Death by Jealousy (Caribbean Murder #6)

“You got it right there,” said Mac, “you can’t keep a secret with the folks at this wedding, even if you try.

“Nothing wrong with secrets,” said Mattheus, “everyone needs to have some.”

Mac stopped and grinned. “I guess so,” he replied, “even you.”

The two of them seemed so edgy together that Cindy was perplexed. Had they had some kind of conversation she knew nothing about?

Mattheus took Mac on directly then. “Okay, so what do you want us down here to talk about?”

Mac smiled and reached for a glass of wine that was on the table and took a long drink before he spoke.

“I just wanted to let you know that if there’s something anyone down here needs, they let me know about it. I make sure it’s all taken care of.”

“Edward and Dana hired us,” said Mattheus. “It’s their son’s wedding. We report to them.”

“Edward’s thrilled and relieved when I take over. I’ve been doing it for years,” said Mac. “It takes a lot of trouble off his shoulders.”

Mattheus didn’t seem impressed. “And how about his wife, Dana?”

“She couldn’t be happier about it,” said Mac. “Right now, she’s pretty exhausted as well.”

“You’re a pretty important guy,” Mattheus murmured.

“I’ve watched Peter and his wedding party grow into the amazing men and women they are today. They all turn to me, especially Vivien, after her father was killed in plane crash years ago.”

Cindy and Mattheus shot a quick glance at each other.

“How about Allie?” Cindy interjected, “were you close to her, too?”

“Allie was my little angel,” Mac responded. “And, if I ever find out that this wasn’t an accident, that someone actually hurt her, I’m taking matters into my own hands. Get what I mean?” Then he smiled as sweetly as if he’d just ordered a lemon chiffon pie for desert.





CHAPTER 8


Cindy and Mattheus didn’t speak to each other on the way back up to their hotel room.

Cindy was thinking about what Vivien said about Mattheus, and about his visceral attraction to her. Mattheus seemed tired and upset.

Once they got inside and closed the door, Mattheus turned straight to Cindy.

“Mac obviously has an eye for you,” Mattheus said.

Cindy was confused for a second. Was that why Mattheus was so upset?

“Mac’s almost twice my age,” she answered flippantly.

“So what? Guys like that want their women young.”

Cindy felt as though someone had spilled a bag of soot over. In Mattheus’s eyes she’d become Mac’s prey. How about Mattheus and Vivien? She wanted to answer back, but suddenly a silence overcame her. Mattheus was definitely not himself, or maybe he was more himself than ever, showing her a side of himself she hadn’t fully acknowledged before. But, for sure, living in a world of suspicion and hidden motives had taken its toll on both of them. Belief in the goodness of others was definitely ebbing away. It didn’t have to though, Cindy reflected. There were plenty of wonderful people with upstanding motives. It was just that wherever she and Mattheus went, they focused on the dark side, the underbelly of the whale.

“Mac is a central part of this investigation. He’s involved with everyone down here and is a fund of incredible information.” Cindy tried to set Mattheus straight

“So it would seem,” Mattheus grumbled.

“Why do you dislike him so?” Cindy needed an answer.

“It’s visceral,” Mattheus replied, turning and going out onto the patio.

Cindy wondered for a moment if she should go out there after him, but decided not to. They each needed some space to unwind and process the events of the day.

Cindy went into the bathroom and put on comfortable pajamas, pulled her hair back, brushed her teeth and got ready to go to her single bed. When she came out of the bathroom Mattheus was back in the room, looking over at her.

“Guess we’re roommates for the night then,” he said matter of factly.

“We’re both tired,” said Cindy, “we need a good rest.”

“We need a lot more than a good rest,” Mattheus complained.

Cindy got into bed and pulled the covers up over her.

“We need someone who can understand us,” he went on bitterly, “someone who has a heart for what we’re going through.”

Cindy felt like crying, but wouldn’t allow herself to. Was Mattheus was saying that she didn’t understand him, wasn’t compassionate about his ordeal? If he truly believed that what good would it do to defend herself?