Death by Engagement

by Jaden Skye

  “Mattheus? I don’t know. Why do you ask?” Cayenne’s eyes opened. “I was actually thinking he’d be here with you now.”

  “I thought the two of you might have had a chance to talk on the way back to the hotel,” Cindy commented casually, covering up her relief.

  Cayenne looked nonplussed. “No, Mattheus was dead silent in the cab. I even asked if something were the matter, but he just grunted a few times.”

  “I’m sorry about that,” said Cindy, startled.

  “He dropped me off at my hotel and then told the cab driver to take him somewhere else,” Cayenne continued, not taking her eyes off Cindy for a moment.

  “Where did he ask to be dropped off?” Cindy asked, her voice getting lower.

  Cayenne stared. “Why? Is there some problem? Don’t you know where he is?”

  “No problem at all,” Cindy lied. “There are just so many ins and outs during an investigation, often we have to go our separate ways.”

  Cayenne nodded, grew quieter then and looked around.

  “They’re boarding up in half an hour here.” Cindy changed the topic. “That should give us enough time to talk. We shouldn’t waste any time, though.”

  “Let’s sit on the bench in the back,” said Cayenne.

  In the dim light, Cindy and Cayenne made their way slowly to the back of Cave and found a bench to sit on.

  “You dated Doug recently,” Cindy started, wondering if Cayenne might still be holding some grudge against him now. Was that why she came down so promptly? Or did she still care for him? Was she here to comfort and claim him now as her own?

  “That’s right, Doug and I dated,” Cayenne answered, pulling her rain slicker firmly over her.

  “Tell me about it,” said Cindy.

  Cayenne looked at Cindy carefully. “Usually I’m more comfortable talking to guys,” she said. “It’s not so easy for me to talk to a woman.”

  Cindy appreciated her honesty. She also realized that must have been why Cayenne zeroed in on Mattheus. Cindy was relieved to hear that nothing special transpired between her and Mattheus and was ashamed of her own jealousy. It was Cindy’s own insecurity that caused her to feel that way, she realized.

  “You can trust me,” Cindy said softly. “I promised Shari’s father I’d look into the case. Mattheus hasn’t really been on it.”

  “That’s what I guessed,” said Cayenne, taken aback.

  “Mattheus and I came down here on vacation, to find our own wedding venue.” Cindy smiled sadly. She knew she had to fill Cayenne in. “This wasn’t a case Mattheus wanted to take on.”

  “I can understand that too,” said Cayenne, startled. “Then why did you take it?”

  “Shari’s father was so devastated. I wanted to give him and the family some peace,” Cindy replied.

  “That’s good of you, Cindy, very good.” Cayenne’s voice caught in her throat.

  “In the beginning I thought it would take a few days,” Cindy continued. “Everyone was so sure it was a clear-cut suicide.”

  “I’m not so sure, though.” Cayenne leaned closer, grabbed by the moment and speaking in a raspy tone.

  Chills ran along Cindy’s spine. “Neither am I,” Cindy whispered back. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”

  “Doug’s a complicated guy,” Cayenne started, obviously moved by Cindy’s honesty. “When Doug and I started dating it was amazing between us. Everything fit. He told me over and over how great it was to be with a beautiful, strong, independent woman like me.”

  “Really?” said Cindy.

  “But it wasn’t true basically,” Cayenne continued. “I came to realize it was a line. In the beginning he liked it, maybe? But as time went on I noticed how much more controlling he became and edgy about every little thing.”

  “Tell me more.” Cindy was fascinated.

  “Doug would want to know where I was all the time and with who,” Cayenne continued. “I said what do I have to do here, punch a clock? I didn’t like that.”

  “Of course not,” breathed Cindy.

  “And I told him so, plenty of times,” Cayenne continued.

  “How did he respond?” Cindy was quick on the draw.

  “He’d back off, laugh about it, say it would never happen again and promise me the world. I can’t tell you how many times he said I was the one for him, the only one. He said I was good for him, made him into a man. He even said he was convinced we’d be married one day.” Cayenne’s voice grew dimmer.

  “Did you want to marry him?” asked Cindy.

