Death by Request (Caribbean Murder #11)

“I know you liked Alana,” Mattheus’s voice grew gruff. “But liking her doesn’t mean she’s innocent.”


“The decision to fire Alana for drugs says the hospital is scared of something bigger,” Cindy felt compelled to stand up for her. “The hospital’s doing it to divert attention from Tara’s case.”

“Could be you’re right,” Mattheus acquiesced, “but we can’t do any more about it right now. “We’ll look into it more in the morning. Let’s go upstairs and get a good rest. You can contact Konrad’s assistant Todd first thing tomorrow. I’m sure he’ll let you know exactly what’s going on.

Cindy thought it was a good idea, it made her feel better.

“And, now rest is in order,” Mattheus put his arm around Cindy and smiled at her boyishly.

Cindy agreed, feeling relieved as Mattheus prompted her up out of her seat and gently lead her through the lounge, upstairs to the beautiful suite which awaited them in the hotel.

*

First thing the next morning Cindy put a call into Todd. To her amazement it was as if he’d been sitting there, expecting her call.

“What took you so long?” Todd responded. “I thought you’d never call.”

“You’re kidding, right?” asked Cindy.

“I don’t kid about most things,” Todd answered crisply.

“Well, I’m calling now,” Cindy felt oddly intimidated. “You want to come over? We’re at the hotel.”

“Thought you’d never ask,” said Todd. “Wait for me down at the beach two blocks from your hotel. No one’s there at this hour. Wait at the front entrance, I’ll be right over.”

“I’m coming with my partner,” Cindy informed him.

“That’s fine,” said Todd. “Mattheus checks out.”

Cindy laughed as she hung up the phone. “This guy speaks in riddles and lives in hiding,” she said to Mattheus.

“Assistant to the hospital administrator is not exactly a private job,” Mattheus quipped.

“Yeah, but when Todd has something to really say, he only says it in secret,” Cindy replied.

*

Even at the front of the beach Cindy could smell the fresh, salty air hear the waves lapping against the shore. She longed to have quiet time to walk on the sand.

“We haven’t even had time to walk on the beach together yet,” Cindy said to Mattheus playfully.

“We’ll take a walk as soon as Todd leaves,” Mattheus agreed.

“Great,” said Cindy, as she saw Todd walking towards them from afar. “Look, there he is. My God, how did he get here so quickly?”

“The guy has something important to tell us, that’s how,” said Mattheus watching Todd intently. “This is a man on a mission, for sure.”

Todd came up to Cindy and Mattheus seeming every bit as nervous as he’d been the last time Cindy had met him.

“Hi Todd,” Cindy greeted him warmly. “This is my partner, Mattheus.”

Todd nodded approvingly. “Heard all about you,” he said. “The hospital’s buzzing about you and your discussion with Konrad last night.”

“Glad to hear that,” said Mattheus.

“Glad?” Todd lifted his eyebrows, and then motioned to a large palm tree down the block. “Let’s go over there,” he said. “It’s better, more private.”

“Let’s go,” Mattheus agreed immediately,, wanting to make Todd comfortable.

Pleased, Todd led the way, talking fitfully to Mattheus as they walked along.

“You lit a bigger fuse than you can even imagine at the jazz festival last night,” Todd started. “Alana got the news that she’s been fired first thing this morning and is tremendously upset about losing her job. Not only Alana, Konrad’s storming around in his office like a volcano. You know the two of them are an item, don’t you?” Todd looked at Mattheus confidentially.

“I’d heard that,” said Mattheus as they all arrived at the palm tree and huddled around it together.

“Konrad’s crazy about Alana, mad for her,” Todd continued bitterly, “she’s totally ruined his judgment. Not that he’s the sharpest tack in the hut, anyway.”

“Don’t like Konrad much, do you?” asked Mattheus.

“I don’t like seeing someone get an important job he’s not qualified for,” Todd shot out. “I wouldn’t run things the way he does. And, I’d never have hired Alana in the first place. Anyway, I think you should know he’s got it in for you guys now, blames you two for everything. He says things only got worse because of your snooping.”

“Could be he’s right,” said Mattheus.

That didn’t sit well with Todd. “I wouldn’t take it so lightly either,” Todd said, suddenly sniffing the air like a lost dog. “I actually came here to let you know that Konrad’s trying to get an order against both of you to get you out of town immediately.”

“Really?” that seemed to surprise Mattheus.

“He’s got powerful connections, too,” Todd added, thrusting a quick, dark look at Mattheus.