Death by Betrayal (Book #10 in the Caribbean Murder series)

by Jaden Skye

  “Be back by noon, please,” Cindy said in response.

  “Why noon?” Mattheus seemed surprised.

  “My mom’s planning a memorial for my sister at one o’clock today on the beach.”

  “A memorial?” Mattheus looked startled.

  “It’s her way of dealing with Ann’s death,” Cindy replied. “I know it sounds crazy.”

  “Not crazy, but strange,” Mattheus seemed interested.

  “Will you come with me?” Cindy asked quietly, dreading going alone.

  “Of course I will,” Mattheus answered promptly. “Why do you even ask? I’ve wanted to meet your family for a long time.”

  “But not this way,” Cindy replied.

  “No, not like this,” Mattheus agreed, “but I’ll be with you every step of the way. There’s no way you’re going alone.”

  *

  Cindy tried to spend the morning resting while waiting for Mattheus to return. It was impossible to keep her mind from racing though. Scene upon scene of her life with Ann, played out before her. She knew she had to look at Ann’s email and Facebook pages, though the thought of it was painful to her. Ann had even once told Cindy her email password, and Cindy never forgot it - Sunshine10. Ann had laughed and said she chose it because she loved the sunshine. Cindy had laughed with her and told Ann that her email password was Rainforest.

  “Rain and sun, both needed,” Ann had quipped. Those had been happy times, light and breezy.

  Before Mattheus arrived, it had been impossible for Cindy to look at Ann’s emails, but she was almost ready to now. The police had probably done it already, but there were so many things they could miss that would strike Cindy, she couldn’t avoid it much longer.

  Just as Cindy was about to delve into Ann’s email account, her phone rang. Cindy leaned over and picked up.

  “You’re getting ready for the memorial aren’t you?” her mother spoke fitfully. “You’re definitely coming?”

  “Of course I’m coming,” Cindy replied. “I’ll meet you down in the lobby at twelve thirty as planned.”

  “Make sure you say something important about Ann,” her mother quickly added. “Take time to prepare it.”

  It felt like a huge rock just landed on Cindy’s heart. “I thought I’d just say whatever came to mind,” she responded.

  “No, that’s not good enough,” her mother replied quickly. “Ann deserves better. She deserves your praise. She loved you, Cindy, think it over carefully.”

  “Alright, I will,” Cindy acquiesced. “And, I’ll be down in the lobby as soon as Mattheus returns from the police station. We’ll be there together, ready to go.”

  A stony silence greeted Cindy. “Mattheus, your partner?” her mother finally managed to ask.

  “Yes, he’s here, I thought I’d told you he was coming, “Cindy replied.

  “No, you hadn’t,” her mother exclaimed. “You never gave me the courtesy of telling me you were bringing him to the memorial, either. Did he even know Ann?”

  “Yes, they met,” Cindy replied.

  “I don’t recall issuing him an invitation,” her mother went on.

  “Mom, cut it out,” Cindy’s voice grew rougher.

  “I suppose we have no choice but include him too?” her mother relented.

  “No choice at all,” said Cindy. “Mattheus has come all the way here to help us out. He needs to be there and you need to meet him.”

  *

  Mattheus returned from the police station around ten after twelve, looking fortified.

  “I like Trage a lot,” he said as he walked into Cindy’s room. “Looks like we’re on the same page. That’s something, at least.”

  Cindy was relieved to hear that. “I began to wonder a little about him,” she said, looking over at Mattheus. “When I interviewed one guy, Alain, he said there were all kinds of cover ups going on here.”

  “Everywhere,” Mattheus commented. “What else did he say? Who’s Alain?”

  “He was someone who worked at the hotel and was fired the same day Ann was killed. He’d brought room service to her room. Trage told me to talk to him.”

  Mattheus’s eyebrows raised. “Sounds like a good idea.”

  “It was,” said Cindy, getting up. “I went down to where he lives. He’s a local with a perfect alibi, who knows his way around. I liked the guy and he liked me. He made a point of warning me not to trust anyone, said this is an international hub of business and big money, banking, the works.”

