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

“We can be in touch about information by phone,” Mattheus continued, and then waited a long moment to see how Cindy would respond.

I love you too, Mattheus, Cindy wanted to say, but the words would not come out.

“Thank you for caring so much,” Cindy said instead, completely flummoxed.

“Okay, then, I get it,” said Mattheus. “You’re not suggesting I come and see you right away so I’ll keep in touch with you about progress via the phone.”

Then he quickly hung up, leaving Cindy’s heart beating wildly as she gazed at the heavy clouds covering the sky.





Chapter 19


Cindy could not settle down. The idea that Mattheus was here on the island, working with the police shook her from head to toe. She hadn’t given him permission to join in the case, he’d just taken it upon himself. On the one hand Cindy felt he was way out of line. On the other, he’d agreed to keep his distance, do what he could to help and let her know via phone. It was unquestionably true that Mattheus had inroads with the police that Cindy did not. It was also true that every hand on board to help was a good hand. A fresh and trained eye could be invaluable at this point.

Cindy decided to keep the personal aspect out of things, and focus upon solving the case. She actually wanted it to be over with badly, to see Loretta go home and leave herself as well. Cindy had no idea where she would go once things were settled, but it would become clear then.

It was almost time for dinner and Cindy decided to dine alone in her room and take the evening to herself to rest and get ready for what was to come. Her plans were short lived though, as a text suddenly arrived from Eric.

Let’s meet at La Costa Nova for dinner. There’s progress on the case. I’ll go over it with you there.

Cindy was startled. What kind of progress?

Great, she texted back.

Although she didn’t feel like going out, Cindy showered quickly and then decided to put on a lively tropical summer print dress and touch it up with a pair of gold hoop earrings. It felt good dressing up, gave her a shot of energy and shook the cobwebs from her mind.

*

“You look incredibly gorgeous,” was the first thing Eric said as soon as he laid eyes upon her.

Taken by surprise, Cindy laughed.

“Did you dress up for me?” Eric seemed transfixed.

“I dressed up for myself, to feel good,” Cindy bantered.

“Well, I’m proud to be with you for the evening,” Eric’s voice grew lower.

You’re not with me for the evening, we’re just having a business dinner, Cindy wanted to say and set things straight. But she couldn’t, there was no point in alienating him. Eric had important news for her and Cindy was here to find out all she could.

When they were seated at their table, sipping Marguerites, Eric leaned back in his chair.

“I don’t know why I feel so good with you, Cindy,” he began.

This wasn’t what Cindy had come here for. “What’s the progress on the case?” she

refocused, sipping the drink slowly.

“Are you rejecting me before you even know me?” Eric continued, determined to stay on his own track. “Is it because of my involvement with Charma?”

Cindy put her glass down. “I’m not rejecting you, Eric,”” she smiled. “I’m staying focused on what we’re doing here. You told me you had news about the case.”

“Well, at least I’m delighted you’re not rejecting me,“ he went on. “Does that mean you can accept my past with Charma?”

Cindy bristled. “I can accept everything, Eric,” she spoke softly. “But I’m not here to have a relationship. I came down to the Dominican Republic to do a job.”

“We don’t really know why we go somewhere, do we?” Eric seemed glad to be talking about it. “Things happen out of the blue that we could never expect. Could you ever see us, together, Cindy?”

To Cindy’s horror, she could. There was undoubtedly some kind of connection between them.I’m with someone, Cindy wanted to say to him then, but immediately thought better of it. She wasn’t truly with Mattheus anymore. Her whole life was in flux.

Eric leaned closer. “I‘ve been in touch with the police,” he went on, “and I heard that your ex-partner is on the way down. He’s been actually working with some of the cops on the case, long distance.” Eric looked at Cindy boldly.

Cindy felt her body clench. “Yes, I know that,” she said quietly.

“You know that?” Eric seemed surprised. “I thought you two weren’t in touch.”

“We are in touch,” Cindy remarked.

Eric looked dismayed. “You told me he was your ex-partner,” he proclaimed.

“That doesn’t mean we’re not still in touch,” Cindy responded. “There’s lots of details that have to be worked out.”

“I didn’t realize you were still in touch,” Eric grew more solemn.

“There’s always details to work out when a partnership ends,” Cindy started to feel as though she had to defend herself.

“I guess there are,” Eric looked away. “Seems like you’re still quite involved with him, then?”