Death by Engagement

by Jaden Skye

  Cindy was taken off guard by the short exchange. Was Glenna suggesting that Doug was hard to handle? Or was she just pointing to the fact that Shari wasn’t emotionally ready to make any commitments in her life right then? Whatever it was, this exchange was startling. It was the first hint of trouble coming.

  Cindy scrolled further and looked more deeply, but nothing else surfaced that even remotely suggested difficulty. Most people were thrilled for Shari, thought the world of Doug, and couldn’t wait to hear about the wedding venue they were choosing.

  Have you guys set a date yet? a message underneath asked.

  Post pictures immediately as soon as you choose the venue, another note nearby said.

  As Cindy sat gazing at the messages, the door opened and Mattheus walked in.

  “Okay, come on,” he said, coming over and tipping closed the top of her computer. “Time for a break. Time to enjoy.”

  Cindy ran her hands through her hair. “Good to see you,” she said, standing up and putting her arms around Mattheus.

  “You, too,” he murmured. “But now let’s really take a break and get to the beach.”

  *

  As Cindy expected, the beach was empty when she and Mattheus arrived. Strong winds, heavy clouds and rolling surf were keeping others away.

  “Looks like the storm is going to hit,” Cindy commented, looking at the scattered debris thrown up on the shore by the ocean.

  “The news said there’s a seventy-five percent chance of it,” Mattheus replied, as he took Cindy’s hand and pulled her down with him to the edge of the ocean. “God, it’s beautiful here, today,” he went on, taking a deep breath.

  Cindy enjoyed the thrill of it, too. “It really is,” she agreed, disturbed that there was such a high possibility of the storm hitting.

  “I’d better get back to the scene of the crime right away, before heavy rains wash remaining evidence away,” she murmured, looking around.

  “You’ve been there already.” Mattheus snapped to attention.

  “But I’m in a different frame of mind now,” Cindy responded. “And I’ve gathered lots more information since I was there before.”

  Mattheus grew silent. “How much remaining evidence could there be left there by now?” he asked in a strained tone.

  “You never know, and there are also a few other possibilities there I want to check,” Cindy said as the moisture in the air grew thicker. “I’m just going for a little while.”

  “No,” Mattheus retorted, digging his feet into the sand. “After our time on the beach, you’re coming back to the hotel with me.”

  Cindy was annoyed by his obstinacy. “This is an important stop for me before we go home,” Cindy replied.

  “Really?” Mattheus’s voice got louder. “Do you really need to go to the scene of the crime, or do you just want to get away from me?”

  “Mattheus, don’t start that again now!” Cindy was tired of it. “What’s wrong with you?”

  “What’s wrong with me? Is there something wrong with enjoying uncomplicated time on the beach with your fiancée before you pack up and leave?” asked Mattheus as the wind blew harder at them.

  Cindy flinched. What was he talking about? Was Mattheus thinking they were going to pack up and leave today?

  “You’re not planning to leave right away, are you?” Cindy asked lightly.

  “Actually, I am,” he replied. “It’s good to get out before the storm actually hits.”

  That didn’t sound like Mattheus, either. Cindy couldn’t remember when he’d run away from a storm.

  “What about finding our wedding venue?” Cindy asked, quickly hoping to find a way to turn the conversation around.

  “Good question.” Mattheus stopped walking and rubbed his toes into the moist sand. “What about it?” He turned and looked at Cindy searingly. “Is a wedding venue even something you’re interested in at all?”

  Cindy stopped as well. “Of course I am, why would you say that?”

  “Because I haven’t heard a word about it from you,” Mattheus continued. “I’ve been waiting for you to mention our wedding even once, and you haven’t. All I’ve heard are more and more details about the case.”

  Cindy looked away, out over the ocean to the horizon which was barely visible now. “I’ve been preoccupied,” she said softly, realizing it.

  “I’d say that’s putting it mildly,” said Mattheus.

  “I’m sorry,” Cindy said, “I really am sorry. I’ve been overwhelmed.”

  Mattheus stopped and looked at her clearly. “Look, you need to finish up now because the storm’s coming and Shari and Doug’s families are both going to pack up and leave anyway before it hits.”

