Death by Desire (Book #4 in the Caribbean Murder series)

by Jaden Skye

  “And how about you? The cops know what you’re doing?” Cindy wanted to put him on the spot.

  He laughed harder then. “Everyone here knows everything that happens. If a bird falls out of his nest, someone hears about it.”

  Cindy suddenly wondered if Petrovich was in on this.

  “Petrovich protects you?” she asked.

  The guy got quiet then and chewed his lips.

  “Good question. You’ve done your work. You’re not as dopey as you seem,” he said. “I always say watch out for the ones who act like they don’t know anything.”

  “Petrovich takes a slice of your profits for protection?” Cindy continued, unabashed.

  “He doesn’t need my profits, Petrovich’s got billions.”

  “There’s something else he gets from you, then?”

  At that the guy got up off his chair, looked at Cindy keenly and said, “the interview’s done. I gave Tiffany what she asked for. The rest’s up to you.”

  He started to go back into his house, when his phone rang. This time he picked it up immediately.

  “Yeah, she’s already here,” he said.

  Someone had to be calling checking up on Cindy. She began to tremble inside. It couldn’t have been Mattheus as she hadn’t gave him the pusher’s contact information.

  “No, no,” the pusher grinned, “she’s just leaving now.”

  He hung up the phone.

  “Who was that?” asked Cindy.

  “No one you know,” he mumbled. “Just an old friend from Guadeloupe.”

  “Sanchez Hanuah?” Cindy’s blood went cold.

  Shocked, the pusher stared at her.

  “You did more than your homework,” he said, impressed.

  Hanuah had to have been keeping track of her, may have even tailed her to this spot. Once again, Mattheus was right. She shouldn’t have come here alone.

  “Alright, I’m going now,” said Cindy.

  “Good luck lady,” the guy said. “I really mean it.”

  “Thank you,”

  “And remember, Tiffany was a good girl. Just got caught in the rotten pool of desire that floods the folks down this way.”

  “I’ll remember,” said Cindy.

  “Take care of yourself,” he said then, as he crept back to the door, and disappeared inside.

  Cindy walked off the porch quickly and turned back up towards the cab. Thankfully, he was waiting for her. It had grown darker out by now, but there was still enough light left to make her way to where he had parked.

  As she walked quickly, in the long shadows made by the trees, she suddenly heard a rustling noise behind her. Fear flooded her and she picked up her pace. It was probably just a small animal that had leapt out from the trees. There was no reason to be afraid, she told herself.

  The next thing she knew strong arms gripped her from behind and a hand slapped over her mouth. Cindy wanted to scream, but couldn’t. She felt the arms pressing around her, squeezing her ribs, forcing the air out. Then, a punch landed on the side of her face, and an excruciating kick on her lower back. Flooded with pain, her head began reeling, as she gasped desperately for breath. Help me, help me, she wanted to call out as darkness enclosed her, dimming what was left of the light of the day. The last thing Cindy heard as she swooned into unconsciousness was a deep voice saying, “Throw her away.”

  CHAPTER 20

  Cindy woke up the next day in a white room, hooked up to a machine. Her head spun as she looked around, not knowing where she was. It was as if she’d fallen into a deep sleep and had terrible dreams she couldn’t escape from. She looked around the well lit room slowly and took a deep breath. A sharp pain in her mid back flooded her entire body. She lifted her hand to her back, but couldn’t get it to move far. It seemed as if she lay like that forever, when a nurse walked into the room.

  “Where am I?” asked Cindy.

  The nurse, a lovely young woman, in her mid-thirties, with a slight French accent leaned over her.

  “You’re safe, you’ll be well. You’re in a hospital in St. Maarten. You were flown over here by helicopter late last night. There are people worried about you, waiting outside.”

  Cindy tried to move her head back and forth, but that was also difficult.

  “You’re bruised badly, but nothing much is broken,” said the nurse. “One rib is strained or fractured and will heal by itself. In a couple of days you’ll be able to leave.”

  Memories of being grabbed and beaten slowly came back to Cindy as the nurse spoke.

