Death by Betrayal (Book #10 in the Caribbean Murder series) (2 page)

Cindy
slept lightly, waking early. She wanted to get a walk on the beach before the
guests started arriving.  She always felt balanced and centered when she was
near water, as though she knew where she was, and what was coming next.

Cindy
dressed quickly in sweat pants and a sweat shirt and took along a rain slicker,
as the day was becoming cloudy and overcast.  Then she jumped into her old car
which was parked in the garage and drove to the town beach, just a few minutes away.

Cindy
loved this beach, a little inlet on the Long Island Sound, which was almost
always empty. It had both wonderful rock jutties to sit on and soft white sand.
She parked the car under a tree nearby and then made her way there on foot.

As
soon as she arrived at the water, Cindy lifted her face into the cool air and
broke into a slow run along the water’s edge. As she jogged along the
coastline, images of both Mattheus and Sean drifted across her mind. Cindy
shook her head to brush the pictures away, as if dissolving cobwebs. There was
no point in thinking about Mattheus. He was with Petra and Andrea now in St.
Croix. It was obvious that Petra wanted to resume a relationship with him. She
was a beautiful woman and could easily use their daughter as bait to do so.
Would she weave a web around Mattheus that he couldn’t break away from? Cindy realized
it was entirely possible.

Cindy
picked up her speed and ran faster to break into the chain of memories that
tried to bind her. Images of Sean arose as well. He was interesting to Cindy,
both a cop and lawyer that she’d just met in Anguilla. Sean had wanted so badly
to return to New York with her to help. Not only was it unnecessary, Cindy had
no true idea about who Sean was, or her real feelings towards him. He’d been a
wonderful support on the last case, someone she’d truly needed at the time.
But, one’s needs became skewed when hunting for a murderer. Strong feelings
developed that had little to do with normal times. And, what about now? Cindy
was about to enter a new world. If she took the job at the paper, she would
have different needs and there would be different kinds of people to interact
with. Sean was essentially a wanderer, life in the States could feel confining
to him. In the same way, life here would certainly be confining to Mattheus,
Cindy thought.

Cindy
ran faster, trying to wipe away these relentless thoughts. She couldn’t though.
Being a detective was wonderful but also unsettling. As soon as one case was
over, the next was right over the hill. These cases had a way of drawing you
in, too. It was hard to think of anything else while tracking down a killer. It
became an obsession until justice had been served. Being on the hunt like that
snatched away both your time and personal concerns. Cindy thought of Mattheus now
absorbed in protecting his daughter and her mother from danger. In a situation
like that, how could he possibly have time to think about her?

Cindy
realized it was time to take a new direction. It was time for her to develop
new skills, become a voice to be contended with, a person of influence. Cindy
had never seen herself that way, but somehow she felt ready for it now. If she
took the job at the paper and settled down, she could easily find someone
stable to remarry and build the family she’d always wanted so much.  Then she
could also spend more time with her family, and build friendships she could
count upon. It seemed a smart direction to go in.

Cindy
reached the end of the coastline, turned around and began to run back. An older
man with a lame dog was walking towards her along the water’s edge. Cindy
jogged past him, not meeting his

eyes.
Who exactly was coming to visit her this afternoon, she wondered?  Probably the
women from the book club Cindy had known when she lived in town. Cindy didn’t expect
or want to see Clint’s family again right now.

A
light drizzle started as Cindy’s jog came to an end.  She enjoyed the soft rain
dropping on her face. Spring was like that, thought Cindy, misty, foggy days
and then suddenly, bright sun.

*

Cindy
returned home calmer, steadier and invigorated.  Her head was clear. She would
call the paper and accept the job in a little while, after her guests had
visited. First, she wanted to take a warm bath and dress for the afternoon.

Cindy
dressed for the afternoon in a cheerful lemon print dress and sandals. Then she
put the finger sandwiches, salad and lemonade Ann had prepared on the coffee
table in the living room. Ann had to be in Bermuda by now, luxuriating on the
beautiful beaches and Cindy was happy for her.

Before
Cindy had even finished putting the food out, the doorbell rang. Cindy went to
the door, opened it. Alana and Jewel stood there together, eager to welcome her
home. Both were friends from the book club, as Cindy had guessed.

“So
good to see you, so good!” they said at the same time.

“Thanks
for coming, come in,” Cindy responded brightly, actually happy to see them
again. They all sat down to catch up as the bell rang again.

Cindy
ran to open it and saw Tina and Barbara, two of Clint’s dear friends, who
entered and joined the festive atmosphere.

“This
is it? You’re returning for good?” Tina asked brightly.

“Looks
like it,” Cindy smiled.

Jewel
raised her eyebrows. “Quite a change of life style, isn’t it?” she said. “Hope
you won’t find it boring here. Our book club will never provide the excitement
you’re used to.”

Cindy
thought of the new job waiting for her, though she didn’t say anything about it
as yet. “It won’t be boring here,” Cindy assured both Jewel and herself.