  “Really? You’re positive?” Cindy was startled.

  “It makes sense, doesn’t it?” Mattheus asked.

  “Yes, of course,” Cindy conceded, “but there’s one more person on her way down here now who I have to talk to, a woman named Cayenne.”

  “I couldn’t care less what her name is.” Mattheus’s jaw began to clench.

  “She’s Doug’s former girlfriend, the one he was with before he and Shari got back together again,” Cindy filled him in.

  “So what? So this lady’s coming down to comfort her ex-boyfriend and get back with him!” Mattheus was upset. “What business is it of ours?”

  “Shari’s sister told me it was important to hear what Cayenne has to say,” Cindy quickly responded.

  “Everything’s important, isn’t it?” Mattheus went on then. “Every last thing but me.”

  “You’re the most important of all,” Cindy breathed quickly.

  “If you feel that way, show it to me. Do one thing I want,” he replied.

  “What exactly do you want?” Cindy asked. “For us to pack up and leave when I’m close to finding out if a killer is on the loose? Is that really all right with you?”

  “There’s not one bit of evidence that a killer’s on the loose.” Mattheus looked frozen. “Not one bit at all. This is the father’s fantasy and he’s pulled you into it. Can’t you see that?”

  Cindy had no sense of having been pulled into anyone’s fantasy. She’d been checking things out methodically for herself. Each time she spoke to someone else, her level of doubt that it was a suicide grew higher.

  “It’s not a fantasy, Mattheus,” Cindy defended herself. “There’s a whole chain of information I’ve received that’s caused me to be doubtful.”

  “Okay, I believe that,” Mattheus grumbled. “But circumstantial evidence can take months and months to bring to fruition.”

  “Besides, we have to stay longer, anyway, to find a wedding venue.” Cindy tried to be lighthearted and playful. It didn’t work.

  Mattheus spun around, away from Cindy, and looked out at the furthest part of the sky.

  “Are we ready to take a wedding venue?” His voice quivered. “We can’t seem to even agree on small things.”

  “Mattheus”—Cindy put her hands on his shoulders—“what are you saying? You’re blowing this all up out of proportion.”

  Mattheus wouldn’t answer and Cindy finally turned away from him as well. As she looked back on the sand, to her surprise, Cindy suddenly saw a lone figure walking toward them.

  “Oh my God, someone’s coming,” Cindy exclaimed.

  “Who?” Mattheus turned to look abruptly.

  As the figure in the distance grew closer, Cindy saw a beautiful young woman in her late twenties, with long red hair tossed by the wind. She was walking purposively toward Cindy and Mattheus.

  “Who is it?” asked Cindy.

  “Beats me,” said Mattheus.

  “Cindy and Mattheus?” The young woman picked up her speed and drew close to them.

  “Cayenne?” Cindy asked, suddenly flashing on who it could be.

  “Yes, that’s right.” The young woman seemed pleased to be recognized. “I heard you two were still down in Aruba.”

  “Yes, we are.” Cindy tried to speak to
her, but Cayenne’s gaze was completely fastened on Mattheus.

  “How can we help you?” Mattheus responded.

  “I need to talk to you,” Cayenne replied, taking a step toward him, bypassing Cindy.

  “Talk to me about what?” Mattheus voice grew concerned.

  “I’m Doug’s ex-girlfriend,” Cayenne started, as light rain began to fall. “Oh my God, the storm’s starting.”

  “Not yet,” Cindy interrupted. “Just light rain at the moment. “

  Cayenne held out her two hands. “Light rain isn’t good either,” she said, reminding Cindy of a frightened child.

  “Can we talk to you in a little while back at the hotel? “ Cindy intervened. “I have to go to the crime scene before the rain gets heavier.”

  Cayenne briefly turned her gaze to Cindy, then back to Mattheus once again.

  “Is that all right with you, Mattheus?” she asked.

  Mattheus smiled. “Yes, it’s fine with me, and thanks for asking. Thanks for caring about what I want.”

  Cayenne slowly smiled. “But of course,” she murmured.