  “You had an angel around you,” said the nurse. “The taxi driver who was waiting for you came looking when you did not return.”

  Cindy started to cry.

  “He found you laying under a tree nearby, called the police, and they flew you here.”

  “Is Mattheus here?” Cindy asked softly.

  “Your partner?” the nurse asked.

  Cindy found it hard answering.

  “Don’t worry,” the nurse put her hand on Cindy’s arm. “Your partner is outside and another man is also with him. They’ve been waiting here all night long.”

  Cindy felt terrible. How had she let something like this happen?

  “Would you like to see your partner?” the nurse asked.

  Cindy managed to nod her head.

  “I’m sure he’ll be thrilled to hear you’re awake. He’s been pacing back and forth in the hallway all night long.”

  Cindy closed her eyes. She’d put Mattheus through hell, for no reason.

  The nurse left the room and Cindy lay there quietly, taking it all in. Memory upon memory flooded back to her. The rustling behind her, the hard arms around her waist. She also thought of the call she’d made to her sister earlier in the day. What would have happened if the taxi hadn’t been waiting for her? Ann was right. Cindy might not have ever seen her family again.

  Mattheus looked distraught as he rushed through the door and ran over to her. He took her hand and looked in her eyes. Cindy wondered if her face was black and blue.

  Cindy tried to smile.

  “The doctors and nurses say you’re going to be okay.”

  Cindy nodded slowly.

  Mattheus closed his eyes. Cindy saw how tremendously upset he’d been.

  “It’s my fault,” said Mattheus, “I’m so sorry.”

  Cindy was confused. “Not at all,” she whispered. “My fault entirely.”

  He looked chagrined. “I should never have left you alone on Christmas,” Mattheus spoke heatedly.

  Cindy closed her eyes. It was hard talking and listening, but she was glad he was with her, very glad, indeed.

  “I had my priorities all mixed up,” said Mattheus.

  Cindy shook her head. “We were doing our jobs,” she murmured.

  “My main job is to take care of you,” he said.

  Despite her throbbing headache and pain in her back, Cindy realized that Mattheus was not thinking clearly at the moment. All of this must have been a terrible shock.

  “We’ll talk about it more later,” said Cindy.

  “Of course, we will. You rest,” he said.

  The nurse came in with some light food for Cindy.

  “It’s important that you start to eat by yourself,” she said. “Right now we’re giving you liquids.”

  The last thing Cindy wanted was something to eat.

  “Later,” she said.

  “I’ll feed it to her,” said Mattheus, picking up the dish of applesauce they’d brought.

  “That’s fine,” then nurse said and smiled. “She’ll have to rest for most of the day then. I believe she will be able to start having visitors tomorrow.”

  “Makes sense,” said Mattheus, trying to put a spoonful of applesauce into Cindy’s mouth.

  Cindy opened her mouth and took it.

  “I’m staying here until you’re better,” Mattheus said. “The Senator flew over immediately last night as soon as he heard what happened. He can come back tomorrow. He’s tremendously
upset.”

  Cindy took another mouthful of applesauce. She had no desire to see the Senator at all right now.

  “They’ll keep you here for a little while,” said Mattheus, “and then we’re on the plane back to the States.”

  It was too much for Cindy to process right now.

  “Game over,” said Mattheus. “Some you win, some you lose.”

  “This wasn’t like him,” thought Cindy, taking another spoon of food.

  “Besides, there’s plenty of law enforcement down here on the case,” he continued feeding her.

  “Like who?” Cindy managed to get out.

  Mattheus smiled. “Still the investigator?” he said. “We’ll talk about it later. Right now, you really have to rest.”

  Cindy closed her eyes, and blissfully fell asleep.

  *

  It was two days before Cindy felt well enough to speak to any visitors who came to the hospital. But by then it was actually amazing how much better she felt. Mattheus had stayed at her side continually as well, putting any fears and suspicions she’d had about him totally to rest. I must have been crazy, thought Cindy, believing what I did. Hanuah got to me, played with my mind. There’s a huge lesson to learn here.

