“Loretta,” Taylor called out in a ragged tone.
Loretta stopped cold in her tracks as well and looked over in horror at all of them..
“What are you doing here with Cindy?” Loretta exclaimed as soon as she caught her breath.
“I introduced her to someone who can help with the case,” Taylor, motioned to Eric.
Loretta looked at Eric briefly and then glared at Cindy.
“I have no idea who this person is and why Cindy’s with him, as she hasn’t said a word to me about her plans,” snapped Loretta.
“This is routine procedure, Loretta,” Cindy stood up and tried to approach her.
“There’s nothing routine about it,” Loretta insisted. “I asked you not to spend time with Pete’s brother.”
“I had to,” murmured Cindy softly.
“He’s never had one decent thing to say about me,” Loretta’s voice grew louder. “I don’t even know why he’s down here now.”
At that Eric got up and stood beside Cindy. “He’s come down to help find his brother’s killer,” he said. “He’s on your side, trying to help.”
“I never asked him to help,” muttered Loretta.
Cindy looked at the lovely, blonde, young woman who stood beside Loretta, putting her arm around her. It must be her friend, Angela, Cindy thought.
“We need all the help we can get, Loretta,” said Cindy then.
“Of course you do,” Angela smiled nicely. “They’re not your enemies, Loretta.”
“I don’t want any help from Taylor,” Loretta was agitated. “And I told Cindy not to talk to him.”
“This is an independent investigation, Loretta,” Eric stepped in strongly, putting an end to the ruckus. “It is Cindy’s responsibility to speak to anyone who can help.”
“Oh yeah?” Loretta didn’t like being put in her place. “And who are you, exactly?” she turned to Eric next.
“He’s a top lawyer down here, helping us gather information,” Taylor spoke up.
Loretta’s eyes narrowed. “How come nobody told me about him? Pete was my husband. This case belongs to me.”
“There’s a lot of people involved in this case, Loretta,” Cindy tried to calm her. “There’s even a woman who may be innocent being held for murder.”
“The whore?” Loretta practically spit.
Eric suddenly took a frantic step towards Loretta but quickly stopped himself.
“Call her what you want, if she’s innocent, she’s innocent,” Cindy exclaimed.
At that Loretta spun around and grabbed Angela’s hand. “Let’s get out of here now,” she exclaimed, “I’m not used to spending my time with low lives.” Then quick as lightening, she made her way to the door.
“What a bitch!” Taylor mouthed off. “Same as always.”
“She’s devastated,” Cindy tried to defend her.
“Yeah, she’s devastated,” said Taylor. “But she’s not the only one.”
Cindy looked over at Eric then and saw the trace of sickening pain that had flashed across his face. It had to have hurt him to hear Charma spoken about that way.
“I’m sorry Loretta spoke that way about Charma,” Cindy said to him.
“Charma doesn’t deserve it,” Eric replied. “She’s a fantastic woman.”
“Fantastic woman?” Taylor also registered a look of disgust before he spun on his heel and took off as well. “See you guys later,” he said, making his way to the front door.
Cindy and Eric, left alone gazed at each other.
“It’s just the two of us,” Eric said softly. “Do you still want to sit down and have a bite to eat?”
“Sure,” Cindy responded. “I’d love to. Why not?”
Chapter 15
To Cindy’s surprise dinner with Eric was lovely and nourishing. The case was taking a toll and both of them needed the down time, and the warm, spicy food hit the spot.
“I’m sorry you have to go through this, I really am,” said Eric they ate the delicious food slowly.
“It’s my job,” Cindy replied, “just what I do.”
“Why?” Eric suddenly asked, looking up at Cindy perplexed.
“Why, what? Why do I do this job?” Cindy smiled at the expression on his face.
“Yes, why do you?” asked Eric. “I’ve been wondering about that all night long.”
“That’s a long story,” Cindy murmured.
“Go right ahead, I have all night long,” Eric replied with a craggy smile, real warmth exuding from him. He wanted to listen. Cindy felt it in her bones.
Touched and surprised, Cindy felt playful, but still cautious.
“Remember I made you a promise that I wouldn’t try to understand you?” she asked.
“Sure,” Eric responded, “but I didn’t make you that promise and don’t plan to. It doesn’t mean I can’t try to understand you.” He looked at her tenderly. “I actually want to know everything about you.”
His comment made Cindy nervous. “There’s no reason for it. We’re two ships passing in the night”, she replied, stopping herself from saying anything more.
Death by Seduction (Book #13 in the Caribbean Murder series)
Jaden Skye's books
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