Death by Request (Caribbean Murder #11)

Tim calmed down a bit. “It wouldn’t change things much anyway,” he finally reflected. “Even if this report were horribly true, even if Tara did ask to die, the law is the law. You can’t honor a request like that, you can’t inject a lethal substance into her IV.”


Mattheus stood up then, irritated. “Naturally, this report is simply rumor and hearsay,” he agreed, “part of the local scenery. There are more important facts to be considered, like medical mistakes at the hospital.”

“What about that?” Eric looked startled.

“I don’t know enough yet,” Mattheus went on. “I have to check further into them, but, in my opinion the case against Owen is not a slam dunk, not by any means.”

Tim shook his head slowly. “We got all we need here,” he drawled slowly.

“Not really,” Mattheus objected, standing up. “Give me a little more time to get back to you.” Mattheus was obviously eager to move on.

“Check what you like, but time’s running out,” Tim smiled strangely.

“Cindy and I have to attend Tara’s cremation in a little while,” Mattheus responded. “We’ll be able to spend more time with the family there and see what else we find.”

Eric got up and stood close to Mattheus. “Go if you want to,” he said softly, “but don’t knock yourself out. From the looks of it now, the case is pretty much sewed up.”

*

On the way to the cremation, Cindy and Mattheus sat beside one another quietly in the cab. The news they’d received from the police was disturbing and Cindy couldn’t help but feel that a rush to judgment was taking place.





“This is a set up,” Cindy said finally, “it’s easy to go after Owen, but whatever they have is just circumstantial.”

“People go to jail for life with circumstantial evidence,” Mattheus retorted, as the taxi grew closer to where the cremation was taking place. “Seems like you’ve made up your mind that Owen’s innocent. Could go either way, I’m not sure.”

“There’s too much pressure on everyone here,” Cindy responded, “too much is conveniently getting brushed under the rug, like medical mistakes at the hospital and drug use by staff. There are plenty of reasons why it could have been necessary for the hospital to end Tara’s stay here.”

“Right after the cremation I’ll check more into it,” Mattheus promised.

“And, I don’t know if I mentioned,” Cindy suddenly remembered, “but I heard that Alana and Konrad are also involved in a romantic relationship.”

“You heard what?” Mattheus was taken off guard. “That’s important! You never mentioned it to me.”

“I forgot about it,” Cindy said sadly. “There’s so much going on all at once.”

“Yes, of course there is,” Mattheus relented. “You’re doing great Cindy, you’re amazing and wonderful. I’m just shocked by the news. It adds a whole new dimension.”

“I guess it does,” said Cindy. “But it happens, people fall in love. It’s a good thing, Mattheus,” and she smiled. “After all, look at us.”

“Yes, it is a good thing for us,” Mattheus couldn’t help smiling as he scooped Cindy into his arms and held her close.

“Maybe being in love is a good thing for Alana and Konrad, too?” Cindy finally whispered.

“Good or bad, I don’t know,” Mattheus responded, “but it makes things more complicated. Alana could be covering for Konrad in the case or he could be covering for her.”

“We’ll find out soon,” said Cindy softly, relieved for the moment to be held close in Mattheus’s arms again.





Chapter 15



Tara’s cremation was to take place in a long, low building with steel edges and small, framed windows. It was the last place Cindy wanted to be today, but not only did they have to offer respect to Tara, but to her family as well.

“This is going to be rough,” said Mattheus, as they walked to the entrance of the grim building.

“Awful,” Cindy agreed, her stomach clenching as they walked in and were greeted by a local attendant, dressed in dark gray.

“The family is waiting is the room down the hall,” the attendant immediately said. “I’m sure they’ll be pleased to have your company during their ordeal. Come with me and I’ll take you there.”

Several waiting rooms with leather furniture and plants on the tables were lined up off the corridor. The room Tara’s family was in was located at the end.

Cindy and Mattheus entered and once again saw Tara’s family all lined up silently, sitting together on a couch. This time, one thing was different, however. Tara’s daughter, Loretta, was there.

Cindy immediately glanced at the young, bony woman with her hair pulled tightly off her face. She sat by herself in a chair away from the others looking both overwrought and tired at the same time. Loretta was dressed in jeans, a long tunic and had an amber pendant hanging around her neck. Cindy wanted to go right over and introduce herself, but had to be sensitive to the solemn protocol and mood of the day.