  “In the beginning I did,” said Cayenne.

  “Even though Shari was always in the background?” Cindy asked.

  Cayenne shrugged. “I knew about Shari, I even met her once or twice. She was nice enough, I liked her, but in my view, a complete lightweight. I didn’t see how anyone like that could be competition for Doug. He’s a brilliant guy, how could she be his partner? When I asked him how come they were still in touch he said it was a long-term relationship that he’d outgrown now. He enjoyed being friends with her though, for old times’ sake. I knew they even kept dating from time to time, though, and I asked him about it, too. He said that he and Shari went back to dating periodically, just to check in. That was over now that I was in his life.”

  “Did he tell that to Shari?” Cindy was appalled.

  “I assumed so,” Cayenne breathed, “but I wasn’t sure.”

  “I’m sorry you had to go through this, Cayenne.” Cindy felt closer to her as they spoke. “It doesn’t feel good to be lied to, or to have someone you love break up with you.”

  “Thanks very much,” said Cayenne. “But to set the record straight, I was the one broke up with Doug.”

  “Really?” Cindy was amazed as the walls of the Cave began shaking, due to the fierce winds that were rolling in.

  “We can’t stay here long,” Cayenne remarked.

  “Quickly, tell me what else you know about Doug and Shari,” asked Cindy.

  “Listen, don’t tell anyone else that I said I broke up with him,” Cayenne continued quickly, “but, in reality, that’s how it went. Now Doug’s telling people he went back with Shari because he loved her more than me. He’s saying they couldn’t stay away from each other, were basically right together. But it’s not true! I saw right through him, that’s why we broke up.”

  “What did you see?” asked Cindy swiftly.

  “Not only was Doug getting more controlling, he was becoming abusive to me, trying to put me in my place. Of course there was no way I would stand for that.”

  “Of course not,” breathed Cindy. This was an entirely different picture she was getting of Doug.

  “And what about Shari? Would she accept that?”

  “I imagine she did,” Cayenne continued, “but of course I can’t say for sure. She wasn’t as smart as me, she went through lots of sad times and wanted a strong man around. And she didn’t threaten Doug. So, for all I know he didn’t treat her that way.”

  “For all you know,” murmured Cindy. “But you don’t know for sure?”

  “No, I don’t,” Cayenne said more intently. “That’s why I came down.”

  “Why?” asked Cindy, wanting a specific statement. “Why did you say you didn’t think Shari committed suicide? What do you think happened to her?”

  Cayenne wrapped her arms around herself then. “I don’t want to accuse anybody.” Her voice dropped to a whisper then. “But figure it out for yourself, that’s your job, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, it is,” said Cindy. “But I need a direct statement from you.”

  “I gave you enough,” said Cayenne sharply then. “Put the pieces together yourself. Or, if you need more information, why not call Glenna, Shari’s best friend?”

  “Glenna? That was the name of the woman on Shari’s Facebook page who warned her not to marry Doug,” Cindy retorted.

  “I didn’t see that message,” said Cayenne, “but I know Glenna, and it will be useful to talk to her. She and S
hari were very tight. Doug couldn’t stand her. Anyway, Glenna knows everything that was going on in Shari’s life.”

  “Cayenne, tell me, do you think Doug harmed Shari?” Cindy tried one more time to get beneath her cover.

  Cayenne’s eyes started fluttering. “I didn’t say that, I’m not accusing anyone. But I had terrible nightmares after I heard that Shari died. I couldn’t rest. I kept thinking of what I’d gone through with Doug. I was frightened. I just wanted to come down and tell someone what was on my mind.”

  “Thank you so much, Cayenne.” Cindy reached out and squeezed her hands. “You’ve done a wonderful thing to talk so honestly. If someone killed Shari, it could happen again. You’ve helped to even possibly save someone else’s life.”

  “I know, I realize that.” Cayenne suddenly looked frazzled. “Please, please, call Glenna right away.”

  “I will,” said Cindy as the two of them got up from the bench and, a bit wobbly, walked out the door of the Cave into the battering winds.

  Chapter 20

  Cindy quickly returned to her hotel room, half hoping Mattheus would be back by now.