  “Yes, it is,” said Mattheus slowly.

  “Then on the way home, my taxi practically got swiped off the road by a dark, green car,” Cindy continued. “Trage was the only one who knew I was there. I couldn’t help wonder if he sent the car for me.”

  Mattheus shook his head immediately. “Not at all, not for a second. Trage’s a great guy. He’s exceptional, really. He cares about you. That’s just paranoia.”

  “You’re sure, Mattheus?” Cindy asked.

  “Yes, I am,” Mattheus came closer to her. “Nothing wrong with a touch of paranoia now and then. It keeps us on our toes, makes us better detectives. But I’m sure Trage’s on our team.”

  Cindy felt relieved to hear that, but also wondered how Mattheus could have come to such a strong conclusion so quickly.

  “Trage opened the books to me,” Mattheus continued, “showed me everything they had.”

  “That’s good,” said Cindy, standing up then, and smoothing out her dress. She’d purposely put on a special, golden summer dress, for the memorial that was coming.

  “You look lovely,” Mattheus took a step closer.

  “We’ve got to leave now for the memorial,” Cindy said.

  “I’m glad we’re going,” said Mattheus. “This will be a good chance for me to learn lots of things.”

  Cindy hadn’t thought of it that way. But it was true, Mattheus knew little about Ann, just that she was close to Cindy. He also knew that Ann had always encouraged her to end their relationship, come home to the States and live a normal life.

  “You’ll also meet two of my uncles,” said Cindy, “and naturally, see Frank.”

  “I’m looking forward to all of it,” said Mattheus.

  “Before we go, just one thing,” said Cindy, apprehensive.

  “What?” asked Mattheus.

  “I want you to know that I’ll never forget what you’re doing for me. I’ll never forget how you got here so quickly.”

  Mattheus pulled her to him then, grimacing. “Of course you’ll never forget,” he grumbled lovingly, “how could you forget? I’ll never let you forget. All our life long, I’ll always remind you.”

  *

  Cindy’s mother, uncles and Frank were all sitting in the lobby when she and Mattheus got downstairs. Her mother jumped up the moment Cindy approached and so did her uncles. Frank kept sitting where he was, looking glum.

  “I’d like to introduce Mattheus,” Cindy said to all of them at once.

  “Nice to meet you,” Uncle Charlie was the first to step forth and extend his hand.

  Mattheus took it and the two of them smiled warmly.

  “So, we finally meet,” Cindy’s mother looked Mattheus up and down.

  “I’m pleased to meet you,” Mattheus said to her, formally.

  “And I don’t expect this moment would ever have happened if we weren’t faced with tragedy,” her mother replied coolly.

  “Not true,” said Mattheus, “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you for awhile.”

  Mattheus’s words silenced her mother and Frank stood up and joined the group. Although Frank and Mattheus had met on another occasion, Frank seemed unsettled by the sight of him.

  “What are you doing here with us, now?” Frank asked him blatantly.

  “I’m down here to help Cindy solve the case,” Mattheus replied.

  “The case, the case! That’s all you two can think of. You’re just down here as a detective, that’s all?” Cindy’s mother quipped.

 
“I’m here as a detective and as a friend,” Mattheus replied calmly, unaffected by her onslaught.

  “What kind of friend?” her mother went on, skeptically.

  “Please forgive this harsh treatment,” Charlie interrupted Cindy’s mother, “this is a tough time for everyone.”

  “I’m well aware of that,” Mattheus replied kindly.

  “Aware of what? What are you aware of?” Cindy’s mother seemed to be agitated by Mattheus’s presence. “I’ve lost one daughter and Cindy’s the only one left. What are your intentions with my only surviving child?” she exclaimed haughtily.

  “I plan to marry Cindy,” Mattheus remarked stalwartly, as though it were an accomplished fact.

  A stunned silence descended over the entire group, including Cindy. She’d never seen Mattheus like this before, standing up to everyone, refusing to be intimidated, declaring his love for her publicly.

