Death by Engagement (Caribbean Murder Series, Book 12)

Kate’s comment stunned Cindy and stopped her from biting into her own sandwich, which was almost in her mouth.

“You’re not even surprised? Why not?” The wheels in Cindy’s mind began turning. Was Kate inferring that she wasn’t surprised Shari killed herself because she was so depressed? But that wasn’t the picture Kate had presented of Shari. “I thought you said Shari was happy when she was dating,” Cindy pressed Kate further. “She couldn’t have been all that depressed.”

“Yes, that’s right.” Kate chomped on her food avidly. “Shari felt good when she was dating other guys, but she wasn’t dating now, was she? She was back with Doug again, and about to commit to him forever. No more dating then.”

“You think that’s why she killed herself?” Cindy was astonished.

“Maybe?” said Kate.

“That sounds a bit extreme,” Cindy replied.

“I know it does,” said Kate. “But Shari was a confused girl.”

“What did Doug love so much about her?” Cindy needed to know.

“That’s the best question you’ve asked all morning,” said Kate, eating the rest of her lunch in a flash. “I think he loved that he was better than her, smarter than her, more in charge. And, of course, Shari was beautiful, too, don’t get me wrong. It made him look good to have her on his arm.”

“That doesn’t speak well of Doug, though, does it?” asked Cindy.

“Maybe not,” said Kate, “but he’s not that much different from a thousand other guys. Maybe Cayenne was too much of a woman for him. Guys don’t like that, really, do they?”

“Some do,” said Cindy, thinking of Mattheus, who had helped her grow strong.

“Oh yeah, tell me who?” asked Kate.

“Haven’t you had boyfriends like that yourself?” Cindy turned it back to her. “Guys who appreciate the strong, honest, gutsy young woman you are?”

Kate looked away. “I haven’t found someone like that yet,” she replied.

“He’s there waiting, Kate,” Cindy encouraged her. “Don’t give up expecting him to come.”

*

After lunch was over, Kate wanted to go back home. She’d said all she had to at that point and seemed suddenly washed out.

“I hope I’ve helped the investigation,” Kate murmured about halfway back.

“You’ve helped a lot,” said Cindy. “I have a much better picture of Shari’s life.”

“So, where does this all lead then?” asked Kate, looking confused herself for a moment.

“I’m not sure yet,” said Cindy, hesitantly.

“You said before that you weren’t sure that it was a suicide,” Kate remarked. “You’re the only one who’s said that.”

“Except for Shari’s father, Edward,” Cindy mentioned.

“Yes, but nobody takes him seriously,” Kate remarked.

“Who else should I talk to?” Cindy turned to Kate wholeheartedly then. “You know more about the people involved.”

“I would definitely talk to Cayenne,” Kate said slowly, “and also Tad.”

Cindy was surprised that Kate knew about Shari’s former boyfriend. “You know about Tad?”

“Of course, everyone does. He and Shari dated the last time she and Doug broke up. I heard he’s devastated and coming down to the island now as we speak.”

“Yes, that’s right,” said Cindy. “Seems he had strong feeling for Shari.”

“That’s what I always thought,” said Kate. “Tad seemed right for her, too, more emotional. And she seemed happy with him when I once saw them together.”

“So, why did she get back with Doug then?” asked Cindy intently.

“That’s the question, isn’t it?” Kate echoed her thoughts. “But whatever the answer is, one thing is sure. It was a stupid decision for both of them.”





Chapter 15


After she dropped Kate off a few blocks from the hotel, Cindy felt ill at ease. The time with Kate brought up more questions than it answered. Kate seemed driven to speak the truth as she knew it, wasn’t backing off from anything. Cindy respected her a great deal, and yet also wondered if Kate’s feeling so disempowered in her family was not causing her to make waves that would ultimately lead to nothing.

Cindy got off at the hotel, paid the driver and slowly went back up to the room. As she walked down the hallway, she wondered if Mattheus would be there waiting for her, and what he had been doing.

“I’m back,” Cindy called the moment she walked in.

“Out on the balcony,” Mattheus’s voice echoed back.

Cindy was relieved that he was still there. She hadn’t realized how nervous she’d felt about it. The case was taking longer than planned and now there was definitely more to look into. Cindy wondered how Mattheus would take that.

Cindy walked out onto the balcony, under the sky which had had grown darker. Heavy clouds had drifted in and cool breezes were blowing unrestrainedly. Cindy saw Mattheus lying stretched out on a chair with an empty lunch tray beside him. He’d obviously called up for food and eaten alone.

“So good to see you.” Cindy went over to him, leaned down and gave him a warm hug.