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

“You sound so calm about it, but you’re not calm! How can you be?” Loretta’s eyes suddenly flashed. “You and your partner have broken up! That’s awful. That’s not the kind of thing that should ever happen to you or me.”


“Loretta, this trip is about you, not me,” replied Cindy.

“But it helps in a strange way to know that you’ve lost someone, too,” said Loretta as Cindy finally heard the pain in her voice. “It helps to know I’m not alone.” Then suddenly, Loretta began wailing.

Cindy put her hand on Loretta’s. “You’re not alone, Loretta, I’m here with you now.”

“Oh my God, my God,” moaned Loretta, “how did this happen? Tell me.”

“You have to trust me, you have to tell me more,” Cindy spoke fervently. “Why do the police think it’s an open and shut case? Who do they think did it?”

Loretta pulled herself together then. “Pete was found dead in a brothel in the city. He was naked in a prostitute’s room, stabbed to death. The police have taken the prostitute, Charma, into custody. Her fingerprints were all over him.”

Cindy shivered. Awful, she agreed.

“But it’s a set up,” Loretta insisted. “It ridiculous and I don’t believe a word of it.

Pete would never go to see a prostitute. There was no reason for it. He loved me. We were happy. We were down here to buy a vacation home,” her voice got louder.

“I believe you, I believe you,” Cindy tried to calm her down.

“Someone killed him somewhere else and dumped his body in the whore’s room. They’re framing Charma. She’s an easy target,” Loretta insisted.

“You sound like you know her,” Cindy remarked.

“Of course I don’t,” Loretta practically spit. “Why would I?”

“I just wondered if you ever spoke to her?” Cindy continued.

At that Loretta shuddered. “I would never talk to a woman like that, let alone go near her place. Come on, Cindy, don’t you remember who I am? Don’t you remember all the things we used to talk about, the kind of lives we planned?”

Cindy remembered well.

“Why in the world would I ever speak to a whore?” Loretta couldn’t bear the idea of it. “Or why would I even talk to anyone who associates with whores?”

Cindy felt a rush of dismay hearing the tone in Loretta’s voice. Cindy’s own life had taken her into so many back alleys she had no feelings of repugnance for anyone at all.

“I own and run the most fantastic, upscale wedding gown boutique in Wisconsin. Have you heard about it?” Loretta went on.

“No, I hadn’t,” said Cindy, put out. “I’ve been busy down here solving crimes.”

“You’re doing strange work,” said Loretta, suddenly realizing the different paths they’d chosen. “I suppose the work you do has changed you?”

“Yes, all of life has changed me,” Cindy replied calmly, wondering if Loretta knew about Clint? Did she know that Cindy’s own husband had been murdered down here in the Caribbean on their honeymoon? This wasn’t the time though for Cindy to ask her that, though. Cindy had to keep reminding herself she was down here to solve a case, not revisit an old friendship.

“I’m sorry to hear that you’ve changed, Cindy,” Loretta started to babble. “You’ve been in too many sordid places, seen too many awful things. You probably don’t remember who you used to be anymore. But I remember.”

“I love what I do,” said Cindy, defensive, “and I’ve grown to respect people of all kinds.”“I see that,” said Loretta, “but I think it’s creepy.”

“I think it’s wonderful,” countered Cindy.

Loretta grew silent, raised her hands and brushed them through her hair.

“I don’t know about who you have or haven’t met, Cindy,” Loretta continued, “but as for me, I’m horrified that Pete’s body was found in the whorehouse. It’s disgusting and vile. There’s no reason any prostitute would kill him. Someone down here wanted to take him down, and take me down with him.”

“Why would they want to take you down?” Cindy stayed focused.

“Maybe we were living too high on the hog, had too many good things and it made someone jealous? People love to pull you through the mud if they can’t get to where you’ve gotten. I see it all the time.”

“Who was that jealous of you, Loretta?” asked Cindy.

“Wherever I look, there’s someone. I don’t want to die, please help me,” Loretta suddenly shrieked.

“You won’t die. Not if I’m around,” Cindy assured her. Believe me, I’ll do all I can.”





Chapter 3