  The room was still empty though, and Cindy immediately flipped on the news.

  “Level two Hurricane Anna about to hit Aruba,” the reporter proclaimed. Then he pointed to a map of low-lying areas that were in the greatest danger of harm.

  Cindy immediately took her phone and texted Mattheus.

  Where are you? Are you safe? What’s happening?

  Then she sat down on the sofa waiting for an answer and realized she was trembling. Mattheus had never behaved like this before. Had he turned against her? Cindy suddenly felt a great sense of both fear and loss. No matter what Mattheus was going through, this was no way to handle it. There was no reason for him to leave without letting her know where he was.

  Suddenly, the phone rang then. Completely relieved, Cindy quickly picked it up, expecting Mattheus on the other end.

  To Cindy’s surprise it was Frank, calling from the States.

  “Your mother and I can’t stop thinking about you,” Frank started immediately. “They say a terrible storm is about to hit Aruba. Are you safe? Are you well?”

  “I’m safe in the hotel,” Cindy murmured, shocked to hear from him.

  “Really, Cindy, are you okay?” Frank asked breathlessly. “Please let us know.”

  For a moment Cindy wanted to break down and tell him that she wasn’t okay. Mattheus wasn’t here and she had no idea where he’d gone. She couldn’t say that, of course, it would only give more fuel to their flame.

  “We’re so upset about what happened when we visited,” Frank continued. “We want to make it right, to talk to you.”

  “Thank you so much, Frank,” Cindy breathed, “I appreciate that. I really do.”

  “Thank God.” Frank sounded relieved as well. “There’s so much I need to fill you in on about what happened with Ann as well. I hope you won’t hate me forever for having that other relationship?”

  “I don’t hate you at all, Frank,” Cindy replied. “Life takes all kinds of turns. I’d love to hear more about Ann though later on, and I am very grateful for your call.”

  “Thank you, Cindy, thank you,” Frank mumbled then. “You’re sure you’re okay? You don’t need any help?”

  Cindy could not bring herself to tell him what was happening, though. “I’m fine, Frank,” she said quietly. “And I’ll be in touch when the case is over and I leave Aruba.”

  “The case?” Frank sounded confused. “I thought you and Mattheus were there to find a wedding venue.”

  “We were,” said Cindy, “and then a case appeared. A young woman who just got engaged, who fell from a cliff.”

  “I didn’t realize,” Frank mumbled.

  “They think it’s a suicide, but I’m investigating, to be sure. It’s okay, it’s fine,” Cindy tried to reassure him. “It will be over soon and I’ll be home.”

  “Home?” Frank’s voice got louder. “Where is home, Cindy, where?”

  His question startled her. She couldn’t tell her brother-in-law that she had no idea. But this wasn’t the time to go into it, either.

  “I’ll call you soon, Frank,” Cindy insisted, entirely bypassing the question of where her home was or where she planned to go next.

  “I’ll look forward to it, Cindy, I really will,” Frank replied. “And so will your mother.”

  Cindy hung up and then kept glancing at her cell phone to see if Mattheus would text her back. He didn’t. Of course it was possible he wasn’t getting phone service due to the oncoming storm, Cindy thought. It was also possible he was on the way back right now. Anything was possible, but in truth, she had no idea.

  Cindy listened to the wind roar outside the window and while her phone service still lasted, decided to call Shari’s friend Glenna immediately. She quickly found Glenna’s contact information and put in a call.

  As soon as the phone rang, Glenna picked up.

  “Glenna, this is Cindy Blaine calling from Aruba,” Cindy started. “I’m a private detective working for your friend Shari’s father.”

  “My God, my God.” Glenna could barely speak. “I’m so horrified, so horrified,” she gasped.

  “We all are,” said Cindy quickly. “How long have you known the news?”

  “Deidre just called and told me,” said Glenna. “Deidre knew Shari and I were best friends. She made me promise to keep it quiet for a while, said Shari’s death was being investigated.”

  “Yes, it is,” said Cindy.

  “Thank God for that,” said Glenna. “I can’t believe that Shari jumped. I just can’t believe it.”