  Cindy thanked Mattheus many times. He said he was grateful to be here with her, helping her heal. Cindy knew he hadn’t had the opportunity to be there for his wife when she was attacked and killed. This has to be relieving for him now.

  After lunch on the second day they said it would be fine if Cindy had a few visitors. The Senator had stayed outside waiting each day and was the first to come in.

  He walked into the room, looking devastated.

  “I’m so sorry,” was the first thing he said, walked over, and sat next to Cindy’s bed. “I should have never let it go this far. Thank God we haven’t had another casualty here.”

  Cindy’s heart went out to him. He was in way over his head, caught in a quagmire he could not crawl out of.

  “I’m doing well,” she said.

  “What in the world inspired you to go to the most dangerous, seedy part of the island?” he asked right away.

  Cindy paused. She didn’t want to tell him what she’d learned about his daughter or that Rori had sent her there.

  “You get lots of leads that you have to follow,” was all she replied.

  “I know you were doing this for our sake, but it has gone far enough,” he repeated. “Once you’re well, you and Mattheus have to leave.”

  “We’re being officially fired?” she asked. A strange time to be fired, she thought, when they were so close inside the web.

  “For your own good,” said the Senator, “and for our sakes as well. There’s plenty of cops on the job now, anyhow. The gendarmes have called for backup from Guadeloupe.”

  Cindy wanted to ask if Hanuah was among them, but didn’t want to stir up more trouble or endanger anyone else.

  “I see,” she said.

  “You both have done a wonderful job,” said the Senator, “please realize that. In fact, I have a nice bonus for both of you.”

  That was the last thing Cindy cared about.

  “When you’re ready to be discharged, Mattheus will go back to the island and pack up. I’ll arrange for first class tickets on the next plane home for both of you.”

  “You’ve paid attention to every little detail,” said Cindy.

  The Senator took that as a compliment.

  “Yes, thank you. I have. You’ll probably only be here one more day - be discharged tomorrow. I know my family wants to thank you and say good bye.”

  “That’s kind of them,” said Cindy. “By the way, did the police happen to find out who attacked me, and why?”

  “It’s being looked into as we speak,” the Senator said in a suddenly official voice.

  “I hope you realize that whoever did it,” Cindy remarked, “is very likely connected to the death of your daughter.”

  “Strong possibility,” said the Senator ruefully.

  “And, as Frances is locked up in jail, clearly he had nothing to do with it,” Cindy spoke intensely.

  “Doesn’t look like it,” the Senator said, officially, once again. “I’m sure the police will not hold him much longer.”

  Cindy wasn’t so sure.

  Mattheus walked into the room then.

  “I’ve told Cindy about the plans for what happens after her discharge,” said the Senator.

  “We’re off the case officially,” Mattheus said to Cindy.

  The Senator stood up and looked at them both.

  “Once again, I’m terribly sorry about what happened to you,” he said to Cindy, “I hope you’ll forgive me.”

  “And I’m sorry about the death of your daughter,” Cindy responded. “I hope you will forgive us for not finding the killer. But we’ve come very close now.”

  “Yes, you have,” he mumbled and walked out of the room.

  Cindy and Mattheus looked at each other then.

  “He’s weak,” Cindy said.

  Mattheus shook his head. “No, there’s only so much he can handle. There’s only so much power he can wield. Now he’s afraid for the rest of his family.”

  “I understand,” Cindy said.

  “At least Frances will be let out of custody. That’s something,” Mattheus said.

  “Are you sure he will?” asked Cindy.

  “Yes, that was the agreement,” Mattheus said. “There’s no link at all between Frances and whoever wanted you dead.”

  “It had to be Hanuah,” said Cindy, “or someone connected to him. He warned me about this Christmas Eve.”

  “Hanuah’s only another pawn,” Mattheus said.

  “You found out who he is?” asked Cindy, surprised.

  “I did,” said Mattheus. “He’s actually married to the red head I was interviewing. They’re both in Petrovich’s employ.”

