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

“That’s right, I think I heard that she’d said that,” Eric slowly mused.

“But now you tell me you saw them together with your own eyes,” said Cindy, probing for more.

“That doesn’t mean the wife isn’t right too,” said Eric. “Sure Pete was a customer, no question. Some of the customers take the girls out and then bring them back. But it’s also

possible the guy was killed somewhere else and brought here.”

It didn’t seem very likely to Cindy, though. “Brought here by who?” she asked. “And why left in Charma’s room?”

“Charma’s got a record,” Eric answered quickly. “She was accused of stabbing another John, when she worked somewhere else.”

Cindy, scrutinized Eric closely. Didn’t this bother him? He spoke about it casually as though she were someone he barely knew.

“It seems that Charma could be dangerous.” Cindy ventured on. “Isn’t it possible she could turn on a dime and do damage?”

“Sure, it’s possible,” said Eric, smiling slowly, “that’s what makes her so exciting. Guys love women like that, you know.”

Cindy felt shaken.

“They love all kinds of danger and challenges,” Eric went on. “The guys who come down here have had it with packaged relationships that are as boring as hell. Those kinds of women do nothing for them. Not one of them can hold a candle to Charma.”

Cindy felt a wave of nausea and fear rise up in her. Eric was obviously talking about himself. Was Mattheus one of those guys as well? Cindy wondered. Had their relationship grown routine and packaged?

“Charma always has a bunch of guys hovering around her,” Eric added slowly.

“That doesn’t bother you?” Cindy finally asked, incredulous.

“Why should it bother me?” Eric replied. “I like it, it’s exciting. There’s one guy though, that’s creepy.”

Although she didn’t know why, it pained Cindy to hear this from Eric.

“What’s the matter? What’s wrong?” Eric leaned closer over the table.

Cindy opened her eyes and stared at him. “I don’t understand why it doesn’t it bother you that Charma has other guys besides you,” she couldn’t help ask.

Eric pulled back swiftly, and shook his head. “I told you, this would be beyond you. You promised not to try to understand me.”

“You’re right, I’m sorry,” said Cindy suddenly. “I’m just baffled.”

“Yeah, I know you are,” Eric replied. “I know you’re baffled, but put that to the side. It’s not about me. Listen to what I have to tell you. If you want to know more about Charma, there’s a guy John Burnd you have to look into. He’s one of her Johns. This guy became obsessed with her, started sending her texts all day long, calling and hanging up just to hear her voice.”

“He was stalking her?” asked Cindy, nervous.

“We don’t call it stalking down here,” Eric broke in. “We just say a guy popped his lid, which means he’s become obsessed with a girl. I’ve been thinking that Burnd could have had a motive to get rid of Pete.”

“What about the other guys Charma does business with?” asked Cindy. “Why doesn’t Burnd go after them as well?”

Eric smiled broadly at that. “I like the way you think,” he responded.

“What about you, even?” Cindy wouldn’t let go. “If this guy Burnd killed Pete, why wouldn’t he go after you next?”

“Good question,” Eric agreed. “Anything is possible, of course.”

“My God,” Cindy shivered. “You wouldn’t care? You’re not afraid for your safety?”

“Not at all,” Eric became tough. “It’ll take a hell of a lot more than a lunatic to bring me down. Besides, right now it’s Charma I’m worried about. For all we know, Burnd could get to her in jail. He’s probably getting agitated with her being gone so long. Probably desperate for his fix. You’re working with the police on this, right?”

“Not really,” said Cindy. “I mean the police know I’m around, but I wouldn’t say we’re working the case together. From their point of view, it’s all sewed up.”

“For them it’s Charma!” Eric became indignant.

“Yes, it’s Charma,” said Cindy. “They don’t see a reason to look anywhere else.”

“So who are you working on the case with?” asked Eric, his antennae’s up.

“No one,” said Cindy.

“Wait a minute,” Eric held his hand up. “Just say that again, slowly.

“Right now I’m on this case, alone,” said Cindy.

“No way,” Eric shook his head back and forth. “That’s crazy, it’s nuts. You’re walking straight into danger. There are a lot of lunatics down here, circling around.

Cindy breathed out slowly.

“Oh boy, what the heck am I into?” Eric muttered as he looked directly at Cindy again. “Okay, I get it. Maybe you don’t have Mattheus around. But right now I’m on your team. I’ll help all I can. I’ll come with you when you go to see Burnd and hang in the background.”

“Thank you,” said Cindy, enormously grateful.