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

For a second Cindy felt like slamming down the phone, packing up and getting out. But the case had become bigger than Loretta by now. A young woman with an alibi was being held for a crime that she very well may not have committed. Cindy felt an obligation to her as well.

“So, when you are going to talk to Val?” Loretta tried to repair the damage between them.

“First thing tomorrow,” replied Cindy coolly.

“I’ll call up front and tell him you’re coming,” said Loretta.

“Fine,” said Cindy, “’ll be there at ten a.m.”

*

Loori Inc., was located in a modern, high rise glass building in the main part of town. As Cindy entered the main lobby she felt as if she were back in the States. She stepped onto the slick elevator and arrived at the tenth floor quickly.

“I’m here to see Val,” Cindy said to the well-dressed receptionist, sitting behind the expensive wooden desk.

“Oh yes, Cindy Blaine, right?” the lovely young woman looked right up.

“Right,” said Cindy.

“I’ll let him know you’re here,” she said and then looked at Cindy confidentially. “We were all very close to Pete Twain,” she said in a soft tone, surprising Cindy. “I’m so glad you’re here to help.”

“Thank you,” said Cindy, pleased by the acknowledgment.

“I was terrified when I found out what happened,” the receptionist went on. “I always thought Mr. Twain was such a family man, getting that beautiful condo for himself and his wife.”

“Well, he was, wasn’t he?” asked Cindy.

“Yes, but look where they found the body,” the young woman’s eyes opened wide. “I can only imagine how his wife’s feeling now.”

At that moment a tall, slender, guy in his forties, dressed in slacks and a shirt, with sandy hair, walked into the waiting room smiling, interrupting the conversation.

He extended his hand to Cindy. “Val Donalds,” he said. “You must be Cindy Blaine.”

“Yes I am,” said Cindy, pleased to see him. Val seemed direct and forthright and certainly inspired confidence, thought Cindy.

“Let’s go into my office and talk,” Val offered, as he turned back to where he came from.

Cindy followed him, but turned first to offer a smile of thanks to the receptionist, who watched both Cindy and Val closely.

*

Val’s office was large, well-appointed and beautifully decorated with designer furniture, plush leather chairs, and incredible posters on the walls which proudly displayed the beauty and wonders of the Dominican Republic. Cindy couldn’t help gaze at them before sitting down. Her eyes turned to a huge poster of a gigantic, colorful poster. It vividly displayed a dazzling, joyous festival where everyone was in wild costumes, singing and dancing in the streets.

“Carnival, carnival,” Val uttered. “Not only do we have incredible beaches, restaurants, dancing, entertainment in the Dominican Republic, but the poster you’re looking at is of Carnival. It’s the highlight of our Festivities, the biggest and most amazing event, going on since 1867. You’ve never seen anything like it, the festivities and celebrations get so wild people even hit each other with inflated cow and pig bladders as part of the fun.”

“A wild time,’ Cindy murmured.

“We have an incredible country here,” Val commented, “the perfect place to live, vacation and certainly invest in a second home.”

Cindy looked over at him. This was obviously a sales pitch he made many times and he said it again now automatically Did he know who Cindy was, she wondered for a moment? Did he think she was a tourist, coming to buy a vacation condo from him?

“It looks extraordinary,” Cindy agreed. “I can see why Pete Twain loved it down here so much.”

At that, Val’s smile faded. “Yes, Pete did love it here,” he replied. “He was excited about buying the condo.”

“Did you know Pete well?” Cindy asked.

Val only paused for a moment. “I did know him somewhat, of course,” Val spoke more thoughtfully. We had business dealings.”

“Pete was in the process of buying a condo that your company developed and offered, is that correct?” asked Cindy.

“Yes, that’s right. As you can see we’re real estate developers on this beautiful island,” Val responded.

“Why was Pete buying the condo?” Cindy asked in a clipped tone, trying to throw Val off guard.

“Why?” Val looked surprised. “Isn’t it obvious? Wouldn’t anyone want one? The unit he chose was right on the ocean and a few steps from one of the most famous golf courses.”

“Was this an investment property?” Cindy asked.

“Of course our homes are incredible investments,” Val’s replied, “not only in enjoyment and well-being, but financially as well.”

For a moment Val sounded like a well rehearsed robot, saying all the right words with the perfect inflections.