Death by Engagement (Caribbean Murder Series, Book 12)

Cindy agreed that talking to the immediate family was the best plan at the moment. She left the restaurant, walked back up along the sloping path and stopped only for a moment to smell the bougainvilleas. For a second wished she were with Mattheus right now, enjoying this magical island. He was right it was their time, and they’d both waited a long while for it. Cindy understood Mattheus’s

objection to jumping back onto a case. His ability to say no actually represented growth for him. Cindy could remember the days when she was the one who wanted more private time together and he was the one who couldn’t stop working.

But this case was different and Cindy felt it. Perhaps it was because it came so soon after Cindy’s sister Ann had been killed. Perhaps Cindy needed to be in the midst of an investigation in order to feel more like herself. The work stabilized her somehow, made her feel as if her days and life had meaning. It was hard to go on searching for her own wedding venue when another young woman in the same position had just lost her life.

Cindy walked into the hotel lobby then and took the elevator up to Shari’s family’s suite. As soon as Edward opened the door and let her in, Cindy saw that the room was empty.

“Marla and Deidre are outside on the balcony,” Edward said immediately as Cindy glanced around. “They’re a bit upset that I asked you to come. I told them it was important, but who listens? No one listens. Thank God you do.”

Cindy looked through the open balcony doors, but still didn’t see them.

“Where are they?” she asked, feeling as though she were barging into private territory.

“They’re huddled together in the corner,” Edward explained, irritated. “I’m not sure they really want to see you. I told them you were not the enemy. I said you were trying to help us find the enemy. But they couldn’t care less about what I say.”

“It might be too soon for them to talk,” Cindy replied. “This is a terrible, trying time for everyone.”

“You can say that again, and for me, especially,” said Edward.

“Why you especially?” Cindy was surprised.

“Because I know there’s a murderer lurking out there,” he whispered, his eyes suddenly gleaming. “And no one else knows it except you!”

Cindy was about to tell him that she wasn’t sure of it either when a woman’s voice from outside on the balcony called in.

“Who are you talking to, Edward?” she called. “Are you still talking to Shari?”

“Still talking to Shari?” Cindy’s eyes opened wide.

“I’ve been talking to my daughter,” Edward mumbled in a low tone, “is that so terrible? I feel her around me, I know she’s listening. I want her to tell me who pushed her off the cliff.”

Cindy looked up a moment then and saw a tall woman in white slacks and a dark gray tunic stand at the door of the balcony and look in. When the woman saw Cindy standing there, she strode into the room uncomfortably. In a few moments, a lovely, blonde young woman, almost a double of Shari, followed behind. She had to be Shari’s twin sister, Deidre.

“Marla,” Edward said to the tall woman, “this is Cindy Blaine, the detective I hired.”

Marla came over to Cindy and looked straight into her eyes. “I’m Shari’s mother,” she said in a broken tone.

“I’m so sorry,” Cindy replied.





“Sorry won’t do any good.” The young blonde woman crept up next to her mother, speaking in an echo. “Nothing will do any good.”

“This is Deidre, Shari’s twin sister,” Edward introduced her.

“Why exactly did Edward hire you?” Marla asked Cindy, her voice becoming throaty. “It’s ridiculous to think it was foul play. There’s no one down here who had anything against Shari. No one anywhere.”

Deidre scraped her throat slightly.

“Do you agree with that, Deidre?” Edward stepped in.

“There are always people who secretly hold onto grudges,” Deidre answered hesitantly. “Of course Shari had a ton of friends, but who knows what they were really thinking?”

Marla didn’t like that remark. “Your father is convinced that someone murdered your sister.” She turned to Deidre forcefully. “That’s what we’re talking about. Murder, not just having negative feelings about someone now and then. Do you understand?”

Deidre ran her hand through her long, tangled hair, trying to straighten it out.

“Of course I understand,” she whispered. “I understand more than you ever imagine, Mother.”

Cindy saw the definite resemblance between Deidre and Shari, but also differences. Deidre had oval gray eyes that seemed sad and shifty. Cindy remembered Shari’s eyes as being sparkling blue and lively.

Cindy approached Deidre gently. “Do you agree with your father, Deidre?” Cindy asked. “Nobody would know Shari’s life better than you, her very own twin sister.”

“My father and I don’t agree on most things.” Deidre seemed dazed. “Whatever I say, he disagrees.”

“Do you feel Shari could have committed suicide?” Cindy asked softly.

“I have no idea,” Deidre responded, hesitantly. “I never imagined it would get this far.”

“What would get this far?” Cindy was interested.