautiful,” he said immediately, taken aback by her appearance.

Cindy smiled. It was the first time she’d been able to take care of herself properly and get ready. And she hadn’t had a compliment like that in quite a while, she realized.

“Let’s go to the garden in the back,” Sean suggested. “There are plenty of tables for coffee, or trails to walk on.”

“Great,” said Cindy, “let’s walk.” Cindy felt like walking along one of the narrow, winding, hiking trails that wound its way in back of the hotel, and up through a well known birding paradise. As they entered the trail the song of birds filled the air.

“This island is so beautiful and I never had a moment to realize it until now,” Cindy smiled. She was glad to be taking a little time just to walk and enjoy nature and the sunny day. “I’m so glad you came by,” she commented.

Sean smiled broadly. “Me, too, I’m so glad.” He stepped just a bit closer to her.

They walked along until they came upon a wooden bench in a clearing. “How about sitting down here for a few minutes?” Sean asked.

It was a perfect spot to stop in, right beside a gurgling brook and little birds twittering on branches.

“I always feel so good when I’m with you,” Sean said softly. “You’re a special woman, Cindy, easy to be with, smart, comforting.”

“Thanks,” she replied, flushing. It felt good to hear those words, was surprised how badly she needed to hear them.

“Mattheus is lucky to have you helping out here,” Sean continued.

“It’s the least I can do,” Cindy responded. “He’s helped me over and over again in so many ways.”

Sean became more silent. “Really?”

“Yes,” Cindy continued, “Mattheus taught me all I know about being a detective. And, he’s totally been there for me in times of real danger.”

“A person can have so many sides to them,” Sean said thoughtfully.

“That’s true,” said Cindy, looking over at Sean. “How about you? Sounds like you have many sides, too.”

Sean smiled. “I wouldn’t say so. I’m a pretty straight forward kind of guy. I like what I do, I mean what I say.”

“You like working on this police force?” Cindy asked, thinking of how convinced Mattheus was that they’d been bought off.

“Sure,” Sean replied, “I like it down here fine. The guys on the force are good to me.”

It didn’t seem to Cindy then that Sean had a sense of the force being corrupted. Now she wondered if that was true. There were always rumors like that about that about every police force. If it were bought off, Sean would have to know it.

“Ever plan to move back up to the States?” Cindy asked casually, just to make small talk.

Sean shrugged his shoulders lightly, “From time to time, I think about it,” he said. “How about you? What are you up to when this case is over?”

It was a good question, one that Cindy had purposely stopped herself from considering.

“I’m not sure,” she answered slowly. “I’ve a good job offer waiting back in New York, writing a crime column for a top newspaper.”

“Really? That’s wonderful,” Sean was impressed.

“I’m not sure,” said Cindy.

“It’ll probably be good for you to go home for a while,” Sean reflected. “Will be great for you to get away from Mattheus.”

Cindy shivered as the soft air stirred up into a little breeze.

“I’ve been looking into Mattheus’s background,” Sean continued, unabashed. “Did you know he was once brought up on charges?”

“What?” Cindy flinched, “I never heard that.”

“He never told you?” Sean looked astonished.

Cindy could barely believe what she was hearing now.

“He was exonerated,” Sean continued, “the case was dropped, but he was charged with assault and battery.”

Cindy was both profoundly horrified that Mattheus hadn’t told her, and irritated that Sean had. “It’s hard to believe this,” she uttered.

“But it’s true,” Sean insisted.

“He probably didn’t tell me because he was exonerated. It didn’t amount to anything.”

“Where there’s smoke, there’s fire,” Sean replied.

“That’s not fair,” said Cindy, “and you know it.”

“Ever think Mattheus could be using you as a foil?” Sean dug in at that moment.

“Never,” said Cindy, “why would he? A foil for what?”

“Must be pretty nice for him working with a woman detective who gets so much attention. Then he can operate from behind the scenes then, in the shadows, like he is doing now.”

“I resent that,” said Cindy, arching her back and raising her voice.