Death by Engagement (Caribbean Murder Series, Book 12)

“There’s a lie going on here,” Cindy said boldly. “I don’t know what it is, I’m not sure who’s telling it, but the entire truth isn’t out.”


“The entire truth is never out,” Dr. Boden remarked, “and maybe it doesn’t have to be. The truth always has layers wrapped up around it. It can take years to understand why someone would do something so horrific at such a joyous time in their life.”

“It can take years,” said Cindy, unconvinced, “or the truth can come out in a flash. I’ve seen it appear in a second, just when you least expect it.”

“You’re a fascinating woman, Cindy.” Dr. Boden smiled at her slowly. “If I ever need a detective, you’re the only one I’d ever call.”

Cindy was grateful for his appreciation and smiled back in return. “CM Investigations,” she quipped. “I work with my partner, Mattheus. This isn’t a job you’d want to do alone.”

*

Despite Dr. Boden’s caring and intelligent manner, Cindy left the room feeling even more doubtful about Shari’s death. She wished she could talk to Mattheus about it, but it was clear that he wasn’t in that state of mind. Cindy figured she needed at least two more days on the case to get the certainty she needed. That was more than she and Mattheus had planned for, but what else could she do now? She was in too deep, and if Shari had been murdered, the one who did it was still at large, roaming around. Who knew who else might eventually be in danger? Who could say that the person wouldn’t strike again? If that happened and Cindy didn’t do her best now, she couldn’t live with the guilt of it on her head.

*

When Cindy got back to the hotel, to her relief, Mattheus was waiting for her in the lobby. Cindy went over to him as if nothing had happened, and reached out her hands for his.

Mattheus stood up slowly. “I thought you’d be gone forever by now,” he said.

“I’m never going to be gone forever,” said Cindy. “Not unless you want me to.”

Mattheus grimaced and slowly pulled Cindy to him. “This is a rough patch we’re going through, isn’t it?” he murmured, his face in her hair.

“Yes, it is,” Cindy whispered back. “But we can make it anyhow. We can go right through the rough patches and be stronger for it. Can’t we?”

“We have to,” said Mattheus, “and that’s what I love about you, Cindy. You bounce back, you’re resilient.”

“And so are you,” she whispered. “This wasn’t what you bargained for on our trip down to Aruba, and I realize the case just seems to go on and on.”

“That’s what I was worried about in the beginning,” he said. “One lead brings another and time stretches out.”

“You’re right, and I need a couple more days on it now,” Cindy said then quietly, drawing apart.

“How did I guess?” said Mattheus. “In fact, you’ve got someone coming to see you in an hour, a guy named Tad. He called, desperate, half an hour ago. I told him to come over, you should be back then.”

“Thank you, Mattheus.” Cindy was touched. “Tad was Shari’s last boyfriend, the one she dated before she got engaged to Doug.”

“I remember,” said Mattheus. “Like it or not, I’m keeping track of all the characters you’re telling me about.”

“I appreciate your setting up the interview for me,” said Cindy.

“Do I have a choice?” asked Mattheus.

“Yes, definitely, you have a choice.” Cindy was insistent. “You could say no, take off, or do a bunch of other things. And you have a right to be upset with my family, too.” Cindy made sure to include that. “I never meant you to think that I was on board with the way they treated you.”

“Thanks for that,” said Mattheus, clenching his jaw.

“My family doesn’t hold so much power over me, either,” Cindy added. “If what they said could break up our relationship, then it wasn’t very strong to begin with, was it?”

Mattheus looked sheepish for a moment. “I’ve seen much less break up relationships,” he said.

“Being engaged is tricky. Lots of couples don’t make it through all the rough spots that engagements can bring. Shari and Doug didn’t, did they?”

“Shari was killed,” Cindy whispered then, “who knows by whom? Who knows how she really died? That’s not a good example. And couples make it if they want to.” Cindy tossed her hair back over her shoulders then. “They make it if they can give each other the space to be who they are, and also be together.”

Mattheus took Cindy’s hands and pulled them to him. “I can do that, Cindy,” he said, swiftly.

“Can you, really?” she asked.

“Yes, I definitely can,” he replied. “And how about you?”

“I can,” said Cindy, “and if sometimes I can’t, I want you to let me know and remind me.”

Mattheus grinned. “You got a deal, my beautiful lady,” he laughed. “And let’s toast to that decision with a quick lunch. We have about an hour before Tad arrives on the scene to take you away from me.”

“Cut it out, Mattheus,” Cindy said then, “nothing takes me away from you. It’s not a good way to think about it.”





Chapter 17