Death by Seduction (Book #13 in the Caribbean Murder series)

“Awful isn’t even the word for it,” Frank murmured. “I don’t know how I’m ever going to make it up to your mom.”


“You’re not going to be able to make it up to my mother,” Cindy was quick on the draw. “Nobody could. We all have to work these things out on your own. Ann’s death isn’t your fault, you have to remember that,” Cindy insisted.

Frank grumbled something Cindy couldn’t make out. Obviously he didn’t agree with that statement.

“Believe me, Frank,” Cindy went on, “lots of guys have a woman on the side. Their girlfriends don’t go and kill their wives, though. What happened to Ann was not your fault.”

“I never, ever imagined something like this would happen,” Frank’s voice lifted a bit. “Never. I loved Ann so much.”

“I know you did,” Cindy replied. “And Ann knew you loved her too, believe me. “

“What makes you say that?” Frank’s voice became stronger yet.

“Because Ann was happy with you, she felt loved and supported. You gave her the life she always wanted.”

“Thank you, Cindy,” Frank whispered back into the phone.

“You strayed and you shouldn’t have,” Cindy continued. “I’m not saying it was right but I’m saying it happens. And it doesn’t mean you meant any harm to Ann. It doesn’t mean you didn’t love her.”

“You’re an angel, Cindy and I never knew it,” Frank breathed. “Ann knew it, though. She loved you so much, too.”

“I’m far from an angel, Frank,” Cindy responded. “I’ve just learned a lot these years, more than I ever wanted to.”

“Yes, you have, thank you again,” Frank repeated. “I called to check in on you, and here you’re making me feel like a new person.”





Chapter 7


Cindy hung up the phone feeling better. It was good to realize she still had some family, that there were those back home thinking of her. She and Frank had not been close all the years he and Ann were married, but it seemed as though that was changing now.

Cindy walked over to the patio and looked outside. The day was misty and cloudy, felt like rain in the air. Cindy found her talk with Loretta’s father jarring. In many ways he was implying that Loretta was a child, clinging to her dreams, unwilling to see the truth about her husband. Cindy had to look further into Pete and Loretta’s marriage. Had it truly been all Loretta said it was? Cindy could start by talking to some of the people Pete worked with down here, get a feel if he were the kind of guy who would frequent the brothels. If he were, it might even be possible that the police had the right person locked away.

As Cindy thought about contacting Pete’s company, there was a quick knock on her door. Startled she came in from the patio and walked over to it.

“Open up, Cindy, it’s me,” Loretta called from outside.

Cindy quickly opened and saw Loretta standing there flushed.

“I just got back from the airport with Angela,” Loretta said as she flew into Cindy’s room.

“Angela’s unpacking now and I wanted to talk to you.”

“Of course,” said Cindy, closing the door behind her.

“Let’s have it,” said Loretta. “What did you talk about with my dad?”

Cindy was surprised at Loretta’s urgency to find out. “We had a lovely breakfast,” Cindy started slowly.

“No, spill the beans!” Loretta insisted. “I don’t care about small talk. My father’s great with small talk, he charms the hell out of all my friends.”

“Your father is convinced that Pete was killed by Charma,” Cindy felt relieved to jump right in. She was sick of small talk herself.

“Killed by the whore?” Loretta’s cheeks flushed.

“That’s right,” said Cindy.

“Well, he’s completely wrong,” Loretta began pacing back and forth. “What does my father take me for? A patsy? Does he think I’m the kind of woman who would have a husband who’d do something like that?” Her eyes spit fire.

“Yes, he does,” said Cindy, wanting more.

“Well, my father’s crazy, he’s wrong,” Loretta got into Cindy’s face. “He’s imagining it. You’ve got to believe me, Pete would never cheat. My father always hated all of my boyfriends. He always thought every one of them was doing me wrong.”

“Really?” Cindy was taken aback .

“Yes,” Loretta zeroed in. “Since my mom died, my father’s whole world revolved around me. He’s super protective and in his eyes no one can measure up to him, if you know what I mean?” Loretta winked at Cindy oddly.

“I know what you mean,” Cindy replied, feeling uneasy.

“I was afraid my father would say all kinds of bad stuff about Pete,” Loretta continued. “He did, didn’t he? I have to know the truth.”

“He said there were good things in your relationship,” Cindy wanted to break it to her slowly.

“But he bad mouthed Pete?” asked Loretta, as if her father had committed the ultimate wrong.