Death by Jealousy (Caribbean Murder #6)

“The fact that the two of you are still working together after all this, means something,” Frank went on. “Now, if we could get the two of you to set up shop in the States that would be a big step forward.”


Ann put her hand over his arm. “Frank’s in a dreamy mood these days,” she said. “Let’s see what Cindy has to say about things. “How are you guys doing? How’s the case going?”

Before Cindy could begin to answer though, she looked up and saw a suave man walking towards their table, dressed to the hilt, suntanned, captivating.

“I hope I’m not crashing the party,” Mac said, flashing them a dazzling smile.

Ann looked at him startled and Frank seemed confused.

Mac introduced himself immediately, shook their hands and took a seat next to Cindy. Then he nodded to the waiter who immediately brought over two expensive bottles of wine.

“Compliments of your guest,” the waiter nodded at Mac.

Cindy felt nervous though, rather than pleased. She’d made a point of not inviting Mac, though she had mentioned she’d be here for dinner.

“Cindy told me that her family was coming, and I took the liberty of barging in and joining the party,” Mac laughed lightly. “Just had to meet the family of such an outstanding, beautiful woman.”

Ann’s eyebrows raised, “We actually expected Mattheus,” she said, unimpressed.

“No luck, you got me, instead,” Mac smiled again. “Actually, I just found out that Mattheus is still tied up. He and Vivien are having dinner right now in a delightful restaurant near our office.”

Cindy felt the air go out of her lungs. Mattheus said he’d be staying late at the office tonight.

“I believe Mattheus is working late at your office tonight,” Cindy took a painful breath and tried to correct Mac. She was desperate to recreate a sense of honesty and equilibrium in her world.

“You’re right, Mattheus was at the office all day,” said Mac, “but not tonight. I just spoke to Tad who dropped in for a drink at the bar. He happened to see Vivien and Mattheus having dinner together in the restaurant in the back garden.”

Cindy felt herself flush. Had Mattheus blatantly lied to her? It was more than she could imagine. Something else had to be going on.

“Tad wanted me to meet him at the bar, to talk with me about something,” Mac continued, “but I told him I was going to have dinner with you and your family at the hotel tonight.”

“Sounds like a game of musical chairs,” Ann commented taking Cindy’s hand.

“We used to call it snake dancing,” Frank broke in, “never knowing who your partner would be dancing with that night.”

Ann squeezed Cindy’s hand.

“It’s a complicated case,” Cindy tried to regain her poise and dignity and put everything on a professional basis, once again.

“Isn’t the case over?” Frank intervened. “I read they found the body, and there was no sign of foul play.”

“Things seem to be in order,” Mac agreed, “though it’s hard to believe Allie’s gone.”

“Sorry for your loss,” Frank said, shaking his head. “Our family’s been through it as well. It’s a terrible thing.”

“Yes, I am sorry as well,” said Ann, in an odd tone.

“Thank you,” Mac looked at Ann, coolly. There seemed to be a strange energy between them.

“Are you one of the detectives, too?” Ann asked Mac then.

“I’m a close friend of the groom’s family,” Mac said. “The bride and groom are like a niece and nephew to me. I helped organize the wedding, took care of details, even bought the gifts for the wedding party.”

“Sounds like they were fortunate to have you here,” said Ann dryly.

“And there’s more gifts where those came from,” Mac said, under his breath to Cindy. “

“And what is it that draws you to have dinner here with us?” Ann seemed to be growing more and more uncomfortable with Mac.

“Your sister draws me,” Mac said directly. “She needed help and I gave it to her.”

Ann became more nervous. “What kind of help did Cindy need?” she asked hastily.

“Cindy stepped a bit out of her territory, jostled the eco system here around, stirred up some backlash, to put it bluntly.” Mac replied.

A taut silence descended upon the table. This was way more than Cindy had wanted to get into.

“Where was Mattheus?” Ann looked alarmed.

“I don’t know,” said Mac, “but your sister called me instead, and I was glad she did. I was grateful for it.”

“Do you have the protection you need here, Cindy?” Ann was agitated.

“Yes, of course I do,” said Cindy.

“Why don’t I believe that?” said Ann.

“Mattheus and I always split our time during investigations,” said Cindy. “He wasn’t around when this happened. Mac was close by.”

“I’ll never let anything happen to Cindy,” Mac interrupted. “Never, under any circumstances.”

Mac spoke with such vehemence that Frank stared.

Cindy wanted to get off this topic and was about to say something completely different when she suddenly saw Edward and Tad walking intently towards their table.

“So, here you are,” said Edward to Mac, relieved to see him.