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

“When, Mattheus?” Cindy answered, “How?”


Mattheus said nothing as the taxi pulled up to the front of the hotel.

“Will you come into the lounge with me and talk things over?” Mattheus asked as they got out of the cab.

“No, I won’t, not now,” Cindy responded, “it’s late, I’m too tired. And I’m also shocked to suddenly see you here.”

“When will you?” asked Mattheus intensely.

“When the time is right we’ll both know,” Cindy replied.





Chapter 21


Cindy went to her room and immediately, threw off her shoes, tossed her bag on the couch. Then she ran to the window and looked out at the dark sky which spread out blindly without the trace of any stars. As she stood and looked at the sky, the entire evening rose up before her, her strange dinner with Eric and then the sudden appearance of Mattheus. Cindy thought she should have been shocked when she saw Mattheus, and she was. But at the same time it seemed as if he’d never left. She didn’t know what to make of it.

Cindy was also upset about her time with Eric and his professed feelings for her. She’d grown to like and respect him and didn’t want to hurt him. But also it became more and more clear as the evening went on, that Eric was also completely enmeshed with Charma. So, what could his feelings for Cindy possibly mean? Nothing, just another fantasy he was clinging to. It distressed Cindy to see a man of Eric’s stature in the grip of such emotional confusion.

As Cindy reviewed the evening, oddly enough none of what had happened seemed unexpected. The primal rhythms of the Dominican Republic made whatever happened, no matter how outlandish, seem completely normal.

Cindy knew that the first thing tomorrow morning, she’d have to talk to Loretta and confront her with the new information. It was crucial to find out why Loretta had said Pete had left the down payment, when in fact she had? The discussion wouldn’t be pretty or pleasant, but there was no choice but to have it. It was time to get the full truth out. It might even help keep Taylor safe.

There was definitely too much to go over for one night and Cindy knew the best thing now would be to take a warm bath, go to sleep, and let the next day bring fresh insights. Cindy jumped into a hot bath to calm herself, and then went to bed quickly.

Before long Cindy fell into a fitful sleep that lasted all night along. Strange dreams of Clint emerged once again, as they usually did when Cindy found herself at a cross road. Clint was standing there, watching over her, smiling warmly. The dream was so intense that at one point Cindy suddenly awakened. It was only a dream, she assured herself. Clint had died on their honeymoon. Seeing him so vividly in the dream was only her wish to have him back. But, he’d been gone a while, and Cindy was with Mattheus now, she reminded herself. Or was she? Cindy rain her hands through her hair, fell back down on the bed and tried to fall back to sleep.

When morning came, Cindy rose at the first glimmer of light. There was a lot to do and she was eager to get going. She and Mattheus hadn’t made any plans to see each other that day and Cindy was glad of that as well. She was going to keep to her schedule as though nothing had changed. Obviously, Mattheus was busy working with the police, who were glad he was here, had welcomed him with open arms.

Cindy ordered a quick breakfast in the room and when she finished the pot of hot coffee, called Loretta. She decided to act cheerful over the phone so as not to scare Loretta away.

“I need to come over and speak to you for a few minutes,” Cindy remarked when Loretta picked up.

Loretta’s voice, on the other hand, sounded heavy and slurred. “When?” she murmured.

“Now?” Cindy replied.

“Now?” Loretta was disconcerted. “I just barely got up.”

“Half an hour then?” asked Cindy, wanting to give Loretta a little to get ready.

“Fine,” Loretta said grudgingly. “What’s it about anyway?”

“I’ll tell you when I get there,” Cindy answered.

*

Cindy hadn’t been in Loretta’s room for a while so she was taken aback when she walked into tremendous disarray. The room smelled stale and musty, clothes were strewn all over the floor and empty bottles of wine stood around.

Loretta was sprawled out on the coach. She’d left the door open and hadn’t bothered to get up when Cindy walked in. As Cindy looked around she realized that clearly the reality of Pete’s death had been taking its toll on Loretta, turning her world upside down.

“Come in, sit down,” Loretta mumbled, her head underneath a decorative pillow.

Cindy made her way through the messy room and sat down at the edge of the couch.“Rough night?” Cindy asked softly.

“Very,” Loretta mumbled. “And each night is getting rougher.”