  “That’s the first I’ve heard of anything about this,” Cindy’s mother eyes opened wide. “Why hasn’t Cindy told me? She hasn’t said a word about an engagement.”

  Frank ran his hand through his hair and joined the fray. “Maybe because Cindy didn’t know? From what I’ve seen, these two are always getting together and breaking up. One day she’s engaged, the next she’s home on a plane by herself. It drove Ann crazy!”

  “Really?” Cindy’s mother swiveled around to Cindy.

  Cindy couldn’t say a word. Mattheus’s firm declaration had swept over her suddenly, and she felt as if she’d been engulfed by a warm, soothing wave.

  “This is hardly the time to go into the details of our relationship,” Mattheus put his arm around Cindy. “Let’s tend to matters at hand, first.”

  “Yes, Ann is waiting,” Cindy’s mother suddenly sniffled. “It’s her time now.”

  Cindy breathed deeply and moved closer to Mattheus. Her mother seemed half mad to her. How was this Ann’s time? Ann’s time was over – she’d been cut down flat.

  “We’ll talk about the engagement later,” her mother continued. “This is no time to plan a wedding. Ann’s waiting for us now, on the beach.”

  Chapter 9

  Altogether, as one person, the group turned and walked out the front door a few blocks down to the beach. The afternoon was warm and balmy and the light breeze which drifted across Cindy’s face felt oddly soothing. As they walked Cindy reached out for Mattheus and he took her hand in his right away. Cindy felt nervous about what was to take place and it was wonderful to have Mattheus beside her. Finally, they reached the beach, took off their shoes, and, following her mother’s lead, walked quietly along the sand.

  When they reached a spot down near the water, close to a large palm tree, her mother stopped and stood still, and the group gathered in a circle around her. Without any provocation she started speaking as if it were the most natural thing to do. It seemed as if this moment had been rehearsed for years.

  “Perhaps it seems odd to conduct this memorial so quickly,” her mother began, “but I know that Ann is nearby and listening to every word we say. She needs this, she wants it. We’ll have other services back home, but this is where she took her last breath.

  Cindy felt her heart fluttering and tears fill her eyes.

  “Some of us who are here have been close to Ann,” her mother went.

  Frank cleared his throat and looked devastated. This wasn’t going to be easy for anyone. It was too soon, there were too many loose threads. They were all going along with it to pacify Cindy’s mother. In a strange way it was fitting. This was the way Ann had lived her life, Cindy thought, pacifying her mother. Cindy had refused to do it and had refused to pacify Ann as well. Ann was different from their mother though, she’d truly wanted the best for Cindy. Over and over Ann told her that she wanted Cindy to live her own life, but happily and fully.

  “I believe it’s best for Frank to speak first,” Cindy’s mother turned towards him. “He has lost his life partner, his dearest friend.”

  This was more though, than Frank could bear. “What do you want me to say, Claudia?” his lips were quivering. “I loved Ann my whole life long. She was a fantastic woman, a treasure, a gift.” His head fell as he started rubbing his foot in the sand.

  Cindy’s Uncle Ben, moved closer to her mother then and put his arm around her shoulder, as her mother wept softly at Frank’s words.

  “Say more Frank,” her mother’s voice was uneven now. “I know how much you meant to Ann – everyone knows.”

  “Ann only wanted the best for everyone,” Frank gathered himself together. “We were childhood sweethearts, we loved each other, our feelings never changed.”

  Cindy thought about that for a moment. It did seem that over the years that the bond between Frank and Ann had remained constant. Ann had never said a bad thing about him to Cindy, nor had he ever seemed upset with her. In fact, Cindy had marveled at it from time to time. From her perspective Frank had never seemed suited to her sister. Cindy had thought of asking Ann about her relationship with him from time to time, but could never bring herself to. It wasn’t something Ann ever seemed to want to discuss.

  “Ann will always be with you,” Charlie broke into the uneasy silence. “A love like you had keeps going forever, even after the person’s gone.”

  Frank closed his eyes very tightly.

  “I had a love like that with my wife, Bella,” Charlie went on. “After I got over her passing, I got strength from her love for years.”

