Death by Devotion (Caribbean Murder #9)

“You’re too close to the case,” Cindy replied.

“Nah,” Mattheus’s face grew contorted, “that’s the convenient party line.”

“So, you’re playing one side against another, going over to the other side for help?” Cindy

suddenly felt agitated.

“There’s only one side I’m interested,” Mattheus sat up more like his old self, “the side of truth. I’ve got to find out who killed Cain and get Andrea out of jail. It’s perfect natural to figure that the guys down here would have some answers for me, especially Pedro.”

“Does he?” asked Cindy, nonplussed.

Mattheus started driving more slowly then, obviously wanting to talk. “Listen, the guy’s burning. He’s as upset as I am. Someone swooped in under the radar and took out one of his best men. Nobody does that to Pedro.”

“And he can’t find out who?” Cindy was cynical.

“He’s got his boys out searching,” Mattheus replied, “and he wants me on it too. We got a common interest here. Whoever killed Cain didn’t have a motive they can understand. The murder came from out of left field. He wasn’t expecting it.”

Cindy took a long, slow breath. The afternoon had grown warmer and the thick, humid air drifted in through the car window, washing over both of them.

“That makes it look more like Andrea might have done it,” Cindy murmured, wondering how Mattheus would respond to that.

“No, not at all,” Mattheus bristled. “No one believes that for a minute.”

“Why not?” asked Cindy, “Andrea had motive, opportunity and -.”

Mattheus cut her off. “Andrea didn’t do it. There was no reason for it. She’s Cain’s stepdaughter and the guys down here have been keeping an eye on her. They all said she’s harmless, just a kid having a little fun.”

Cindy took great exception to that. “Sex for money is fun?” her voice rose.

“Let’s not go there,” Mattheus hands starting trembling. “Let’s handle one thing at time. Pedro and his boys know she didn’t do it, they also know that whoever did, wants Andrea locked up. Or killed.”

“Once Andrea is blamed for it and out of the picture, the heat will be off the real killer,” Cindy burst in.

“Not the real heat,” Mattheus insisted. “Not Pedro’s boys.”

“But the killer doesn’t know that,” Cindy was tossing it all around in her mind. “The killer thinks the danger comes from the cops. The killer isn’t wired in the underworld.”

“Not in Pedro’s world, they’re not,” Mattheus said.

“That tells us something, Mattheus,” Cindy was back working the case with her partner as she had so often done before.

“This has got to be connected to who beat Andrea up in jail,” said Mattheus in a low tone.

“I’m sorry about that, Mattheus, I’m so sorry,” Cindy offered.

Mattheus slowed down before turning onto a wide rode. The car was steamy from the humid day and the tension they were feeling. He pulled the car into an alcove, and then stopped the car.

“I know you’re sorry, Cindy,” he looked at her softly. “I know you’re doing your best, I know you’re alone with this. You’re incredibly gutsy for even being here.”

Cindy felt shocked. This was the last thing she expected from Mattheus. Despite herself, tears started falling down her face.

“I thought you totally hated me,” she said, distraught. “You keep acting as if I’m betraying you with Sean.”

“Look, I love you,” Mattheus answered gruffly, “I always have and I always will. I respect you, I adore you, and I have no idea how to hold onto you. I keep making a mess of things.”

“You’re trying your best, Mattheus,” Cindy replied in a low tone. “You deserve everything good in your life.”

“You’re the only thing that’s good in my life,” Mattheus quickly responded.

Cindy turned and looked out the window. This was more than she could take in right now.

“You have a daughter who needs you,” she said quietly then.

“Yes, I do,” said Mattheus, “I won’t deny that. How was your interview with her?”

“It went well as far as it went,” said Cindy. “We broke the ice, she talked to me. I made her think Sean and I were an item so she wouldn’t see me as a rival for you. That helped open her up.”

Mattheus took a swift, painful breath at that.

“It was Sean’s idea,” Cindy continued quickly, “and it worked. It was a good one. Andrea talked to me. She told me she’d been at Magenta Tavern on the other side of the island when Cain was killed. I was headed there now, to find out more.”

“With Sean?” Mattheus broke in.

“Yes, he was taking me there, when he suddenly took this detour to Pedro’s. Obviously, he was more interested in tracking you.”

“Could be he’s using you as a foil,” said Mattheus.