Death by Engagement (Caribbean Murder Series, Book 12)

“Shari said it wasn’t, but who really knows? She accepted Doug’s terms, no matter what. That’s the way it went,” Tad pouted.

“You weren’t the one who broke up with Shari, were you?” Cindy wanted to be sure. “You weren’t the one who wanted to become just friends?”

“Of course not, I loved her,” said Tad. “And she loved me.”

Cindy grew silent to honor the depth of Tad’s feelings.

“Why did she leave you for Doug, then?” Cindy finally asked in a very soft tone.

“I wouldn’t say she exactly left me for him.” Tad grimaced.

“What happened, Tad?” Cindy moved closer in.

Tad paused a moment. “Shari always had a hunger to be with controlling men,” he finally said. “Don’t take this as if I’m saying anything bad about her. I’m not. She was the best, she is the best. She’ll always be the best to me. The time we had together was fabulous. I loved her just the way she was.”

“She was fortunate to have been with you,” said Cindy quietly.

“Thank you for saying that, thank you so much.” Tad’s eyes filled with tears again.

“Not every woman has such an unconditional love in their life,” Cindy went on. Tad needed to hear it and Cindy needed to say it. Tad’s love for Shari reminded Cindy of her relationship with Clint. Their love had also been unconditional and that experience would always sustain her, even though it hadn’t lasted for long. “Can you tell me more about why Shari left you?” Cindy continued gently.

“Shari felt better around guys who took over, told her what to do,” Tad mumbled.

“How painful,” said Cindy. “You’re not like that.”

“No, I’m not,” Tad quickly agreed, “and I couldn’t turn myself into that kind of person, either.”

“That’s not love, anyway,” Cindy insisted.

“Don’t get me wrong though.” Tad rubbed his face roughly. “Shari really loved me. She and I were so happy together. I don’t think she was able to deal with how happy she was. Everyone always told her she was depressed with weird mood swings. Well, she didn’t have them with me!”

“So, why did she end it?” Cindy was confused.

Tad seemed confused as well. He shrugged lightly. “She finally told me that she felt more secure around a stronger guy.”

“Stronger?” The word hurt Cindy. “It takes much more strength to be flexible and kind,” Cindy retorted.

“Thanks for saying that.” Tad looked up at her.

“I mean it, Tad,” Cindy insisted. “Being tough and controlling just means deep down a person’s insecure.”

Tad smiled slowly. “That’s what I told her, but she didn’t get that point right away. I think she did, later.”

“What do you think happened to Shari?” Cindy’s need to know intensified as the air grew colder and the sky more threatening.

“Someone pushed her, I’m positive,” Tad declared.

“How can you be positive?” Cindy was breathless.

“I just can,” Tad repeated when just at that moment Cindy looked up and saw someone approaching the gazebo quickly.

“Who’s coming?” Cindy stood up, alarmed.

Tad jumped up beside her as well. “Oh God, it’s Deidre,” he cried out. “She’s been hounding me since I got here.”

“You’re her link to Shari,” Cindy declared.

“I don’t know who I’m her link to,” Tad answered as Deidre burst into the gazebo, staring at both of them.

“Mattheus told me you guys were down here,” she started. “He was in the lobby when I arrived.”

“What do you want, Deidre?” Tad was exasperated. “Why are you following me?”

“I’m not following you.” Deidre’s eyes flashed. “Why would I follow you?”

“So why are you here?” Tad confronted her directly.

“Why are you here? That’s the question, isn’t it?” she shot back vividly.

“Your father told me that Cindy and Mattheus were on the case.” Tad spoke to her as though he were talking to a troublesome child.

“Who cares what my father says about anything?” Deidre replied.

“Your father asked me to talk to Cindy and Mattheus,” Tad continued. “He wanted them to know more about Shari.”

Deidre made a strange guffawing sound then. “Really? So you’re prepared to tell the whole truth?”

Cindy stiffened in fear. What was the whole truth? What was Tad hiding?

Deidre approached him methodically, each footstep echoing through the gazebo.

“Are you prepared to tell Cindy everything?” Deidre repeated threateningly.

“You’re insane, Deidre,” Tad replied. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, but back off from me.”

“What are you prepared to tell Cindy?” Deidre demanded.

Cindy broke into their conversation, heatedly. “If there is some important information either of you have that I don’t, I beg both of you to tell me. Time is getting shorter! I won’t be able to be on the case for much longer.”

“Why not?” Tad spun around and stared at Cindy.

“A storm’s coming to the island,” Deidre hissed. “None of us have much time together here.”