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

“Right,” said Cindy.

“I told you everything I knew,” Charma bit her bottom lip and ran her hands over her shoulders. “Now I’m asking you, why the hell am I still here?” Then she tossed her long hair back. “I should have been out of here a long time ago.”

“As soon as we find the killer, you’re out,” Cindy answered abruptly.

“Who’s we? You and Eric?” Charma kept glancing back and forth between them.

“You’re the one who told me to contact him,” Cindy reminded her, “you said that Eric would help you.”

“That’s right I did,” Charma’s eyes flashed. “But I didn’t tell you to go to dinner with him and hang out at Rattlesnake Gin, did I?” Charma was obviously threatened and jealous.

“Who told you we were there, Burnd?” asked Cindy, putting the pieces together, fast.

“Sure! At least Burnd comes down to see me every day, not like some other people I know,” Charma threw an angry look at Eric.

“I’m on the case, Charma, I’m doing everything I can,” Eric responded, stung.

“So why the hell aren’t you here like Burnd is, letting me know all the time what’s going on?” Charma was rattled and nervous.

“Someone threw a rock through Pete’s wife’s window this morning,” Cindy diverted the discussion. “Do you know who did it?”

Charma stood up, her eyes narrowing. “No I don’t. I’m locked up here, but if you get me out and I’ll find out in two seconds.”

“I thought maybe Burnd told you?”Cindy drew closer to her.

“How the hell would Burnd know?” Charma asked, her eyes locking into Cindy.

“Last night Burnd said that he wanted to give you the pleasure of taking Pete’s stuck up wife down!” Cindy replied, staring back at her. “He said you guys laughed at Loretta. You couldn’t stand her.”

“There’s a lot of people I can’t stand,” Loretta burst out. “What has that got to do with anything? Burnd says all kinds of stupid things, but at least he’d do anything in the world for me. Even something crazy like taking Pete’s rotten wife down.”

“You never suggested anything like that to him, did you, Charma?” Eric was flustered. Charma turned towards Eric upset. “You really think something like that of me?” she

asked, shaken and crestfallen.

“I don’t, I don’t,” Eric put his hands on her arms gently, trying to quiet her down.

“I have more important things to do than worry about all the uptight wives who don’t know how to take care of their men,” Charma’s voice rose into a wail. “They leave that to me, don’t they?”

“I care about your completely,” Eric cried back, upset by the sound of her wailing.

Charma closed her eyes then and leaned onto Eric’s chest.

“I know you do, baby, I know you do,” she melted. “And I couldn’t live another day if you didn’t.”

Eric closed his eyes for a moment as the full weight of this wild and beautiful young woman pressed upon him.

Troubled, Cindy backtracked. The intimacy between Eric and Charma was more than she could bear to witness. It made her remember the beautiful moments she’d shared with Mattheus, and she suddenly longed for them fiercely.

“So?” Charma pulled away from Eric and turned towards Cindy, victorious. “Is there anything else you want from me now?”

“Not at the moment,” Cindy yielded.

“Good,” snapped Charma. “I was supposed to be out of here already. Just go do what you have to and find the killer. And leave Eric alone!”

“Charma,” Eric interrupted, putting his hand on her forehead.

“You belong to me, baby,” Charma looked right at him, “and I don’t want you ever forgetting it, either.”

Eric grew quiet and sad as they stared into each other’s eyes.

“We’ll get you out of here as fast as we can,” was all he answered in return.

*

When Cindy and Eric got out into the street a heavy rain had started. Fortunately Eric had brought a large umbrella with him. He quickly opened it up and placed it both over his head and Cindy’s. Cindy had no choice but step under it with him as they walked along the drenched streets.

“Why does Charma mean by saying she was supposed to be out of here already?” Cindy did her best to stay with the facts of the case.

“Charma always gets what she wants,” Eric replied simply.

“Including you?” Cindy couldn’t help remark.

Eric wouldn’t respond to the comment and Cindy felt ashamed she’d made it. It was petty and childish to get involved with the relationship between them. Eric and Charma obviously meant a great deal to each other, and Eric was right in the beginning. None of it was any of Cindy’s business.

“Listen, you’re doing a wonderful thing for her,” Cindy back pedaled. “Charma’s lucky to have you.”

“She doesn’t have me,” Eric objected as a huge gust of wind came at them, practically flinging his umbrella out of his hands.