  That was interesting to Cindy. She’d known almost nothing about her Uncle Charlie’s life. It was beautiful to learn that he’d had such a fulfilling marriage. Cindy wondered again why her mother had rejected him so completely and kept him out of their lives. Cindy looked at Mattheus out of the corner of her eyes. He was gazing out into the ocean, listening intently to everything that was being said. Cindy wondered how Mattheus was taking all this, if he thought her family was strange?

  “How about you? What have you got to say, Cindy?” her mother turned towards her then.

  Cindy felt a wave of oppression and sorrow come over her as she opened her mouth to speak. All she could think of was how much she wanted to know what had happened to her sister and why? It was almost impossible to talk about their relationship when everything else hung in the air. Ann’s passing was still unreal to Cindy. She had no idea at all what it said about Ann’s life. Was there a secret aspect to Ann that she never knew about? Was this memorial service and all these praises a grand cover up?

  “Go ahead, talk Cindy,” her mother demanded.

  “Ann was the most incredible sister anyone could have wanted,” Cindy mouthed the words reflexively. “I told her that many times, too. I told her I loved her, I thanked her for everything. Ann was a cornerstone of my life.”

  Charlie turned and fastened his eyes upon Cindy, listening deeply to what she was saying.

  “Ann didn’t want much back from me, either,” Cindy went on. “She gave unconditionally.”

  “That was her mistake,” Frank mumbled loudly.

  “She gave everything and never really asked for anything,” Cindy went on.

  “Except that you come home,” Cindy’s mother interrupted sharply, as a breeze from the ocean blew up. “She told me she wanted you back in the States.”

  “No, Ann’s main wish was for me to be happy,” Cindy became defiant. “She wanted me to be my own person, not to follow along in anyone’s footsteps. She told me that many times.”

  “That’s hard to believe,” her mother uttered. “Ann often told me she missed you and wanted you home.”

  “No,” Cindy voice rose above the din of the waves which were lapping more loudly on shore. “You know how I knew that Ann really cared for me and not just for herself? She wanted for me what I wanted for myself. She just was concerned that I be careful!”

  “Not true!” Frank interrupted Cindy gruffly. “Your sister wanted you to settle back home, take that job on the paper, get a real life. She didn’t want you traipsing aro
und the Caribbean always putting yourself in danger.”

  Cindy felt Mattheus shiver beside her, as he gripped her hand.

  “Cindy has a real life,” Mattheus broke in, as all eyes turned to him.

  “This is about Ann, not about me,” horrified Cindy spoke over him. “Let’s use the time to remember her.”

  Cindy’s mother moved down towards the ocean , opened her arms widely and spoke into the wind that blew on her face.

  “Ann was the daughter I always wanted, everything a mother could have hoped for. She married a good man, lived close by. She respected my wishes, stayed at my side, especially when her father died. Ann never left me; would never have left on her own. I was blessed to have had her.”

  Cindy felt the pit in her stomach grow deeper as her mother spoke and as the wind blew more strongly on all of them.

  “I want Ann to know how much she means to me,” Cindy’s mother continued, her voice raw with emotion. “I want her to hear every word I’m saying.”

  Suddenly, Uncle Ben suddenly started to sob. “Ann hears you, Claudia, she hears you,” he managed between sobs.

  Charlie took a step closer to them and Frank stepped back and put his face in his hands.

  Cindy held Mattheus’s hand tighter. Was Ann’s spirit there with them? Did she hear what they were saying? If she was there, what Cindy wanted more than anything was for her sister to tell her how she died. I need justice for you, Ann, Cindy spoke to her sister in her mind. I need you to help me understand.

  Ben pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket then and started reading aloud.

  “The good we do lives after us. It is never forgotten, lives on for eternity. The good Lord is watching over dear Ann and watching over all of us now.”

  “Is there anything else to be read?” Cindy’s mother’s voice rose shrilly, like the sound of a seagull flying by.

  “Yes,” said Cindy, as she stepped forward, remembering a passage that had guided her life these past years. “For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought into the open. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”