Free Death by Engagement by Jaden Skye

a few blocks before hailing a taxi. The days had been more stressful
than Cindy realized and she was glad for the opportunity to walk it off. As she
walked, Cindy wondered whether Mattheus had enjoyed his golf game and if he was
upstairs now, waiting for her to return. She imagined he was somewhere close
around, expecting to see or hear from her.
    After
she’d walked a bit, she hailed a cab and returned to the hotel in a few
minutes. She looked forward to seeing Mattheus as she open the door to the
suite and walked in.
    “I’m
here,” Cindy called out, expectantly.
    No
one answered.
    He
could be in the bathroom, or out on the balcony, Cindy mused as she threw her
bag down on the nearby sofa. “Mattheus,” Cindy called again, and again there
was no answer.
    First
she walked out onto the balcony and looked around. The slowly setting sun
greeted
    her
with dazzling colors spread across the sky. Another day ending, it seemed to
whisper to her. Since she was a child Cindy had always been enthralled by the sky
and sun. She stopped now and took a full moment to enjoy it.
    Another
day ending, she wanted to whisper back. It was a good day, though; a lot was
accomplished, not a moment was wasted. I did all I possibly could to find some
answers for Edward Twain, to bring peace to his heart. Cindy felt good about
that. She walked over to the rim of the balcony, wrapped her hands around it
and held on. The memory of her sister, Ann, floated before her, and after that,
the image of Shari, found down at the bottom of the cliff. How could a person
become so deeply despairing that this beautiful life held nothing more for
them? Wasn’t there always something of value to find, even in the midst of the
most terrible pain?
    Cindy
thought of her sister and was comforted by the knowledge of how much Ann had
appreciated her life. Yes, it was unbearable to lose her, but at least she had
not committed suicide. Ann had been a victim of a jealous woman, the last thing
anyone in the world thought could have happened to her. But it happened, and
Cindy could deal with it. Cindy wondered if she could deal with it as well,
though, if Ann had killed herself.
    As
Cindy stood there reflecting, she felt strong winds arise from the ocean down
below. It was autumn now, in the midst of the hurricane season. Although Aruba
escaped most hurricanes, some did come to their shores. No one expected them
here, though, didn’t prepare avidly as they did on nearby islands.
    “Is
that you out there?” Cindy suddenly heard Mattheus’s voice behind her, as his
steps walked to the balcony.
    Cindy
was thrilled that he was here and quickly turned around.
    “Beautiful
sunset,” Mattheus said as he came up behind her, put his arms around her and
gave Cindy a little hug.
    “One
of the most beautiful I’ve seen in a long time,” said Cindy.
    “Really?”
he responded, taking her hand.
    “I
missed you today, Mattheus,” Cindy said softly.
    “I
would hope so,” he answered cryptically. “I, for one, had a great golf game.
The hotel has a fantastic course.”
    “Good,”
said Cindy, relieved that he’d enjoyed the afternoon.
    “And
I found out incredible new information,” Cindy started, but Mattheus put his
hand gently over her mouth.
    “No,
no,” he whispered, “none of that. I’m not on this case, remember?”
    Offended,
Cindy took his hand off her mouth. “Have it your way,” she said, turning away.
    “We
have an agreement here, Cindy, remember?” said Mattheus.
    Of
course she remembered, she was not a child, and didn’t appreciate being spoken
to in that manner. In fact, she was ruffled. Cindy didn’t recall seeing this
aspect of Mattheus before.
    “You’ve
made your point,” she answered crisply. “I get it completely.”
    “Good,”
he replied.
    “You’re
sticking to your guns through thick and thin,” Cindy added.
    Mattheus
smiled his wonderful, crinkly smile then.
    “I
always stick to my guns through thick and thin,” he responded.