  “Let’s go back now then,” said Mattheus, walking over to Cayenne. “When Cindy returns from the crime scene, you two can continue the conversation.”

  Cayenne seemed relieved. “Good, and for now I’ll go back with you.”

  “That works,” said Mattheus, throwing Cindy a brief glance, “unless of course Cindy wants to join us and give up returning to the crime scene again and again?”

  Cindy’s heart began pounding. Was Mattheus threatening her, insulting her? Whatever it was, she didn’t like it.

  “No, I’ll go on my own,” Cindy said in a breathy tone. “You two go back to the hotel, and I’ll meet you there shortly.”

  Mattheus nodded and put his hand on Cayenne’s back then to guide her across the quickly shifting sand that was blowing up over all of them now.

  Cindy stood there watching until they disappeared from view. The crime scene was not far from the beach; Mattheus could have come there with her. He was giving her a clear message though that, for him, the investigation was over. He was dead set on leaving Aruba now, with or without a venue to marry in. Was this a juncture in the road for them, too? Was Mattheus saying their engagement was over? Cindy didn’t know what to think. She did know, though, that the rain was going to fall more heavily soon and she had to get to the crime scene before that happened.

  *

  Cindy put up her hand to protect her eyes from the swirling sand and walked determinedly to the edge of the beach, then up a hill and further on to the top of the precipice Shari had fallen to her death from. As she walked Cindy cleared her mind of all the trouble of the day, so she could be clear and able to register anything that was there waiting for her. It would have been unconscionable not to return one more time, Cindy thought, as she climbed the precipice. The crime scene always had a voice of its own and spoke loudly when the time was ready.

  Cindy stood at the top of the precipice as the harsh wind whipped her body. She tried to put herself in Shari’s place the evening of her death. It had been peaceful and calm when Shari stood here. There had been the comfort of moonlight and balmy air. Shari had friends and family close at hand, wanting to celebrate her marriage. Everything was in order. Had Shari suddenly been struck with terror at making a life commitment to Doug? Was she unable to back out of it? Did Shari see no other way out for her except suicide? Standing there, looking out into the expanse, remembering Shari’s sparkly eyes when they’d met, Cindy did not feel that was what happened.

  “What happened then? What really happened?” Cindy asked out loud into the empty sky. There were no stars or moonlight now to answer. The wind pushed at Cindy harder then, tossing her back against the trunk of a huge tree. Cindy clung to the trunk for support, turned her head then, and looked down at the ground beneath it. Protected by thick leaves and branches, the soil below was still solid and dry. Cindy looked down at it more deeply. To her amazement, she suddenly saw unusual, beautiful peach-colored clay woven throughout the soil. She’d seen this clay before, but couldn’t remember where. Cindy did recall though that it had impressed her the other time she’d seen it.

  Cindy bent over, scooped up the peach clay with a tissue, and put it carefully in her bag.

  “Where? Where?” she asked out loud once again. Then she suddenly she grew cold as the memory struck her. Remnants of that peach-colored clay had also been on the carpet in Doug’s room. How did it get there? Shari couldn’t have brought it back with her as she never returned. Doug told everyone he had never stepped foot in this location. If he hadn’t, how did the clay get into his room? Was there someone else who could have brought it there?

  Startled, Cindy grabbed harder onto the trunk of the tree. Had the police questioned Doug about a new alibi? She hadn’t recalled that they had. At the very least, they hadn’t told her about it.

  Were the police sick of the case, just marking time so it would be over? Cindy flushed with sudden trepidation about Doug. It was possible he wasn’t an innocent as everyone imagined. After all, she’d just caught him in a blatant lie.

  Chapter 19

  All the way back to the hotel Cindy reminded herself to stay calm, not jump to conclusions. Someone else could have brought that clay with them back from the precipice to Doug’s room. It seemed unlikely to Cindy, though. The room had been cordoned off as part of the crime scene. Except for Doug, no one had been permitted in. It didn’t seem likely that someone would have gone to the crime scene later and trekked the clay back in.