  Cindy was shaken.

  “Petrovich wanted to divide us, and take the spoils for himself.”

  “Why would he want Tiffany dead, though?” asked Cindy.

  “He didn’t,” said Mattheus. “We were just treading too deeply on their turf. He had no way of knowing what we would turn up.”

  “So, Tiffany amounts to nothing, then?” Cindy said.

  “She amounts to something, but we can’t go further to find out. Just can’t.”

  “I get what you’re saying,” said Cindy. “But I’ve never been one to accept defeat.”

  “This isn’t defeat,” said Mattheus. “You’re a brave, courageous, fabulous woman and you’ve proved it every which way.”

  “Thank you,” Cindy flushed.

  “And I care about you, more than I can say,” Mattheus said.

  Cindy looked into his eyes. It was true, she could see it. She took his hand and held it close to her.

  “And I hope you care about me, too,” Mattheus said, suddenly nervous.

  “I do,” said Cindy, and meant it.

  Mattheus breathed a sigh of relief.

  “We’ll be out of here tomorrow,” he said. “You’re much better now. I’ll go back to the hotel tonight, and pack up. You will be discharged tomorrow around eleven a.m. Then you’ll be taken to the airport to fly back to St. Bart’s. I’ll meet you there before the flight back to the States. We have tickets on a three o’clock flight.”

  “So, that’s it?” said Cindy.

  “It’ll take some time to process what happened, get our bearings, but we’ll be fine. We’ll move forward. Another case will come along.”

  Cindy marveled at Mattheus’ spirit.

  “Okay,” she said. “I didn’t listen to you before and look what happened. What choice do I have now?”

  “None at all,” he said.

  They both smiled.

  “And now there are a few people outside waiting to see you,” Mattheus said. “Do you have enough energy for a little visit, for them to thank you and say good bye?”

  “Of course,” said Cindy.

>   Mattheus smiled, got up, and went to the door.

  “Okay, you have your visits, and I’ll be going back to St. Bart’s to start packing. I’ll call you when I get there.”

  “Good,” said Cindy, feeling as though she was being forced to close a chapter that was not

  complete. Clearly they were all closing ranks around her, and wouldn’t give her a chance. It didn’t matter, Cindy still felt that the answer to who killed Tiffany was right close by. Too close, maybe.

  Mattheus left and after a decent lunch Cindy was ready for visitors.

  Tad was the first to come in. He stood at the door looking at her, seemed overly happy to see her.

  “I felt so nervous when I heard what happened,” Tad started.

  “I’m fine now,” Cindy soothed him.

  “You came down here to help us, and look how it affected you,” his lower lip was trembling.

  “Tad, I’m really okay.”

  “I heard you’re leaving tomorrow,” he said. “Well, I for one am sad to see you go.”

  “Don’t worry,” Cindy joked in a low voice, “before they know it, we’ll be back.”

  Tad’s eyes opened wide.

  Cindy was amused to see his reaction. She had just been making a joke.

  “You’ll be back to work on the crime?” he asked.

  “Why not?” said Cindy, playfully. “We’ve already come this far.”

  “You’re incredible, Cindy,” Tad said. “You never let go, don’t fear danger. Harm means nothing to you.”

  “You’re quite a guy yourself,” said Cindy. She felt badly about Tad now, knowing all she did.

  “I hope you’ll find a way to go forward.”

  Tad looked at her oddly. “Of course I will,” he answered. “Why shouldn’t I? I had an amazing woman and she’ll be hard to replace. But one day I will. This is a big world.”

  “That’s a good attitude,” said Cindy. Suddenly, memories of his unchecked alibi also came to mind.

  “Tiffany was a complicated woman,” Cindy added. “Maybe you’ll find someone simpler, easier to live with?”

  Tad looked at her, startled. “That’s an odd thing to say,” he remarked.

  Cindy couldn’t help but probe. “Tiffany had many sides to her,”

  “We all have many sides to us,” Tad held strong. “Different people bring out different parts of each other. Tiffany brought out only the best in me.”