Death by Betrayal (Book #10 in the Caribbean Murder series) (22 page)

“Someday
I hope to, Frank,” Cindy said very quietly, “but right now, I can’t.”

The
stir created by finding Ann’s killer reverberated all through the Island.
One
of the Hotel Murders Solved,
the papers announced.  
C and M
Investigations did it again! Cindy was almost killed in the process, too,
the reporters went on and on.

“It
was you, Cindy who solved this,” Mattheus insisted as people gathered around,
“not C and M Investigations. I was on board with the police, I thought Frank
did it. If you hadn’t taken that extra step with Ronnelle, the truth would
never have come out.”

Cindy
was both relieved and shaken to the core. She was deeply, deeply relieved that
they’d found the killer, but also now had to face the fact that Ann was gone. Cindy
also had to deal with Frank’s betrayal. How could she ever face or talk to him
again?

As
soon as her family heard the news, Cindy’s mother wanted to see her
immediately.

“In
a little while,” Mattheus told her Uncle Ben.“Cindy’s still recovering from her
ordeal with Ronnelle. She’s fine, no worries, but she’s resting up.”

“Her
mother said to tell her she saved the family; saved everyone’s life,” Uncle Ben
murmured. “Frank will be obliged to her forever, and so will everyone else.”

Cindy
didn’t want anybody obliged to her for any reason. She did what she had to and
what was natural for her.  She was glad the family felt good about it, but
nothing anyone said could take away the pit inside her stomach. She hadn’t been
here in time to save Ann.

“I’ll
never get over this,” she said to Mattheus.

“We
can only do what we’re given to do,” Mattheus tried to comfort her. “There was
no way anyone could have known this would happen.”

Of
course that made sense rationally, but the sadness inside Cindy kept growing, anyway.

Uncle
Charlie came to Cindy’s room with fruit and candy. Cindy, resting on the sofa,
beckoned him in and thanked him for his help in finding Frank.

Charlie
leaned down close to her. “You’ve been magnificent, Cindy and this will take
time, but I know you’ll find it in your heart to forgive Frank.”

Cindy
closed her eyes. It was way too soon to think about that now.

“I’m
so glad Mattheus is here with you, too,” Charlie continued. “He’s certainly
found a place in my heart.”

“Thanks
so much, Charlie,” Mattheus said as he came over and took Cindy’s hand.

“I
hate to ask this, but what’s next?” asked Charlie. “You plan to come home and
spend time with the family?”

Cindy
knew her mother had put him up to asking that. “I will later on,” said Cindy,
“but for now, I need time.”

“With
Mattheus?” asked Charles.

“Absolutely,”
Mattheus said, looking at Cindy questioningly.

Cindy
ran her hands over her face and sat up slightly then. “Absolutely,” she agreed.

“And
I heard we just got another call in,” she went on quickly.

“From
Jamaica,” Mattheus said, “how did you hear?”

“It
was on the radio,” Cindy remarked. “A double murder in one afternoon.”

“They’re
afraid a serial killer is on the loose,” Mattheus added.

“You
can’t possibly be thinking of going down there to work on this now?” Charlie
looked startled.

“I
can’t possibly think of not going,” Cindy replied.

Mattheus
looked at her out of the corner of his eye. “You’re sure?”

Cindy
nodded. “More sure than I’ve been of anything. How can I better honor Ann’s
life and death? I’m dedicating my work to her.”

Charlie
took it all in. “I totally get that,” he commented, “your mother won’t, but I
do.”

“Thank
you,” said Cindy. “Will my mother be alright?”

“In
time she will,” said Charlie. “She has her brother at her side, Frank, and lots
of friends back home. Someday she’ll have you, too, feeling closer.”

“I’m
not sure about that,” said Cindy. “I hope so though.”

“Give
it time,” said Charlie. “People grow, feelings change, they have to. And tell
me, how are the two of you going on this new case? Just as working partners?”

Despite
herself Cindy smiled. “That’s one way of describing it.”

“One
way only,” Mattheus, too, smiled broadly. “Only part of the story. We’ll have
more news for you about the rest soon.”

“A
wedding?” Charlie asked delighted.

“Ann’s
just passed, it’s too soon for that,” Cindy said softly. “We all need time to
remember her.”

“What
better way to remember her than at a wedding?” asked Charlie. “Besides from
what I’ve been hearing, nothing would have made her happier.”

Mattheus
grinned, “I agree.”

“There’ll
be time for everything,” Cindy lifted her head and looked at both of them
lovingly.

“And
for now, we’re off to Jamaica,” said Mattheus.

“With
all my blessings,” Charlie echoed, coming closer, pulling them together, and
hugging them both for all he was worth.

COMING SOON…

Book #11 in the Caribbean Murder Series

Now
Available: Jaden’s Skye NEW romance series!

A PERFECT STRANGER
(Book #1 in the Tom’s River Saga)

Nestled among trees
and hills, set alongside a winding river, the small town of Tom’s River,
Wisconsin, so beautiful and protected, is a place where everybody knows each
other, a place where nothing ever changes and where people can feel safe. But
one day, all that changes. Megan’s husband has gone missing, and no one can
find him.
As the search deepens, Megan discovers the truth not only about her husband,
but also about the secrets he’s been hiding in their marriage. Her world is
shook as she realizes she’s been living a lie, has been in a relationship with
a man who’s been living a secret life, a man she never really knew.
Some months after his disappearance, as the snows of winter melt, Hunter, a
handsome, magnetic stranger, arrives in Tom’s River. A loner with a mysterious
past, he is content with his solitary job at the lumber yard. But as a tornado
ravages the town, he is destined to cross paths with Megan, as she seeks help
to repair her damaged home.
Once Hunter and Megan meet, nothing is ever the same again. As he repairs the
roof that blew off her home, the two cannot hold back their feelings for each
other. They fall madly in love. Yet Megan cannot, once again, live with a man
who is keeping secrets from her: she needs Hunter to open up about who he is,
about what he’s running from. And that is not something Hunter may be ready to
do.
As they face a crucial crossroads in their affair, a shocking and dramatic
twist hits the town: one that will test their love, and will test the town.
Nothing will be the same in Tom’s River again.

Please
visit Jaden’s site, where you can join the mailing list, hear the latest news,
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Also
by Jaden Skye

THE CARIBBEAN MURDER SERIES
DEATH BY HONEYMOON (Book #1)
DEATH BY DIVORCE (Book #2)
DEATH BY MARRIAGE (Book #3)
DEATH BY DESIRE (Book #4)
DEATH BY DECEIT (Book #5)

DEATH BY JEALOUSY (Book #6)

DEATH BY PROPOSAL (Book #7)
DEATH BY OBSESSION (Book #8)
THE TOM’S RIVER SAGA
A PERFECT STRANGER (Book #1)