Alana
laughed. “If you’re not boring, your life is not boring,” she chimed in. “I’m
sure Cindy will find something wonderful to do and keep us all hopping.”

“Definitely,”
Jewel agreed, biting into her second sandwich. “These sandwiches are delicious.
Did Ann prepare them?”

“Naturally,”
Cindy smiled. “I’m not the fabulous homemaker she is.”

“Not
yet anyway,” Tina laughed, “once you settle down, who knows what will happen?”

“Where’s
Ann anyway?” asked Alana, looking around for Ann who had become a familiar
fixture in all of their lives.

“She’s
down in Bermuda with Frank,” said Cindy. “Vacation time.”

“We
could all use some of that,” Alana was impressed.

The
afternoon passed easily with light conversation. The women were curious about
Cindy’s life and while she mentioned nothing about her relationship with Mattheus,
Cindy did fill them in about a day in the life of a detective, keeping them
riveted to their chairs. Before they all knew it, a few hours had passed and it
was time for them to go. Children were waiting back home, dinners had to be
prepared.

“I
have no idea where the hours went,” said Jewel as they all got up to leave and
unexpectedly the doorbell rang.

“Oh
my God,” said Alana, “a late comer! Now you have to start your wonderful
stories all over again.”

Cindy
had no idea who it might be. She went to the door both to say good bye to the
women and see who was out there waiting now. As she opened the door, to her
surprise and delight Pastor Tom Mallord was standing there. He was the Pastor
who had married her and Clint and had helped her so much during the difficult
times.

“Oh,
how wonderful to see you,” Cindy said to him as she bid farewell to the woman.
“Please come in.”

“It’s
wonderful to see you as well, Cindy,” Pastor Mallord said as he greeted the women
in passing and walked in. “I hope I’m not too late,” he was a bit apprehensive.
“I tried to get here sooner, but it’s been a long day.”

“You’re
here at the perfect moment, you always are,” said Cindy. “I’m delighted to see
you.”

“And
you as well, Cindy,” he paused and looked kindly into her eyes. “This is such a
nice chance to catch up. I’m always wondering how you’re doing.”

His
warmth and sincerity entered Cindy’s heart. “Thank you,” she replied.

“Of
course there are all kinds of rumors about what’s happening in your life,” he smiled
and sat down on the sofa. “Some say you’re returning home now for good, others
doubt it.”

Cindy
sat down opposite him and smiled. “It’s something I’ve been trying to decide
myself,” she said quietly.

He
nodded. “You’re a bit of a star here in Oyster Bay,” he went on. “Most haven’t
gotten over the loss of Clint yet, and the way you solved his death was amazing.
People talk about it all the time, your bravery and courage.”

“Thank
you,” Cindy said and meant it.

“And
the way you’ve continued to forge a trail to find justice for those who are
suffering as you did,” he went on.

As
he spoke Cindy had the sense that he was trying to say something to her. Was he
giving her a message not to change course, but continue on the path she’d
embarked upon.

“I’ve
loved doing the work,” she said softly.

“Loved?”
he asked, “is that past tense?”

“I
don’t know,” said Cindy, “there are a lot rough spots that come with that
territory.”

“I
can only imagine,” Pastor Mallord nodded.

“It’s
a sacrifice,” Cindy said suddenly.

“Yes,
it is,” he responded, his beautiful, hazel eyes fixing upon her steadily. “A
life with a mission always requires some sacrifice.”

“Sacrificing
children and family?” Cindy suddenly asked, surprised by the pain she felt
about it.

“That’s
a hard one, very hard,” he agreed.

“Also,
it can be terribly lonely,” Cindy went on in a muted tone.

“I
can only imagine,” Pastor Mallord responded. “I hope you don’t mind my asking,
but I’ve heard you have a partner, someone you’re close to?”

“Yes,
I had,” Cindy replied.

His
eyes opened wider. “Is that in the past tense as well?”

“Most
likely,” said Cindy, feeling shaky. “Again, I’m not sure.”

Pastor
Mallord reached out his hands for Cindy’s and took them lightly.

“So
much uncertainty is difficult for sure,” he said softly. “And you’ve had more
than enough of your share of trials, haven’t you?”

Cindy
looked up at him appreciatively. “Seems so,” she replied.

“But
you’ve passed each trial with flying colors, Cindy!” His face flushed with
emotion as he spoke.

Cindy
was grateful, didn’t realize how much she’d needed to hear the words he was
saying.

“Thank
you so much,” she murmured.

“No,
thank
you
. I’m proud of you, Cindy, we’re all proud,” he continued. “And
remember it takes a special person to be tested the way you have.”

Cindy
had had never thought of it that way. It put her difficulties into a new
context.

“These
trials make you strong,” he went on emphatically.

“I
hope so,” Cindy responded, “because I have no real idea what’s coming next.”

