Death by Request (Caribbean Murder #11)

“Is there more trouble?” Cindy breathed loudly.

Mattheus shook his head no slowly and sadly, both to Cindy and the speaker on the phone.

“Listen,” he said finally to the caller, “my home is with Cindy, wherever we are. Yes, I’m positive, there’s no question about it.”

Cindy’s heart started beating intensely. Mattheus was positive he belonged with her, was making a clear declaration.

“Let me repeat it,” he replied clearly again on the phone, “Cindy is my family now. I am not going back to you and your mother. I care for you, I want the best for you, but Cindy and I are together.”

Mattheus hung up the phone looking wiped out.

“Was that your daughter?” asked Cindy.

Mattheus nodded yes, slowly. “She wants me to live with her and her mother forever. She said I went away once and can’t go again.”

A wave of sorrow and bitterness engulfed Cindy. “I’m so sorry, Mattheus,” she said.

“It’s hard, it’s sad,” said Mattheus, “but I’ve made my decision.” He reached out for Cindy and took her hands. “I’ll certainly visit her from time to time, but you’re the one I love. It’s you I am building my life with now.”





Chapter 7



Cindy slipped on a short, black, sleeveless cocktail dress. Then she piled her hair up on her head and put on long, silver earrings and high heeled, strappy sandals for the party at the club tonight. It felt good changing into something different, shaking up her usual look.

When she walked out into the main room to go, Mattheus stared at her in amazement.

“Excuse me, who is this?” he asked, grinning, unable to tear his eyes away. “You’re breathtaking if you don’t mind my saying so. You look like a model who stepped off the cover of a top fashion magazine.”

Cindy didn’t mind his saying so at all, In fact she enjoyed Mattheus’s reaction, loved having him see the many different aspects of her. “Just dressing for the occasion tonight,” she quipped lightly.

“Well, we have to have many more occasions like this. I feel like I’m going out with a brand new person.”

“It’s still me,” Cindy laughed softly.

“Not that who you were wasn’t wonderful also,” Mattheus quickly filled in.

“Well, that’s a good thing to hear,” Cindy murmured as she reached for her little silver evening bag. “It’s good to shake things up a bit and see what comes of it. We’ll get more information out of the people we meet tonight that way, too.”

Mattheus walked over and put his arm around Cindy. “Information or no information,” he said, “I’m thrilled to be your date for the night.”

“Is that all you are, my date for the night?” Cindy played coy.

“I’m your date for tonight and every night, forever more, from here on in,” Mattheus grew emotional.

Cindy was thrilled to hear it, but didn’t want to go into it further then. Despite the dazzling club they were going to, they had to remember what they were going there for.

*

The Scopus Club, one of the most elegant clubs in Jamaica was situated behind bright lights, overlooking the city. A trendy, expensive, well known night spot, it attracted tourists from all over the world. Along with Reggae music, dancing and dinner there were rooms upstairs for private parties as well.

As soon as they arrived Cindy and Mattheus were greeted by a valet at the door and immediately ushered upstairs to the Flamingo room on the second floor. The yearly party for the Ranges Hospital was being held there.

The Flamingo room which was full by now was decorated to the hilt with huge bouquets of flowers, buffet tables of food and live music playing. A well dressed, elegant crowd milled around, talking to one another, congratulating each other and generally enjoying the evening. As soon as Cindy and Mattheus entered, a tall, attractive, well dressed Jamaican man in his mid-forties walked over. He appeared to be on the lookout for them.

“Cindy and Mattheus?” the Jamaican man said, glancing approvingly at Cindy. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Konrad Dalskin, hospital administrator.”

“Thank you for having us here with you,” Mattheus replied.

“Of course,” Konrad said pleasantly. “You chose a perfect time to come to town. This is our yearly party, a time to thank and honor those who’ve contributed to making the Ranges Hospital the wonderful, well known medical facility it is.”

“I’m pleased to hear that,” said Mattheus as Cindy looked Konrad overly closely. He was definitely an impressive figure, both his voice and demeanor commanded attention.

“The Board of Directors are seated at the table over near the window,” Konrad continued, “I’ll see to it that you are introduced to them all. We’ll also be having speeches tonight and good press coverage. It’s an important occasion.”