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

The extent of Angel’s fury took Cindy’s breath away. “That was not my intention,” Cindy tried to interrupt, but Angela wouldn’t let her.

“No sane jury will find Loretta guilty,” Angela went on, “not after all the bastard put her through. And no sane friend would have pushed things the way you did. Loretta called you down to keep the dogs at bay.”

“She called me down to find out who killed Pete,” Cindy answered, in pain. “And it was Loretta who arranged for the death of her husband. Those are the facts.”

“Pete wasn’t her husband, he was her tormentor,” Angela shot back, “and I will testify in court to that.”

“It’s out of my hands now, Angela,” said Cindy softly.

“That’s convenient, isn’t it?” Angela replied. “We all thought you were so terrific and now we’re sorry we ever met you. Get the hell off this island as soon as you can.” Then she hung up quickly on her.

Cindy wondered if that constituted a threat. She began to cry as she hung up and Mattheus put his arms around her.

“There’s no reason to take any more calls right now,” he said. “There’s some out there who will lift you up to the moon and others who want to drown you. We’re gonna leave this place soon Cindy and take our time alone together. Not one person will know where we’re headed to, either.”

“Yes,” agreed Cindy, “it’s time.”

“Once we’re out of here we’re gonna unwind and shut off our phones,” Mattheus added.

Though it sounded good, Cindy wondered if it were possible.

“What else did the paper say?” asked Cindy, not ready to shut the world out yet.

“It said that Charma’s an accessory to a crime and being taken back in for questioning,” Mattheus reported.

Cindy was stunned. “How did they find that out?”

“Through Burnd, strangely enough,” Mattheus added. “Seems he was upset after he gave you the bracelet and went to the cops to get it back. When he was there, he spilled the whole story, including that Charma knew Pete was going to be killed. He had no idea what that really meant or what the consequences would be.”

“My God,” breathed Cindy, “how the wheels of justice turn on their own.”

“Not exactly their own,” Mattheus said softly. “It was due to your persistence and bravery that this all came out.”

“And what about Eric?” the thought of him suddenly flashed across Cindy’s mind. “He must have found out that Charma knew Pete was going to be killed. How did he take it?”

“He’s devastated,” said Mattheus softly. “Last I heard, he’s leaving the island with Taylor shortly.”

Cindy’s stomach dropped. “Where’s he going? What will happen to him, Mattheus?”

“I have no idea,” replied Mattheus. “But in the long run, you’ve saved him as well. Now he’s free of Charma and can start his life over again.”

Cindy felt dizzy.

“And we can start again as well, Cindy,” Mattheus held her closer. “You still want to, don’t you?”

Cindy trembled in his arms. “Yes, I do Mattheus,” she whispered. “Definitely.”

“Great,” his voice grew stronger. “Once we’re out of here, we’ll look for a wedding venue again, not the kind we looked for before, something entirely different.”

“What kind?” she asked, curious.

“Something you’ll feel comfortable inviting your friends and family to,” he answered, “a place that fits us all.”

Cindy wondered in passing if her family would even come.

“I’ve been in touch with your family,” Mattheus said softly then. “We’re working things out from both sides.”

“In touch with my family?” Cindy was stunned.

“I couldn’t leave any stone unturned here, could I?” Mattheus answered, “not if I want things to really work out.”

“That’s amazing, that’s wonderful,” Cindy replied.

“Yes, it is,” Mattheus agreed, “and I’m grateful for all of it, every last bit.”

The phone rang one more time then, as they held each other close. Cindy looked at it from the corner of her, as Mattheus pushed it out of sight.

“Let it ring all it wants, Cindy, it’s our time now,” he whispered.