Death by Engagement (Caribbean Murder Series, Book 12)

“We have an agreement here, Cindy, remember?” said Mattheus.

Of course she remembered, she was not a child, and didn’t appreciate being spoken to in that manner. In fact, she was ruffled. Cindy didn’t recall seeing this aspect of Mattheus before.

“You’ve made your point,” she answered crisply. “I get it completely.”

“Good,” he replied.

“You’re sticking to your guns through thick and thin,” Cindy added.

Mattheus smiled his wonderful, crinkly smile then.

“I always stick to my guns through thick and thin,” he responded. “Maybe you just didn’t notice it before?”

The vivid beauty of the sunset began fading as Cindy turned back to look at the sky. The colors had only been at their peak for a few moments, thought Cindy, a last gift before darkness set in for the night.

“I thought we’d go into town to L’Crasil Club tonight, for dinner, drinks and a show,” Mattheus suggested.

L’Crasil Club was a well-known, noisy hot spot with great food, jazz and a show that started late.

“What time does the show start?” asked Cindy.

“Why?” asked Mattheus. “Are we punching a time clock here?”

“I want to get up early,” Cindy responded, “and I need to be well rested.”

“Why?” he asked again, his mouth drawing at the edges. “You’ve got plans for the morning?”

Mattheus was giving her a hard time and Cindy knew it. He was testing her to see what was more important, him or the case. Cindy didn’t take well to being tested, or to feeling torn between two conflicting needs. If it was inevitable, that was one thing. But there was no need for it now.

“Do you really want to know why I have to be up early?” Cindy asked, petulantly.

“No, actually I don’t really want to know,” Mattheus responded. “Not if it has anything to do with the case.”



“So, if you don’t want to know, don’t ask me!” Cindy’s temper flared.

“On the other hand,” Mattheus went on more pointedly, “as we are here together, I do need to know what it is you have in mind for the day, for the trip, for our lives. You said you missed me when you saw me. What exactly does that mean?”

None of this sat well with Cindy. “You’re making a mountain out of a molehill,” she insisted.

“Are you looking for a fight? Are you trying to find a way to spoil our happiness?”

“Are you?” he shot back.

The two of them looked at each other, annoyed and helpless. Cindy took a few steps away. She’d heard that engagements were always difficult times; all kinds of issues came up to be worked through before the final commitment was made. But Cindy definitely thought that she and Mattheus had worked through most of their differences already. They’d been harmonious about most things. But, she suddenly realized, most of their time together had been spent working as partners on cases. They really matched beautifully then. This trip was different, though, it was supposed to be just about them. Mattheus wasn’t handling the change in focus well. He wasn’t accepting the fact that Cindy had decided to spend a few days on the case. It seemed to be all or nothing for him. Was that how it would be when they were married? Cindy felt confused.

“Sometimes people do great as working partners,” she mused out loud. “And not as well when they’re just a couple, living a plain life.”

Mattheus zeroed in on that. “What are you telling me, now? Are you saying we can’t function as just a couple? What’s wrong with living a plain life?”

“I didn’t say that.” Cindy felt the need to defend herself now. “I’m just looking at the big picture.”

“We’re not talking about the big picture, though, are we? We’re talking about our time together right here.”

“What’s wrong with you, Mattheus? What’s going on? What are you really so upset about?” Cindy felt blindsided.

“I’m disappointed,” he exclaimed. “That’s allowed, isn’t it?”

“You’re allowed to feel whatever you feel,” Cindy answered, disturbed.

“I thought we both wanted this time just to ourselves together. I thought we’d earned it and that this incredibly romantic getaway would give us both something we needed badly.”

“What?” Cindy whispered.

“Complete trust in each other”—Mattheus’s voice lowered—“and an incredible way to start our future together.”

“I have complete trust in you,” Cindy murmured. “I didn’t need this vacation to give me that. You need it though? You don’t trust me, completely?”

“That’s not what I’m saying.” Mattheus grimaced. “You’re twisting my words and my meaning around.”

“So, tell me what you’re saying,” Cindy demanded.

“I’m saying I don’t like having you choose the needs of other people over mine,” he responded.





“You mean Shari’s father?” asked Cindy.