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

“Let’s take a walk around the park,” Cindy suggested, “and you can fill me in.”


“Absolutely, I know you must have a million unanswered questions,” said Angela as she and Cindy stepped onto a beautiful, old cobblestone path that wound through the old park that was filled not only with flowers and ponds, but statues of Saints lining the walks. “I love it here,” Angela continued, “I love having the Saints around me, watching me along the way.”

Cindy glanced up at the statues of the imposing figures that were looking down at them. At that moment they were standing in front of the statue of the Virgin Mary.

“Isn’t she beautiful?” Angela murmured. “It’s Our Lady of Altagracia. She’s the protector and queen of the hearts of the Dominicans.”

“Beautiful,” Cindy couldn’t help but agree.

“People here have such devotion to her that January 21 is a national holiday in her honor. Actually, I’ve always wanted to attend the celebration.”

Cindy was moved not only by the kind glance of the statue, but by Angela’s warmth. This was such a different moment from the one’s Cindy had been experiencing so far, and she relished it.

“We all have to fight the darkness in our own ways,” Angela spoke softly, as they continued walking.

“Yes, indeed we do,” Cindy agreed as they soon stood in front of another towering statue.

“This is another Patron Saint of the Dominicans,” Angela pointed to the statue before them of Saint Dominic. “The legend about him is that Mary pointed out two figures to him to show him who would help save the world. One was Dominic himself, the other a stranger. The stranger, who turned out to be a ragged beggar, went up to Dominic, embraced him and said, you are my companion and must walk with me. If we hold together, no earthly power can withstand us.”

Cindy felt chills go up and down her entire body. It was indeed true, she felt, that no dark power could contend with those united in standing for truth.

“The beggar turned out to be Francis of Assisi,” Angela continued. “The meeting of these two men is commemorated twice a year on their feast days.”

Cindy couldn’t help wonder why Angela was telling her about this now.

“There’s plenty of darkness down here in the Dominican Republic,” Cindy responded. “We certainly need all the help we can get.”

There’s darkness everywhere,” Angela murmured.

“I couldn’t agree more,” Cindy chimed in. “And it’s wonderful you’ve come down to help your dear friend.”

“Well, so have you,” said Angela. “Loretta needs both of us here badly,” Angela’s voice then dropped. “It’s been a terrible road for her.”

“You mean losing her husband?” asked Cindy.

“Even before that,” Angela stopped walking, and walked over to a fence and leaned against it. “Pete hurt and humiliated Loretta over and over again.”

Cindy was stunned. This was entirely new information. “Loretta told me their marriage was good,” Cindy replied, “how did Pete hurt her?”

“I know Loretta says that,” Angela continued in a hushed tone. “She says that to everyone, and she may still even believe it herself. Some of us just can’t face the truth, especially about a man we love and look up to.”

“No, we can’t,” Cindy agreed softly.

“It’s too hard, it’s too painful,” Angela spoke quickly. “No matter how many times I tried to get Loretta to face things about Pete back home, she had an excuse for everything he did.”

“Like what?” Cindy felt herself growing cold.

“Pete was involved with other women,” Angela started. “It was obvious to everyone, except Loretta.”

“Many of them?” asked Cindy.

“Who knows how many?” Angela shrugged. “Does the number matter?”

“Of course not,” Cindy agreed.

“Pete was gone at all the important times. Towards the end of the marriage he barely even touched Loretta anymore,” Angela went on.

“I’m so sorry,” Cindy caught her breath.

“If you asked me, at the end Pete couldn’t stand her,” said Angela.

“Why not? What happened?” Cindy felt devastated for Loretta.

“Who knows what exactly?” said Angela. “If you asked me, first he got addicted to porn and then took the next step to the prostitutes. Loretta even found porn on his website one time, saw it for herself with her very own eyes. But when she asked him about it he told her it was just someone spamming him. She actually believed him.”

“She couldn’t have believed him completely,” Cindy jumped in. “If she had why would she have mentioned it to you?”