Death by Jealousy (Caribbean Murder #6)

Suddenly this was tiresome and exhausting.

“What’s the point of going on like this?” Cindy said. “We’re wasting time distrusting each other instead of focusing on evidence. Edward may be right about his suggestion that we pack up and get out of here. Face it, we’ve become useless.”

“That’s always your way, isn’t it?” Mattheus stopped in his tracks. “Pack up and run when things get tough.”

Cindy took exception. “From where I stand it seems like just the opposite. I run directly into danger time and again. With or without you!”

“You run into danger during an investigation,” said Mattheus, “but you definitely run away from love.”

A silence fell over the two of them. Cindy thought about Clint. She hadn’t run away from him. The hand of darkness had taken him from her.

“It’s harder not to run away from love,” Mattheus continued.

“I don’t disagree with that, “said Cindy, “but I don’t consider what’s happening between us to be love.”

Mattheus smiled and moved closer. She felt the warmth of his body beside her and took a step away.

“Why are you moving away? Do you have feelings for Mac?” Mattheus sounded shaken.

“I like Mac, I trust him. He’s an interesting guy. Am I in love with him? Definitely not,” said Cindy.

“You’re positive?” Mattheus needed a clear answer.

“Positive,” Cindy replied.

“So, why did you call him instead of me when you were in trouble?” Mattheus said.

“Why did you take Vivien out for a romantic dinner and not say a word to me about it?” Cindy countered.

“It just happened,” Mattheus said. “I thought I’d get more information from her.”

“That’s not the whole story,” said Cindy.

“No, you’re right. Vivien’s a beautiful woman,” Mattheus spoke softly, “was I attracted to her? Yes, I was. Would I have ever taken things to the next step? No, I wouldn’t, absolutely not. Feelings are one thing, actions another. But, look at us, caught in the web of jealousy. It runs through this place like an overgrown vine.”

“Yes it does,” said Cindy.

Mattheus moved closer once again. “The truth is that I kept thinking of you when I was with her. I kept wishing the two of us could be together, that you would be with me, again. You were the one I was longing for. You’re the one who’s been pushing me away.”

The intensity of Mattheus’s feelings ripped through Cindy’s defenses.

“It’s not safe for either of us to work on a case when things between us are unsettled like this,” Cindy said softly,

“No, it isn’t, I agree,” said Mattheus.

“Can we take a few steps back for now and focus on the case,” Cindy asked, sadly. “There’s important information that I’ve found.”

“So have I,” said Mattheus. “We need to go over it.”

“Great. Let’s give our relationship a rest until the case is closed,” Cindy suggested as she felt the wind blow around them, and thoughts of Allie fill her mind. She suddenly knew for sure that Allie’s death was far from solved. Cindy was eager to tell Mattheus about the drug dealer and how Mac, Tad and Jared had turned up at his place.

“You’re right,” said Mattheus, as if waking up from a dream. “Let’s get to work. I’m going to call downstairs and order in a pot of black coffee, so we can stay up as late as we need.”

*

Mattheus was horrified when he heard that Cindy had gone down to speak to Carlos alone. He gulped what was left of his coffee and pushed the mug away.

“That’s nuts,” Mattheus exclaimed, “it’s just asking for trouble. You set yourself up as a point blank target.”

“It was perfect timing,” Cindy replied. “Not only did I talk to Carlos, but two other guys who were dealing with him arrived.”

“No wonder someone came after you,” Mattheus continued. “It had to be one of those guys. They don’t take well to having their territory invaded. Especially by a detective.”

“Wait, there’s more,” said Cindy. “While I was there Mac appeared, with Tad and Jared in the back of his car.”

“What?” Mattheus banged his fist on the table. “Damn it, this changes everything! You should have called me immediately. That piece of information is a game changer.”

“Before I called you I wanted to find out all I could from Mac. I drove back with him and we talked. He was nonchalant about it, said Tad bought pot for company parties and Jared used it for guests on his boat. It was routine on the island. Even though the drug laws are strict, police often look the other way.”

“When they’re paid off enough, “Mattheus growled. “I’ve heard that people come down here to get large stashes of pot. But who gets the money? Where does it go? I found some files messed up on Peter’s computer system. One was missing, the other scrambled. Peter discovered that there’d been large deposits of cash unaccounted for, and then withdrawn in unusual ways. I also found an email from Peter calling in Tad for an urgent meeting.”