Death by Engagement (Caribbean Murder Series, Book 12)

“For Doug?” Edward was stunned for a minute. “What do you mean?”


“I mean now Doug doesn’t have an alibi. He needs to tell us where he was a couple of hours before he was seen in the bar,” Cindy replied.

“You got it all wrong, that’s crazy, just crazy.” Edward’s head spun around to look at her, taking his eyes off the road. “It’s not Doug. They loved each other. He’s a fabulous guy. He’ll tell us where he was a couple of hours earlier, with no trouble at all.”

“If it’s not Doug, who is it?” asked Cindy, as Edward swerved to the right and then made a sharp turn.

“Just bear with me, bear with me,” Edward answered as he leaned closer to the windshield, watching the road. He was obviously upset and it was hard to see as the sun kept going in and out of the heavy clouds.

“Rough weather around us,” Edward mumbled as he drove more slowly than before. “This is what happens when storms hit the nearby islands.”

“Pull over for a minute,” Cindy suggested, putting her hand on his trembling arm. He seemed too distraught to drive safely like this. “We can talk better that way, and you can calm down.” Cindy spoke to him as if he were a child. It worked and he slowly pulled over to the side.

“Wife’s not doing well.” Edward shook his head, as he brought the car to a halt. “Now she’s talking about suicide. She’s saying she wants to join Shari and see her again.”

“I am so sorry to hear that,” said Cindy. “I heard you called Shari’s psychiatrist down to the island to help.”

“I did. Marla knows him and likes him. He’s been taking care of Shari for a long time. He’s a good man.”

“You’re fortunate to have someone like that in your life,” said Cindy. “I’d like to talk to him as well, if I can.”

“Sure you can, it’s a good idea.” Edward was pleased that Cindy wanted to be more involved. “You’re a good woman, too, Cindy.” He looked at her kindly. “I’ll never be able to thank you enough for the help you’re giving me now.”

“I’m pleased to do it,” Cindy said and meant it.

“I hope your partner, Mattheus, is pleased, too.” Edward looked at Cindy out of the corner of his eye. “Haven’t seen too much of him around.”

“He’s on the case, he’s helping me,” said Cindy, not wanting to get into that conversation now.

“Let’s get out of the car for a few minutes,” Edward said then. “I need to stretch my legs and could use some fresh air.”

“Fine,” Cindy agreed. Clearly he wanted time alone with her and Cindy was fine with it.

“You know, we’re right near Eagle Beach,” Edward said as they stepped out into the fresh air.

Cindy looked around. There was a sign pointing to Eagle Beach down the road.

“Shari and I used to spend lots of time on Eagle Beach together,” he went on. “I took the family to Aruba for vacations all the years Shari was growing up.” Edward looked a little sheepish. “It would be nice to walk along that beach again,” he said, looking up at Cindy, sadly.

“Sure, let’s do it,” said Cindy. Not only was she willing to accompany him, she was interested in what he might have to say.

As they walked he looked hungrily at the familiar sights. In a little while they approached the beach, which was dotted with red and white markers everywhere.

“Those markers are here to protect turtle nests,” Edward explained immediately. “The turtles hatch around sunset and at night. I remember Shari used to love seeing the turtles. She was always so excited when the red and white markers were here.”

“What kind of turtles?” asked Cindy as they stepped onto the sand.

“Leatherback, Loggerhead, Green and Hawksbill,” Edward went on, pleased to be telling Cindy about it. “I used to explain that to Shari over and over when she was a little girl. These turtles can have their nests anywhere on the island, but most nests are found here on Eagle Beach. Shari always wanted to run over and see them.”

“Sounds like she was a wonderful, curious child,” Cindy remarked.

“You can say that again,” Edward quickly agreed. “She was beautiful, playful, curious about everything. She especially loved the turtle nests. There are about eighty eggs in each of them and Shari loved counting them. She was also fascinated watching the hatchlings find their way to the ocean.”

“It sounds like a beautiful time,” said Cindy.

“Yes, it was,” he continued, a little smile on his face breaking into his overall sense of melancholy. “Shari didn’t get depressed until her early teens,” he continued, fitful once again. “Suddenly she got quieter at times and there were even periods when she wouldn’t talk. Sometimes she’d lock herself in her room and we’d hear her crying all night long. We asked her over and over what was the matter, but she just shook her head. She didn’t know. Her doctor, Mitch Boden, said her depression was hormonal. We got right on it immediately.”