Death by Devotion (Caribbean Murder #9)

“No offense, meant, Cindy,” Sean spoke more emphatically, “but I don’t trust Mattheus one bit. Even as we speak he’s consorting with a bunch of low lives. How the hell did he get to know them so quick?”


“I told you Mattheus has contacts all over,” Cindy replied.

“That’s a laughable answer,” Sean refused to buy it. “I’ve heard he’s even about to speak to Pedro Ranchez. Nobody speaks to Pedro Ranches. No one can get close to him. And Mattheus can? Tell me how come?”

“Listen, Mattheus’s a great detective,” Cindy answered. “He’s helped a lot of people and he’s got a lot of favors due him. He’s calling them in.”

“That doesn’t cut it,” Sean was uncompromising. “And it’s not gonna help us figure out who beat up his daughter in jail.”

“What?” The hair on Cindy’s neck bristled.

“Andrea was found bruised in her jail cell. Someone who came to see her gave her some punches she won’t forget.”

Cindy was stunned. “Will she be alright?”

“Yeah,” said Sean. “And for all we know she did it to herself, to take suspicion off her.

But in my opinion, someone else came in and knocked her around.”

Cindy’s heart fell to the floor. She felt terrible not only for Mattheus, but for Andrea.

“I heard Andrea’s into all kinds of things,” said Cindy, thinking someone in her world could have come in and done it.

“Yeah, we know,” Sean replied, “drugs and prostitution. These kids on the island who do it bring in a lot of money for their families.”

This was nightmarish and heart wrenching. “Oh God, I wish I could talk to her,” Cindy cried.

“You can, why don’t you?” Sean replied.

“She doesn’t want to talk to me. She thinks I’m coming between her and Mattheus.”

“You can talk to her anyway,” Sean said more softly. “If you want I’ll go with you.”

Cindy liked that idea. Cindy’s coming with Sean would make Andrea think Cindy had someone else she cared for, not her father.

“It’s a good idea,” said Cindy, “but she’ll obviously talk more, if there aren’t any policemen around.”

“So, I can go with you and stay for a few minutes and then leave the two of you alone,” Sean responded.

Sean’s response comforted Cindy. Obviously he wanted more information as well. He wasn’t looking the other way.

“Do you think one of Andrea’s John’s might have killed her stepfather?” Cindy suddenly turned straight to Sean.

“Doubtful, why would they?” Sean replied. “They don’t care what happens to their girls. When one goes, they get another.”

“When did her beating take place?” Cindy asked then.

“After her mother visited,” Sean replied.

Cindy stopped in her tracks and stared at him. “Is it possible?”

“No, it isn’t Petra or her friend,” Sean seemed certain.

“Anyone else visit her in the jail?” Cindy was insistent.

“I checked the ledger carefully,” Sean replied. “Andrea had a visit from a rich dame from the other side of the Island, and her companion. The woman’s an ex patriot from California, too.”

“Why did they visit Andrea?” Cindy was truly taken aback.

“We’re looking into it,” Sean said laconically. “She and her companion are probably from one of the groups over there that do volunteer work for trafficked girls. We have a few groups like that on the island, mostly filled with rich, white ladies who have nothing better to do with their time.”

Sean’s sudden bitterness surprised Cindy.

“You don’t like rich, white women?” she suddenly asked.

Sean looked at her surprised and laughed. “Not particularly,” he answered. “I happened to know a few of them personally, and they systematically broke my heart.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Cindy answered, but by now it seemed inevitable that anyone settling down here, away from their country, doing law enforcement, had had their heart broken, more than just one time. Still Cindy, was sorry to hear that. She liked Sean and suddenly wanted to reach over and take his hand. But she held back. Who knew where that would lead to, or what he would make of it?

“Where are you off to next?” Sean asked then, regaining a more professional manner.

“I’m going to drop in on Petra,” Cindy said, “and find out more about her.”

Sean hung his head a moment, as if wanting to say something. “What are you looking for, Cindy?” he finally asked.

“I’m looking for the key to finding out who killed Cain, and why they did it,” she replied forcefully. “I’m looking for just one word, one phrase, one piece of information. I could find it anywhere.”

“I know, I know,” said Sean, nodding, “that’s why none of us can stop. It’s hook for us all.”





Chapter 14