Death by Engagement (Caribbean Murder Series, Book 12)

“A good example is the handwriting of elderly people which reflect the shaking and tremors they often have,” Margaret continued. “Also people with Parkinson’s disease have a tendency to write smaller. The handwriting of schizophrenics changes dramatically. And schizophrenics often have suicidal ideation.”


There was nothing about Shari that had seemed schizophrenic to Cindy, but she let Margaret go on about it.

“Common features of the handwriting of schizophrenics are strange letter formations, words that make no sense, writing that is totally unintelligible, or that is impossible to decipher.” Margaret was thoroughly enjoying explaining this to Cindy. “Their lines may run crosswise or the script becomes very large and words become bigger as a sentence progresses. Sometimes lines or writing rises and becomes stiff. Disorganization is another indicator. We also look for letters and syllables being left out, slants that vary and lines that stray in different directions.”

Ben took a deep breath. “We appreciate the lecture, Margaret, but none of this is seen in the particular note we’re inspecting. Shari wasn’t schizophrenic, she was depressed. Just like a million other people.”

“Of course, suicidal ideation is part of depression as well,” Margaret continued.

“Oh God,” Ben moaned, not wanting to hear all these details.

“What do you look for to determine depression intensifying?” Cindy spurred her on.

“All kinds of things,” Margaret answered as she ran her fingers over the paper. “The harder the person presses on the paper, the stronger emotions the person is presumed to have. The lines usually slope downwards during depression, the letters can grow smaller and more cramped.”

“We see nothing of that on this note,” Ben charged in once again.

“No, you’re right,” said Margaret, “and that is interesting in and of itself. This note has been carefully written and planned out. The margins are perfect, the loops are self-conscious. There’s no sign of a loss of impulse control or a rambling mind. In fact, we see the very opposite, a longing for order and perfection here, a person who needs to be well thought of. This note could not have been written right before she jumped from a cliff.”

Cindy was startled by Margaret’s emphatic statement and breathed deeply.

“Could someone else have written it, copied her handwriting?” asked Cindy.

“Forgery is always a possibility.” Margaret put the paper down. “If you asked me, this certainly bears further investigation.”

This was the last thing Ben expected. “Come on now, Margaret.” He ran his forearm across his forehead, which was sweating.

“Does Cindy know about the Townsend killings?” Margaret turned to Ben.

“The what?” asked Cindy, startled.

“Those were about four months ago. There’s no connection between them and what happened here,” Ben retorted.

Margaret shrugged lightly and Cindy felt as if she had a compatriot. “Why so sure?” asked Margaret.

“Come on now, give me a break,” Ben burst out. “Are you suggesting that the guy who killed the two other women came to Shari’s hotel and killed her as well?”

“What two other women?” Cindy was electrified. Why hadn’t she heard about this before?

“The killings happened about four months ago,” Alfred broke in. “Two young women were killed in rapid succession here on the island. It caused a big stir for a while, then the case went cold. No one found the killer.”

“Oh God,” said Cindy, “why didn’t you tell me?”

“One case has absolutely nothing to do with the other.” Ben was emphatic. “The two women who were killed came down here with friends for a good time. They hung out at the casinos, got drunk, gambled, did drugs. Finally, we figure they got spotted by someone who took their lives. Or they also could have died of an overdose or too much rough sex. The autopsy showed all of that going on.”

“Who was the suspect? Someone local?” asked Cindy.

“The case went cold,” Ben repeated. “In Shari’s situation she was with her fiancé and family all the time. She left a note.”

“A questionable one,” Cindy commented.

“Why would the guy who got those other women suddenly show up and get this one too?” Ben dug in. “Shari didn’t go to the bars, she wasn’t at the casinos. There was no motive or opportunity. It doesn’t make sense.”

“She did go to the cliff alone, though, that night,” Cindy responded swiftly. “I need to know more about the murder of those two young women.”

“What are you going to do? Check all our back cases now?” Ben was pissed.

Alfred stepped in, though. “The main suspect was a local guy, Billy Sears, who was seen hanging out at the casinos when the girls were there. He lives down in a rancid part of town, Amaneuten Cove, and was in jail a few times on drug-related charges. We did our best to nail him, but there wasn’t enough evidence to even take him in. He slipped out of our hands.”

“He’s still at large?” asked Cindy.

“Who the hell knows where he is now?” Ben said. “But I’ll tell you one thing, he’s not roaming around up here, looking for brides-to-be at wedding venues. That’s for sure.”