Death by Jealousy (Caribbean Murder #6)

“Laura,” Cindy suddenly called out, as a poison thought flew through her mind. “Is it possible that Allie couldn’t stand the pain, that she took her own life?”


“No, no!” Laura called loudly, “Never. Not her. Allie loved life. She wanted to live. She told me so a thousand times. You’re on the wrong track!”

“She told you over and over that she wanted to live?” That seemed odd to Cindy. “Was she worried about it?”

“Sometimes she was worried about it,” Laura’s voice dipped down. “Two of her cousins died young, in accidents. Her mother used to say it was the family’s destiny. That would scare anyone, wouldn’t it?”

“Of course,” Cindy shivered. “Did Allie believe it was her destiny, too?”

“She didn’t know,” Laura whispered. “But she felt better about it after she met Peter. She thought he would make everything right. That’s why she clung to him so much.”

“What did Peter do when Allie clung to him like so much?” Cindy asked swiftly.

“He told her to cut it out, give him space,” Laura spoke quickly. “One day he even said she was suffocating him! Allie laughed when she told me, but I said that was a horrible, horrible thing for him to say, and she’d better be careful.”

“Careful of what?” Cindy felt a moment of alarm.

“Of pushing him away” Laura breathed. “Who knows what a guy will do when he feels suffocated?”

“It’s not unusual for guys to crave space, especially when they get closer to their wedding,” said Cindy, “most don’t kill to get it, though.”

“Most women don’t cling the way Allie did either,” said Laura. “At first Peter loved that she needed him so much, it made him feel special. He’s used to having women around him who dote on him. But as time went on, the noose tightened. Then he started to spend more and more time away with his friends and Allie got upset. She felt rejected. Soon she didn’t even want him talking to old college friends, like Vivien.”

“Who’s Vivien?” Cindy was startled.

Laura put her hand to her head, seeming suddenly exhausted.

“Let’s sit down on the sand,” Cindy suggested.

“Good idea,” said Laura as they both sat down on the sand that was moist and cool.

“Who’s Vivien?” Cindy repeated softly, as they looked out into the horizon and past the horizon into the unknown.

“Vivien was Peter’s first girlfriend in college,” Laura continued. “She and Peter were an item for a couple of years and then split. But they always stayed really good friends. Allie didn’t like it.”

“Lots of girls would find that difficult,” said Cindy.

“Allie told Peter she didn’t like it, right from the start. He said he and Vivien were good friends and would always be. She was like a sister to him – the relationship was non-negotiable.”

“Pretty tough talk,” said Cindy.

“He felt strongly about it,” Laura said. “Allie went along with it, then it bothered her, again and again. She kept trying, but it never felt right. She thought Peter and Vivien had a weird bond.”

“That’s rough,” said Cindy.

“It stinks,” said Laura. “I told her that this relationship was going to go on their entire life. If she couldn’t live with it, she should get out now.”

Cindy thought that was wise advice.

“But Allie couldn’t leave,” said Laura, “she was way too attached.”

She left now, Cindy thought, like it or not, one way or the other, Allie had to go.

“Do you know Vivien?” Cindy asked.

“Sure I know her,” said Laura, “not only that – you’ll meet her soon, too. She’s right here at the hotel, a guest at the wedding.”

Cindy was surprised. This was the first she’d heard anything about her at all.

“Peter insisted that Vivien be at the wedding. He even wanted her to be one of the bridesmaids,” Laura went on. “That’s where Allie drew the line. She wouldn’t have it.”

“Did Vivien know how Allie felt?” Cindy was troubled.

“Of course she knew and she couldn’t care less! Vivien couldn’t stand Allie. Allie was sure she was saying bad things to Peter, trying to get between them. Some women are like that, their biggest pleasure is getting between a guy and a gal – seeing who he chooses!” Laura’s mouth began quivering again.

“Did Peter actually tell Allie that Vivien was trying to get between them?” Cindy asked cautiously. It sounded as though Allie were unstable, it would be easy for her to start imagining things and pull Laura into her fantasies, make Vivien the bad guy.

“I don’t know,” said Laura, suddenly tremendously sad.

“Is Vivien single?” Cindy went on, “does she have a boyfriend of her own?”

“Vivien always has a boyfriend, she’s had a whole string of them. She’s absolutely drop dead gorgeous,” said Laura bitterly. “Tad’s her most recent guy. He’s Peter’s best man.”

Cindy remembered Tad clearly. He’d made a strong impression.