Death by Request (Caribbean Murder #11)

Cindy was grateful to be taking a break and walked up the plank close beside Mattheus excited to spend a romantic evening together. There would be music, dinner, dancing and a sail in the moonlight. What could be better?

The boat was almost full when Cindy and Mattheus boarded, music was playing, breezes were blowing in from the water and there was a sense of gaiety and fun.

“This was a great idea,” said Cindy as Mattheus put his arm around her.

“Let’s go up on the deck, walk a bit there, then sit down there and talk before dinner,” he said.

*

Cindy and Mattheus found a quiet spot on the top deck and she held onto the railing as the boat pulled out. It was a wonderful feeling leaving the shore behind, drifting out under the evening sky.

“You really look beautiful,” Mattheus whispered to Cindy as they stood side by side. “I’m thrilled to be here with you.”

“So am I,” Cindy murmured, as she turned her face up to his and they kissed for a long time, soothing both her heart and his.

“It’s different working on cases when we’re feeling like this,” said Mattheus, when they pulled apart.

“Totally,” Cindy agreed, feeling completely supported and nourished. It was wonderful to be able to take time away from the churning world and regroup together this way. But even as she was enjoying the moment, Veronica’s comments floated up in Cindy’s mind.

“You know I read the strangest comments from a friend of Tara’s,” Cindy said as the boat picked up speed and the wind blew more strongly in their faces.

“Really, what?” Mattheus was interested, “where did you read them?”

“In Tara’s diary,” Cindy breathed.

Mattheus looked startled. “How did you get that?” he asked.

“From Alana, Tara’s nurse,” said Cindy, “she gave me the diary at the end of our interview.”

“You finally went to see her?” Mattheus focused in.

“Yes,” said Cindy, “At the end of our talk, she shoved the diary in my hand. Alana took it from Tara’s bag a few days before she died. Alana told me that Tara had it with her when she checked into the hospital.”

“Alana stole evidence in the case?” Mattheus looked disturbed. “She just took the diary for herself?”

Cindy was surprised by Mattheus’s reaction. It never struck her that way. “Alana just wanted to know more about Tara,” Cindy felt a need to defend her. “She’d been taking care of Tara for over two months, said she just wanted to be closer to her.”

“That’s crazy,” said Mattheus. “It’s not the nurse’s job to become closer to the patient. And, it’s not her right to steal her patient’s diary.”

“She didn’t exactly steal it,” Cindy objected. “She read it, and then handed it right over to me.”

“Did you ask for it?” asked Mattheus.

“I had no idea it even existed,” Cindy remarked.

Mattheus’s jaw clenched. “This sounds strange to me,” he muttered. “Tell me more about Alana. Wasn’t she the nurse who didn’t come right back to work after Tara died?”

Cindy felt the energy change between her and Mattheus abruptly. Without even realizing it they had pivoted back to the case. A romantic evening had turned into a work meeting.

“Alana was upset so she took a few days off,” Cindy said, going along with the new mood that had taken over. It was important to fill him in. She and Mattheus hadn’t had a chance to catch up yet. He didn’t even have any idea that Alana had been fired from another hospital for patient negligence. Cindy could see he wouldn’t take it well. She also knew that the information was urgent and that she had to tell him right away.

“I did finally get to see Alana,” Cindy continued, “and actually liked her very much. She still lives in the poor neighborhood she grew up in, and was open and forthright when I came to visit. “

A deep furrow dug into Mattheus’s brow as he listened intently.

“Alana did all she could to take care of Tara. The case went on so long it was a tremendous strain,” said Cindy.

“A tremendous strain on Alana, too?” asked Mattheus, surprised.

“Sure,” said Cindy, “after all, she’s a person too, isn’t she?”

“Alana’s a nurse and it’s her job to handle hard cases,” Mattheus replied. “That’s what she’s being paid to do.”

Cindy took a step away from Mattheus. Perhaps they shouldn’t be going over the case right now, she wondered. It had completely broken the lovely mood between them. Cindy wanted her good time with Mattheus to continue, but it was impossible not to talk about the facts she’d been collecting. That was why they were down here, after all.

“Is there any other reason to suspect Alana?” Mattheus had turned his full attention to what Cindy was saying.

“Is Alana having Tara’s diary a reason to suspect her?” Cindy was put off.

“It’s a reason to stop and look at her closely,” Mattheus softened his tone. Obviously, he, too, wanted to recapture the warmth between him and Cindy.

“Alana was fired from her job at another hospital for negligent patient care,” Cindy got it out fast, not wanting to hide a thing.