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

“You can say that again,” exclaimed Loretta. “And, there’s more. You said you were working for me, but not with me!” Loretta was savoring every moment that hurt.

“I put that wrongly,” Cindy acquiesced, “I just meant that although I cared about you and was working for you, I couldn’t allow you to direct the investigation.”

“Why not?” Loretta didn’t understand.

“That’s just routine procedure,” replied Cindy.

“You say over and over it’s routine procedure, but it doesn’t mean a thing to me,” Loretta insisted.

“It means that when you’re on an investigation, it’s important to walk down all kinds of strange roads and meet unexpected people. When you do, you have to keep quiet about what you’re looking for,” Cindy explained.

“Even from me? Why?” Loretta wasn’t getting it.

“Say I told you something about the investigation that bothered you,” Cindy replied, “it’s possible you might repeat it to someone else. You would do it because you were upset and in a vulnerable position, but you never know who that person would comment to. Before you know it things get distorted, others find out and doors begin to shut in your face.”

“That’s crazy,” Loretta finally took it in. “Why in the world would you even do a job like this, Cindy?”

“I do it to help people who are in the same situation you’re in right now,” Cindy said so deeply that Loretta felt it.

“Well, you shouldn’t stay in it forever,” Loretta took a step back. “You deserve a better life, you really do.”

“This work is meaningful to me,” Cindy responded.

“But it’s weird and dangerous,” Loretta insisted, looking over at some tourists who were about to embark upon the hike. “You weren’t like this in college. No one would ever have thought your life would turn out this way.”

Cindy followed her glance. Despite the conversation they were having, the day was normal, with happy tourists lining up to have a good time.

“Want to take a walk up to the top of the waterfalls now?” asked Cindy, taking a moment to breathe the delicious, salty air and listen to the wind in the trees below.

“Yes, of course I would like to, let’s go,” said Loretta.

They got up then and walked over to the foot of the trail. It was good to be back in nature, walking. It felt good that Cindy and Loretta had also cleared the air between them..

“Thank you, Cindy,” Loretta said as they stepped onto the bumpy road. “I love it here, it’s beautiful. And I’m grateful to have you back as a friend.”

*

The walk up to the top of the falls was exhilarating and life giving. Endless birds accompanied them, as the series of spectacular waterfalls roared with majesty.

“Once people get to the top, they jump in, slide down, swim their way back down,” Loretta repeated. “Some also just stand there and watch.”

“Rather watch,” said Cindy as Loretta laughed.

Once at the top they watched a few people jump in, calling out with delight once in the rolling water.

“When we get back to the states,” Loretta called to Cindy, “I’m taking you under my wing.”

Cindy smiled at that comment, wondering what Loretta had in mind.

“I know at least three great guys to introduce you to,” Loretta continued. “You may have come down here to help me, but I’m going to help you right back.”

Cindy felt grateful for Loretta’s thoughtfulness. It was also a perfect moment to seguey into Loretta’s relationship with Pete.

“That’s kind of you, Loretta,” said Cindy. “If anyone knows a good guy it’s got to be you. All of your work revolves around marriage.”

“That’s true,” Loretta felt proud of it. “I meet all kinds of fantastic people, too, through the boutique.”

“And your marriage to Pete meant so much to you,” Cindy said then softly.

“Yes, of course, it did,” Loretta talked faster. “A good marriage defines a woman. It’s who she is. It’s how people see her. Starting with the wedding, of course.”

Cindy smiled then, thinking of the wedding venues she and Mattheus had been looking at.

“You had a good marriage to Clint after all, didn’t you?” asked Loretta.

“Yes, I did,” Cindy responded, startled by the mention of it. “Even though our time together was so brief.”

Loretta stretched a bit and sighed then. “Brief or not, at least you were married. Some marriages are great at the start and then things start to dwindle.”

That was an interesting way of putting it, thought Cindy. “Did that happen with you and Pete?” she asked quickly.

Loretta plopped down on the ground then, hugging her arms around her legs. Cindy quickly joined her.

“Pete and I adored each other,” Loretta started, “we respected each other so that was fantastic. We didn’t exactly have the same interests though, and that was hard sometimes.”

This was the first time Loretta had suggested there had been any difficulty between them. “I’m sorry,” said Cindy.