Death by Jealousy (Caribbean Murder #6)

“So, I make sure we always have some on hand,” Mac continued. “It’s a courtesy to our customers. Carlos is good to us, with nice discounts. It’s as simple as that. Is it illegal? Maybe. Is it a crime? No.”


“Not in your view, Mac,” said Cindy slowly as the leaves of the branches rustled around them.

Mac smiled and took her hands in his. “You’re not going to arrest me, are you? A private detective isn’t the same as a cop, is it?” he asked.

“There’s a fine line,” said Cindy, taking her hands away. Mac was asking her to cover this up, act as if it were nothing out of the ordinary.

“People smoke pot all over the world,” he said in a hushed tone.

But suddenly, the memory of Tad and Jared sitting in the back seat of Mac’s car suddenly flashed through Cindy’s mind. She remembered the way they’d ducked out into the shadows and fled to the back of the house.

“What about Tad and Jared?” she asked.

Mac looked momentarily startled.

“I saw them in the back of your car,” Cindy added, waiting for Mac to corroborate it.

“Jared takes diving parties out all the time. Folks like a little before they go down, or, after the dive, up on board. Tad works for us at the company. Same story there, he’s helping me out.”

Mac made every detail fall into place. But Cindy felt something was off.

“It doesn’t add up,” she said quietly.

Mac lurched back. “Don’t push the envelope,” he said more firmly, “gang violence on the Island is growing. Those other guys you saw down there are tricky. You don’t want to mess with them.”

Mac looked deeply into Cindy’s eyes then, and she felt a wave of concern and protection, she hadn’t felt in a very long while.

“I’m concerned for you Cindy,” Mac said.

“Thank you,” she whispered. Cindy wondered what had happened in his life, why at this stage he was alone? Although Mac was clearly a hub of the Island’s activities, at times he also seemed strangely unmoored.

“How about lunch?” Mac suddenly seemed excited. “I know a great spot you probably haven’t been to. It’s near old caves and waterfalls, behind a bird sanctuary. Beautiful.”

“That would be great,” said Cindy, “but not right now.”

Cindy needed some time alone to regain her footing, think things over. Mac had the ability to confuse her logic, stir fantasies of all kinds.

“When?” Mac wasn’t letting go.

“Not exactly sure,” said Cindy. “Actually, my sister and her husband are coming down from Florida to visit today. We’re scheduled for dinner at the hotel.”

“That’s great,” said Mac, appreciatively. “Good to have family around.”

“I’ll call you later on,” she said.

“Is that a promise?” Mac’s eyes twinkled.

“Yes, it is,” said Cindy.

Mac started the car up, relieved. “Okay, then I’ll take you back to the hotel for now.

*

After Mac dropped her off at the hotel, Cindy decided to take a walk into town. The sun had come out and the air grown balmy and inviting. She’d take herself out for lunch at a café, buy a little gift for Ann, get her head together. She was glad Mattheus was busy at the office all day. It was good not to wonder where he was going, who he was seeing on the side.

Cindy turned North on a narrow street and walked onto a main thoroughfare, letting the soft wind blow her hair. She stepped off the curb to cross over, when suddenly, out of nowhere, an old, green car spun around the corner at top speed, veering right at her.

“Get Out Of The Way!” a man’s voice yelled.

Cindy screamed.

A stranger rushed over and grabbed her by the shoulders, barely pulling her out of the way!

The car spun, screeched and sped away, raising a cloud of dust into the air. She’d missed being run over by a second, could have easily been sprawled on the ground, dead.

People on the street gathered around her as Cindy’s knees buckled and she felt faint. The person who’d pulled her out of danger had his arms around her, steadying her.

“You’re okay, you’re okay,” he said, “people go crazy down here all the time. Too much liquor, too much sun.”

An old Island woman came over and started rubbing Cindy’s hands. “There’s no good people around anymore,” she whispered in Cindy’s ear, “someone could be out to get you. Be careful.”

A middle aged woman joined in and helped Cindy to a bench.

A tall British man stood at a distance, shaking his head disconcertedly.

“I saw everything,” he commented coolly, “it was just an accident, could have happened to anyone.”

Cindy’s heart started uncontrollably pounding. One minute here, the next minute gone. It was a miracle that she was still breathing. Someone wanted her dead, no doubt about it. The angels were with her, they’d pulled her to safety, fast.

“It was a joy ride,” another man commented. “That’s what these idiots do for fun.”

“You’ll feel better in a few minutes,” the first man, with his arms on her shoulders said.

When Cindy calmed down, she reached for her phone. To her amazement it was Mac she was dialing, not Mattheus.