  Now that she finally had something specific, Cindy was eager to get back to the hotel room and go over it with Mattheus. This piece of evidence would wake him up, bring him to his senses. It was clear that Mattheus thought Cindy was running after phantoms, using the case to keep her distance from him. Nothing could be further from the truth and this would prove it.

  As soon as she got to the hotel, Cindy ran to the elevator, up to the room and flung open the door.

  “Mattheus,” she called loudly.

  No answer. No one was there.

  “Mattheus, it’s Cindy,” she called again. “Are you in the bathroom?”

  Again, silence.

  Cindy ran to the bathroom and flung open the door. It was empty as well. She went back to the main room and looked for a note he might have left on the tables. There was no message waiting for her.

  Cindy stopped, ran her hands over her face, and breathed deeply. Had Mattheus left without a word? She ran to his closet. His clothes were still there. Small comfort. This wasn’t like him, at least not until now. Mattheus had kept blaming her for using work to distance from him. Was he the one who was frightened of commitment, though? Was he just looking for a reason to run?

  Cindy didn’t have an answer and at the moment, didn’t want one. The storm was coming and time was of the essence. She wanted to keep her focus strong. Instead of following an impulse to text him, search for him and make sure he hadn’t gone, Cindy chose instead to call Cayenne.

  As Cindy dialed Cayenne’s number, all kinds of thoughts tumbled through her mind. Was it possible that Cayenne and Mattheus were together now? There’d seemed to be a swift connection between them. Had Cayenne succeeded in involving him in the case? Cindy’s hand shook as the phone rang on the other end, and as she realized how insecure she was about Mattheus’s love.

  “Yes? Hello,” a nervous voice answered.

  “Cayenne?” asked Cindy.

  “Yes.” The voice got stronger.

  “This is Cindy. I’m back at the hotel now,” Cindy said.

  “Oh, thank goodness,” said Cayenne, breathing more easily. Cindy was surprised Cayenne was glad to hear from her.

  “Can we meet right away?” Cindy asked then. “Can you talk to me?” Cindy’s heart started beating. She did not want to ask Cayenne if Mattheus was with her. That would sound crazy.

  “I’d love to meet with you right away,” Cayenne answered, calming down
a bit. “Where?”

  “How about the Cave?” asked Cindy. The Cave was a popular lounge down the street from her hotel. “It’s a few steps from my hotel, dark and private with all kinds of nooks and corners to talk in.”

  “Perfect,” breathed Cayenne, “I know where it is. I’ve been there before.”

  Cindy was relieved. “Let’s meet right now.”

  *

  When Cindy walked in, the Cave was empty, actually about to be boarded up.

  “Storm coming,” the local waiter told her as she walked in. “Winds picking up, we’re boarding up in about half an hour.”

  At least it’s open now, thought Cindy. “We won’t stay long,” she replied.

  “We?” The waiter looked around. “You know, they predict the storm’s gonna hit right after midnight. Did you listen to the news?”

  “Yes, I heard,” said Cindy.

  “You shouldn’t waste time hanging around. Everyone’s gotta get ready,” the waiter went on. “Have you walked down the streets? People are running around getting flashlights and water, boarding up buildings.”

  For a flash Cindy wondered then where Mattheus was. Had he just fled the island? Did he plan to leave her here to ride out the storm alone? This was more than she had ever bargained for.

  Just then the door opened and Cayenne walked in. She wore a yellow rain slicker with her hair pulled back into a ponytail.

  “I’m over here, Cayenne.” Cindy waved, as Cayenne saw her.

  “There’s almost nothing open anywhere on the island now,” Cayenne breathed. “You could have come to my hotel, but I didn’t want anyone to see me talking to you. That’s why I came out onto the beach to meet you and Mattheus.” Cayenne’s words tripped over one another.

  Was Mattheus there? Cindy wondered. Was that why Cayenne came to meet her somewhere else? Cindy had never felt suspicious like this before, and hated it.

  “You have secret information?” Cindy zeroed in. “Is that why you don’t want anyone seeing or hearing?”

  “Exactly,” said Cayenne, relieved.

  “Does Mattheus know it?” Cindy asked in a purposely lighthearted tone.