Death by Devotion (Caribbean Murder #9)

“I just want to,” Sean replied, “the underworld down here has got tentacles. Mattheus’s is creeping in places he doesn’t belong. They have to know you’re down here with him. Someone even threw a rock in your taxi window. There’s a bunch of guys who’ve got to be getting off on Mattheus checking things out, and another bunch of guys who don’t like it. They’ve got to be threatened. One way or another they want both of you gone.”


“How would they know I’d be going to an expensive bar?” asked Cindy, incredulous.

“They could be watching every move you make right now, as it is,” Sean replied. “There’s a lot at stake here. I doubt very much that one of those guys took Cain out. Cain worked directly for Pedro, had the best protection around. If you touch one of Pedro’s guys, your life isn’t worth a damn.”

“Are you saying that if one of Pedro’s guys did it, they’re already dead?” Cindy was shocked.

“Yeah, of course they’re dead, if they did it,” Sean answered.

“Then you have to let Andrea out of jail, don’t you?” Cindy stared at Sean boldly.

“Once we determine she’s innocent, she’ll be let out of jail,” Sean replied soberly.

“Are you sure?” asked Cindy.

“What are you implying?” Sean seemed really disturbed. “Are you suggesting we’re

keeping her to cover up for someone?”

“I don’t know what to think, Sean,” Cindy finally cried out. “Mattheus is convinced the force has been bought off.”

“Crazy rumors,” Sean gritted his teeth. “I heard them too, and I don’t believe them.”

“Why not?” asked Cindy.

“There’s always rumors like that about every police force,” Sean’s voice got garbled.

“So, Mattheus is helping find out the truth,” Cindy felt justified. “The more he learns the better.”

“We have guys down in the underworld, too, trying to find out if Pedro had someone killed off for this. We have our contacts, Mattheus is a fool – he’s just getting in the way. How about it?” Sean looked at her boyishly then. “Can I go with you to Magenta’s Tavern? I’d really like to.”

“Sure, come along with me,” Cindy said lightly, “it’ll be good having the company.”

*

Cindy returned to the hotel to change for her trip down to Magenta’s Tavern. It was an elegant place and she wanted to fit in. As soon as she got into her room and checked her email, she found a message from her sister Ann.

Cindy, things are heating up here. Marge and Ralph are opening a court case to get your house from you. When are you returning? Are you going to fight this, or just let them take it away? Love, Ann. (P.S. The job is still waiting for you, too.)

Cindy flinched. This was the last thing she needed now. I’m fighting it, Ann, she replied quickly. As soon as this case is over, I’ll be back. It’s right in the middle, but things are moving along well now. Shouldn’t be too long.

There was no way Cindy was going to buckle to pressure like this from Marge and Ralph. They probably thought that since she was away so much, and absorbed in solving cases, they could grab the house from under her without her evening knowing it. But this had been her home with Clint and she wasn’t giving it up so fast. And, if one day, she decided to sell it, she would decide to whom. Even after Clint’s death they were still finding ways to make things difficult for her.

Cindy quickly went to the bathroom, showered and changed into a beautiful, silk, summer violet tank dress, and hungry for a change of mood, put on a lovely silver necklace a pair of heels. After brushing her hair and fixing her makeup, she looked as though she were on her way to a bridal party, not to a murder investigation. She went down to the lobby to meet Sean, feeling excited.

*

A minute after Cindy got down to the lobby, Sean walked in.

“Boy, you look beautiful,” he said, his eyes opening, “you look like a model, not a detective.”

“The perfect cover,” Cindy smiled.

Sean put his hand on her elbow and led her to the police car outside.

“Before we go to Magenta Tavern, I want to drive you through the neighborhoods where Mattheus has been prowling around,” he said.

Cindy thought it was an odd detour, actually going in the opposite direction.

“Why?” she asked, surprised, as they got into the car. It was strange to go down to the dank, lowlands dressed in silk. “I’m not exactly dressed for the occasion,” Cindy tried to make light of it.

“You look fantastic, Cindy,” Sean responded, “and this will only take a few minutes. I just want you to see the types Mattheus hangs around with – get the real picture of what he’s up to.”

Sean acted as though Cindy had never interacted with the scuzzy characters to be found everywhere.

“I’ve been in places like this before,” Cindy murmured as Sean took a turn off the main road, and headed through narrow streets, which were hot and humid, covered by thick palm trees with branches that hung too low. On the sides of the streets were small shacks. You could smell heavy, spicy cooking through the open windows of the car.

“Lots of the girls they import onto the island get stashed down here,” Sean reported as they drove along.

“Why don’t you free the girls if you know where they are?” Cindy asked appalled.