Death by Jealousy (Caribbean Murder #6)

Cindy went back up to her hotel room to wait for Mattheus. It was dinner time and they also had to fill each other in on what they’d found so far. She opened the door, entered, took a moment to bask in the luxury that surrounded her. The room was magnificent and spacious, designed to invite its guests to relish the incredible nature surrounding them, be free from all cares. It was soothing to be here by herself for a few moments. There was so much to digest, so many unanswered questions drifting around in her mind.

Cindy walked to the patio and stepped out on it, letting the evening breezes wash over her. It was Allie who should have been standing here, looking out at the ocean, filled with the joy of a new bride, about to start her life with a man she adored. Where was she? What had really happened to her? Little by little a picture of Allie was forming in Cindy’s mind. She was beginning to sense the contradictions in Allie’s life, her loneliness, struggles, longings. Was there a chance she could still be alive? Had she made it to the surface, landed somewhere, lost on the shore, hoping someone would find her? It was a very, very long shot. Most likely the tides had pulled her far out to sea. As Cindy stood and listened to the ocean, she could almost felt Allie crying out for help.

As Cindy stood there, she heard the door to the hotel room open, and someone come in. She turned around quickly.

Mattheus stood in the middle of the room, looking around, not seeing Cindy standing out on the patio. He looked rumpled and tired, but handsome as ever. It had been a long day for both of

them. Cindy watched him rub his hands over his face slowly and was seized with a desire to rush over, embrace him, tell him how glad she was they were here together. She wanted it to be the way it had been when she used to put her head on his shoulder and he would whisper to her. She needed it at the moment.

This was no time to follow her impulses, though. Before they got closer again, Cindy had to feel safe and certain. She stood still watching, as Mattheus ambled over to the desk in the corner of the room, opened the computer that was on it, and began writing something. After collecting herself for a few moments, Cindy walked in from the patio.

Mattheus looked up, startled. "Jesus, I thought you were downstairs, somewhere. You scared me half to death.”

Cindy smiled, “Am I so terrifying?”

“You can be when you want to,” Mattheus smiled. “Terrifying’s a good word for it.”

Cindy felt herself grow tight and grim.

“I just got in a few minutes ago,” she answered, pulling away. “What are you writing?”

“Notes to myself,” said Mattheus. “We’ve got quite a cast of characters here. If we map everything each one tells us, we’ll find all kinds of tiny contradictions which will lead us to straight into the arms of the killer.”

Cindy walked over to the computer and threw a quick glance at it. Mattheus was sending an email to someone. She wondered why he didn’t just send it from his phone.

“Who are you emailing?” she asked lightly.

Mattheus looked up at her put off. “That’s all I get? A quick question?”

“What’s wrong with that?” asked Cindy.

Now I’m part of your investigation, too?” Mattheus remarked.

Cindy laughed, “Should you be?”

He finally looked directly at her.

“No, I shouldn’t. We should trust each other completely! Even when we disagree – even when we disappoint each other. We still should never take our trust away!”

“I do trust you,” Cindy replied swiftly, “I was just curious who you’re emailing?”

“My mother,” Mattheus grumbled. “I’m telling her that I’m down here at the beautiful Cayman Islands, in the super deluxe honeymoon suite, with a gorgeous woman who says she trusts me, but doesn’t really. Not only haven’t I gotten one hug since I’ve been here, I even had to make sure the room had two single beds.”

Cindy knew Mattheus was joking, but the truth beneath his comment hit her hard. He’d been hoping she’d run over and give him a hug when he came in. He obviously felt she didn’t trust him enough to go back to the way things used to be.

There’s all levels of trust, Cindy wanted to tell him, but this wasn’t the time to delve into their relationship. This trip wasn’t about them, and no matter how beautiful the room was, it wasn’t a honeymoon suite. They were here together to track down leads and find out why a beautiful young woman, about to become a bride, disappeared the night before her wedding in the murky sea.

“We’re not exactly on our honeymoon right now,” Cindy reminded him.

“We could be though,” Mattheus turned to her fervently. “After the case is over we could stay on and have our honeymoon here. We could find a justice of the peace to marry us. It doesn’t have to be so complicated.”

Cindy didn’t know where all this was coming from. She drew a long, sharp breath. Mattheus was mixing everything together, refusing to acknowledge that they needed time to work things through, get to know each other better.