Death by Devotion (Caribbean Murder #9)

“And who are these people, if you don’t mind my asking,” Cindy wouldn’t let him off the hook.

The guy smirked. “You didn’t hear what I said,” he answered. “They don’t answer questions like that.” Then he turned and walked to the other end of the bar, sat down and turned his back to her.

*

Cindy easily got a cab to take from Magenta’s Tavern back to the hotel. As she sat down in it, she was surprised to realize how exhausted she was. It had been a grueling day. But, at least this trip was not in vain. Andrea had actually been seen here. Her story wasn’t total fantasy. That was something, at least. The bartender’s shift was from noon until seven, so at some point during those hours she’d actually been in the Tavern. Cindy was excited to tell both Mattheus and Sean about this. The fact that Andrea had been seen here gave some support to her claim.

But Cindy needed more and she didn’t want to let another moment go by. It suddenly struck her that Petra would know about Andrea’s visits to Magenta Tavern. She might well know who Andrea met there. Cindy quickly leaned over to the taxi driver and told him to go straight to Petra’s house.





Chapter 18


Evening was approaching as the taxi drove in the fading light to Petra’s house. Cindy expected she’d be home. Where else would she go? Cindy had heard that these days Petra had been laying low in her home, not talking to many people.

When Cindy got out of the taxi, she walked quietly to the front door. To her surprise it was ajar. She could just push a bit and go in. For a moment she was going to do that, but then decided to ring the bell first. Cindy rang and rang and no one answered.

Finally Cindy pushed the door open a little more and heard loud music playing. It was probably drowning out the sound of the bell. She took another few steps down the familiar hallway and then walked straight into the living room.

To Cindy’s total amazement, Petra sat on the sofa with Mattheus. They both had drinks in their hands and were smiling. Again? Cindy couldn’t believe her eyes. Another rendezvous?

“Excuse me for interrupting,” said Cindy as she stood at the edge of the room.

Petra and Mattheus stopped talking at the same moment and looked over at Cindy.

Petra jumped up, in horror. “You don’t believe in knocking?”

“I rang the bell many times,” said Cindy.

Mattheus got up and came over as well. “The music was loud, we didn’t hear you,” he said, looking nervous.

“So I gather,” said Cindy, shocked and amazed to see him here again.

Petra was agitated. “You have a lousy habit of walking in on people, you know. What are you, some kind of crazy stalker?”

“I just came from Magenta’s Tavern,” Cindy replied, ill at ease. She didn’ t know exactly what had drawn her to Petra’s place this moment when Mattheus was here, but she was glad she’d come. And, of course, that didn’t deny the fact that Petra was right, she should have knocked or called. On the other hand, finding Mattheus with Petra was totally disconcerting. He hadn’t said a thing to Cindy about going to talk to her again. Obviously they were developing some kind of relationship.

“What happened at the Tavern?” Mattheus was right on it.

“The bartender remembered seeing a pretty young Caribbean girl there a few times with a guy from that area,” said Cindy. “That had to be Andrea.”

“Oh wow,” Mattheus was excited.

“Beyond that, nothing. He doesn’t remember what time she was there exactly,” Cindy spoke to Mattheus as though he were a distant, business acquaintance.

“Cindy, it’s great that you found that out,” Mattheus jumped off the sofa and took a step over to her.

Cindy’s body jerked away instinctively.

“What so great about it?” Petra dove in. “I could have told you that. Andrea went to Magenta’s Tavern regularly. So what?”

“So, it could prove her alibi,” said Cindy.

“Nothing’s gonna prove her alibi,” Petra suddenly became sullen. “No one wants it proven.”

“Don’t start that again,” Mattheus said to her.

Cindy looked at the two of them partially disgusted, partially unmoved.

“Petra believes that Andrea’s gonna get killed in jail,” Mattheus commented. “She called me here to tell me that.”

“By who?” asked Cindy coolly,

“What’s wrong with you, Cindy?” Mattheus asked.

“What’s wrong with me?” Cindy finally flared up. “I’m not the one who declares their undying

love one minute and then runs to be with another woman the next.”

“His undying love?” Petra laughed out loud. “For who? For you? It’ll never last, honey. You’re not the kind for him. Guys like Mattheus need a woman who can be there for them all the time, whatever happens, no matter what.”

Obviously that was the way Petra ran her love life, and look what it lead to. Cindy wondered what else her comment was implying. Had Mattheus told her personal details about their relationship?

Cindy shuddered at the thought of it.