Death by Engagement (Caribbean Murder Series, Book 12)

“So you feel once we have the venue, set the date and let people know, we’ll be that much more solid?” Cindy echoed.

“That’s right, you got it.” Mattheus began to relax. “There have been so many things that have come between us, Cindy, I can’t bear the thought of going through it one more time again. I love you, I want you, I want this settled.”

Was love something that you could grab onto and settle? Cindy wondered. Wasn’t it always changing, with risks of going through ups and downs? Didn’t there always have to be times when the two of you weren’t close enough to each other?

“I understand how you feel,” said Cindy warmly, though, wanting to reassure him. “I love you, too, Mattheus. I want this to work. From where I stand, it is working. There’s nothing getting between us.”

“This case could, though,” Mattheus quickly remarked.

Cindy felt bewildered. “How?”

“I don’t want to take it.” Mattheus was firm. “I’m sorry for the family, but it’s none of our concern. We didn’t come down here to get distracted. It’s a vacation, remember?”

“Yes, of course I remember, but what would be so bad about giving it just a few days?” Cindy didn’t see how she could say no to Shari’s father. “If it’s really a suicide, it will become clear quickly. And at least the family will feel better about it, the lingering doubt will be gone.”

“Families never feel better about a suicide,” Mattheus disagreed. “It’s easier for them to deal with a murder. Then they can focus on getting justice and don’t have to blame themselves for what happened.”

“Easier or harder, it’s the truth that matters.” Cindy was emphatic.

“Cindy, please.” Mattheus got up, put his arms around her and drew her close to him. “This is our time, I need you.”

“I need you, too, Mattheus,” Cindy murmured. “But how can I enjoy our vacation with the thought of Shari’s father pleading for help? Why does it have to be one way or the other? We can afford to give him a couple of days. Then the rest of the time will belong to us.”

“There’s always something, isn’t there?” Mattheus muttered.

“What’s wrong with that?” said Cindy. “If we just take what comes and go with it, then it doesn’t have to become a problem. It’s just what’s happening now.”

“In your eyes maybe there’s no problem,” said Mattheus. “I happen to feel differently, though.”

Cindy pulled slightly away from him and ran her hands through her moist, tangled hair. This was not what she wanted, she hadn’t chosen it, but how could she go looking for her own wedding venue with the ghost of Shari on her mind?

Mattheus’s voice suddenly got loud and taut. “Oh God, look who’s coming. The guy’s a loose cannon, he’s on our trail.”

Startled, Cindy looked over and saw Shari’s father barreling straight toward them.

“Edward’s a father whose daughter has died suddenly.” Cindy tried to quiet Mattheus down. She remembered how she’d felt when she’d learned that Clint had suddenly died on their honeymoon. It was unbearable. Shari’s father had to be going through the same thing.

“So, what are we supposed to do about the fact that he’s lost his daughter?” asked Mattheus.

“Cut him a break,” said Cindy, as Edward came up close up to them. “Give him a couple of days.”





“What have you decided, what have you decided?” Edward asked breathlessly when he got a couple of feet away. “I need to know, I can’t stand it.”

Cindy stood up and took his hands. “We’ll give you a couple of days to look into things,” she offered.

“Oh my God, oh my God.” Edward flung his arms wildly around Cindy. “Thank you, thank you. I needed to hear that. Thank you. You’ll never know what this means to me.”





Chapter 4


After breakfast Cindy headed straight to the police station and Mattheus went back up to their room. Before she left she promised that she’d only spend a couple of days checking things out.

“Famous last words,” Mattheus grumbled. “You know as well as I that investigations have a way of winding and stretching themselves out.”

“This is not an investigation,” Cindy insisted, looking at him pleadingly. “It’s just taking a couple of days to gather some facts that will help a grieving family.”

“Do what you have to.” Mattheus shrugged. “I’ve been there, I know the craving to jump into trouble and to let it run your life. I’ve been addicted to the work, too.”