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

“I don’t know if he can do that,” Charma’s hands crawled closer to Cindy across the steel table, “but I know he can help you find the killer. Once you find the killer, I’ll be free.”


Cindy’s stomach dropped as she wondered if Charma would ever be free, would this kind of thing happen to her over and over? What she in the grip of a life that could only bring disaster?

“I’ll get hold of Eric as soon as I can,” Cindy whispered.

“Oh God, thank you,” Charma lifted her eyes to the ceiling. “God, thank you, thank you for bringing Cindy to me and getting me out.”

*

Cindy was agitated as she left the interview room and walked down the narrow corridor back to where Ron was stationed, waiting for her.

“Sit down a second before you go,” Ron said, coming out from behind his desk. “You look like you saw a ghost. Let me get you a cup of coffee.”

Cindy was actually delighted by the offer. Not only did she need a cup of coffee, she needed to talk this over with someone.

As soon as Ron brought the coffee, Cindy started talking. “Charma has an alibi,” she said quickly. “She said Shanya, the older woman in the house saw her come back that night from a date at around three a.m. She came back after Pete was killed.”

“They all say something,” Ron yawned. “We got her prints on the knife and his body.”

“It’s possible someone else did it though,” said Cindy. “It’s possible they got her prints later on and set it all up.”

“Everything is possible,” Ron drank his coffee down slowly. “Maybe my mother will turn into an eagle and start flying in the sky? But is it probable?”

“Maybe Charma slept with Pete earlier in the night?” Cindy mused, “that’s why her prints were on him.”

“You want to prove that Pete came to see her before she left with another customer?” asked Ron.

“I’m sure people at the house saw who came in and who went out,” Cindy replied.

“Yeah, of course, people at the house see everything, but if they open their mouth and tell you what they see, their work is over and so is their life.”

“A code of silence?” Cindy whispered.

“People get killed for snitching every day, especially in this line of work,” Ron said matter of factly. “I told you in the beginning, it’s better for you to spend a few days here, go to the beach, comfort your friend and book a one way flight home.”





Chapter 9


Despite herself Cindy liked Charma immensely. She admired her honesty and raw energy. She was also troubled that not a word had been said about Charma’s alibi. Could it be stabbings and killings were the order of the day in the brothels? Of course Cindy wouldn’t go along with that. Now she was more determined than ever to get to the bottom of what had happened to Pete. Clearly, there was a very real possibility that Pete had actually been Charma’s customer. Could be he’d been living a double life, as lots of the guys who hung around at the brothels did? Loretta had been blinding herself to the reality and of course, Cindy could understand why.

Cindy was eager to meet Eric and find out more. But first she wanted to speak to Pete’s brother Taylor. Even though he was Pete’s closest blood relative, he’d been laying low. As far as Cindy knew he hadn’t contacted either the police or Cindy so far, even though he had a room in the same hotel. Cindy wondered how Taylor had been spending his time and why he came at all?

Cindy finished her cup of breakfast coffee, picked up the phone and called him.

Taylor answered immediately and mumbled something Cindy couldn’t understand.

“I’m Cindy Blaine, private detective,” she repeated slowly, hoping to get through to him.

“I was sleeping,” Taylor grumbled, more coherently then.

“I’m sorry to bother you,” Cindy continued, “but I need your help.”

After a long pause, the voice on the phone grew more solid. “This is the first time anyone’s asked for my help,” he responded.

“I’m sorry about that,” murmured Cindy.

“Seems like I’m persona non gratis,” Taylor went on. “No one’s even bothered to say they’re sorry my brother’s gone.”

“That’s awful,” Cindy agreed. “I’m sorry, Taylor.”

He seemed to perk up. “Well, thanks for that at least,” he mumbled.

“Can we talk downstairs in the hotel lobby?” Cindy ventured onwards.

“No, we can’t,” he replied instantly. “I don’t like hotel lobbies. If you want to see me, come to my room.”

Cindy had no desire to be in a room alone with him.

“Come right now,” he continued.

Even though Cindy felt uneasy she had no choice but to go.

“And don’t tell anyone you’re coming,” Taylor shot out next. “I don’t like my business broadcast all over.””

“I understand that,” said Cindy.

“Good. Then get to room 232 as soon as you can,” he grunted and hung up the phone.