Pastor
Mallord stood up then, “None of us do, if truth be told. We think we know what
we can expect. We set up our lives to be as secure as possible, but at any
moment everything call fall apart - for all of us, Cindy.”

“I
recognize that,” she said.

“I
know you do,” Pastor Mallord replied. He squeezed her hands harder before
letting them go. “If you’d like to talk more or if you ever need me, remember
I’m here.”

Cindy
deeply appreciated it and knew it was so. “I have to figure these next steps
out for myself right now,” she said. “But I’ll certainly take you up on your
offer at the right time.”

He
smiled graciously then, getting ready to go. “Do what you can, think it through
carefully, but remember one thing,” he went on, “there’s a destiny that cannot
be avoided. When it comes knocking, we have no choice.”

Cindy
took in his words. He was right, of course. There was only so much we could
plan for, arrange and control.  Ann didn’t agree, she felt that every detail of
life had to be put in order. But Cindy knew how to be ready for the unexpected;
the shocking events of her life had trained her beautifully for that.

Cindy
and Pastor Mallord chatted a bit more and then he had to depart. After he left,
rather than feeling uplifted as usual, Cindy began to feel a strange
restlessness. She walked back and forth in the living room aimlessly, then
cleared the table, straightened the kitchen, and drank two more glasses of
lemonade. Rather than calm down though, she felt more and more uneasy. There
was no reason for it though, Cindy mused. Pastor Mallord had probably just
brought up old, painful memories and left unanswered questions in her mind.

As
Cindy drifted around the house reviewing their conversation, her phone rang. She
looked and saw it was Mattheus, the last person she wanted to talk to right now.
She let the phone ring and decided to go for a walk outside in the fading light
of the day.

Cindy
walked for a while and then returned calmer. This was a time of upheaval and it
was natural to feel waves of anxiety, she thought. There was a good chance Cindy
would take the job at the paper. This was a huge change of life she was
embarking upon. And what would happen between her and Mattheus then? She had
absolutely no idea.

Cindy
came back inside the house, grabbed a book and curled up on the sofa just as
the phone rang again. Could it be Mattheus calling for a second time? She hoped
not. Cindy stretched over to see who it was and to her surprise saw instead
that it was Frank calling from Bermuda.

Excited
to talk to him and Ann, Cindy quickly picked up.

“Cindy,
Cindy,” Frank’s voice sounded frantic.

“What?”
He didn’t sound like himself.

“Cindy,”
Frank’s voice grew louder, practically shouting.

“What’s
wrong, Frank?” Cindy zeroed in.

“I
can’t tell you, I can’t tell you,” he then sounded as if he were about to sob.

“Tell
me immediately!” Cindy shot to attention.

“Ann’s
been found in our room,” he practically gasped, “not breathing, not moving.”

“What
are you talking about? What are you talking about?” Cindy’s heart started
pounding.

“Late
this afternoon,” he went on.

A
haze fell over Cindy’s mind. She couldn’t take in what he was saying.

“What
are you telling me, Frank?” Cindy’s voice rose a pitch.

“Ann’s
dead, she’s dead,” he started sobbing desperately. “

“Are
you dreaming? Are you crazy? Are you high on drugs?” Cindy started growing
cold. “Ann’s fine, she’s healthy.”

“She’s
gone, Cindy,” Frank managed to gasp between sobs now. “Get on the next plane
and come right down.”

Cindy’s
entire body started shaking. “Frank, wait a minute! What happened? What happened?”
Cindy’s legs buckled as she fell onto the sofa.

“I
don’t know,” Frank’s voice suddenly became stony. “I came upstairs from the
pool and there she was laying in the bed, face down. Her neck had scratch marks
on them.”

“My
God, my God,” Cindy breathed.

“She
wasn’t breathing, she wasn’t moving,” Frank repeated, sounding ghastly. “I kept
yelling Ann, wake up. But she didn’t! She hasn’t! I called downstairs. They
sent up a doctor. He did what he could but it was too late. The police are all
over the place. They think someone killed her.”

“Frank,”
Cindy yelled, “Stop! It’s not possible, I won’t believe it.”

“Believe
it or not, it happened anyway,” he growled back, “get down here immediately.”

*

Frank
hung up and the phone dangled from Cindy’s hand as the room started to spin and
the day turned into a blur. It wasn’t possible, she had to have been dreaming.
Cindy lifted herself from the sofa and looked at the phone again. It was true, Frank
had called from Bermuda.

Barely
able to breathe, Cindy dialed Pastor Mallord.

Thankfully
he picked up right away. “It was wonderful seeing you again, Cindy,” he
started.

“Pastor
Mallord,” Cindy started gasping.

“What’s
wrong? What happened?” he sounded alarmed.

“Come
over immediately. I need your help.”

“Of
course, I’m coming,” he was fully on alert. “What’s wrong?”

“Ann
is dead,” Cindy could barely get the words out.

A
terrible silence fell on the other end. “What are you talking about?” His voice
grew dim.