Death by Jealousy (Caribbean Murder #6)

Mac stood up to greet him. “Good to see you Ed,” he said.

Edward turned to Cindy, “I hope we’re not interrupting anything.”

“Cindy felt momentarily agitated. Edward had no idea that Ann and Frank were family, that this was personal time she was taking, a much needed break.

“I need to speak to you briefly, Mac” Edward continued, “something has come up. Can you join me and Tad at another table for a few minutes?”

“I’d rather you join us here,” Mac replied, puzzled, glancing at Cindy.

“This is a personal matter,” Edward said then, in a garbled tone.

“Ann is Cindy’s sister,” said Mac, playing for time, “and Frank is her brother in law.”

“This is a business matter,” Edward insisted. “It’s urgent.”

“Do you want me to be present as well?” Cindy asked then, briskly.

“I would,” Edward nodded swiftly.

Ann and Frank looked at each other and then back at Cindy. This was an occupational hazard, Cindy realized, of being on a case. If something came up suddenly, it had to be attended to right then.

Ann seemed to get it. “Frank and I will have our dinner at another table,” she offered Cindy. “We’re not leaving until the morning, so we’ll get some time later on, to talk alone.”

The two of them got up and were seated at a table close by. Edward and Tad took their seats promptly.

“I had no idea that you’d given Mattheus complete access to our company files,” Edward said, turning to Mac.

“I gave it to him for the day,” said Mac matter of factly. “He needed it to tie up the investigation. The records have been gone over by the accountants. There’s nothing to find.”

Edward took exception. “Cindy and Mattheus have been hired by me. Dana and I brought them down to the Island.”

“I realize that,” said Mac, irritated at being publicly chided.

“You at least owed me the courtesy of letting me know you were allowing Mattheus to rummage around in our system. Instead, I had to find out from Tad.” Edward’s voice grew brittle.

“I suppose I should have said something,” Mac said calmly. He looked over at Tad then, “and what’s Tad doing here with you now?”

“Peter called me into a meeting at the office today,” said Tad. “Peter doesn’t belong in the office now, he’s not himself. He’s said all kinds of things to Mattheus.”

“What kind of things?” Mac looked confused.

Tad threw a quick glance at Cindy.

“Say whatever you have to in front of Cindy,” Mac insisted. “She’s working for us. She’s part of the team.”

“So is Mattheus,” Cindy insisted.

“There are limits to this investigation,” Edward broke in, still upset with Mac. “And, exactly why are you here having dinner with Cindy without telling me? I do not appreciate being left out. Is this dinner related to Mattheus’s explorations in the office?” Edward was clearly agitated.

“I was almost run over,” Cindy interrupted. “Someone in an old green car turned a corner and came directly at me. I was pulled out of the way by a second. “

Edward’s face blanched.

“I never heard a word about this,” Edward could barely speak. “Does Mattheus know?”

“No, he doesn’t,” said Cindy, “there wasn’t time. I haven’t told him yet.”

“Cindy called me right after it happened,” Mac interjected.

“Why wasn’t I informed?” Edward could barely get the words out. “Who in the world would be after her, and why?”

Cindy looked over at Tad, who showed absolutely no reaction at all.

“What do you think, Tad?” Cindy asked him pointedly.

“I didn’t know anything about this,” said Tad in measured tones.

“Who else knows this happened?” asked Edward clicking his teeth together.

“No one at the moment,” said Cindy.

“You definitely plan to tell Mattheus?” Edward seemed astonished.

“When I see him I will,” Cindy responded, tapping her fingers on the table. “When he’s done hanging out with Vivien.”

Tad still showed no response.

Cindy turned to him abruptly. “Does it trouble you that Vivien and Mattheus are spending so much time together, Tad?”

“Does it trouble you?” Tad shot it right back to her.

“Mattheus is my business partner,” Cindy responded. “Vivien is your girlfriend.”

Tad lifted his eyebrows slightly. “Mattheus is passing diversion to her. It doesn’t mean a thing.”

Again, silence descended over the table.

“In my opinion,” Edward said to Cindy then, “it would be best for you and Mattheus to go home immediately. Your services are definitely no longer required. You are both off the case, as of now.”

Tad took a deep, swift breath of relief.

“That’s sudden and harsh,” Mac objected. “Cindy’s done her best, worked incredibly hard. She’s even put herself in danger.”

“That’s exactly why I want her to go home,” Edward stamped his foot on the floor as he spoke.

“The last thing I need is more trouble down here. Trouble that has nothing to do with the case at all.”