Death by Engagement (Caribbean Murder Series, Book 12)

In the dim light, Cindy and Cayenne made their way slowly to the back of Cave and found a bench to sit on.

“You dated Doug recently,” Cindy started, wondering if Cayenne might still be holding some grudge against him now. Was that why she came down so promptly? Or did she still care for him? Was she here to comfort and claim him now as her own?

“That’s right, Doug and I dated,” Cayenne answered, pulling her rain slicker firmly over her.

“Tell me about it,” said Cindy.

Cayenne looked at Cindy carefully. “Usually I’m more comfortable talking to guys,” she said. “It’s not so easy for me to talk to a woman.”

Cindy appreciated her honesty. She also realized that must have been why Cayenne zeroed in on Mattheus. Cindy was relieved to hear that nothing special transpired between her and Mattheus and was ashamed of her own jealousy. It was Cindy’s own insecurity that caused her to feel that way, she realized.

“You can trust me,” Cindy said softly. “I promised Shari’s father I’d look into the case. Mattheus hasn’t really been on it.”

“That’s what I guessed,” said Cayenne, taken aback.

“Mattheus and I came down here on vacation, to find our own wedding venue.” Cindy smiled sadly. She knew she had to fill Cayenne in. “This wasn’t a case Mattheus wanted to take on.”

“I can understand that too,” said Cayenne, startled. “Then why did you take it?”

“Shari’s father was so devastated. I wanted to give him and the family some peace,” Cindy replied.

“That’s good of you, Cindy, very good.” Cayenne’s voice caught in her throat.

“In the beginning I thought it would take a few days,” Cindy continued. “Everyone was so sure it was a clear-cut suicide.”

“I’m not so sure, though.” Cayenne leaned closer, grabbed by the moment and speaking in a raspy tone.

Chills ran along Cindy’s spine. “Neither am I,” Cindy whispered back. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”

“Doug’s a complicated guy,” Cayenne started, obviously moved by Cindy’s honesty. “When Doug and I started dating it was amazing between us. Everything fit. He told me over and over how great it was to be with a beautiful, strong, independent woman like me.”

“Really?” said Cindy.

“But it wasn’t true basically,” Cayenne continued. “I came to realize it was a line. In the beginning he liked it, maybe? But as time went on I noticed how much more controlling he became and edgy about every little thing.”

“Tell me more.” Cindy was fascinated.

“Doug would want to know where I was all the time and with who,” Cayenne continued. “I said what do I have to do here, punch a clock? I didn’t like that.”

“Of course not,” breathed Cindy.

“And I told him so, plenty of times,” Cayenne continued.

“How did he respond?” Cindy was quick on the draw.

“He’d back off, laugh about it, say it would never happen again and promise me the world. I can’t tell you how many times he said I was the one for him, the only one. He said I was good for him, made him into a man. He even said he was convinced we’d be married one day.” Cayenne’s voice grew dimmer.

“Did you want to marry him?” asked Cindy.

“In the beginning I did,” said Cayenne.

“Even though Shari was always in the background?” Cindy asked.

Cayenne shrugged. “I knew about Shari, I even met her once or twice. She was nice enough, I liked her, but in my view, a complete lightweight. I didn’t see how anyone like that could be competition for Doug. He’s a brilliant guy, how could she be his partner? When I asked him how come they were still in touch he said it was a long-term relationship that he’d outgrown now. He enjoyed being friends with her though, for old times’ sake. I knew they even kept dating from time to time, though, and I asked him about it, too. He said that he and Shari went back to dating periodically, just to check in. That was over now that I was in his life.”

“Did he tell that to Shari?” Cindy was appalled.

“I assumed so,” Cayenne breathed, “but I wasn’t sure.”

“I’m sorry you had to go through this, Cayenne.” Cindy felt closer to her as they spoke. “It doesn’t feel good to be lied to, or to have someone you love break up with you.”

“Thanks very much,” said Cayenne. “But to set the record straight, I was the one broke up with Doug.”

“Really?” Cindy was amazed as the walls of the Cave began shaking, due to the fierce winds that were rolling in.

“We can’t stay here long,” Cayenne remarked.

“Quickly, tell me what else you know about Doug and Shari,” asked Cindy.

“Listen, don’t tell anyone else that I said I broke up with him,” Cayenne continued quickly, “but, in reality, that’s how it went. Now Doug’s telling people he went back with Shari because he loved her more than me. He’s saying they couldn’t stay away from each other, were basically right together. But it’s not true! I saw right through him, that’s why we broke up.”