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

implicit
accusation.  Cindy had no intention of stepping into Ann’s shoes, mollifying
her mother at every turn.
    “I
kept calling your room and you didn’t answer,” her mother’s words came quickly.
    “I’m
working on the case now,” Cindy responded, “there are people to see, things to
take care of.”
    “So
that’s what your sister’s become to you, a case?” her mother sounded appalled.
    “Ann
is many things to me,” Cindy shot back. “She was murdered, mom. It’s a case, we
have to find out who did it, don’t we?”
    “We
have to probe into the sordid details?” her mother sounded dismayed. “Why? What
difference will it make? Will it bring your sister back to us, ever? There are
far more important things to do right now.”
    “Like
what?” Cindy was horrified. What could be more important than finding the
killer, prevent others from also possibly falling into harm.
    “We
have to honor Ann’s memory,” her mother went on undeterred, “and do it in the
place she died.”
    Cindy
never could follow her mother’s train of thought, or understand what was
important to her. Why should it be any different now, she thought?
               “We have to prepare a memorial service,” her mother went on, “stay
close to the family, comfort each other, remember the good times.”
    Cindy’s
mother was asking her to forget about finding the killer and remember the good
times. It was an impossible request for Cindy.
    “The
best way for me to honor Ann’s memory is to get justice for her,” Cindy responded.
    “There
is no justice, you can’t get justice!” her mother’s voice grew paper thin.
    “Oh
yes, I can,” Cindy dug in.
    “Even
if you find the killer, you’re not getting justice!” her mother’s voice got
higher. “There will never be justice.  Ann’s life was cut short for no reason.”
    “There
is a reason,” Cindy said staunchly, “And I’m going to find it.”
    “Well,
I’m planning a memorial on the beach for the day after tomorrow,” her mother
continued. “You can be there, or not.”
    Cindy
took a deep breath.  “Of course I’ll be there,” she said quietly. Her mother
was suffering, Cindy had to do something to help her as well.
    “But
you won’t help me plan the memorial, will you?” her mother was outraged. But
whatever Cindy did or didn’t do, her mother was outraged. It had been that way
since she was a little girl. They occupied two different universes.
    “I’m
not helping you plan a memorial right now,” Cindy held her ground. “I have
other things to focus on.”
    “Then,
at least tell Frank to get to my room,” her mother demanded. “I know he’ll want
to have a say in it. I know he’ll be happy we’re doing it.”
    It
suddenly struck Cindy that the bail hearing should be over by now. She could
most likely get Frank released right away and bring him to her mother.
    “That
I can do for you,” said Cindy quickly, sitting upright on the lounge. “I’ll go
get Frank and bring him to you as soon as possible.”
    “Fine,”
her mother seemed mollified. “Do it this minute, if you can.”
    *
    Thankfully,
bail had been granted. When Cindy called Trage he told her she could come and
take Frank back with her now.  He and his possessions were being placed in her
custody. Cindy agreed, grabbed a cold glass of water, washed her face quickly,
brushed her hair and ran downstairs to get to the jail and bring Frank back.
    When
Cindy arrived Trage was waiting for her. “Good to see you, Cindy,” he reached
out his hand. “Frank’s ready to go.”
    “Thanks
so very much for this,” Cindy breathed.
    “No
problem,” said Trage, “Did you check on Alain yet?”
    Cindy
looked at Trage carefully.  He was the only one who knew she’d gone to see him.
Once again Cindy wondered if Trage had anything to do with the green car that
practically swiped her off the road? She pulled back a bit. Cindy knew you
couldn’t give someone your trust,