  “Shari suffered from depression though, didn’t she?” Cindy questioned.

  “Sometimes she did, but she wouldn’t jump,” Glenna insisted.

  “She actually left a suicide note behind,” said Cindy softly.

  At that Glenna got quiet. “I didn’t hear that,” she murmured. “What did she say?”

  “Shari apologized for the pain she would be causing,” Cindy responded.

  “That’s not her, it just isn’t,” Glenna insisted. “Someone else could have written the note.”

  Cindy bristled. “Who?”

  “I have no idea,” said Glenna.

  “Do you think Deidre could have written it?” asked Cindy softly, remembering how similar her handwriting was to Shari’s.

  “Deidre? That’s crazy!” Glenna was shocked. “Deidre loved and adored Shari. Her whole life was about making things good for her.”

  “Really?” This was the first time Cindy had heard that.

  “I’ve known Deidre for years, we’re always in touch,” Glenna insisted. “We’ve actually talked about Shari’s wedding a lot.”

  Cindy felt uneasy about that. It seemed as if Deidre was like a shadow, hovering over Shari’s life.

  “Did you happen to hear from Shari herself while she was down here in Aruba?” Cindy asked.

  “Yes, I did,” Glenna exclaimed. “In fact, Shari called me the day she died.”

  “What?” Cindy was stunned. “Why didn’t you call and tell us?”

  “I just found out what happened a little while ago,” Glenna said. “And, anyway, I promised Shari I wouldn’t tell anyone what she said.”

  “What did she tell you? You have to let us know!” Cindy was adamant.

  “Shari was agitated, she was crying on the phone. She told me she was going to call the engagement off.” Glenna sighed deeply then, a great weight now off her heart. “But she made me swear not to tell anyone.”

  “Why?” asked Cindy.

  “That’s what best friends are for, to keep your secrets,” Glenna swiftly replied. “But Shari had told me that plenty of times, I didn’t know whether or not to believe her. She’d always say she was breaking off for good, and then she’d go back to Doug later.”

  “So you weren’t positive she was really calling it off?” Cindy had to be certain.

  “I’d
hoped she would, but I wasn’t sure,” Glenna said. “I told her to do it. I said it was a good idea. And I wasn’t the only one who encouraged her either. Deidre was also constantly trying to convince her sister to break off with Doug.”

  “Why?” Cindy’d had no idea about that.

  “If you want to know Shari’s secrets, ask Deidre,” Glenna went on. “She knows a lot of things.”

  “I want to hear it from you, too,” Cindy demanded.

  “If I knew I would tell you, wouldn’t I?” Glenna became agitated. “But Deidre knows things I don’t. Once Deidre even told me she planned to do all she could to get Shari to break off the engagement.”

  Cindy felt as though she’d been punched in the gut. She wondered why Deidre hadn’t told her about this herself. Could be Glenna was just trying to pass the buck, though? Cindy decided not to let her off the hook so easily.

  “But you must have known something when you wrote that message on Shari’s Facebook page, and told her she couldn’t handle Doug.” Cindy wouldn’t let go.

  Glenna backed down a bit. “I wrote that before Shari called and told me she was planning to break up the engagement.”

  “What couldn’t Shari handle about Doug?” Cindy asked, trying to ease the tension which was growing between her and Glenna now.

  “Doug was tough and very opinionated. Shari gave in to everything he wanted all the time,” Glenna went on. “I didn’t think the relationship would be good for her for the long run, and I told her that plenty of times. I don’t know if she ever really listened, though. She and Doug broke up and got back together over and over again. Every time they broke up I told her it was the right thing to do, and when they got back again, I told her not to.”

  “Why did Shari keep getting back with him?” Cindy had to ask again.

  “Her mother and father pushed her to do it, if you asked me,” Glenna replied. “They think the world of Doug and were convinced that Shari needed him. They kept saying he’d take good care of her.”

  “And how did Doug’s family feel about the wedding?” asked Cindy.

  “Doug’s family wasn’t so excited about it, though, especially his sister, Kate,” Glenna said. “But it didn’t matter. Doug’s family couldn’t influence him. No one could.”