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

“It’s good to have pressure put on the real estate company,” Cindy commented. “I don’t know how they thought one hundred thousand could go missing and no one would want to find out where it was?”


“Me neither,” said Angela. “Loretta’s father planned to tell her he was checking into what happened to the deposit, but then decided not to. Loretta’s been drinking a lot more than she should again now. Even though it’s understandable, she promised her father she wouldn’t,” Angela’s voice dropped to a confidential whisper. “Loretta drinking makes Henry nuts.”

“Loretta’s had a drinking problem in the past?” Cindy wanted to be definite about it.

“She’s been in rehab a couple of times,” Angela spoke so softly, Cindy could barely hear her. “Her father’s walked her through every step of the way and blamed Pete for it, completely,” Angela went on.

“Sounds like he blamed Pete for everything that went wrong in Loretta’s life,” Cindy exclaimed.

“You can say that again,” said Angela. “Every single thing.”

“Should I talk to Henry again?” Cindy stopped and confronted Angela directly.

“For what reason?” Angela became uneasy. “I’m telling you everything you need to know. Why upset him more?”

“Is there anything he may know that I’m not aware of?” Cindy zoned in intensely.

“Absolutely nothing, I promise you,” said Angela. “I’ve become like a daughter to Henry myself. He knows I love and look after Loretta and there’s nothing he hides from me, nothing at all. I promise you.”

When Cindy and Angela parted they promised each other they’d stay in close touch. Cindy thanked Angela profusely for her invaluable help.

“You’re a terrific woman, Angela,” Cindy exclaimed.

“So are you,” said Angela. “Please hurry and get this case tied up. I want to take Loretta back home so she can stop drinking and start to settle down.”

*

Cindy was grateful to be back in her hotel room alone. She stepped out onto the patio and let the wet winds blow on her relentlessly, cooling and soothing her. There was nothing like the smell of the ocean to clear her mind and make her feel settled. She lay down on a lounge chair and tried to unwind.

The strands of the case began intertwining in her mind. Right now all focus was on the real estate company and the money trail. That made sense of course, but Cindy couldn’t shrug off the feeling that there was more to this, another layer she wasn’t yet in touch with. Pete was certainly not the husband Loretta had presented, and the intensity of Loretta’s drinking problem was most likely due to that. But that was not unusual, many abused women presented a strong front to the world and to themselves.

But Loretta and Pete had come down to the Dominical Republic to reconcile, buy a place together, grow closer. At least according to Loretta. But from what Cindy knew about Pete, he lived on the sly, was probably been seeing prostitutes all the while. Clearly, Loretta knew nothing about Pete’s addiction. Who else down here would have been bothered enough by his behavior to kill him? Aside from the money trail, was it possible that Pete had upset one of the prostitutes he saw enough for them to take revenge? Had he stepped out of line somewhere? If anyone had an answer to that, it would be Pete’s brother Taylor.

Cindy was just about to lean over, pick up the phone to call Taylor, when it rang.

“I’m here at the airport,” a male voice started, “just landed.”

Cindy shivered from head to toe. It was Mattheus. “What are you talking about? What do you mean?” she breathed.

“You don’t sound especially glad to hear it,” Mattheus responded.

“I’m shocked,” Cindy replied. “You didn’t say anything about coming here.”

“Of course I did, you just didn’t pay attention,” said Mattheus. “I asked you if you wanted me to come down and help?”

“And I recall saying that it’s was fine. I didn’t need it,” Cindy suddenly recalled.

“No, you didn’t say you didn’t need it,” Mattheus replied, “you did say you were fine. I didn’t believe you. I told you I was worried.”

“Yes, you did say that,” Cindy relented.

“ I also said I was thinking of going to live with my daughter and couldn’t bring myself to do it,” Mattheus continued quickly.

Cindy remembered all of it now as the knot in her chest grew tighter.

“I can’t stand thinking of you in possible danger,” Mattheus’s voice grew stronger. “I can’t live like that.”

“Mattheus,” Cindy wanted to interrupt, but he wouldn’t let her.

“I love you Cindy and I always will, whether or not you want me,” he exclaimed.

Suddenly, hot tears filled Cindy’s eyes.

“I’ve taken a room at your hotel on another floor. I’m not pushing myself on you. You don’t have to see me,” Mattheus went on. “I’ve been in touch with the police down there for a while though, and now I’m jumping in.”

Cindy was breathless, unsure of whether she was outraged or thrilled. Probably both, she decided.