Death by Request (Caribbean Murder #11)

“I think my mother didn’t plan to die,” Loretta replied.

“No one plans to die,” Ralph made a sour face. “That’s a stupid thing to say.”

“Some people plan to die,” quipped Loretta, “Alana did. She went right to the bridge, had a destination.”

“Are you trying to tell us something, Loretta? Are you warning us of something?” Isabelle addressed her granddaughter nervously.

At that Loretta smiled openly. “You think I’m planning to jump? I’m not. You won’t get rid of me that easily. You don’t understand me and never will. Whatever I say, you think the worst. I’ve accepted that, Isabelle.”

“Don’t call me Isabelle,” her grandmother flushed.

“Answer your grandmother with respect, young lady,” Ralph became irate.

Owen walked over to Loretta, clearly wanting to defuse the situation.

“There’s no reason to be so bitter forever,” Owen said quietly. “I’m sure your mother would have wanted me to give you a decent inheritance dear, and I plan to.”

Loretta’s face became gnarled. “I wouldn’t take a penny from any of you,” she shot back. “That’s not what I’m here for.”

“What are you here for?” Ralph’s voice got louder.

“To get justice for my mother,” Loretta’s voice rose.

“The person who killed your mother has lost her own life,” Isabelle interceded. “Justice has been served.”

“It’s been served, Loretta,” Owen insisted, “let it go.”

Loretta spun around then, slunk to the back of the room, and planted herself down on a round, swivel chair. Then she started drumming her fingers along the edges of it.

“Well,” Mattheus took charge then, speaking to the entire group, “Cindy and I just wanted to make a final call to wish the family and Owen well.”

Owen came up and put his arm around Mattheus. “You two did a great job,” he repeated, “I’ll be eternally grateful to both of you. You kept the pressure up, smoked out the culprits.”

Mattheus nodded at him. “Thank you.”

“What’s next for the two of you?” Owen asked pleasantly then.

“Cindy and I will be leaving for the airport first thing tomorrow,” said Mattheus. “I’m glad this worked out well for you, Owen.”

“It has, thanks again,” Owen replied.

It worked out well? Owen’s comment bothered Cindy. How could it have worked out well when his wife had died? Didn’t he realize that he was returning home without her?

After a few more pleasantries, Cindy and Mattheus walked to the door and Loretta immediately dashed up behind them.

“Give me your number, please,” Loretta said to Cindy. “This minute.”

“Of course,” said Cindy, nervously. “Would you like to talk now, before we go to the hotel?”

“No, later’s better,” said Loretta. “I want to talk when we can be alone.”

*

A heavy silence fell between Cindy and Mattheus as they got into a taxi to go back to the hotel and make arrangements to leave Jamaica.

“If you want to know the truth,” Mattheus finally admitted as the taxi pulled away, “I can’t wait to get out of here and for us to finally be alone.”

Cindy nodded, distracted.

“I’ll make reservations on the first plane out of here. We can head wherever you like,” Mattheus went on.

That sounded tempting, “a little vacation?” Cindy asked, halfheartedly.

“Precisely,” Mattheus replied, delighted.

Cindy wished she could have felt delighted as well, but something was nagging at her, wouldn’t let go.

“Okay, what’s wrong? Let’s have it,” said Mattheus, picking up her mood. There was nothing Cindy could hide from him, ever.

“Let’s stay here a few days more,” Cindy suggested.

“Why?” Mattheus bristled, “the case is over. It’s wrapped up.”

“And what if it isn’t?” asked Cindy.

“What are you talking about?” Mattheus was uneasy. “Case closed. Wrapped up.”

“I’m not ready to leave,” Cindy insisted. “Something’s unfinished, it’s bothering me.”

“Cindy,” Mattheus took her shoulders and pulled her to him. “That’s just your nature. You always feel there’s one last thing you’ve left undone. But this is it. We’re finished. They’ve released our client. I’m calling for airline tickets the second we return.”

“No, not yet, I can’t do it,” cried Cindy.

“If you want we can even go back to the States for a while,” Mattheus pleaded. “We can visit the cottage you have in Oyster Bay. I’ve always wanted to see it.”

The idea was certainly tempting to Cindy, but she couldn’t leave now even if she wanted to.

“We’ll definitely go there, but not now,” she said.

“What’s left to do here? There’s nothing to investigate,” Mattheus sounded exasperated.

Just then, thankfully, Cindy’s phone rang. She picked it up and it was Loretta.

“You guys planning to leave?” Loretta asked, frantically.

“In a little while, Loretta,” Cindy breathed.