Death by Engagement (Caribbean Murder Series, Book 12)

“Cindy Blaine reporting in. New evidence in case. On the way over to Doug’s yacht at Pier 1146, to talk to him before he leaves the island. Backup needed. Over and out.”


Cindy hung up with a sinking feeling in her stomach as she pushed through the teeming rain and wind, looking for a cab. The streets were mostly empty and she began to fear there would be no way of getting there.

Suddenly a small black car turned the corner, pushing against the wind. Cindy held her hand out, desperately waving it at the driver.

A local guy rolled down the window and looked at her, nervously. “Emergency?” he asked.

“Yeah, it’s an emergency,” Cindy said heatedly.

“That’s what I’m here for, get in!” he said.

Cindy yanked open the door and jumped into the back. “Thanks so much,” she breathed.

“Hospital?” he asked. “Where are you going?”

Cindy felt bad for a moment. Obviously this guy was trolling around in the storm, looking for stray people who might need emergency medical care.

“I’m not going to the hospital, I’m going to the docks,” she said quickly. “Pier 1146. If you don’t want to take me there, you don’t have to.”

The guy put his foot on the brakes, stopped and turned around to look at her. “What are you going there for?” he asked hurriedly.

“I’m a detective on a case,” Cindy muttered, “and just got new evidence. A guy who I think killed someone is supposed to be on his boat there now. I need to get to him before he leaves the island.”

The driver stopped for a second and sucked in his breath. “That’s an emergency if I ever heard one,” he said, turning back around to the steering wheel and putting his foot on the gas. “Crazy, stupid idiot he must be, too, if he’s out on his boat in this storm.”

Cindy felt enormously grateful to the driver. “Yeah, I’m thinking the guy’s desperate,” she said.

“Who’d he kill?” The driver’s voice got louder.

“Young woman he was engaged to,” Cindy replied.

*

Except for the short, fitful conversation, the drive to the pier was silent and rough. Winds pushed at the small car that clung, determined, to the road.

“Here we are,” the driver said when they finally made their way between fallen branches and trees.

Cindy dug into her pocket, brought out a roll of cash and gave it to him.

“Nah,” he said, brushing his hand back. “Keep your cash and find the guy. Find him and string him up right in public, for everyone to see.”

Cindy got out of the car slowly.

“Thanks for doing such good work,” he went on. “I’ll be waiting for you right here to take you back, if you need me. The full storm will be hitting in a few hours. May not be too many cabs around.”

“Thank you so much,” said Cindy, flustered. “I’m sure the police will be coming.”

“Don’t be sure of anything these days, honey.” The driver shook his head. “I’ll wait right here. You go do what you have to.”

“You’re an angel,” said Cindy.

“Nah, I’m just another guy who wants to see things go right on the island,” he said.

Cindy left the car, put her head down against the huge winds and made her way toward the row of boats which were shaking back and forth in the water. When she got closer she could see the pier numbers and walked carefully to 1146.

As soon as she got there, Cindy saw a larger boat than most of them, docked up front. It was exactly the description of Doug’s yacht. Cindy went up the plank, leaned against it, and knocked loudly.

“What? What?” a familiar, rough male voice called from inside.

Cindy was thrilled. Doug was there. “Doug, it’s Cindy,” she called back in, over the sounds of wind, rain and clanking.

“Who?” Doug’s voice was edgy. Clearly, he expected no one.

“Cindy Blaine,” Cindy called back louder.

Doug came to the small opening, looked up at Cindy and made a face.

“What in hell are you doing here now?” he asked.

“Can I come in?” Cindy pleaded.

“Yeah, of course, come in,” he said.

Cindy stepped down the slatted steps slowly, watching each step as she went down.

When she got down there, not only was the boat a mess, but Doug was in a frenzy as well.

“Why are you here in this weather? What’s going on?” He stopped for a second and stared.

“I need to talk to you before you leave the island, Doug,” Cindy said.

“Why here?” He seemed puzzled and upset.

“I need to talk to you alone,” Cindy ventured.

At that, Doug spun and leered at her. “Why? I talked to you a hundred times already.”

“There are a few more things I thought of, Doug,” said Cindy, “and I heard that you’re leaving the island soon with your family.”

“Yeah, of course, we’re leaving. Got the last plane out before the storm hits,” he said.

“You’re just packing up a few things from your boat now?” Cindy asked, looking around.

“Right, I have a little business to take care of,” Doug replied.